Author: Mel

Living aboard a sailboat, blogging about the places we visit and the adventures we have. Love hiking, cycling, scuba, animals and adventure.

A Trip to Tolu

For my last weekend on my own, I wanted to explore the country around Cartagena. I looked in my Lonely Planet for ideas of a weekend getaway. Then I read it – 2 hours by bus to the south and a cute little beach town called Tolu! Sold! I took a trip to Tolu.

Planning for Tolu

I booked a hostel for Friday night in Tolu and packed my bag. Another independent adventure in Colombia! I couldn’t wait.  And when I learned the school was closing at 1pm on Friday, I was even more excited. I could catch an earlier bus and check out the seaside town before nightfall.  Fun!

Bus Ride to Tolu

The 2 hour bus ride turned out to be almost 4 (we left late and then got stuck behind something without moving for 40 minutes), so I missed the sunset. The bus leaves from the Terminal Transporte in Cartagena, supposedly every hour. I got to the terminal at 1:45P, was told the bus was at 2:30p and it left at 2:45p. The cost itself is very cheap, only 30,000 COP each way ($13.50 CAN, $10.50 US). The bus is air conditioned, has WIFI, reclining seats and shows movies. I am told this is standard for the distance bus services in Colombia. Not bad! I just wish it had been faster.

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Crazy Cartagena

My goal after volunteer duty today was to go to the gym and do laundry. The plan was to take the bus to the mall with the gym and then walk or taxi to a place I found online called Beer and Laundry. I know I am from New Jersey and I wanted to do 2 of the 3 Jersey Shore things minus tanning. Lol I get the irony. But crazy Cartagena had other plans for this Jersey girl today.

Getting Laundry Done

I did some extra research this morning and discovered Beer and Laundry closes at 6pm so I wouldn’t have time for the gym and clean clothes. Priorities of not smelling won out.

So then the plan became to take an uber from near the foundation  (I just started uber here yesterday and it’s ok) and go straight to the laundry place. I leave the foundation at 330pm so should have lots of time!

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Spanish Lessons in Cartagena

Part of the reason I came here was to improve my Spanish. With the volunteer program, I signed up for a week of lessons. That week is still not complete but I am getting Spanish lessons in Cartagena.

Not What I Expected

I have now been here for 2 weeks + 2 days. I honestly thought I would have Spanish lessons each day after volunteering for the first week. Why did I think that? Because that was what was promised in my volunteer plan.  Things don’t work the way they’re supposed to – I have definitely learned that.

First off, the person who was supposed to be teaching me Spanish (or helping me to improve my Spanish, I like to think :)) declined the job the day before my arrival. Too busy or something. Then Libary, the volunteer coordinator, had to find someone to replace her. Who did she find? Herself. Yes, this is not a big operation!

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