Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellín
28/5/2012
D83, T4.3, Av18.34, Total 10276
Arising, it had rained over night, a crystal clear day was commencing.
Last night a wedding reception was held at the hotel, needless to say music was going till 0300 in the morning. There were borrachos and borrachas everywhere. Bottles were getting smashed on the road and yahooing to all hours.
Having been in the borracho role before, for me it was a case of live and let live, in other words why complain. The music was ok!!
A few complimentary coffees were enjoyed while chatting with the receptionist in the morning.
On leaving the hotel about 0700, it was obvious my last day riding was to be in just the most perfect conditions. Though raincoat fresh up here.
There was a about 14k of climbing in the initial stages of the passage. After the trip to Yarumal it was nothing. The gradient was much more gentle, so riding all the way was possible.
Just the best Papaya and fuit salad was enjoyed in Don Martías, another highland town with a central park that was the social hub, all the while servicing what appeared to be a thriving rural industry around it.
Not far from here, pay back began.
Close to twenty kilometers of downhill windy road was enjoyed, framed by views that had a Swiss hint in their appearance, but myself, always aware this was Colombia. Small towns were scattered in the valleys below steep ranges.
This time was spent reflecting on everything over the last year. Along with dodging the odd pothole. Though foremost in my mind was the enjoyment derived from riding a pushbike, even if it is just round the block.
As a child in New Zealand, for me, my pushbike was a form of freedom, that took myself and my friends fishing for the day or just visiting and mucking about.
Now in my mid fifties, it still offers this freedom, except these days it is appreciated ever so much more. Its simplicity offers an opportunity to travel, almost unrivalled in this simpleness, I feel.
The temperature was quickly climbing as the descent was made, parts were so steep that semis were being passed on the way down.
My helmet was worn for the first time since Minnesota, the traffic was heavy with many cars passing up hill coming straight at me . There was always plenty of room though.
Once on the outskirts of town.
Many cyclists were encountered, generally the guys decked out in all the gear are not a talkative lot. They have more important things to do, like training, fully understood.
There were all sorts of people on bikes enjoying the day.
Many welcomed me to Medellín, while others gave me directions.On the city outskirts vendors were selling water melon and fresh orange juice, roadside. These were enjoyed.
Everywhere, as all other places visited, the people here in Colombia are so welcoming and friendly. Without this element, a journey like this would become very lonely indeed. Loneliness was an emotion never experienced.
The city lies in a valley, with the town of Bello really the beginning of the urban area.
With many questions, (generally always ask taxi drivers), my way was found to the apartment where I will spend the next few days before flying to Australia.
Just a few parting thoughts.
These lyrics to Gerry Rarrertys song, “Stealing Time” ring true for me.
I feel very privileged to have been able to have “stolen this time”. Time otherwise spent doing "normal stuff".. It was for me “Real Time”.
Over the last year, this concept of “Real Time” slowly became apparent to me.
Put simply “Real Time” is time outside an imaginery but very real circle of predictable predictableness most of us have in our lives.
Real Time has to be stolen, no one can sell it, you can't buy it. No one would insure them. If they were insured, it would no longer be real time.
Real time is time where you are largely responsible to no one or anything, you are now outside the circle. It’s also time outside your Comfort Zone. It’s time where the outcome is not so predictable. Stepping outside the circle doesn't have to be for long periods of time.
My case was an extreme example.
The less money spent to experience this concept, the more it will be enjoyed.
Almost all activities or experiences offered for sale have a predictable outcome. This is not real time.
When was the last time you had no idea where you would be sleeping that night, or without a roof over your head? (by choice)
Real Time for me is doing things like:
Sleeping on the beach with just a fire. Unexpected rain is even more fun.
Go bushwalking without a destination, with enough kit to just stop and camp when its dark and sleep.
Go to bed really hungry.
Drive your car somewhere till you run out of gas. Sound stupid?, You never know who you may meet looking for fuel!! Test your resourcefulness.
Sleep on your back lawn on a cold winters night.
Just buggering off and browsin' about on a bike for awhile.
Helping someone less fortunate than yourself.
Just name a few.
Throw caution to the wind, everything will be alright.
Even if just for a short time, you are not feeling comfortably numb, you have experienced some "Real Time".
Most importantly do it with someone you love or just as important love yourself and do it.
