tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72485399317819016972024-03-13T02:23:57.646+01:00Travel BlogFrom bench to unknownbiomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-81515305390763805532013-06-12T14:17:00.000+02:002013-06-12T14:18:40.839+02:00Sailing From Iceland to Greenland<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE7-dQUpBIXtYEB12zJpWltA3VKnScDqlGY397subqGHT3bngRSX4CQ0qghBgyA9HlFYr89kRBy8bTypr7dg6IIAJxwOKEcj2mRVw_t1NIe2b4PUryluVUZHV1xWBBDqMgwD2HOririE/s1600/DSC_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE7-dQUpBIXtYEB12zJpWltA3VKnScDqlGY397subqGHT3bngRSX4CQ0qghBgyA9HlFYr89kRBy8bTypr7dg6IIAJxwOKEcj2mRVw_t1NIe2b4PUryluVUZHV1xWBBDqMgwD2HOririE/s320/DSC_5741.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nashachata II photo taken from Reykjavik Harpa (concert hall).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After one and half year of pushing the frontiers it was high time to go back to traveling. This time I decided to sail from Reykjavik (Iceland) in direction to Narsarsuaq (Greenland) on the boat <b>Nashachata II</b>. We will departure in few hours. You can check our current position on the <a href="http://www.conceptsailing.pl/index.html">Concept Sailing website</a>.<br />
After sailing we plan to hike in Greenland. I guess the update on the trip you can expect in three and half weeks after my come back on line.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-11349193380030511362012-05-24T23:34:00.000+02:002013-07-31T00:01:30.151+02:00Photo presentationsBelow you will find three photo compilations from my trip.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PjtO5NBzs1k" width="560"></iframe>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3QBTSIWmXUY" width="560"></iframe>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/z6EwERNJ3ts" width="560"></iframe>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-33109646956174799042012-04-14T12:49:00.000+02:002012-04-14T12:49:49.168+02:00First Ever Photo Exhibition<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/7076120689/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Plakat foto by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="Plakat foto" height="226" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/7076120689_3122059b58_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
My first ever photo exhibition is taking place in my favorite pub in Lodz - Foto Cafe 102. Info about the exhibition in Polish as well as photos from Vernissage you will find <a href="http://www.fotocafe102.pl/pl/aktualnosci.html?page=0#k276">here</a>. The atmosphere in this pub is very unique and I think is a perfect place to display photos. It is a dark pub and all photos are illuminated by a special lamps. <br />
Photos are displayed there till 18.04.2012. So hurry up and enjoy.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It was not easy to chose only 16 photos for this exhibition, but below you find this selections: Children of the World.<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157629448806264%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157629448806264%2F&set_id=72157629448806264&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157629448806264%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157629448806264%2F&set_id=72157629448806264&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-4886320050853934432012-01-09T21:11:00.000+01:002012-01-09T21:11:51.821+01:00Slide shows!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv6wRrqwXNYxB0QQ_pueofzEw5lrD9QmDnzCbWbloce9F02A5-r6Jq6Jbq9hYacNvRzKOYPJ9GyRu1w9vmDAWPrF67A7Wq8MPPdWyODA1EFYpLMH5J2p463N2ICEjxFAAcURQvqX-fTs/s1600/Plakat_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv6wRrqwXNYxB0QQ_pueofzEw5lrD9QmDnzCbWbloce9F02A5-r6Jq6Jbq9hYacNvRzKOYPJ9GyRu1w9vmDAWPrF67A7Wq8MPPdWyODA1EFYpLMH5J2p463N2ICEjxFAAcURQvqX-fTs/s320/Plakat_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is high time for my public travel sideshows. I would like to share with others my adventures, stories and experience. I will illustrate my presentation with my photos. The most importantly I hope that I will manage to encourage or to inspire at least one person to travel. World is extremely fascinating, and backpacking is a great way to explore it. The most difficult step is to start, despite it is very simple. One have to just decide to put up an rucksack and start... follow your dreams...<br />
I will give my presentation in <a href="http://www.coolturalnyradom.pl/news/show/1729/jak-na-chinskim-rowerze-za-30-przejechac-kambodze-strefa-globtrotera-z-mikolajem-slabickim-w-g2">Radom</a>, <a href="http://kamraci.eu/">Łódź</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/302228836480808/">Warszawa</a>. You are very welcome to come. Those presentation will be hold in Polish.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.coolturalnyradom.pl/news/show/1729/jak-na-chinskim-rowerze-za-30-przejechac-kambodze-strefa-globtrotera-z-mikolajem-slabickim-w-g2"><b>Radom</b> 11 stycznia o godzinie 19:00 w Klub Strefa G2</a><br />
<a href="http://kamraci.eu/"><b>Łódź</b> 12 stycznia o godzinie 20.00</a> w <a href="http://www.ironhorse.lodz.pl/">Iron Horse</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/302228836480808/">Warszawa 13 stycznia o godzinie 19.00 w Klubie Podróżnika</a>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-91771514187265426892011-12-24T01:10:00.001+01:002011-12-24T01:11:03.189+01:00Merry Christmas and a few words about my plans.First of all I would like to wish you all Merry Christmas.<br />
For 13 months I traveled through Asia and Latin America and it was incredible time. I learnt so many things. This was my school of life, or maybe even second PhD in Life. I seriously appreciated the possibility to broaden my horizons so dramatically.<br />
<br />
For the Next Year I would like to wish you that you manage to: <br />
- broaden your horizons<br />
- wake up often with a smile on your face<br />
- meet wonderful and good people on your way<br />
- and continue walking on the happiness path.<br />
<br />
And now I will tell you a bit about my future plans. <br />
Now I am back home in Łódź enjoying the time with the family. But first of February I will move to Germany to Heidelberg. Where I will study leukemia, CLL in German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). I hope some of you will manage to visit me in Heidelberg :)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Cheers,<br />
Mikołajbiomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-9816215846730595042011-12-24T01:07:00.000+01:002011-12-24T01:07:33.038+01:00Finally, coming back home to Poland.<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6559307987/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="CSC_3382 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_3382" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6559307987_e6cc22d467_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I was already in Europe for ten days but no-one knew in Poland that I am back. I continue my surprise rout. First I went to Przesiaka in Polish mountains where my sister and my mother were staying. Together with them I went home to Łódź, where I surprised my father and my grandparents. Few days later I surprised my other grandparents and finally I showed up by surprise on the birthday party of one of my friend. And then finally I organize welcome surprise party for the pipette. Welcome home pipette.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-27604048522363502362011-12-24T01:05:00.000+01:002011-12-24T01:05:35.783+01:00Dresden, my second home.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6559361331/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="CSC_3383 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_3383" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6559361331_2534fb05c1_m.jpg" width="159" /></a>Finally I reached Dresden, my second home. I was able to surprise and meet most of my friends here. Dresden, Dresden, sweet home.