Colombia, the only danger is not wanting to leave

We're currently on a bus in Colombia heading towards a town called San Gil, which is meant to be South America's answer to Christchurch or Interlaken. Apparently you can go tandem paragliding for 20USD.

So what's been happening? Horse riding, elections, failed salsa dancing, street protests and of course the inevitable all day bus rides!!

We carefully timed our visit to Bogota (Colombia's capital) around a weekend so we could hit the fabled amazing nightlife, salsa clubs, and art galleries. On the South America backpacker circuit Bogota has a reputation for amazing museums, parties and beautiful people. Unfortunately we got an election. Which means no alcohol, no parties, museums and art galleries closed. A whole lot of police on the streets a few low key protests. Can't win them all, and certianly the place felt a whole lot safer than the time we managed to hit Bangkok during elections!!

A couple of people have emailed and asked if Colombia is safe. I have to say, and hope not to jinx things, but so far we feel really safe. It doesn't hurt that the government has decided it wants to encourage tourism. With this in mind a lot of towns have at least three police stationed outside tourist sites as well as a policeman station at the corner of ever block on the walk between attractions. We've also been told that anyone convicted of a crime against a tourist has their sentence increased three times. The amazing thing is that this is all to stop anything that may happen as opposed to addressing an existing problem of violence towards tourists.

Also, people keep on walking up to us on the streets to welcome us to Colombia and have a chat, which is great except my Spanish is awful and I spend most of the time either smiling and nodding looking like I'm missing a few or saying 'I don't understand'.

Tragically We're still in rice and potato land as in ever meal your plate consists of almost entirely only rice and potatos and if your lucky you might get a quarter of a slice of tomato!! Also it seems like the national dish is a banana and kidney soup - it's about as tasty as it sounds too!

Oh and if you have any interest whats so ever in horse riding - Lucy I'm looking at you - Colombia seems to be the place to go what with horses you an rent from £3 a hour to take to some amazing sights through some beautiful vistas. My some what limited experience says they are well trained as well!

Ok I'm off to listen to some Spanish tapes so that hopefully I spend a little less time looking confused!!