FEBRUARY 2019: LIFE ON THE ROAD
The last time I left you, I was absolutely loving living in Buenos Aires. February came around and I still couldn't bring myself to leave the city.
Staying in Buenos Aires for a prolonged period allowed me to get to know the city better but also after 7 months in South America, I felt like I needed a pause in between Patagonia and my next destination.
The constant stimulation and new experiences no longer seemed attractive and I rather craved some stability. Buenos Aires provided just that.
However, after six weeks, sad to leave this amazing city, I was once again excited for my next destination.
Uruguay had never really been on my radar. If I'm going, to be honest, I was going to skip the country altogether.
Fortunately, flights from Buenos Aires to Colombia were rather expensive which forced me to reconsider my route via Uruguay.
I'm glad I got to experience a tiny part, even if it was short lived and rather expensive.
Here are some of my highlights from the month of February! Oh and did I mention, I turned 31 this month!
buENOS aIRES
Sunsets in Buenos Aires
My last couple of weeks in Buenos Aires
My airbnb apartment lease ended and my final couple of weeks involved airbnb hopping around different neighbourhoods every three to four days.
I loved staying in Villa Crespo but a large part of me craved green spaces which Buenos Aires is, unfortunately, lacking in for the most part. Alto Palermo was the perfect place to spend my final few days, kicking back with a good book in the evenings.
I really didn't eat much meat before coming to Argentina, but after 3 months in the country and a miserable first two weeks trying to be a vegetarian, I've come to love a good piece of steak.
No doubt I'll miss socialising over mate and morning media lunas dipped in a coffee and not to mention Argentinians themselves.
February life on the road - San Antonio de Areco
Some more door photography
I finished up my last few days solving escape room mysteries in Spanish, spending a day at San Antonio de Areco and saying goodbye to friends I had made one last time. For now, it's not goodbye, more 'hasta luego Argentina'.
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN BUENOS AIRES
Heading to country number 5 in South America: Uruguay!
Four days in Uruguay gave me some sunny beach time and an insight into a country that I don't really know a whole lot about.
I explored the old town and beaches of Colonia, cycled around the malecon and chilled on the beaches of Montevideo.
If I'm going, to be honest, Montevideo wasn't one of my most favourite cities and a couple of days was more than enough.
I found Uruguay pretty expensive, even for grocery shopping.
Nevertheless, if I'm ever back, I hear they have some really nice places to stay outside the cities in the countryside and nicer beaches further up the coast.
Surprisingly, the sea was really warm and great to go for a swim!
Panoramic views over Montevideo
Enter Colombia
Entering Colombia is a story in itself.
Up until this point, I've been pretty lucky to get away with hopping around South America on a one-way ticket.
But my luck ran out when I attempted to board a flight from Lima to Bogota and was refused to board at the airport. Luckily I had few ideas on hand in case this happened and thankfully I was handed my boarding pass.
Handy tip (not related): if you ever have to pay (an insane amount) for your boarding pass at Lima airport because you didn't print it out beforehand, just pop over to the hotel across the road, they'll happily print it for free if you buy a cup of tea.
Relieved I had arrived in Bogota, a two night stay quickly turned into five nights. I had heard mixed reviews on Bogota but I actually loved it!
Venturing through the different neighbourhoods, markets and museums, Bogota had a really great artsy vibe.
February life on the road - Bogota sunset
Sunset in Bogota
Next up was Salento, where it turns out that even in Colombia, it'll rain on my birthday. I'm not complaining though.
I had a great morning horse riding through the valleys, sipping on the finest Colombian coffee and a wonderful dinner with my dorm buddies.
Horse Riding Salento
When you have no idea how to saddle up
Heading to Medellin, the eight-hour bus journey from Salento was torturous and filled with motion sickness and a crazy driver bombing it down windy roads.
I explored the colourful streets of Guatape, the forests of Parque Arvi, numerous bars and restaurants, getting to know and understand a side to Colombia that existed 20 years ago. I'd highly recommend the Comuna 13 tour.
Guatape Colombia
Views over Guatape after climbing over 700 steps
Comuna 13 Medellin
Expenses this month
A couple of extra costs went into my budget this month. The first one was the flight from Uruguay to Colombia.
Naive me thought there would be some low-cost airline, which proved to be far from it. For the price I paid to go to Uruguay, and fly to Colombia, I could have just flown home to London directly from Buenos Aires.
I also started eating out more in Colombia, especially in Medellin. There are some really great restaurants I tried out.
Where to next?
In March I'll be exploring more of Colombia. I plan to head to the north and maybe even visit the islands of San Andres and Providencia.
I would have loved to have spent my birthday there but the weather seems to be terrible at the moment.
