Children International sponsors must arrange most transportation needs that involve traveling from city to city so I had my plans all made to have a smooth transition from Cartagena to Barranquilla even though in the back of my mind, I was always expecting the unexpected. My host Vilma was very gracious to get up at  5:00 in the morning to call the Marsol van service for me, although our original plan was to call the van at 6:00 am. Vilma learned that the van needed to arrive an hour early and since I was unable to sleep the night before, I was already up and ready. It takes about 2 hours to travel from Cartagena to Barranquilla and during the ride, drivers pick up passengers along the way.

So I was up and ready to go at 5:00 a.m. The van arrived and I was  the second passenger on the van. One of the drivers informed me as we were taking off, that they would have to drop me off 3 blocks from the CI office instead of taking me directly. I nodded that I could do that, thinking that this would be in the quiet neighborhood that I remembered the last time. I was sure that I could find my way there having the address and all.

Anyway, the ride to Barranquilla was the typical fast paced ride but it was down the coastal highway which was very nice. I was able to see much of the ocean, people fishing in boats and other people exercising walking along the beach in the early morning hours. We passed a couple of groups of people who were having exercise classes outside in certain areas. We also had to drop some passengers off who unexpectedly  had to take another van to their destination.

As we entered the city of Barranquilla, traffic became more congested and pedestrians were on their way to work. The streets and sidewalks were very busy and the driver then informed me that he was letting me off at this huge intersection to walk the three blocks to the address I needed to go to. Nothing looked familiar and all I saw was traffic going in all directions  and people going here and there on their way to work so I tried to ask in my broken Spanish, if there was anyway that he would take me to the address on my slip of paper. He was adamant that he could not and he kept pointing up the street and holding up 3 fingers which meant that I needed to walk 3 blocks. This was not going to be easy especially since I had my overnight bags for spending the night in Barranquilla, but anyway I started walking and I did not get too far because I had no idea where I was going. I decided to stop inside of a little diner that was serving breakfast to get something to eat and to make a phone call to the CI office. Fortunately, one person there spoke a little English and he was very happy to help me with food.

I finally reached my translator, Juan,  after several attempts of calling and he and the driver were ready to come get me. I just needed to  stay where I was and give them directions.  That was fun since there were no recognizable places that they knew  of as I called out the  names of signs on shops, stores, and streets. :) :) I was sure that they could find me because I was "only 3 blocks" from the address!!

Anyway, after waiting 45 minutes or so, I realized that they could not find me and so I asked the very nice person who helped me with food to give them directions in Spanish. After my translator and I made contact again, directions were given, and Juan and Victor, the driver,  finally arrived in the CI van. The problem was that the CI office was no where within the 3 block range that I had been given by the Marsol van driver who dropped me off. They were quite a distance from where I was, so I am glad that I did not try to walk to the main office!!






A street market in Barranquilla. When I was at the diner, people were setting up for the day.