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-66981978715224219882011-12-24T01:04:00.000+01:002011-12-24T01:04:10.739+01:00Hitchhiking accross Europe<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6553665833/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2909 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2909" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6553665833_1a034ce06f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "towel" hitch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After seven months in Latin America I landed in Brussels. Here I met two my friends: Vinciane and Agnieszka. In Brussels I stayed only one day I decided to hitchhike from Brussels to Heidelberg, where I stayed with Mathias for one night. After another hitchhiking day I reached Dresden. My last few hours to Dresden I traveled with the girl. We had a very interesting conversation, but one of her questions was incredible. She asked if I am a serious hitchhiker, if I have a towel!!! This was reference to Douglas Admas book, Hitchhikers to Galaxy about which I mention in <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2010/07/saved-by-towel.html">my second post on the blog, where I was saved by a towel!</a>. Incredible.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-7758213308072276262011-12-24T01:01:00.000+01:002011-12-24T01:01:35.160+01:00Sudden decision ....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6553292059/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2887 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2887" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6553292059_5a9d74b305_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palenque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From Yachxilan I went to Palenque, another Maya side. The second day in the morning I had a feeling that .... it was time to go back home...<br />
I went to Internet cafe and looked for flight ticket home. I found one cheap option from Cancun to Brussele by JetAirFly in 48h. Cancun is located only 12h bus ride from Palenque. I thought a bit about this and not telling anyone about my plans I bought it and in the evening I was already in the night bus.<br />
I did not plan to come back already but this was an impulse. I had a feeling that it is time for me to come back, so I did it.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628537958689%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628537958689%2F&set_id=72157628537958689&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628537958689%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628537958689%2F&set_id=72157628537958689&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-90305447440212922892011-12-24T00:58:00.001+01:002011-12-24T00:58:48.762+01:00Hitchhiking to Maya ruins.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6521313125/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2478 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2478" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6521313125_b106ea73cf_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaxchilan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From Commitan I decided to hitchhike in direction to Tonina, Maya ruins. And indeed it was an impressive Maya ruins. But my next destination was more challenging to reach - remote Maya ruins called Yaxchilan. I had two possible ways to get there. One I had to go back to Commitan and travel around on the main road or try to go on a side road. It was impossible for me to predict how often there would be a mean of transport on this side road, but it means .... adventure :)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6521220381/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2468 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2468" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6521220381_49f9017302_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collectivo. Most of the road was very bumpy <br />
and did not have asphalt but I was <br />
too dusty to take a camera outside the beg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Since I do not like going back, and I like adventures, I have chosen this side road. I managed partially to hitchhike, but partially I used the collectivos since they were really the only vehicles on this road. Here the collectivo meant that it was a truck, where people were standing on the back. This enabled that one could appreciate landscape, as well as ....use legs for the amortizations. The road was very bumpy, cars were very old so one needed its additional mean of amortization. On the road I met interesting people. One Mexican boy was a translator for Polish missioners who were coming to this neighborhood from time to time. The other man told me that the best marijuana is growing around the corner. And here for 5$ one can buy not one single joint, but one can buy the whole big bag of marijuana. It was very interesting conversations but I did not investigate if he is right.<br />
<br />
When the night came, the local transport stopped. I reached a bigger village and I was told that the nearest transport will be in the morning. So I went to the center of the village and I found a place where I could get some Tortillas. In the village there were only endogenous people and after the sun set, there were only man on the street. Few youngsters were playing basketball on the field, so I went to join them. I was much taller than anyone else in this village.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6521240831/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2471 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2471" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6521240831_7fc0cc3555_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My basketball friends ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a game I wanted to put up somewhere my hammock for the night rest. Initially I wanted to do it in the village center under the small roof. But my basketball friends took me to someones empty house, where I could take even a shower. Before the night rest, we talked quite a bit. One of my new friends had an idea to get sparkling drink. We all collected a bit of money, went to the store. It was late in the night, but my basketball friends woke up the store owner and they bought an orange sparkling drink (kind of Fanta) and few plastic cups. We all enjoyed this drink and it was a pleasure to see how much some of the guys appreciated that they could drink sparkling, sweat drink. I told them a bit about my travel and Europe and they told me about their village and their life. I set up camera and from the timer I made one of my favorite photos... showing that I was really very tall in comparison to them....<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6553244003/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2882 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2882" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6553244003_190c8f2892_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaxchilan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In the morning I went back to the main road and waited for any possible vehicle going in my direction. Local people did not know exactly when there will be the first car going in my direction, but they told me that there will be one eventually. After a while a car came and I continue my road in direction to the Yaxchilan. It took me most of the day to get to the nearest city Frontera Corozal. From there one had to take a boat for one hour on the river. I arrived to late to Frontera Corazal, so I found a place to put up my hammock and waited to the next day. Early in the morning I got one of the first boat to Yaxchilan. On the way we have seen wild crocodile. I was sooooo happy that I did not meet crocodile when i was <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-connected-to-amazon-or-getting.html">swimming in Amazon</a>. This side was for sure worth long travel. It is greatly located merge with the jungle.This co-existans remind me <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2010/11/power-of-nature.html">Beng Mealea in Cambodia</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6521296615/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2477 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2477" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6521296615_363b463b73_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild crocodile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Tonina:<br />
