The sleeping fox catches no poultry. - Benjamin Franklin

As we rounded a bend on the road somewhere between Medellin and Santa Fe de Anitoquia, I saw what looked like dead bodies sitting propped up against a fence on the side of the road.

I knew that there are some areas of Colombia that are still ripe with civil conflict, but everything I’d heard said that those areas are high in the mountains. We were deep in the Aburra Valley. Also, the land outside of quaint Santa Fe is full of weekend fincas (farms) of the well to do escaping the crowds of Medellin.

As we got closer it became clear that these dolls were only made to look like people. My guide Mauricio quickly explained that these people-sized dolls sold along the road are part of a new year’s tradition. They’re filled with fireworks. Late on new year’s eve, to welcome the new year, the clothing they wear is lit on fire setting off all the fireworks inside.

We saw this doomed man propped up in a hotel lobby in Santa Fe. I’m not sure whether this particular doll was filled with explosives, but it didn’t stop us from taking a picture with him!

His sign reads:”Esta muriendo el 2010!!! Ya va a nacer el nuevo año!!! Viva el 2011!!!” Which means in English, “2010 is dying!!! Now the new year is going to be born!!! Live 2011!!!”

Why exactly are these dolls dressed like people? Why are they sacrificed to give birth to the new year? I still feel like some of this odd tradition was lost in translation, but either way, who doesn’t love celebrating with some fireworks?!

Me, Mauricio & The Explosive Man

Wishing you a wonderful 2011 that’s ablaze with joy and adventure!

Always,
Angela

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“Generally speaking, if you want to know who you really are as distinct from whom you like to think you are, keep an eye on where your feet take you.” – Frederick Buechner

Where Are My Feet Taking Me?

It was this sentiment that got me thinking… Since my visa for India didn’t arrive in time for my scheduled trip in December, through no fault of my own, I wouldn’t be traveling out of the country in 2010. I typically only make one big trip a year based on my work schedule, and I definitely didn’t want to let any opportunity for international travel get away.

Especially since I like to think of myself as a well traveled person who isn’t afraid to venture off the beaten path.

Thinking back over my trips abroad made me realize that I wasn’t earning the title I had bestowed upon myself. Italy and Argentina definitely aren’t off the beaten path. Don’t get me wrong, they were awesome trips that I’m thankful to have taken, but I realized that it was time to either live up to the title or change my tune.

Off the Beaten Path Alone

This kind of last minute trip meant I would be traveling alone. All my usual travel buddies were busy, and I was leaving right after the Christmas holiday. I’ve traveled for work alone many, many times, and early this year I went on a yoga retreat by myself, but this was different. This would be my first solo trip abroad.

Some recent travel reports (written by women) about Colombia’s status as an up-and-coming tourist destination and about its increasing safety peaked my interest. Then I stumbled across the fact that American Airlines runs direct flights from Miami to Medellin. The flight is only three hours long, and I could fly first class for a minimal amount of frequent flyer miles. Plus, Medellin is currently on Eastern time*, so no jet lag!

While I was sold on visiting Colombia someday, I have to admit that I had reservations at the last minute. I questioned whether now was the right time or whether I was trying to squeeze too much into the end of the year. I left before some of my family after Christmas, and I was nervous about the unknown nature of the destination. Europe I know. South America, not so much.

Plenty of people looked at me like I was crazy when they heard about the trip, and I let their doubts become my own. In the end, I pushed all doubts aside and decided to go now by myself, simply because I could.  The goal of the trip was to live up to the ideal I’d set for myself, to see a new country, and to push the boundaries of my comfort zone. Mission accomplished.

More About Colombia Soon

By the time you read this, I’ll be somewhere over the Caribbean headed back to the States or on a layover in Miami. I’m so excited to share some pictures and more about the trip over the next couple of weeks. Look out for a funny and slightly morbid tradition they have in Medellin to welcome the new year!

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*I’ve been told that Colombia doesn’t observe daylight savings so sometimes they’re on Central time and sometimes Eastern.

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Having planned to embark from DFW airport on Nov. 29th, I should be arriving in Bangalore, India by now. Well, since India is on Indian Standard Time, which is 11 1/2 hours later than CST, actually, I would have arrived there about 24 hours ago, I think!

As you may have guessed, since I’m writing in past tense, I’m not in India.

The first rule of traveling, as every traveler knows,  is to expect the unexpected. It’s not just about the destination, but also about the journey, right?! Whether it’s the screaming child next to you on the plane or forgetting your cell phone in a taxi somewhere, the unexpected can easily disrupt your otherwise well laid plans.

I’d done my initial planning… I considered visiting the beaches of Goa, the backwater inlets of Kerala, and even Kolkata (f.k.a. Calcutta) to the east. But, in the end after my business was done in Bangalore, I had settled on spending a few days seeing New Delhi, experiencing the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the desert state of Rajasthan known for it’s  colorful cities and old India feel.

I’d also paid my $200 to sign up for the American Airlines Platinum Challenge to achieve a higher level of elite status than I’d normally reach with less points (not miles!) than normally required.  10,000 points within 3 months of the challenge, instead of the normal 50,000  points. Since the flight was business class, which converts to higher point values, I would have met the challenge en route and probably with only one leg of the trip completed.

Sadly, in this case, my visa never showed up. It’s stuck in some bureaucratic holding pattern. Still.

As I checked the status of my visa over the last 4 weeks, I’ve been confronted with the screen above, and no update since 11/9/10.  So the flight I purchased (knowing the risk) has been canceled and now the trip is in a holding pattern too.

The company who handles the visa processing for the Indian Consulates says on their website, plain as day:

“Due to the Houston Consulate being inundated with visa requests, processing times for Houston applications is at a MINIMUM OF 3 WEEKS. We strongly advise that tickets should not be purchased until all visas are granted and in your possession.”

If the visa shows up in the next two days, which seems increasingly unlikely, it may still be worth while to make the trip now. If not, then the trip is postponed until the beginning of 2011, subject to scheduling conflicts and my business partner’s visa requirements.  Because the visa processed is designed to avoid personal contact with the individuals seeking visas, there’s no chance of getting an update about when to expect the visa.

Lessons Learned: Plan ahead, check. I did that! Use a visa broker, maybe? They still seem kind of shady to me. Expect the unexpected, definitely.

So, now I wait and create a contingency plan for both the business project and the timing for travel to India…

Update 12/8: I got official word yesterday that my visa had been processed and that my passport with visa would be sent back to me today. Finally!

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Note: The Platinum (and Gold) Challenges were one of the many things I learned about when reading The Frequent Flyer Master and Travel Ninja ebook package by Chris Guillebeau. If you’re interested in checking them out, click here (affiliate link). I highly recommend them.

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