Santa Marta, 25th Nov.

It was obvious this morning that I was more tired than usual. Getting out of bed and struggling to the shower was a bit of a challenge. Maybe I've not been eating right? maybe the constant heat and humidity is getting to me?
Whatever, I need to get some vitamins and minerals inside me, and I don't think the local fizzy stuff masquerading as beer contains much of either.
I needed a few more Colombian pesos to tide me over until I move on to Guatemala - 14 days away. As expected, the bank charges somewhere between 5% and 10 % for the privilege at the ATM. Oh well, I'll have to bite the bullet.
It's clear to me that the Colombians have an aversion for a nice spot of quiet, let alone silence. In almost every shop doorway, mobile drinks/fruit seller and hawker there's a sound system blaring out some informative message + music + Colombian rap. It's pretty incessant and hard to avoid.
However, after a while, it just becomes the background sound, like elevator muzak.
I must be 'getting with the flow'. Maybe not 'going native', but at least relaxing into the flow of life here. I'm walking a lot slower (could be the heat) and I don't get half as irritated by taxis constantly sounding their horn in the belief that I must be in need of a taxi ride to somewhere. The calls of 'senior' or even 'amigo' from people trying to sell me something don't bother me as mush as they did. Only the calls from some street urchin on the make of 'bro' get my back up. I am most definitely not your 'bro' sonny Jim.
This afternoon I retreated to my digs, had a cup of coffee with the manager, and went up to top floor to relax a while. Red letter day: I had my first sit in a hammock that I can remember. (Do you 'sit' in a hammock or 'lie' in one?)
Answers on a postcard please.Read more