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Yachilan:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6515579453/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2429 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2429" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6515579453_ce5f4349ac_m.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francisco and his <br />
Mexico famous drink.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you remember incredible Karolka, who I met in Brasilia during carnival? She has a good friend in Mexico, Francisco ala El Nuca. I contacted him through CouchSurfing platform and I got invitation for birthday party in Commitan!!! Since I was in San Cristobal De Las Casas I managed to hitchhike to Commitnan in two hours.<br />
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I arrived few hours before the party and I help Francisco with arrangements. He lived in incredible house together with his mother and the whole party took place in the courtyard. First guests that arrived KNEW ME!!! Initially I though it was impossible, but apparently Ana and Aurel were also couch surfers. Ana was browsing couch surfing profiles of people traveling nearby. She liked my profile and... she invited me for the same party. I did not check my emails after she sent her invitation but it was a great surprise.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6515608783/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2428 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2428" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6515608783_214d2efd0d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different types of chili.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>During this party I had a pleasure to talk with quite a few Commitan people. During this party there were also... five types of chili. It was nicely labeled with differential strength. And I had feeling that all the food is just additive in order to eat more chili.<br />
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Since it was a Mexican party, there was also dancing salsa included. And since I already stayed quite a bit in Latin America my salsa abilities were appreciated and I was awarded special title: Master of "Polaco Salsa"!!!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6520419777/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2436 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2436" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6520419777_01c93561b2_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer camp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next day I was invited to a beautiful farm by Ana Elena for a grill outside the town. On this farm, Ana's parents were organizing a volunteer camp/training on sustainable farming. Extremely interesting place.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6520864987/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2443 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2443" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6520864987_47181bfd69_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuka's cat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6515731435/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="CSC_2426 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2426" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6515731435_f1fe497f9d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
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In total I stayed only two and a half days in Commitan, but I had a feeling that I managed to grasp a bit Mexican soul. Francisco, <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Muchas gracias!!!</span></span><br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446440403%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446440403%2F&set_id=72157628446440403&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446440403%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446440403%2F&set_id=72157628446440403&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-88755926022829504882011-12-24T00:24:00.000+01:002011-12-24T00:24:29.174+01:00My most exotic food!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6515719125/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2425 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2425" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6515719125_8701162d4a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most exotic dish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>During my trip I ate many exotic dishes, but the most exotic one... was the one that I preprepared myself in Mexico. It started very innocently. I wanted to cook scramble eggs, so I went to the market. On one of the stands I found... cactus. I got know from the lady that was selling it how to cook it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6144904881/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2417 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2417" height="132" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6203/6144904881_6835e94a22_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eatable cactus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So apparently I needed to fry it with onion, and tomatoes. So I also bought it. On the other stand I also found nicely looking flower, which I was told that it is possible to cook.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6144984156/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2418 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2418" height="132" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6079/6144984156_44132496ef_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eatable flower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But my plan was to cook scramble eggs, and I did not wanted to change it, so I got eggs. I was almost leaving the market when I noticed.... fried ants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6144986540/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2420 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2420" height="133" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6165/6144986540_c14aea1df6_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eatable ants ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I also bought fried ants, I came home and started to prepare my exotic meal. I chopped cactus, flower, onion and tomato.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6510384709/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2422 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2422" height="132" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6510384709_eee91411a0_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ingredients.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
