Day 5, 6, and 7: Santa Marta- The Black Hole

Day 1 at La Brisa Loca- Saturday, October 6th

Dear Obiwan,

OBI. I’m so sorry. I had no service for the last 6 days! I had internet randomly but never enough to write you. But my gosh Obi, the next 3 days deserve one entry. This hostel was supposed to be a one night stop before heading to either Minca or Tayrona and the surrounding beaches. Hermela and I arrived around 9-10pm, showered and got ready and ate some street food then headed to the BIGGEST party in Santa Marta on Saturday nights- our hostel! People come from all around, the roof is HUGE. Covered in vines and counches swinging by chains.

THE FIRST PEOPLE WE SEE ARE CARLOS AND EDUARDO! We met them in Cartegena!

Sadly the moment we got there the cops came. We we’re told that about once a month the cops bust this party. Of course that happens the we arrive! So there we are, ready to dance, and we met someone who worked there, Raul, who took us to a fun club in Santa Marta to dance to reggaeton and salsa and other music at. Sometime around now we met this amazing English woman, Olivia! She is so funny and fun and just all around fabulous.

Once the club closed around 4 am we all hung out at the hostel until sunrise! Here are 2 pics, 1st is me Hermela and Olivia, second is sunrise-ish from our hostel:

Day 2 at La Brisa Loca- Sunday, October 7th

Today I slept the day away, and now begins the cycle of death sleep (going to bed at 8am) and waking up at 2.

Had street food with Herme. We we’re now friends with many hostel workers and volunteers since we partied with them till morning. They told us that Sundays are very calm.

We relaxed and drank at the middle bar most of the night. Ben who we met in Cartegena was staying at another hostel and joined us! He said he could only come for 1 drink since he was starting the Lost City Trek tomorrow (4 day hike in the jungle in Colombia, supposed to be super beautiful but incredibly difficult and HOT)

Eventually we played this wheel game they have at the hostel. Here are some pics:

Pretty much the wheel’s goal is to destroy everyone. Some things are just a free drink, but most require you to take a shot or chug a beer or put on a costume or worse. Since it was Sunday night the crowd was calmer which was amazing because at one point I landed on the one that if you are a woman you have to strip and if you are a man you have to put your man parts between your legs and run across the room…it’s the worst one OBI!!! But luckily only one person saw and he and I both quickly moved the wheel one click over to just get a free drink and no one cared.

Here are some pictures from the wheel game!:

We then partied almost till morning again with everyone!

Day 3 at La Brisa Loca: Monday, October 8th

Today I only slept till 12! We met up with Carlos and Lucha and a few others from the hostel headed to the beach!

Every local told us that Santa Marta had an ugly beach, I kept saying that they need to see the Jersey shore where the ocean is black and the sand it’s rough!

Any who, the beach was lovely! Carlos and Lucha are both so nice and funny and incredible to be with. Lucha makes fun of my Spanish speaking skills and Carlos encourages me to keep trying! This amazing woman from France was there who was smart and funny and had a huge heart. We talked for a while about life and solo traveling and I am so grateful for her.

Here are photos from la playa:

Look this is called La Tortuga because it looks like a turtle!!!:

Oh Obi- someone from the hostel help me make this!!! My finger hurts so much less now!

We later headed back to hostel and had a calmer night but still stayed up till sunrise!

The next day I had to leave. I slept for about…2 hours and made sure I got the hell out of there.

Santa Marta was a beautiful black hole full of dancing and partying and new friends and beautiful sun rises. But, I needed to get out! And finally I did. Headed to Minca with Herme and our 2 new German sister friends who we partied with over the last few days.

Good night for now Obiwan, love you!

Love, tu Madre,

Carly