Tired...

Entrance to the Cuyabeno National Park, Ecuador

We just arrived at the park entrance of the Cuyabeno park... we now have a boat ride... some notes:

Journey to the Jungle... No sleep, amazing sights, small communities, social centre, women washing clothes in the river, overturned bus, waterpipes and telephone wires following the road, thick jungle, from cold to so humid, politicians pictures on homes. Oil drilling plants dotted between communities.

Arrival in Quito

Hostel Arco Del Sol, Quito, Ecuador

Arriving on the plane in Quito was a breath-taking experience, at first we saw just mountains, some covered in deep forest, others in cloud and mist... But as we got closer and lower we saw the vast spread of urban sprawl located in the huge valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Ernesto had told us that the airport was right in the city centre but I hadn't really taken in quite how much this was the case. Having landed we disembarked the aircraft to find houses surrounding us, something I'd never experienced in the tens of airports I'd visited. In the distance was a huge, white, snow covered mountain that we later found out was an active volcanoe... It was an incredible sight.

Ernesto was, as he'd promised, there to meet us as we came out of the International departures. He had also booked us into a hostel, where I lay now. This evening we went Ernesto's place for dinner, really fresh seafood, mussels, fish and fine chillean wine. The flat was incredible, greeted by artwork made by the guys and their friends including photography, painting and sculpture work. Ernesto explained that within their collective they regularly swap artwork to display in their houses.

The conversation as we ate was really interesting... The main topic was the recent manifestations and people's overthrowing of the president. I'd read a bit on this a few weeks before leaving but that was just as things were beginning so it was facinating to find out how the regular, large scale protests eventually led to the former president fleeing to Brazil. What was more incredible was that the demonstrations were mostly peaceful, and a lot of impact was made through the involvement of forms of artistic and cultural protesting.

There is a history of social movements here with a change of president on three occassions in the last seven years. Each time the manifestations were led by a different class of people, this time it was primarily the middle class, people sick of the bad policy making but the final straw being the presidents selection of cabinet members, all of whom were friends of his, and in the opinion of Ecuadorian people, completely unfit for the job.

Tomorrow we will meet with Ernesto again and arrange our mission to the jungle... So excited I hope I can sleep!

Star Wars... in Spanish

Somewhere between Bogota and Quito

It's been an interesting afternoon, not what I expected but nice. On arrival to Bogota airport we had to come out of the terminal for our connection, at which point Paul suggested (of all things) a trip to the cinema! Now when you go to the capital city of Colombia I know its not what you'd expect, but we were both tired and brain dead and the idea of sitting in front of Episode III was actually really appealing.

And we weren't dissapointed... Both avid fans of Star Wars we watched in awe at the darkness and intensity of the third and final chapter. Only complaint I had was that it was in Spanish! So I didn't understand much of the dialogue, but at least I could follow the story.

Following the film we ran for a taxi and made it through security in time to stop for a coffee before embarking the plane. I'm tired again, but my brain still very active... Thinking about many different things. It helps to have the brilliant blue, clear sky outside and the little fluffy clouds. I'll grab 20 minutes shut-eye and then we'll be in Quito for the next part of our adventure...

Goodbye Colombia

Medellin Airport

Sitting in Medellin airport its beginning to sink in what I've seen, the experience I've had and the people I've met... Its really been incredible. Visiting the area where Pablo Escobar grew up, the streets full of prostitutes and dealers, hearing about the evil work of the paramilitary and the incredible poverty. Yet I am sure I will return, one day... And find something better. There is a positivity in the people here, a feeling that with the new president things are improving. And given that they are some of the most welcoming, friendly and warm people I have met, I really hope for their sake that the optimism is met with even more action and change.

Now we fly to Bogota, to connect to Quito in Ecuador. I hope that I can get some sleep on the flight as I'm wiped out after a trip to Mango's nightclub last night for Vito's Birthday. The rainforests await us in Quito, as do our friends Ernesto and Fransisco. They were participants in the project and really great guys. They will meet us at the airport and be our guides for the first day or two. Hungry, tired but excited... They're calling our flight.