First I cooked cactus in the boiling water and then I fried it together with the onion. I added the flower and tomatoes and eggs. And finally I added the ants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6515092895/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2423 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2423" height="132" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6515092895_927e0294be_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frying process.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Indeed I created the most exotic scramble eggs ever! It had a very, very interesting taste with the crunchy ants ;)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6515719125/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2425 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2425" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6515719125_8701162d4a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And READY!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-66210569489476606012011-12-24T00:18:00.000+01:002011-12-24T00:18:39.780+01:00MEXICO, here I am!!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6520371099/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2401 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2401" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6520371099_4ee91914a1_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariachis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the morning I walked up in San Pedro de Lagoon and initially I wanted to stay longer in Guatemala.... but in the evening I got to Mexico! South Mexico was said to be relatively safe, so I started to hitchhike. I managed to get to lifts at the back of the truck and I felt completely free, completely independent, completely merged with the wind.<br />
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In the evening I reached San Cristobal de Las Casas, where I managed to find accommodation. After my first great Mexican food I started to explore the city, where by chance I met two friends from Guatemala!!! In San Crisobal de Las Casas I met also Mariachis - traditional musicians that performed serenades.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-59372156594231670362011-12-24T00:03:00.000+01:002011-12-24T00:03:37.175+01:00Chicken Bus<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6520318527/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2394 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2394" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6520318527_50ffd12cff_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful chicken buses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There is great mean of transport in Central America - Chicken Bus. It is an old American School bus which is beautifully painted and decorated. On some of them there are even silver sculptures attached. But inside.... they did not exchange seats... For most of the people it is completely fine since they are short, but I am very tall so initially I had some problems where to squeeze my legs. With time I got used to this small inconvenience. Usually in this bus there was interesting atmosphere. Loud music, packed people, interesting conversations, some small animals.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6520379205/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_2393 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_2393" height="159" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6520379205_6527d40e6d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road eagle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I already wrote a but about my adventures in Chicken Bus, about <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/07/on-day-two-borders-ten-means-of.html">meeting clowns</a> and about <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/08/mariguanol.html">mariguanol</a>. Usually close to the bus stop there were some people entering the bus. Quite a few times I met a people that started their "performance" from emphasizing that God is the most important value in the world for about 5 minutes. Then they started to complain about the quality of modern, fast world. Saying that we eat fried, unhealthy food, we eat Coca-Cola. This junk food together with daily stress cause that the stomach got upset. Then they concluded that it is very difficult to change our habits, but there is a CURE for us. It came from nature, from jungle and that THOSE TABLETS gave as the NATURAL protection and would make us a better human being.<br />
Incredible performance.<br />
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In the morning, when I left San Pedro de Lagoon I wanted to go North Guatemala. But on the bus... I changed my plans. There is not so far from San Pedro de Lagoon to Mexico so after 4 hours of traveling I decided to go there straight a way. I got to the border crossed it. In Mexico there is no Chicken Buses... so I decided to hitchhike. MEXICO, there I come!!!!<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446486303%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446486303%2F&set_id=72157628446486303&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446486303%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157628446486303%2F&set_id=72157628446486303&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-50309162798998886122011-12-23T23:57:00.000+01:002011-12-23T23:57:56.729+01:00Trip to Santa Clara Mirador<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6003163605/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1703 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1703" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6013/6003163605_7c5bc6058a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chapi at the view point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>San Pedro de Lagoon is one of the city located close to the lake Lake Atitlan beneath the volcano. Together with Lidka, Chapi and Joner we decided to climb to the view points. It was an easy climb, but the challenge was to avoid the check point where one has to buy entrance ticket to..... this mountain. First of all we were not sure if they have right to charge for this trip, secondly, my Artesanías were on much lower daily budget than I was, so it was crucial point for them.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6003188487/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1713 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1713" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6002/6003188487_6b07797330_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our strong group.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We walked up very early and get a chicken bus to the neighboring village. There we managed to find the side road to the mountain since we excepted that there would be the ticket counter at the main road. We found the road which started next to village cemetery from where we started to climb the mountain. It was slow and pleasant walk initially through corn fields, finally thorough kind of jungle. We almost reached the top, when the ticket control officer showed up and told us that we have to pay ridiculous amount of money for entrance. Luckily, my Artesanías friend managed to negotiate discount and we appreciated beautiful view over the valley and the lake.<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627219267501%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627219267501%2F&set_id=72157627219267501&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627219267501%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627219267501%2F&set_id=72157627219267501&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-21991478271734283322011-12-23T23:53:00.000+01:002011-12-23T23:53:56.890+01:00Market photo session.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6003234355/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="CSC_1734 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1734" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6149/6003234355_e745e933c3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>One day together with Lidka we went for a photo session on a local market in San Pedro. We walked around and 90% of people were very happy that we want to take a photo of them. I like a lot few of those shots.<br />
