Raindrops keep falling on my head....

We survived our adventure into the jungle, which was one of the most unique trips that I have ever taken. We really did swim with pink dolphins in the Amazon, fished for pirahnas, watched the fastest moving sloth you could possibly imagine as our guide climbed up into the tree after it, and held caymens (type of alligator). Our rubber boots were a laughable attempt to "stay dry" on our hikes through the rainforest when we ended up crossing water that inched higher and higher, to our thighs, above our waists, and finally deep enough that we needed to swim across. Blair, Julia, Melissa and I had the lodge to ourselves for 5 days and we enjoyed every minute of it.


Melissa and I arrived back to Bogota yesterday evening for the second half of our nice long spring break. As much as we loved the rainforest, it was nice to return to civilization...away from all of the misquitos...wash our nasty jungle laundry and enjoy some fine dining in the Zona Rosa. Bogota remains my jumping off point, I have been here several times, and despite a few unlucky incidents that several of us have had here, this city becomes more and more appealing each time that I return.


I realized earlier today that yesterday was exactly one year from the date that I had first returned home to Madison from Colombia. So many memories come back as I recall the first time that I arrived to Bogota last year and like others, I feel a pang of jealousy thinking about others who were able to go to AXLDS this year, hopefully having an equally life-changing experience. My life has changed so much since my first encounter with Colombia last year. I smile as I wander through the city and remember my initial discovery of different spots in the capital city, each time that I have returned since then, and the wonderful people who I have spent time with here.

My time in Colombia is winding down quickly. What comes next remains to be determined, my future still seems to be one large question mark. For now, all that I can do is cherish mi vida colombiana, for I know that it will be one more memory all too quickly....

In the jungle, the mighty jungle...

Suddenly before my eyes, hues of indigo arise...

My duffel bag is sufficiently overpacked with books for the 18 hour trek to and from Bogota. My iPod is charged and I have scored some dramamine to knock me out on the overnight bus ride halfway across the country. Plans have been made to crash with a trainee in the cosmopolitan capital for a few hours before our flight takes off Saturday morning to the Amazon. I managed to find my vaccine card in the mess of my closet that confirmed that yes, I will be good to go play in the jungle and will not contract yellow fever. I even talked my VP finance into giving me an advance on my salary with the argument that there is no ATM access where I will be going. SPRING BREAK = t-7 hours. PSYCHED.

When theres a shadow, you follow the sun...

Starting to get goosebumps, butterflies in my stomach, the building anticipation that every travel addict has come to know and love as you prepare to depart on your next adventure. The borders between Colombia, Peru, and Brazil will blur, thoughts of teaching English left far behind on the coast, as my fellow gringos and I fish for Piranhas and swim with pink dolphins. By this time next week, I will be playing in the jungle. My attention span could rival that of a 6-year-old's.

Don't fade away 'til the morning light...

I may no longer be a college kid, but working for a university means that it is often easy to pretend otherwise. Keeping with tradition of the past four years, spring break is destined to be an adventure. After NYC, Italy/Spain, Florida, and Jamaica/Melgar, what could possibly be next?

LAS AMAZONAS

We are off to Leticia, a small town by Colombian standards (population comparable to the good old WB) that spills across the Colombian/Brazilian/Peruvian border as our jumping off spot for a week in the jungle!