| November 7: More training and a trip to Barranquilla |
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Today is Saturday and everything started a bit later. I attempted a walk from the hotel to a ridge that rises above the city. It was at least 90 degrees, sunny and humid. The roads are winding and narrow and when I approached the steeper areas the paved roads dissolved into mud paths. I kept asking for instructions, but as I got closer people warned me not to go there alone. I was running out of time and was drenched in sweat, so gave it up. I'll try again tomorrow if I have time. A van picked us up for a trip to Barranquilla. We did some banking business, had lunch in a grocery store restaurant. Barranquilla has some impressive commercial developments. The grociery stores would rival any in the world for quality. It's a contrast with less developed areas in the country, but indicates there is a substantial middle class. I have not lost my interest in transportation systems. There are all kinds here. Two illustrated below are donkey carts and adapted motorcycle carts. There are also moto-taxis where you either ride behind the driver or they have built rickshaw-like extensions to motorcycles. Another intresting example of development is the bus rapid transit system that provides express bus rides within the city. Passengers pay their fare to get onto a loading platform. When the bus arrives wide doors open and people are ready to enter. It greatly shortens the time needed for the bus stop. The major routs have designated bus lanes that allows them to pass by much of the traffic congestion. I'd like to ride one someday. We went to a museum of history and culture after lunch. It's a very impressive program which is perhaps a bit heavy on multimedia material and not quite enough in the way of real artifacts. Still, I didn't expect such a big and modern museum. They had a lot for people interested in ethnomusicology, including videos of musicians and artisans discussing their trade. I'm hoping to return for a second visit.
After the museum we made a brief stop at a small craft market to buy a hat for one of our group that is celebrating his 30th birthday today then the 45 minute drive back to Puerto Colombia. Tonight we're having a dinner for the birthday boy on the roof patio of the hotel. It's saturday night, so there are parties all over the city. There is no need to provide music. The bars are competing for loudest loud speakers. We could not produce music loud-enough to be heard over this cacophony.
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