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It was very important that in San Pedro de Lagoon most of people liked a lot when we asked them to take a photo. Next day we went to neighborhood village and people were not so enthusiastic about this so there is almost no photos from the second photo session session. <br />
Have a look on those photos.<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211023185%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211023185%2F&set_id=72157627211023185&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211023185%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211023185%2F&set_id=72157627211023185&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-92116771919621452152011-12-23T23:52:00.000+01:002011-12-23T23:52:19.953+01:00Artesanía<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/6003237441/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="CSC_1735 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1735" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6004/6003237441_976029f608_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>I promised you once to write a little bit more about Artesanías. Artesanías are people that travel and sell art that they make. They usually finance they travel and life through what they can sell. They never know if they manage to sell anything that particular days. Artesanías are usually a very interesting people. Those people are usually free of many daily worries. They love temporariness. They love the moments. I would say that they are hippies of Latin America.<br />
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They also know how and where to party!!!<br />
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First Artesanía that I met, was Maria, Bolivian girl. We got know each-other on <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/07/with-flow-of-queen-of-river.html">a slow boat to Iquitos</a> and afterwards we <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-connected-to-amazon-or-getting.html">explored corners of Amazon together</a>. The other Artesanías I met when I was coming to Leon - Chapi and Jonner. It happened that I met them again Guatemala, in San Pedro de Lagoon. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" height="265" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=2891747e26&photo_id=5995926580"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=2891747e26&photo_id=5995926580" height="265" width="400"></embed></object></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5999211714/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1402 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1402" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6017/5999211714_311324c99c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonner, Chapi and Lidka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Chapi is a short, twenty three years old Nicaraguan boy who is traveling in central America already for eight years. He was brought up in a small village in by his grandparents and as a small boy had a dream to travel. He is all the time following his chosen path and following his dream. He is doing a lot of metal work in which he become an expert, which he is able to sell to girls. He is traveling with Jonner, who is specialized in netting bracelets and his Czech girlfriend Lidka. They all created great atmosphere and energy around. First I met them in Leon together where we spent our day with <a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/07/nicaraguan-friends-polish-agents-and.html">Polish Agents</a>, and then I managed to meet them again in Guatemala. Great people great energy.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5999214728/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1403 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1403" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6144/5999214728_2fa2869503_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music in San Pedro de Lagoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
San Pedro de Lagoon is a unique place. It is located beautifully located and with the great company I spent great chill-out and party time there.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211030529%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211030529%2F&set_id=72157627211030529&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211030529%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627211030529%2F&set_id=72157627211030529&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-8812761168469700102011-12-23T23:44:00.000+01:002011-12-23T23:44:33.855+01:00School parade<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995886024/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="CSC_0999 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0999" height="159" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6010/5995886024_a2e185affe_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>During my very interesting stay in Jalpatagua I witness the school parade in this city. There was a school anniversary and dressed up children walked around the city. It was very interesting event. Some of them were dressed up like a beauty queens, some of them dressed up in the huge bags....<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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Have look on few photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995353955/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1006 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1006" height="159" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5995353955_a3094d6e07_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My incredible hosts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sometimes traveling does not go according to the previous plan. I got stuck just after crossing the border to Guatemala, because the last day in El Salvador I over hitchhike... It was a very lucky mistake at the end.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I got to the border with the country that I wanted to go next. But I arrived to the wrong boarding crossing. I aimed to go to straight to Antigua and I wanted to skip dangerous capital Guatemala City. But in El Salvador I went too much North and the only road in Guatemala to Antigua was leading through the capital. It was already five o'clock in the evening and it seemed that I would get to the capital after the sun rise. I rather wanted to avoid this, so I decided to get to the nearest city and look for economical accommodation just for few hours till sun rise and afterwards continue to Antigua. I got to Jalpatagua and went to the first hotel... It was far too expensive for my budget. I went to a second one, which was cheap but was serious shit hole, one of the worst I came around. I continue looking. I found the third one which looked very nice. I started to negotiate price with the owner. And then I was telling him about my trip we talked a bit. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995860116/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0993 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0993" height="159" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5995860116_948ed09023_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac with PowerGrip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>He invited me for a dinner to his house at the back. Frank was Maltese and he married a Guatemalan women, Shenny. Now they have two lovely sons Isaac and Matthias who are 7 and 4 years old. In the meantime I started to play a bit with Isaac with his PowerGrip, spinning top. It is so great that nowadays children are playing with the same games as my parents did!!! I had great time practising my spinning skills with Isaac.<br />
