37°C

I spend the morning fathing about with clean clothes, showers and packing when I spotted 2 large holes in my main pair of trousers. Doh! I change into a new pair and then fath about even more trying to attach my passport to them as they don't have any zippable pockets. Once done I leave the hostel, head to the river front, buy a "*bacon roll*" and some water and jump on the No. 1 bus to the airport. The bus had about 6 rows of seats and was in such state of disrepair that most seats has lost their padding and were just bare metal skeletons. The bus never picked up any speed because it can't. I hop off once Jimmy Angels plane is in sight (the airport) and find the big hotel as instructed.

I'm here to cash in some travellers cheques for USD cash but the hotel reception tell me the dude I want to see is in the airport. So I cross the road and speak to an English speaking tour operator. He laughs at me. Nobody will sell you USD for they are worth far too much on the black market. I decide travellers cheques suck and wait outside for a bus to go back. I wait for over an hour and am passed by two No. 2 buses but no No. 1. Every passerby stares at me whist I wait at the bus stop. Meanwhile the temperature clocked up an amazing 37°C. Far too hot for little old me so I hail a cab, or two. The first one drove off because he didn't understand me! My Spanish sucks. Nobody speaks English.

Back in town I grab a an hour on the Internet, a hot dog from a stand with ALL the extras (not a easy challenge to order), back to the Posada for chill time and back out again for dinner. I go to my favourite Colombian with the babes behind the bar. Today I have the choice of Meat or Fish. Wow! I choose fish for a change. If KFC did fish this is what it's taste like! I sweated all throughout the meal for it was still 33°C!

The place turns out to be a bit of an old mans pub and a well to do, but stubbly, lanky man a few seats down at the bar starts talking to me. Well at me, because I don't understand a word he says! But he points, gestures and uses sign language and it turns out that one of the babes behind the bar has as speech problem because she's deaf (hence also a bit dumb) and the other happy bubbly one is on medication after slitting her wrists!? The deaf one also paints landscape paintings from photos (as seen hanging on the walls around the bar). He also says I can't walk back to the Posada because I'll get mugged or shot. He buys me a beer. And so it continues for the next 6. I stick around because I need to practice hearing Spanish even if I don't understand it.

We leave after saying goodbye to all his amigos in the bar. I thought he was going to take me to a taxi rank but instead we end up in another bar! It's an old man's bar but he knows the owner. My new friend takes great pleasure in introducing me to other people, I'm a show piece! But he's not happy at all when some younger lads start chatting to me. I was his find and they're stealing his thunder! He succeeds in shoo-ing them away, apparently fearing for my safety. he checks outside constantly to see if they're hanging around. I just thought they were any combination of drunk, friendly or gay! (Lots of handshakes and hugs.) I mean, they even bought us a beer! It seems I'm a bit of a novelty and everyone want to claim ownership. After a few more beers we leave and hail a cab. It costs me a staggering 10,000 Bs to go four blocks up the road! Still, I pay because me new friend has been good to me. Adios Amigo!

Walking into the Posada I see a big plate of salad, decide I'm hungry and tell the staff so. I was hoping for a quick sarnie but they're more than happy to whip me up a 3 course meal instead! Then the main guy (Francesco) sits with me. Still no English speaker in sight so it's back to pigeon Spanish and sign language. My Spanish sucks. Nobody speaks English.

I'm in bed for 10 O'clock - I feel completely shagged out. I blame the heat!

Posted by Steve Eynon