A welcome break... Minca

Each morning here in Santa Marta I wake up to the sound of loud traffic, conversations shouted across the street and vendors selling AGUACATE AGUACATE AGUACATE!! That is if the heat hasn't beaten their daily wake-up calls. So when I woke this morning to the sounds of birds and insects, and I was actually using a blanket, I felt a deep sense of relaxation. Welcome to Minca.

About fifty minutes drive outside Santa Marta lies the small town of Minca. Nestled on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada it is a green little haven from the relentless heat of the Santa Marta sun, and a treasure trove of trees, flowers and all kinds of birds and insects. We decided it was time for a small break, and got up early Sunday to make our way there. 

There are no buses to Minca as such, just an option of a four wheel drive which you hop in and wait to fill up, or a ride on a moto-taxi (back of a motorbike, no thank you!) or maybe a taxi. As we were four we didn't have to wait for our car to fill and climbed into the boot of what can only be described as an old banger! A bumpy ride later (in which the metal floor of the car heated up so much that our feet were burning through our shoes) and we arrived over a rickety little bridge into the town of Minca.

Apparently until 2006, Minca was under the control of paramilitaries - the Sierra Nevada is notorious for paramilitary activity - but, for us at least, there was no sign of any of this. It consists of a dirt road, with a pool hall, a few shops and some vendors selling typical Colombian street fare. The main thing I noticed was just how nice the people are. I have always been told about the wonderful Colombian people, and I got to see it at full wattage in Minca - everyone wants to help!

We walked to a waterfall (about an hour away) through lots of huge bamboo trees. If you stood still you could hear them creaking slowly - kind of spooky! They looked beautiful though, huge canopies framing the path, towering over us. There are lots of birds flitting between the trees - bright, colourful birds that I have never seen before, and butterflies land on your path and in the bushes, making everything seem like it is moving and alive.

My bed!

The best part though came when we arrived at our hostel for the night . After swimming in the waterfall, a picnic, walking back to town and a steep hike, we arrived at Casa Loma. Owned by an English couple who quit everything at home to make a go of it in Colombia, it is just so peaceful! It is an open structure, and we opted for hammocks as our beds for the evening. They face outwards over the wonderful view, where Santa Marta is just a few lights twinkling in the distance. I fell asleep with a nice cool breeze swaying the hammock... 

Morning coffee from a local farm 

Even when I woke up at daybreak with the sounds of the birds, it felt lovely to lie and look at the scenery, having been in the centre of Santa Marta or the barrio for the past month or so. Having got to the stage now where I am even dreaming about the school and teaching it was such a nice break, and I have to say that I am looking forwards to the upcoming Semana Santa and the week off it gives us!