Saturday morning: I woke up a little after 8, and packed my backpack. I got to the universidad at 8:56. Universidad? On Saturday? Si. See, my classes officially ended on Friday, but one of my profesores asked if my friends (Monica and Kevin) and I would come to one of his english classes, consisting of mostly 'non-traditional' students. The idea was that I would have an opportunity to practice my Spanish (whilst giving a PowerPoint presentation about myself) and the students would have an opportunity to practice English with real, live native English speakers. Kevin and Monica are already pretty good with Spanish, as they each were basically raised in bi-lingual households, so they just spoke English. It was really relaxed, and even fun. We helped them drill on the differences between 'e' and 'i' sounds, and 'v' and 'b' sounds. They asked us about our perceptions of the country as visitors, etc. Our profesor bought us drinks afterward.
We finished up at the university at about 11:00 and took a cab to Monica's place; she was staying with a Host Family for the month that we had classes, but now that classes are over, she is staying with her Auntie in Bogotá. But not before visiting her aunt and uncle, cerca Santa Marta. We decided we would all go together for at least the weekend. Kevin and I brought everything we needed for a trip to Santa Marta, so we were ready to go. When Monica finished packing, we caught a shuttle to her Aunt and uncle's place, just outside Santa Marta.
SM is beautiful! The beaches are much cleaner than the ones in BAQ, and they're so close. We decided to find a restaurant on the street along the beach. We decided on slightly overpriced, yet decent hamburgesas. Just as we got to the beach, the sun was starting to set. It was just barely obscured by a small island a few hundred yards of shore. a sailboad was anchored about 100 yards from the beach, it was positively beautiful. Monica is part colombian, and remembers going to that beach a few years ago, when her parents made the observation that the sand on the beach used to be white about 20 years ago. Now it's a dull grey/brown color. I wonder exactly what it is that changed the color? We speculated that it must be pollutants from freighters, etc. Washing in and seeping into the beaches over the past several decades. Who knows though?
Kevin and I walked Monica back to her tios' apartment and caught a cab to Santa marta. Next time I'll tell you why I love to travel the way I do, and I'll use our experience as an example. :)
¡Gringo!
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