So I suppose this will be my last post, unless something happens in Bogota on my last night worth sharing. One month really flew by and seemed but a bit over a week. Now wonder I ran into so many Europeans and Israelis that seem to think a month was the shortest travel they had heard of, as 1 year seemed to be a prett popular time frame of travelers I ran into here. "Don't you people need to work?", I commonly asked but soon remembered that Americans see traveling much differently. I for the most part accomplished my goals, although vaguely defined, of building a Spanish language base and tackling a good distance by bike as well as soaking up some South American culture. For the most part I would now have to agree that Colombia has rid itself of the majority of the dangers people commonly associate it with. This in no way means that the common risks of traveling especially in places with more of a social struggle are not strongly present here. However the kidnappings and FARC horrors have seemed to become more of an internalized conflict pushed into the jungles and far from the main roads. For instance that 'Lost City Trek' that a group of foreigners were captured on a few years ago to my surprise now has about 100 Westerners doing it every week. This fact that Colombia is on par with the safety standards of the rest of South America if not better, that is commonly found in current periodicals I would agree with. But like anything else you need to see it for yourself before feeling too confident. Also, assuming they are doing their job and not 'too' consumed with corruption, the military and police seem to have a very large presence and whether on bus or bike I was never annoyed with having to be stopped at checkpoints on the main roads. Colombia is still cheap and most parts not typical tourist destinations, but the people here are pretty accustomed to Westerners and even Americans coming to visit now. Most areas are pretty good travel destinations if you ask me.
Well thanks for reading this blog to all of you who stuck with it. It gave me a reason to keep some what of a journal and share my experiences before the begin to slip away. I hope to keep touch. For those who may of been reading this in preparation for your own travels or bike trip, feel free to email me at mikedunkle@yahoo.com. Ahora este tiempo de regresar a los Estados Unidos!
