Bucaramanga

  Friday June 16 After being with other travelers for the past few weeks, I decided to head off on my own in a direction not many travelers go. Took a night bus which took 15 hours instead of 10 to get from Medallin to Bucaramanga. There is not so much to special in the town or to do, but that was fine. I arrived at my hotel, which for a room with bathroom only costed 8k pesos ($3) a night. Saturday June 17 On Saturday I just walked around the city. I went looking for the museum of art, but forgot to bring the address. Everyone I asked didn't know where it was. When I finally found it, it was across right up the street from where I was asking everyone. I guess it is not so popular... one reason could be because it was closed for a few weeks to change the exhibit. At least I got to meet some nice people. Sunday June 18 On sunday, I went to a small town outside of the city call El Giron. The bus driver was nice enough to not tell me where to get out, and I ended up at the last stop with no idea where I was. It was a 20 minute walk back to the center of the town... so I decided to brave it walking. I must say, that Columbia feels much safer than any place I was in Venezuela. The historic center of the town was very nice, with a small river crossed by a few old stone bridges. All of the buildings had a colonial style, and the streets were all cobble stone. I had lunch and an ice cream, and headed back to Bucaramanga.