<br />
After dinner they invited me to stay at they house.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995369227/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1012 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1012" height="160" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5995369227_bd4dfaf44f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Matthias.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next day I wanted to go on, but after breakfast Isaac convinced me to jump to a swimming pool with him and to play with the ball. We had great fun and the time in the swimming pool passed very fast. When we finished there was a dinner time and it was already kind of late to start my travel. So, I continue playing with children and talking with the parents. There was also interesting parade in the city since students from one of the school were celebrating school birthdays. In the evening they arranged the cinema and we all together watched cars 2. The next day Izak went to school, so with Frank and Matthias we drove him there on the scooter. After small sightseeing of the small city I started to continue my travel.<br />
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Here is a short movie from our way to Isaac school: <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995905262/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_1005 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_1005" height="159" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5995905262_39a6fcf788_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible colonial house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This was a great, spontaneous Couch Surfing experience. There was a great energy and atmosphere filling the whole house. The house itself was an old colonial building. It consisted of two parts. In both parts buildings were surrounding the patio (courtyard). The first one was allocated for the hotel with the swimming pool in the middle, the second was dedicated for a house to a family, and different types of animals. Above cat and dog they had different types of turtles, Iguanas, parrots. This house was located in the city, but thanks to extremely green patio inside one could feel that one is in the countryside. <br />
<br />
<br />
I hope that one day my paths will cross again with this family. Every member of this family had a huge luggage of positive energy. Thank you a lot for this experience.<br />
All the best to you guys. Isaac, Matthias keep on practising your spinning skills.<br />
<br />
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<br />
And few photos from the school parade in Jalpatagua.<br />
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P.S.<br />
I also learned from the locals that in Guatemala City every day there are on average 25 people shoot down due to the drugs cartel war and robberies. I am not sure if it is so bad but I was glad that I did not have to check it.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-41299880037284718362011-08-09T23:58:00.000+02:002011-08-09T23:58:18.913+02:00El Salvador: Country of smiling people.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976594760/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0773 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0773" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5976594760_087b959105_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Salvador.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>El Salvador is a very interesting country. It was one of the most dangerous place in Central America. But it was in a past. Now it is relatively safe place - of course except capital. But almost all capitals in central America are very dangerous. I think smile is a natural facial expression for people living in El Salvador. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Of course those people complain that they can not go to USA for working, or that it is very difficult and expensive to try to cross the border to USA. It is very unique country. I had a feeling that 1/3 of the population emigrated to USA, 1/3 of the population was departed from USA at least once, and the last 1/3 of population dreams about going to USA. I was told that now it cost 4500$ for two chances to cross the USA border. Despite those complains, those people smile, smile and smile.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976594964/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0775 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0775" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/5976594964_2590126cfd_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My smailing El Salvadorian friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I traveled mostly by hitchhiking and met very good people there. This was the country where I catch first lift ... . Even before entering the country. One day, when I started to hitchhike I waved for the first time that day. Four cars were coming towards me and two of them stopped wanted to give me a lift!!!! Wow. It was strange that as hitchhiker I had to choose a car to travel with...biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-73150756555002837382011-08-06T21:14:00.000+02:002011-08-06T21:14:51.281+02:00MariguanolI traveled most of the time in El Salvador by hitchhiking except for two short rides by buses. And during one of them I learnt a very interesting thing...<br />
<a name='more'></a>Apparently now one do not have to smoke marijuana in order to fight with any kind of unbearable pain. It is old fashion method. Now there is something more efficient, a cream from marijuana - Mariguanol. Which can be apply locally and will be able to solve all the pain problem, even the pain of the child stomach! It costs only 1$. Unfortunately I am not sure if it is available outside the El Salvador, so if you are interested come by to this small country.<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" height="300" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=6d2dae7158&photo_id=5999658683"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=6d2dae7158&photo_id=5999658683" height="300" width="400"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-14466665009318337692011-08-06T03:38:00.000+02:002011-08-06T03:38:34.594+02:00Waterfalls<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995271149/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0988 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0988" height="159" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5995271149_f25e2d2457_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Juayúa was my last stop in El Salvador. Small beautiful town on the famous Rute de flores. I ate here a delicious Popusa, made of thick, hand-made corn tortilla filled with meat and cheese. In the morning I went with two Australian guys to neighbouring waterfall. <br />
