Local legend says that the volcano once indeed produced hot lava and ash- but the local priest, seeing that it was the work of the devil, sprinkled it with holy water... changing the lava into mud to drown the devil.
I sure hope it was holy water and not a place where they once went to take a piss or crap. Somewhere between Baranquilla and Cartagena, our bus dropped us off on the side of the road near the entrance to the volcano. It was about a one kilometer walk in to the volcano on a dirt road with nothing on the sides. From a distance we finally began to see the volcano. It looked more like a giant ant hill than a volcano. As soon as we got close we were instantly surrounded by about 3 or 4 little kids who were very persistent in helping us. After we paid our entrance and climbed up the stairs into the mouth of the volcano, we handed our new escorts the cameras and our gear. In we went, happier than pigs in shit! The feeling was unlike anything I have ever felt. Your feet do not touch bottom, and the mud is soo thick that it does not allow you to sink. It was definitely worth the trouble to get there. After you get out of the mud pit, you climb down the stairs and into a small river where some of the local women help wash you off.
After a short while we proceeded to walk back up the road and find a place to catch the bus. After a couple of kilometers walking, we stopped at a food stop on the side of the road and had some juice. Different people gave us different information about where to catch the bus to Cartagena. The juice guy talked to one of his friends and offered us a ride to where we could catch the bus. I have to admit, that the ride sort of freaked me out at first. I mean he got off the main road and cut through some dirt road trail that seemed like it was going to a guerilla hiding place. The only thing that eased my worries some was the fact that there was some older woman in the back that he was giving a ride to also. We finally got to stop, hopped on a huge chiva bus that was too packed. We met 2 women that were traveling around the world, but with no airplanes. One was from France and the other from Belgium. I believe they caught a cargo ship from southeast Asia to South America. Crazy!
Anyway one more night in Cartagena then were off to Medellin.
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2 comments:
this blog puts a big smile on my face, just what I needed on a monday morning. i loved the floating mud picture, very cool. AML
Your adventure looked like an awesome one. the beaches were beautiful and I liked the mud pictures. Especially the one where you're the only white guy around. You and Vic will have some stories to tell.
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