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SamGompers has written 6 posts

I'm in love with Catalina Sandino Moreno . .

Late last night, suffering from the usual insomnia, I caught a replay of "Maria Full of Grace" on HBO - - I've seen the flick a couple of times before. But . . .last night . . I realized I could no longer resist the charms of Catalina Sandino Moreno (aka Maria) . . . especially in the last shot in the flick - - where she walks away from the boarding gate of the flight to Bogota with a look full of both anxiety and determination . . . Henceforth, Operation "Pitching Woo" commences . . . cons ...

A Language, Not Quite Spanish, With African Echoes - - NY Times

By SIMON ROMERO SAN BASILIO DE PALENQUE, Colombia — The residents of this village, founded centuries ago by runaway slaves in the jungle of northern Colombia, eke out their survival from plots of manioc. Pigs wander through dirt roads. The occasional soldier on patrol peeks into houses made of straw, mud and cow dung. On the surface it resembles any other impoverished Colombian village. But when adults here speak with one another, their language draws inspiration from as far away as the Co ...

Arabic residues in Colombia . .

We all know by now that Shakira is "half-Lebanese, half-Colombian," but after returning to the States recently from Havana where I was really struck by the Arabic influence in architecture, via the Iberian mudejar style, I'm wondering if and where there might be similar Arabic cultural residues in Colombia. Where are the big or main middle eastern communities in Colombia? Are there active centers of middle eastern/arabic culture - - clubs, community centers, civic associations, schools, radio/ ...

Where to stay in Capurgana . . .

I'm thinking about making a jaunt to Capurgana (from Medellin) in late October. What's the weather going to be like? And, more importantly, anybody have some good tips on places to stay? Thanks in advance! ...

Looking for Mompos information

Hey all . . .I'll give this one more shot. Still looking for info on traveling to Mompos from BAQ or Santa Marta. Further details in earlier post, here: http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/14526 .

Thanks.

SG ...

Barranquilla/Santa Marta to Mompos

Thought I've traveled the costa del caribe en Colombia, I'd like to try a trip inland - - specifically to Mompos. A couple of questions:

- - is the trip between the coast and Mompos safe, security-wise?

- - I'd like to try to so some traveling by boat (via Rio Magdalena) and I've read that this is how part of the trip is conducted when approaching from the north. Is this true? Where do I switch from bus to boat? Is it possible to cruise all the way down the Magda ...