<a name='more'></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995797660/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0985 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0985" height="159" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5995797660_c9eb335561_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popusa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All the area below the waterfalls belonged to hydroelectric plant and was closed with the fence. But the security guys were letting people inside for a swim. The water from the waterfalls was falling into a pools and one of them was big and deep enough for swimming. But the most interesting was the possibility to swim into one of the tunnel. The tunnel was about 40 meters long and it was dam dark. There was a significant current there and only the head was sticking out from the water. One had to remember to turn right on the first turn... Because the tunnel on the left was leading towards... Hydroelectric turbine. Luckily I did not miss my turn.<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627210997199%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627210997199%2F&set_id=72157627210997199&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627210997199%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fbiomiko%2Fsets%2F72157627210997199%2F&set_id=72157627210997199&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-82908441120439172042011-08-04T18:29:00.000+02:002011-08-04T18:29:37.407+02:00Pacific sea food<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995778836/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0981 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0981" height="159px" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5995778836_1647b99f82_m.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shrimps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I came by for the weekend to La Libertat and a small beach city Tunco. I hoped to immerse myself in the night life. There was a great samba music for one and a half hour, where I danced a lot, but I got a bit disappointed with the rest of the life music at at this spot. Finally I concentrated on improving my cooking skills. <br />
<a name='more'></a>I went to a great fish market in La Libertat on the Pacific shore. Initially I bought one pound of fresh shrimps. And afterward... Five pounds big fish. This fish was first wighted and then the fresh fillet was prepared for me. I decided to prepared the fish with onion and garlic. And experiment with shrimps. I prepped it with tomato- ananas. Fish was delicious, shrimps were also good but... I guess there is lot of room to improve the shrimp recipe next time. Anyway, very interesting taste. For sure they looked spectacles!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995774550/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0980 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0980" height="159px" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5995774550_945b63ca00_m.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995770776/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0979 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0979" height="240px" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5995770776_fa058824d8_m.jpg" width="159px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... is being cleaned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995225239/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0982 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0982" height="159px" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5995225239_0c7584ca8e_m.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fried...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5995229837/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0983 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0983" height="159px" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5995229837_aa3232c0c6_m.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and finally on my plate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-80026916982655784012011-08-02T01:13:00.000+02:002011-08-02T01:18:51.670+02:00How did I celebrate my traveling birthdays?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976595108/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0777 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0777" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5976595108_5795f0d103_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My El Salvadorian friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://biomiko.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-year-passed-like-few-life-times.html">One year on the road</a>, one year traveling, one year without schedule, not knowing what will happen, who I will meet, where I will sleep. How to celebrate it?<br />
<br />
An easy thing was to dress two different socks in the morning. After breakfast from one of the street stalls I went shortly to Internet cafe. But it was a traveling birthday, so I knew that I had to move on and celebrate this anniversary traveling. I decided to go in the direction of Pacific. How? Of course hitchhiking. The most unplanned mode of the travel. You never know where one will end up, you never now when one will get the ride, and you never know who you will meet on the road.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I started to walk out from the city. The first car that was passing stooped and the driver told me that he was very sorry that he could not give me the lift, but he was going just around the corner. Wow.<br />
<br />
I jumped on the second pick up and we drove together for an hour. With two other lifts I got around Sant Miguel city. I had chosen to go to the pacific coast on a small road. The first vehicle that came this road was a big truck caring coffee plants. I jumped in and met Gorge, Daniel and Jorge. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976594606/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0771 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0771" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5976594606_6cb0f74141_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorge, Daniel and Jorge and their truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Daniel lived for 10 years in New York and Gorge stayed also in USA. Both got deported from there finally. Gorge managed to save some money and he was an owner of car workshop and few lorries. Daniel was his employee. They needed to stop on one farm for one hour to unload the coffee from the lorry and afterwards they planned to go on further in my direction. I decided to join them and visit the farm. There were many young guys on the farm that in 10 minutes unloaded the whole truck of coffee. Afterwards everyone, including me was offered delicious meal.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976594016/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0760 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0760" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5976594016_a5174ee4db_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jorge climbing the tree,<br />
searching for Iguana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976021737/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0767 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0767" height="160" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5976021737_c22876213b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorge with Iguana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976583792/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0764 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0764" height="192" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5976583792_5f822a1100_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iguana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We left the farm, but Jorge stayed at the back of the truck. Suddenly, he shouted something from the back. Gorge stopped the truck and together with Daniel run out from the truck. There was Iguana sitting high on the tree. Gorge took his hand catapult and small stone. He missed with the first shot but the second one he managed to hit Iguana! All guys had their own catapults and apparently Daniel was using it for self defence on the streets of New York. But coming back to our hunt. The animal fall down to a small hole inside the tree. One of my friends immediately climbed this tree and managed to catch Iguana in his hand. Iguana bit him, but he managed to catch it properly and tide it up. This was a huge Iguana and all mu friends were happy that they managed to catch it. They told me that the Iguana meat is very delicacies. We went off and in one hour we reached Gorge workshop. It was a bit late, so I was happy when they proposed me to stay there on the hammock for the night. In the evening I joined Gorge and we went to see his wife house.