The last two days, have been such a pleasure here in Santa Marta. This town is so relaxing with an everso pleasant atmosphere. The easiness and friendliness of its inhabitants is sometimes overwhelming.
My knee that was injured in Costa Rica on the road has become inflammed, some anti inflams were bought today to settle it down, this is the second time this has happened, in Panama it blew up somewhat, on that ocassion the medication helped, or did it?, maybe it was time.
A doctor is to be visited tomorrow in an attempt to find the cause.
Further to my physical woes is my lower back, an issue easily dealt with given time, was agrivated during the lifting of the anchor in Portobelo, all 150ft of chain, Daves windlass was not operational, adrenalin helped get it to the surface. On a good note, with regard to health issues, the rash on my bum is disppearing fast.
So needless to say the days have been easy, visiting the foreshores, swimming, sleeping, reading and dreaming.
Last night another divine chicken roll was bought at the mobile stall across the road, getting to know the guys eating in situ has been enjoyable having a good chat about the town and life here.
The owners helper a good guy has an Aussie girlfriend, she is in Australia. They buy me coffee and we have a good laugh.
I showed him how to peel potatoes a bit faster, also adding he would make someone a good wife one day.
They commence activities at 2000 and finally pack up at 0500, having feed many borrachos y borrachas in the early hours from the night clubs. My room is 10m across the road, conversation led me to telling them I would start throwing bottles at them if they woke me up to early, all in good humour of course.
Today was spent in a similar way, watching some very talented guys playing beach football and enjoying a couple of cerveches, the seller is getting to know me we always have a good chat, we dont understand it all but we have a laugh he gets what he wants as do I. Both I lives are a little richer from the encounters.
This evening a few beers were enjoyed at the local beach front cafe accompanied with a fine meal of fish, all very reasonable priced.
Anyway finishing with my plate that had the fish remains on it a nice lady came and asked me for the fish body, no problems.
Assuming she was taking for their dog, observations saw her take it to a bench and share it with her partner.
She was a honest looking lady, with demeanor, though it now struck me they were hungry.
Finishing my meal and paying for it, the staff were asked if I could pay for them to eat a meal here. This woman and man were street shoe shiners, some establishments have issues with this. "Ok" they informed me.
Wandering down the road they were asked if they would enjoy a meal at the cafe. They picked up their two boxes and we found a table and sat down.
They were keen to have carne, as at home they only eat rice and eggs.Carne was not on the menu but they got it anyway.
This is something never before I have done to this extent. For me it was an immensly satisfying, emotional and enriching experience. All the while talking they were offering me pieces of carne which I accepted.
Over a beer each we had a lovely chat about our families and our countries. Another lady and her everso cute daughter came and got some food, they to were street vendors, after they had eaten all they could, they got a doggy bag and were to take home the leftovers for their daughter who was two years old.
The people in this town moved me to do this, the enjoyment we three got from this encounter was immense. On parting they were so thankful. On parting I was just as thankful for such an enjoyable time with just normal people, people that make towns, where people visit what they are, not the views, not the shops, not the flash hotels. For me interacting with these people is so important.
It was a fitting end to a relaxing day.
My knee that was injured in Costa Rica on the road has become inflammed, some anti inflams were bought today to settle it down, this is the second time this has happened, in Panama it blew up somewhat, on that ocassion the medication helped, or did it?, maybe it was time.
A doctor is to be visited tomorrow in an attempt to find the cause.
Further to my physical woes is my lower back, an issue easily dealt with given time, was agrivated during the lifting of the anchor in Portobelo, all 150ft of chain, Daves windlass was not operational, adrenalin helped get it to the surface. On a good note, with regard to health issues, the rash on my bum is disppearing fast.
So needless to say the days have been easy, visiting the foreshores, swimming, sleeping, reading and dreaming.
Last night another divine chicken roll was bought at the mobile stall across the road, getting to know the guys eating in situ has been enjoyable having a good chat about the town and life here.
The owners helper a good guy has an Aussie girlfriend, she is in Australia. They buy me coffee and we have a good laugh.
I showed him how to peel potatoes a bit faster, also adding he would make someone a good wife one day.
They commence activities at 2000 and finally pack up at 0500, having feed many borrachos y borrachas in the early hours from the night clubs. My room is 10m across the road, conversation led me to telling them I would start throwing bottles at them if they woke me up to early, all in good humour of course.
Today was spent in a similar way, watching some very talented guys playing beach football and enjoying a couple of cerveches, the seller is getting to know me we always have a good chat, we dont understand it all but we have a laugh he gets what he wants as do I. Both I lives are a little richer from the encounters.
This evening a few beers were enjoyed at the local beach front cafe accompanied with a fine meal of fish, all very reasonable priced.
Anyway finishing with my plate that had the fish remains on it a nice lady came and asked me for the fish body, no problems.
Assuming she was taking for their dog, observations saw her take it to a bench and share it with her partner.
She was a honest looking lady, with demeanor, though it now struck me they were hungry.
Finishing my meal and paying for it, the staff were asked if I could pay for them to eat a meal here. This woman and man were street shoe shiners, some establishments have issues with this. "Ok" they informed me.
Wandering down the road they were asked if they would enjoy a meal at the cafe. They picked up their two boxes and we found a table and sat down.
They were keen to have carne, as at home they only eat rice and eggs.Carne was not on the menu but they got it anyway.
This is something never before I have done to this extent. For me it was an immensly satisfying, emotional and enriching experience. All the while talking they were offering me pieces of carne which I accepted.
Over a beer each we had a lovely chat about our families and our countries. Another lady and her everso cute daughter came and got some food, they to were street vendors, after they had eaten all they could, they got a doggy bag and were to take home the leftovers for their daughter who was two years old.
The people in this town moved me to do this, the enjoyment we three got from this encounter was immense. On parting they were so thankful. On parting I was just as thankful for such an enjoyable time with just normal people, people that make towns, where people visit what they are, not the views, not the shops, not the flash hotels. For me interacting with these people is so important.
It was a fitting end to a relaxing day.
Sunset on Carrera 1, for reference my hotel the Colonial is on the corner of carrera 2 and calle 20/San Antonio, everso central
Mi habitacion
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The local brew, all beers consumed in the last 2 months have been good to say the least
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