Feel the adrenalin making its way through your body and its associated euphoria. It's probably because you haven't done it before and you are not sure of the outcome!!
Many people in developing and poor countries experience what I call "Real Time" on a daily basis. Though for them it is within their comfort circle.
It is "Real Time" only from our perspective.
It is unfortunate that this "Real Time" for them is often not through choice. Though for many they consider themselves fortunate.
We have that choice. Time will ultimately steal us all.
By choosing to indulge in some Real Time, we can experience and understand why these people are often very happy and keep on existing.
Though they would love some time within a bigger circle, their lives are vibrant, their circle is a circle most of us can't relate to.
A need, something as small as moving a stick from beneath your head to make for a comfortable nights sleep, is the kind of need that is the essence of Real Time.
I just thought I would like to share these thoughts with you.
The things you think about on a lonely road on a pushbike for a day or two, huh? Crazy? Probably. It's a concept that motivates me.
Hopefully for me some more “Real Time” will be spent again here in South America. After all there is a pushbike with a special feather gifted to me some 10,000 kilometres back up the shores of lake Winibigoshish in Minnesota, taped to the angle bar here in Medellin, Colombia, awaiting my return.
I would like to thank every person I encountered during this time. You were the threads that made this tapestry. Thankyou.
I would also like to thank everyone who has followed this journal. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you.
For now
Thankyou
Nigel Smith. Medellín, Colombia, 28/5/2012
28/5/2012
D83, T4.3, Av18.34, Total 10276
Arising, it had rained over night, a crystal clear day was commencing.
Last night a wedding reception was held at the hotel, needless to say music was going till 0300 in the morning. There were borrachos and borrachas everywhere. Bottles were getting smashed on the road and yahooing to all hours.
Having been in the borracho role before, for me it was a case of live and let live, in other words why complain. The music was ok!!
A few complimentary coffees were enjoyed while chatting with the receptionist in the morning.
On leaving the hotel about 0700, it was obvious my last day riding was to be in just the most perfect conditions. Though raincoat fresh up here.
There was a about 14k of climbing in the initial stages of the passage. After the trip to Yarumal it was nothing. The gradient was much more gentle, so riding all the way was possible.
Just the best Papaya and fuit salad was enjoyed in Don Martías, another highland town with a central park that was the social hub, all the while servicing what appeared to be a thriving rural industry around it.
Not far from here, pay back began.
Close to twenty kilometers of downhill windy road was enjoyed, framed by views that had a Swiss hint in their appearance, but myself, always aware this was Colombia. Small towns were scattered in the valleys below steep ranges.
This time was spent reflecting on everything over the last year. Along with dodging the odd pothole. Though foremost in my mind was the enjoyment derived from riding a pushbike, even if it is just round the block.
As a child in New Zealand, for me, my pushbike was a form of freedom, that took myself and my friends fishing for the day or just visiting and mucking about.
Now in my mid fifties, it still offers this freedom, except these days it is appreciated ever so much more. Its simplicity offers an opportunity to travel, almost unrivalled in this simpleness, I feel.
The temperature was quickly climbing as the descent was made, parts were so steep that semis were being passed on the way down.
My helmet was worn for the first time since Minnesota, the traffic was heavy with many cars passing up hill coming straight at me . There was always plenty of room though.
Once on the outskirts of town.
Many cyclists were encountered, generally the guys decked out in all the gear are not a talkative lot. They have more important things to do, like training, fully understood.
There were all sorts of people on bikes enjoying the day.
Many welcomed me to Medellín, while others gave me directions.On the city outskirts vendors were selling water melon and fresh orange juice, roadside. These were enjoyed.
Everywhere, as all other places visited, the people here in Colombia are so welcoming and friendly. Without this element, a journey like this would become very lonely indeed. Loneliness was an emotion never experienced.
The city lies in a valley, with the town of Bello really the beginning of the urban area.
With many questions, (generally always ask taxi drivers), my way was found to the apartment where I will spend the next few days before flying to Australia.
Just a few parting thoughts.
These lyrics to Gerry Rarrertys song, “Stealing Time” ring true for me.
I feel very privileged to have been able to have “stolen this time”. Time otherwise spent doing "normal stuff".. It was for me “Real Time”.
Over the last year, this concept of “Real Time” slowly became apparent to me.
