Shrine at Cascada de la Virgen, Banos

Venezuela

Yesterday we crossed the border from Colombia into Ecuador. I suppose I was feeling a bit anxious about it, just not knowing how it would work and whether we would be hustled by people. Actually that was fine, but there were thousands of Venezuelans queuing to cross the border, having travelled through Colombia. Most didn't have passports and so those who were given permission ended up getting little pieces of paper stamped. For us it took hours of standing in different queues trying to be patient, but we knew exactly where we would be sleeping that night. For these people they are homeless, carrying all they could manage from their homes. It was very moving and also terrible seeing so many young children living at this border until their futures are decided. The border police are currently working 24 hours a day trying to process people.

Every day since we arrived in Colombia we've met some Venezuelans. Many are on buses begging, or selling sweets for any small change we might be able to help them with. We've had lots of chances to talk with Venezuelans. The man in the picture below became our friend. Jairo Emilio has crossed illegally from Venezuela without his wife or 4 children who arrived the day we left. He's a Christian and he is trying to make ends meet. This money is all he owns in the world, it used to be enough to buy a car but now is worth absolutely nothing. 

Tonight I had my mobile robbed from me, I've been feeling sad about the photos I've lost and not being able to keep in touch with people; but thinking about all these people who have lost absolutely everything makes my small loss pale into insignificance.

Emelye

Wayuu people in Riohacha

We have come way up north to La Guajira. The northernmost department of Colombia which touches Venezuela. The land here mainly belongs to the Wayuu people, but there is no water or electricity and mainly cacti grow. The charity I used to work for has been involved with one group of Wayuu people for a couple of years and we took the opportunity to come and visit them. It was both shocking, moving and wonderful. 

We visited the renewed school building, previously destroyed by the FARC. We brought presents of shoes for each of the children and spent the morning trying shoes on children. We also brought their first uniforms!

This is the pastor's house both above and below. I was so struck by the verses painted on their door: 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.'

We visited their church (below) and I was asked to entertain the children. I taught them some Sunday school songs in english and they tried to teach me some Wayuu which proved most amusing! They speak Wayuu as their first language and are only beginning to learn Spanish, so I spoke in Spanish which then had to be translated! Meeting brothers and sisters in Christ felt incredible - I don't think I'll ever forget them.

Each large family group has a Ranchería, it is very arid here, basically desert. This Ranchería now has water as they have a deep well but the people so far have no experience with growing their own food so often go hungry and children still die here of malnutrition

by Emelye

Rodadero beach, Santa Marta

Where Emelye and I came 19 years ago.

Santa Marta Night Life

The Carrera 3, just around the corner from our hotel, is home to perhaps the coolest cafe/bar/busking scene in all of Colombia.

Putting the Churros back into Adventurous

After a lovely hot day on the beach at Taganga, we caught the bus home over the mountain. A guy leapt on and was selling Churros (fried donut sticks to the uninitiated) so we had to get some. He then wanted to get off whilst Emelye was struggling to find the correct change. Much honking of horns ensued as the traffic built up behind us!

Later on we discovered we were sat with a nice lady who spoke a little English who goes to an evangelical church. Unusual for Colombia!

A Crazy Bar in Santa Marta

There's a sign hanging outside that says "We don't have WiFi, so you will have to talk to each other".