The Places In Between

 We have discovered our new favorite road treat. Just barely pre-ripe mango slices with lime juice and salt. There are vendors at all the tollbooths, which are unfortunately for our wallet prolific, selling all sorts of drinks, fruit and unidentifiable fried treats. Yum! Now only if we had a blender and some rum…

 It is so wonderful being back in the van again. Claudette is running like a champ, the air is cooler with the higher altitude, and both of us have slept better in the last few nights then since we got on the sailboat. The southbound route we chose winds through pastures and rolling hills, which slowly are turning into mountains, which will soon turn into the Andes. All these little teeny tiny towns whose names have probably never graced the expanse of a Colombian map. I personally think they are better kept secret. 

Colombians know how to eat. Each meal starts with a hearty bowl of chicken or beef soup topped with fresh cilantro. A plate of steaming corn-cakes (Colombia's version of the "tortilla" ) with butter follows. And if your still hungry, that is when your actual plate arrives! A typical plate will often have a meat entree, here in the foothills Brian and I are digging the carne de res (steak!), a small mountain of rice, a fried plantain, a small salad of onions/ tomatoes/cucumbers and beans. If you were smart, you also ordered a jugo naturales, which are the most amazing super fresh fruit smoothies made from fruits picked just days ago from the jungle and blended with a little ice into perfection.  Have room for dessert? Probably not. But I bet thats pretty tasty too.

Yesterday we found a natural reserve that protected the Rio Claro basin. It was the perfect place to spread out a little and set up the tent for a night of camping under the stars. A total bonus was that some trails had been developed alongside the river to some amazing swimming spots. Of course Brian found the twenty-seven foot high jumping platform and somehow convinced me to entertain him and the group of rafters that showed up (an audience!?!) by a few courageous attempts and one successful jump into the river from the rocks. 

Tomorrow afternoon we should hit Bogota. Im super excited to spend time with our friend's family in the city. But now is the time for more un-mapped small mountain towns. 

First night out of the city. Though I wish the view could have been a little better.

Mountain town

The captain taking a load off. 

Moountain town!

Yep, I think were out of the city.

Mango treats! Muy Delicioso!

What? A little mountain town? 

Getting "centered" 

Brian says that my nervous "tell" is a little double hand scratch. I think he is right. 

Hooray! I did it! And Im still smiling!

Just because we have drivin 11,700 miles doesnt mean that we are going to sacrifice comfort. Yes, that is the giant foam pad from the bed he is moving to the tent. 

Watch out for the cocodrillos!! 

Big pots over wood stoves and chorizo hanging from the ceiling? Now thats a good kitchen.  

One culinary treat that Brian and I are not super fond of...  Latin American's  love and obsession with mayonnaise.  

Roadside treats!