Miami, Florida

Hmmm... Where to start...got stuck in Bogota for a night trying to leave for Miami in route to Haiti. Bit of a change of plans mid-trip to venture to Haiti to help an organization named GrassRoots United.

Unfortunately, I didn't make it on the plane the first day. Worked out really well though; met a cool Brazilian woman and explored the city with her. She had been there for a couple of days already, so she made things pretty easy for me. Which, after a full day in the airport, was quite a relief.

So glad to have made the flight the next day and have Sam and Brenda pick me up from the train station in Fort Lauderdale. Went out for a couple of beers and then headed to an enormous warehouse run by another organization. It contained more goods to go to Haiti than they could get down there. It's crazy...some of the stuff has been sitting there since it happened.

The next night, Friday, Brenda's roommate and company threw this amazing benefit for us and another org named "Plant it Peace". 5 bands at a really cool venue named Revolution. It went over really well and without a hitch.

Yesterday afternoon, I got to see Scott, an old friend from Peace Corp. Had a beer and caught up. Got to rehash some old Macedonia stories and meet his wife. So great to see him!

Well, a couple more days in Miami and then down to Haiti. Getting antsy.

Cartagena, Colombia (once again)

Got back to Cartegena and went to the fort at the edge of the city. Explored the underground tunnels and beautiful views. We followed this with a night out at Babar "la discoteca de spring break"...no one was over 22 and the music was, of course, hard core techno. Plenty of good laughs though!

Had a lazy day on Saturday shopping, drinking cerveca, and lounging at the roof-top pool. Found this great bar down the street named 'Cafe Havana' where the live Cuban band didn't stop, mojitos always flowed and the dancing went all night.

Volcan de Lodo el Totumo was an interesting spot. A cone of dirt with a mud pit in the middle. Once in it, you can't really move around so its this scene of around 30 people laughing and trying to convince one another to dunk their heads under. Good times.


Last night in Cartagena. Packing and leaving in the morning!

Tolú, Colombia

Sent my dad off the other morning and Allie and I headed to Tolú. We were looking forward to relaxation and beaches, Colombian style. We finally arrived after a very bumpy bus ride with very full bladders. We were immediately accosted by the bicitaxis (the local mode of transportation).




This morning we bought tickets for a boat ride to the islands. But the boat never came. So we went to the outskirts of town and found a local to take us around on a canoe. Traveling always keeps ya flexible.

Stopped on a floating house to relax and have a drink and to eat oyster that were collected off the mangrove roots. Might regret eating them later, but they were damn goo going down!.

Just got back to Cartegena. Relaxing and drinking a beer before the finding some trouble to get into tonight...

Cartagena, Colombia

Made it to Cartagena where my dad and I are to meet up with Allie. Excited to travel with my long lost travel buddy again!

For the last few days we've been in Taganga, a small, relatively touristic beach town near Santa Marta.

We did a lot of laying around and relaxing...great way to unwind at the start of the trip.

Dad has his 1st bout with a stomach bug... So far bug-1/dad-0. Hope he's able to kick it quick...he has been looking forward to Cartagena the whole trip.

NEXT DAY...got to explore Cartegena today and met up with Allie. Visited the walled city and just wandered around all the cute squares.

It reminds me a bit of New Orleans with all the balconies and architecture. Truly a great city.

Medellin, Colombia

On the travel train again! Colombia. Started out the trip with a couple days in Chicago. And in true Olson tradition, my dad decided last minute to join me.

Medellin is pretty metropolitan. Went to the botanical gardens and aquarium today. The orchid exibit was impressive. It was housed in a large wooden open-aired gazebo that was as interesting as the plants themselves.

Heading to Santa Marta tomorrow. Then to a smaller town that is said to be a little backpacker haven, but have heard that it's worth going to. Hopefully we'll get some diving in.