Put simply “Real Time” is time outside an imaginery but very real circle of predictable predictableness most of us have in our lives.
Real Time has to be stolen, no one can sell it, you can't buy it. No one would insure them. If they were insured, it would no longer be real time.
Real time is time where you are largely responsible to no one or anything, you are now outside the circle. It’s also time outside your Comfort Zone. It’s time where the outcome is not so predictable. Stepping outside the circle doesn't have to be for long periods of time.
My case was an extreme example.
The less money spent to experience this concept, the more it will be enjoyed.
Almost all activities or experiences offered for sale have a predictable outcome. This is not real time.
When was the last time you had no idea where you would be sleeping that night, or without a roof over your head? (by choice)
Real Time for me is doing things like:
Sleeping on the beach with just a fire. Unexpected rain is even more fun.
Go bushwalking without a destination, with enough kit to just stop and camp when its dark and sleep.
Go to bed really hungry.
Drive your car somewhere till you run out of gas. Sound stupid?, You never know who you may meet looking for fuel!! Test your resourcefulness.
Sleep on your back lawn on a cold winters night.
Just buggering off and browsin' about on a bike for awhile.
Helping someone less fortunate than yourself.
Just name a few.
Throw caution to the wind, everything will be alright.
Even if just for a short time, you are not feeling comfortably numb, you have experienced some "Real Time".
Most importantly do it with someone you love or just as important love yourself and do it.
Feel the adrenalin making its way through your body and its associated euphoria. It's probably because you haven't done it before and you are not sure of the outcome!!
Many people in developing and poor countries experience what I call "Real Time" on a daily basis. Though for them it is within their comfort circle.
It is "Real Time" only from our perspective.
It is unfortunate that this "Real Time" for them is often not through choice. Though for many they consider themselves fortunate.
We have that choice. Time will ultimately steal us all.
By choosing to indulge in some Real Time, we can experience and understand why these people are often very happy and keep on existing.
Though they would love some time within a bigger circle, their lives are vibrant, their circle is a circle most of us can't relate to.
A need, something as small as moving a stick from beneath your head to make for a comfortable nights sleep, is the kind of need that is the essence of Real Time.
I just thought I would like to share these thoughts with you.
The things you think about on a lonely road on a pushbike for a day or two, huh? Crazy? Probably. It's a concept that motivates me.
Hopefully for me some more “Real Time” will be spent again here in South America. After all there is a pushbike with a special feather gifted to me some 10,000 kilometres back up the shores of lake Winibigoshish in Minnesota, taped to the angle bar here in Medellin, Colombia, awaiting my return.
I would like to thank every person I encountered during this time. You were the threads that made this tapestry. Thankyou.
I would also like to thank everyone who has followed this journal. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you.
For now
Thankyou
Nigel Smith. Medellín, Colombia, 28/5/2012
Such a welcome sign
On the way down
Looking north from my accommodation in Medellín
One of famous Colombian Sculptor Fernando Boteros works in the central park.
He had a thing for overweight people.
My hosts Beatrice, right and Olga, left, their sister Martha Ines was visiting.
it was hard to believe how welcome they made me.
The city was ours for a few hours. With yahooing, whistling and impromptu stops en masse to clap and sing it was unbelievably funny.
The view over town from the top of the gondola which is just part of the transit, allowing access to the barrios on the upper slopes surrounding the city.
This gondola is different from the one above.
A bit of atmospheric clutter was about though the view of this city with all standards of housing was impressive. The transit costs 90c for a ride anywhere.
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This could be anywhere in NZ or the cooler parts of Australia
One way of getting people home.
Time out in Don Matías
The museum in the central park Medellín
Every Wednesday night in Medellín up to 2000 cyclists meet and ride through the streets for 2-3 hrs. Maurice a friend of Olgas took me along.
All traffic was blocked, where ever we went. There was every imaginable bike representad. The police were nowhere to be seen. With guys on motorbikes taking short cuts up footpaths to get past us, it was mayhem. Generally all blocked traffic just enjoyed the spectacle.
A guy dressed in Superman gear was usually blocking cars with the help of others.
Numbers building at the start. There were some very flash bikes here. Colombians truly love cycling. Helmets, or lack thereof are not an issue
Where's the snow? With 4 stations it was a large gondola set up.
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