Preview: Los Llanos Orientals and What's to Come

Hey everyone, this is going to be short because the last blog entry I attempted to write didn't save correctly and my internet briefly went out. It has happened to all of us and it is frustrating because all of us hate wasting time. Sorry but this is the shorter (a little bit frustrated) version:

I just got back from an incredible trip over the past few weeks in the llanos orientales (eastern plains) of Colombia. Diego and I (check out his website at: http://dsblox.com/) have proudly hitchhiked over 960km/600mi across this region of the country (100% of our time in Meta done completely by hitchhiking). We have tons of photos to share with you and the rest of the world but we have a bit of a dilemma, over 80% of our photos are on different computers throughout the llanos. You see, before I went to Puerto Berrío, Antioquia to celebrate Christmas with my girlfriend I realized that I had left my 4GB memory card in my computer. Without sufficient funds I had to settle for a 1GB memory card which sounds good until one takes hundreds of photos at 8mega-pixels and video; it fills up fast. Therefore, Diego and I had to upload them onto other peoples' computers and put them into Diego's dropbox (basically an online hard-drive). We are still waiting for all of the photos to upload.

So hang tight everyone, it very well could be a few weeks until a few months before I receive all of the photos we had taken of this forgotten region of Colombia. Remember that blogs regarding Puerto Berrío, Ibagué, our trip through the llanos (Meta, Casanare, & Arauca), and working in the llanos will be posted in the upcoming weeks.

Here is the route we took over the course of one month (click to enlarge photo):

(BLACK = Diego & I / BLUE = Me solo)

In other updates, Diego and I are talking about redesigning this blog to give it a cleaner look and create my own website. I have a lot of thinking to do because I don't even know why I have a blog in the first place so imagine how I would feel having a website to deal with (it costs money). If the website paid for itself maybe.

That is all for now, I have a lot of work, studying and visa renewal to take care of in the upcoming weeks. Take care and please keep in touch.

Un abrazo de oso (a bear hug)

Attentively,

-Kevin Post

Prelude: Caquetá, Colombia

I almost never think of death while I travel but recently the governor of the Colombian department of Caquetá was captured from his home in Florencia and assassinated by what was believed to be the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or simply Las FARC. Las FARC is to this date still the largest leftist guerrilla army in the Western Hemisphere with an estimated 9,000 soldiers.

Click here for a well written summery of what has happened

Now, I feel for the governor's friends, family and admires but this also puts a huge dent in my plans. You see, I was supposed to be in Caquetá beginning in Florencia for Christmas. I understand that plans change so I have decided to spend Christmas with a girl I'm dating in her home town of Puerto Berrío along the Río Magdalena. It should be a good time with lots of freshly caught fish, music, dancing, humidity, swimming and kissing before I meet my travel partner Diego in Ibagué.

In regards to Caquetá, my theory is that now is the time to be there while security is at its peak. Just like a calm after a storm, after a large well planned attack occurs anywhere in the world it is usually peaceful afterward.

I am going to consult with Diego as well as my contacts in Caquetá before we go to see things from their perspectives. That's how Colombia works, to get way of the beaten path the local population should be consulted first.

For months now I have tirelessly researched, made contacts and planned to go to Caquetá; from my research and advice I have received it is an amazing and very off the beaten path destination for both Colombians and foreigners with a hint of danger. Much of Caquetá was once part of a DMZ created as a safe-haven for Las FARC in order to commence peace talks with the Colombian government. Caquetá has an incredibly strong guerrilla, paramilitary and military presence. Adventure, remoteness, a distinct culture, history, beauty, and a hint of danger is what I am looking for right now and Caquetá provides all of that. It's not a matter if I go but when. If we allow these players of war & public disorder to create an atmosphere of fear, they have already won.

As soon as I'm on my way to Caquetá, you'll be the first to know. Take care everyone and enjoy your vacation time (if you have any).

Attentively,

-Kevin Post