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976594328/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0769 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0769" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5976594328_fe52bc6a1b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iguana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have a feeling that the El Salvadorian concept of family is very much different from Polish one. Gorge had some children in the USA. He also had some children in El Salvador with at least two women. He was living with his girlfriend and they new born child. His other daughter was living together with his mother.... and six other daughters of Gorge sisters and brothers. Gorge sisters were living in USA but they daughters were living in El Salvador. I guess it takes a new PhD to understand all the relationship. But they also could not understand how come I do not have children at the age of 31.<br />
<br />
I also asked Gorge and Daniel if the neighborhood is anyhow dangerous. They told me that it is very safe here, and the only people that I should be afraid were they both. They lough after this. They were joking. Although sometimes they somehow help El Salvadorians to get to USA. Nowadays it is very dangerous and expensive. Apparently it cost 4500$ for two chances.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976595428/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0779 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0779" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5976595428_f3bd1d84de_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel and his family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Daniel was a great, good hearted guy. He almost cried when I was leaving. When he was in States he had to fight for survival. Afterwards he also spent some time in the prison. Now he was trying to set his life in El Salvador, but he also dreamed to emigrate somewhere where he could work hard and managed to save some money. From most of the jobs in El Salvador it is possible to earn for food and other daily needs but it was almost impossible to save anything else.<br />
<br />
Initially I planned to move on the next day, but both Daniel and George convinced me stay with them one day longer. Moreover the next day George was picking up his sister from the airport, which was in my directions. So I enjoyed their company for one day more.<br />
<br />
During that day the Daniel's girlfriend prepared the fried Iguana and I can confirm that the iguana meat is very delicious and delicate. Muy rico!<br />
<br />
Gorge and Daniel are great people. It was a great pleasure to meet them and to get know a bit their point of views, their proprieties. Meeting different people, is the main reason for my travel.biomikohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13596632554968673259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248539931781901697.post-32808396055213000152011-08-01T01:02:00.000+02:002011-08-01T01:02:13.292+02:00On day, two borders, ten means of transport, getting to El Salvador<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5952113400/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CSC_0513 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="CSC_0513" height="192" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5952113400_496735a128_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror of the Chicken bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One day, two borders, four hitchhikes, three chicken bus, one minibus, one collective, one rickshaw and walking for two kilometers. Very fulfilling traveling day. From Leon (Nicaragua) I wanted to get to Perquin (El Salvador). To achieve it I had to cross Honduras.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
If one wants to cover long distance in one day one needs to wake up early. So I started my day before 5 in order to catch my first chicken bus at six. In Nicaragua chicken buses are great fun. It was the first place when I came across.... Clowns in the buses. They entered and for ten minutes they were telling different jokes.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5952117390/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0458 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0458" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5952117390_14dc4151e5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clowns in the bus!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>With this chicken bus I got to city, where I had to change for the minibus afterwards. Than border, which I crossed with rickshaw, and the only one chicken bus in Honduras, which got me from one boarder to another. Then the final bridge to cross and I would reach El Salvador. Suddenly, when I was crossing the bridge, a pick-up track that was driving in the opposite direction stopped. The driver said that it was very unusual to see the backpacker walking with the rucksack from Honduras to Nicaragua, and that he would like to give me a ride, and he would be coming back in 3 minutes. WOW! This happened for the first time that I catch a ride without waving and BEFORE entering the country!!! I jumped to the van and started to talk with the guy. He was Salvadorian, but he lived for many years in USA and we continued our conversation unfortunately in English. Unfortunately because I wanted to practise my Spanish.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5951564717/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0464 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0464" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5951564717_c2369f8f38_m.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Chicken bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But anyway, in English I can get know more things. Than I changed for a short trip with the bus (in order to get out from the city) and than another lift, this time at the back of the truck for several kilometers. Than I changed once more a pick-up track. This time I drove at the back from where I could enjoy the beautiful views of mountains around. The guy had to set up several things in the neighbouring villages so I was able to enjoy also this. He dropped me at the road crossroad four kilometers before the Perquin. Since there was no traffic I started to walk up, and I managed to cover at least half of the way before the first car, collective came by. I jumped on and I managed to reach Perquin.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biomiko/5976593276/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SSC_0753 by biomiko, on Flickr"><img alt="SSC_0753" height="180" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5976593276_6f3f875366_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge in Perquin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In Perquin I spend one day. It is beautiful located in the mountain, and has a semi-interesting Museum of the Revolution of Salvadoran Civil War (1980-1990) and a very interesting camp of partisans. In the camp one can walk through the underground bunker and walk through very rocky wooden bridge. The next day I had to move on, since it was my traveling birthday and I knew that the best way to celebrate traveling birthday is to travel.<br />
<br />
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