About an hour after landing in Cartagena I had the opportunity to see how backpacking hostels work first hand. They are loud, hot (but I suppose that is a regional thing) and not the cleanest places in the world. When our first choice of a hostel was filled, Maryanne and I went down the street to Hostel Holiday and were escorted to two rooms, very crowded with beds and belongings and shown our beds, in different rooms! I was not ready to trek out on my own in this unknown world of backpackers and asked for beds in the same room and luckily got my wish as were were whisked upstairs to a more empty room. After walking around the city for a bit we made our way back to the hostel to read and relax for a bit while deciding whether or not to go out. While trying to ignore the heat and reading our books, Maryanne and I where quickly approached by some New Zealanders who had organized a group to go out on a chifla, or party bus with musicians and all you can drink rum. Don´t worry Mom, we didn´t end up going because we were so exhausted from traveling, a decision I sort of regret. But these New Zealanders showed me how inviting the backpacking culture is, and I´m very excited for the interesting travelers Maryanne and I are bound to meet on the way.
