January 1st, 2010

Just discovered that if you click on the pictures you can make them much larger for easier viewing. Hope that makes them more interesting as well.


Some moto riders we met while at Casa Blanca Hostel in Cali Colombia

Arno from Germany
Arno's girlfriend

Arno's riding buddyOutside the hostel New Year's Day
Our first impression at the bullfight...lots of people with candles for the opening ceremony
Part of the procession of Picadors


Ok so we didn't get the map out and make any riding plans for tomorrow. That strategy has worked well for us so far so why fix what ain't broke?! I did manage to take a short nap and add the previous days activities and pictures. Then four of us hailed a taxi and headed across town to where the arena is located. The spectacle starts outside with loads of food vendors and people everywhere.

We bought $24 dollar tickets and had ok seats. They started the festivities by passing outwhat looked like fancy paper covered small popcorn buckets with a candle stuck through the bottom. Everyone lit them as music swelled from the speakers and out came a procession with what looked like a Catholic shrine to Mary. They did a lap or two around the ring and then they introduced some participants or at least that is what it appeared to be happening. Then the action started

Afterwards we stopped at a BBQ for a late night dinner

Mike enjoying dinner

This a.m. we will try again to get moto insurance and get Mike's glasses fixed before hitting the road. Looks like a couple days to Ecuador. Hope all is well with you and thank you for reading-John