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| Guatape |
I had a few weeks to kill untill the new year and I could start looking for work again.I was thinking about going up north to the Caribbean coast for a week or so.Its only an hour flight away but the heat is pretty intense and its really busy with tourists at this time of year so I wasn't so sure.Anyway before I made up my mind the yank asked me if I wanted to work in the bar in the hostel.Free accommodation for serving drinks and playing music.Yes why not.The main bar man was leaving so he needed to find someone.It was out of the blue when he asked me but I was glad he did.It would save me some money and I needed some work just to keep me occupied.The Yank wasn't always there ,and although I hadn't known him long, he trusted me enough to run the bar on my own and lock up.I had never worked in a bar before but I had drunk in this one many times so I felt comfortable on my first night.Most people when they arrive at the hostel head to the bar at night.Its a good way to meet other people and a good way to find out any information about Medellin.It made me laugh how people assumed I was an expert on Medellin and Colombia because I worked in the bar.People asking me all sorts of stuff.It isn't just backpackers who come to the bar,locals come there to.I knew a lot of them anyway but a few I didn't and they just assumed my Spanish was perfect and rattled off there order at 100mph.My Spanish is getting better but trying to understand what they say is a nightmare.They speak so fast.A barman in Colombia is something I never thought I would be doing but I enjoy it.I get to choose the tunes which is always good.I have got a very eclectic taste in music but there is always some Stevie ,Floyd and Stones gets played once in the night.Its getting close to Christmas and I am starting to wonder what I will be doing.I have been abroad for many Christmas days but never on my own.My NewYork friend is staying in Medellin till the 27th so at least he will be around. The yank who owns the hostel, his mum and dad are coming for 10 days over Christmas and new year so he is going to be with them and his brother.Christmas for Colombians is slightly different from us.They dont have Santa Claus,they have baby Jesus who brings all the children presents.Most of them stay at home drinking then they wake the children up when it gets past midnight to open there presents.Then they drink some more and have a party.More and more people are arriving at the hostel the few days before Christmas.A few of them offer to cook a big Christmas day dinner if enough people chip in.Happy days.I explain that I cant cook but I will be willing to chip in.The yank hasn't been around much because his parents are visiting him,he asks me to work Christmas eve in the bar.I can close whenever I want as long as the guests have somewhere to drink before going out.It doesn't feel like Christmas to be honest.The bar was busy Christmas eve and everyone seemed to presume I knew where to go out afterwards.I have been going out to a lot of the bars were the locals drink but I don't feel comfortable taking a load of pissed up gringos.They seem to be electing me group leader.I need the yank.He knows what to do.I speak to a few Colombian friends who had invited me to there house and they told me that most places were shut anyway as the locals would be at home.I ended up working the bar till 2 am as most people wanted to stay when I explained the main bars were shut.A few people went out but nothing was open and they ended up back at the bar.I woke up Christmas day and decided to go to mass at the chapel near the hostel.It was a nice warm day and I needed to get out the hostel,especially when dinner was being cooked.Colombia is a predominately catholic country and it was packed.I didn't understand a word the priest was saying but I have been to a few masses on Christmas day and this was the same drill as the others.At the hostel a few of the girls cooked a big dinner, three chickens, gravy veg ,potatoes cauliflower cheese...it was fantastic.I put some Christmas music on in the bar and we all sat down to our feast.There was about twelve of us and the girl working reception joined us.A few beers and some wine was drunk and everyone seemed happy enough.I decided to go away for new year.A few people asked me if I wanted to go to Guatape for a few days.Its a small town a few hours from Medellin by bus that has a festival at new year and a great place to chill out with some great scenery.Its a place the locals go to get away from the hustle bustle of Medellin.The hostel we stayed in was breathtaking.Over looking a huge lake it was amazing.The only thing I can describe it like, is maybe Loch Lomond with very hot weather.We all headed down to the town for new years eve.I will give the Colombians there due,they all get involved when theres a celebration.Most people were in fancy dress and they were getting drunk from early on.There was live salsa music and it was hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere.The next day I woke up and I headed out to the large balcony bleary eyed.The view soon made me feel better.No one else was up so I made myself a cup of tea and sat on the balcony overlooking the lake.New years day and here I am in some remote part of Colombia.I didnt see that one coming.I begin to wonder what 2012 has in store for me.A few people were starting to get up and they suggested going swimming in the lake.Is this safe.This is Colombia.Dont they have some dodgy things swimming about.I was assured it was safe.The water was clear and it was warm.Perfect hangover cure.We got some kayaks out from the hostel and spent new years day messing about in this giant lake.My thoughts are turning to work as I head back to Medellin by bus a few days after new year.I need to get some work soon.Once I get a job then I can move into a shared apartment.I cant get an apartment untill I know where I am working.I love the hostel and I am great friends with everyone who works there and a lot of people who drink there.However I need to get out to improve my Spanish and experience more of Medellin.I need my own space aswell.You meet some real characters and hear some great stories but for every four great people theres one knob head.My knob head radar is very strong since I have been away and I can swerve these people most of the time.I need to be busy.Everything opens next week.Its a big month for me.The only plan I had was to get a job teaching English.If I don't get a job this month then I never will.I might have to go back to Bogota for work and the thought leaves me cold.A job is one of two things I asked for when I went to mass....lets see if the big man can deliver.
In the words of Joe King " New year, same goal "
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