11/01 Took off this morning for a short trip to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva (founded in 1572). Apparently this is a popular weekend vacation spot for people living in the big cities and there were quite a few Colombian tourists walking around. Not so many gringos though. Actually I haven’t seen anyone as pasty as I. On a happy note the stares are way down here so I feel a bit more comfortable walking around. The central square, Plaza Mayor, supposedly the largest of its kind in Colombia, is all cobblestone as are the streets in a several block radius. Makes for some rough riding on the bike and toe-stubbing walks in sandals but the place has a nice historical feel to it with its whitewashed buildings and old churches.
I’m planning on staying tomorrow to rest up and visit a museum or two before heading out. Amazingly enough this area, even though it now sits at 7100 feet above sea level, was actually a seabed 100-150 million years ago (or 6000 years and change depending on what you believe). One of the museums has a collection of local fossils and on my way out of town there’s a place called El Fosil that has one of a giant crocodile-like monster. There’s also an ostrich farm where you can order a plate of grilled ostrich. Mmmm.
Had quite the scare coming here today. The road coming down one of the mountains was pretty bumpy and when I looked down at my handlebars I noticed that my compass was gone. It’s a little round ball that sits inside a cup-like holder–there’s also a bell attached for warning peds. I use it all the time (the compass part) so when I saw the empty black hole I was quite sad. Well I arrived in Leyva 7 or 8 miles later and after searching for hotels I found one and started unpacking. When I went to lift up my handlebar bag the damn compass fell on the ground. I guess it bounced right out of the holder and flew half a foot over to where the handlebar bag snaps on and stuck there. Talk about good luck.
Staying at the Hospederia Las Brisas. Nice quiet place with a comfy bed, hot shower and a big cable TV for 25 mil. No wifi.
[osm_map lat="6.403" long="-73.241" zoom="6" width="400" height="250" gpx_file="http://www.powercycle.net/maps/leg3/110110.gpx"]
Entries (RSS)