Watch out for falling Iguanas!

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While in Mompox we ran into my vecina, a German girl who teaches in Barranquilla as well and lives in my building. She was with a couple teachers from the German school, and we decided to join them on an ecological tour along the river. Unfortunately, I was in the back and couldn't hear a lot of what was being said. We saw lots of birds along the river- garzas are still the only ones that I actually know the the name of though. Since Dave and I joined the tour last minute, we really didn't know what to expect.

Our boat- complete with plastic chairs.

View of Mompox from the boat.

After going up the river a ways we all got out to see monkeys! I'd seen monkeys here at the zoo or as pets, but never just hanging out.

Un burro y su dueño.

There were also a bunch of huge iguanas up in the trees. Our guide would call us over to a tree, "mira, un iguana enorme!", then shake the tree until it would come running down the branches, jump to the ground and into the river. I thought I was going to get run over by an iguana!

One of the smaller iguanas.

Fellow river travelers.

Then we went up to a pueblito where we were greeted with cries of "plata! turistas, la plata!" Apparently they were used to getting the occasional boatload of tourists. The town was centered around a church and a plaza/futbol area. We stopped at a tienda for something to drink. One of the locals had a lively conversation with a Venezuelan who was in our group. They both seemed to be having a great time, but seeing how the local had socialist views I didn't really want to broadcast being American. That's probably one of the only times I've felt uncomfortable about being an American in Colombia.

A traditional-style house.

We headed back up the river towards Mompox at sunset.


Just as we were approaching the sound of vallenato music, the motor died. They added more gas, but still couldn't get it to start. One guy rowed us to shore with a shovel so that we wouldn't float further down the river. At this point the sun was down and it was definately getting dark. I wasn't worried before, but then I realized, what if they can't get it started? We'll be stuck here in the middle of the Rio Magdelena, in the dark!! Luckily, they got it to start and we returned to Mompox safe and sound. Que bueno!