Colombia: Why Take the risk?

Five Weeks to Go...

Being someone who normally shutters at the word "blog" and all other words whose root is "blog," I am somewhat reluctant in opening this page. However, in my research for my upcoming trip to South America, I have found many other traveller's postings very useful and hope that at the end of my trip, my experiences can be of aid to someone else. It will also function as a place where I can update friends and family about what I'm doing, rather than in a mass email. Great. Now I feel I have justified getting a blog. Man I hate that word. But I digress...

My trip will take place 19/05/2008 to 19/08/2008, starting in Caracas, Venezuela and ending in Lima, Peru. I plan to visit four, possibly five, countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and maybe Bolivia if there's time. I have been keeping up to date with the situation in Colombia and Venezuela and have not the slightest fear of troubles with FARC. Any possible problems will take place in the streets of major cities, I'm sure. But with the helpful advice of people at Lonely Planet, I will be sure to avoid putting myself in any great peril.

I might try to do some couch-surfing, as per warm recommendation from my sister. I also have a friend in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with whom I will travel with for a little bit. Those who know me know that I'm not too regimented, so in place of an itinerary, I've got a shortlist of things I want to do and places I want to see in my three months:

• Salto Ángel / Angel Falls
  
• Meridá (not the Mexican one)
• Bogotá
• Ciudad Perdida
  
• Cartagena
• Cotopaxi
  
• Machu Picchu
  

At the present moment, I'm still in Victoria, BC where it is a mediocre 8°C and everyone speaks English. I will head to Montréal for a bit in May before heading south on May 19th. Until then...