Crashing birthday parties in Popayan

We left Pasto and spent a few hours on the bus looking at some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. It reminded me of the Himalayas in Nepal but instead of rocks and snow, it was grass and trees. The area we were travelling is regarded is some of the most dangerous sections of the Pan American highway with regards to guerrilla activity, so there weren't any unplanned stops along the way!

We got to Popayan and all of its chalk white facade buildings. We found a nice little hostel with a nice little old lady (who spoke no English - virtually no one does around there) running it. We got our room and wandered in to the hallway where we saw a couple of Dutch blokes Martin and Fred having a beer. We got chatting and since we were all looking for a feed we all went out together. Just as we were leaving there was a Canadian couple who also were heading out and had been in Popayan for a few days and seemed to know where to go, so we followed them.

Chalk white buildings of Popoyan

We went to a pizza place and ordered some beers and food. We got a little spiel from the Canadian girl about giving up meat one day a week because it has a large carbon foot print. I wasn't the only one at the table who found it ironic that she was telling us about this when we were sitting in Colombia. I'm tipping she didn't paddle a boat or ride a push bike there. Any how it was also the town's birthday that day and there were fireworks that night. We finished our food and headed out to watch. The Canadians shot away to get some pics so Melinda and I watched them in the street with Fred and Martin. We then went for a few beers and before stumbling in to a massive street party complete with salsa band and hordes of people drinking and dancing.

We walked through the crowd and suddenly there was a family in front of us. We barely talked for 10 seconds before they poured a little shot of rum in to a cup and held it out to me. I had all the thoughts of 'don't drink anything from strangers, you'll be drugged and they'll take your kidneys and steal your wallet, blah blah'. So I took the cup, looked at Melinda and downed it! It was surprisingly good. So we soon finished off their whole bottle so I bought another one, which we shared with everyone and anyone. There was some guys there who had an aniseed tasting drink called Aguadente. A bloke came up to me and pointed at the bottle and then did the crazy sign (twirling his finger near his head) and said 'loco' (crazy), before handing me a shot. I've got to say that I really liked it!

Soon enough it was 2am and the family were heading home - to party! We were of course invited and off we went towards their house. I started walking about 100m before Melinda and I realised how very, very tired we were (and possibly a bit tipsy) and decided to do a runner and go home. So if that family from Popayan reads this, sorry for bailing on you! Martin and Fred (we found out later) had gone of with some Colombian guys and went to about 4 different parties before arriving back at the hostel at 5.30am, somewhat 'tired' themselves.

Then next day I awoke with possibly one of the worst hangovers in my entire life. And to make matters worse, the Canadian couple had found an American couple in the hostel with a guitar and she was merrily singing away. I cant begin to describe how bad I felt. Finally at around 4pm, I came good and so we had an early night.

The next day we set off for the famous city of Cali.

Finally, the hangover is gone and time for bed at 'Casa Familiar Turistica Hostal'