Arriving in Leticia, Vet Dialogue

On the plane to Leticia. The airport here in Medellin is very simple and I like it. Even the drive- a pretty straight shot through Santa Helena, Santa Elena and Tucaman. When I speak a little more Spanish or have a group, I'd like to explore these areas. I did the Santa Elena flower tour, but it was super late at night and cold as hell. I did not enjoy myself that day. One thing I need to do is go get some Ajaico- it's a native soup here. Some other native dishes are the Mandongo and Parsa Bandeja, neither of those I actually enjoy. Arepas are big here too. Bunuelos are a native dessert that I have yet to try.

The flight was a little rocky, but I arrived to Leticia with a full flight of passengers on-board.

Note: there is a 35.000 COP tariff due before you leave baggage claim and it is intended for all passengers. And of course, the one time I didn't bring toilet paper and they had none in any of the stalls so I had to pass on going.

So I was greeted by Miguel, the partner of Angela who is the director of Entropika- originally from Bogota but moved here to years ago. We walked to the clinic which was about 10 mins away. Not much to see so far, just broken roads and streets flooded from rain.

The clinic was great. Although I barely understood what anyone was saying to me, I stayed

and watched a few surgeries. They do flank incisions which looks easier and cleaner-the female veterinarian 1 gauze! And was calm and tranquil the whole time. Wendy was there for recovery.

The fast talking vet did all the prep and induction and then Ledi was the technician with the doctor Denise at the surgical table. They had clean spaces, an a/c unit and plenty of lighting.

Maria was the lady who made lunch- some brisket sirloin that I couldn't cut or chew, a nice noodle soup and some spaghetti. It was an odd combo but I ate what I could. Had to toss the brisket secretly, sorry.

Met Angela and we spoke for a while- about her love for monkeys and cats, questions on treating mange and yeast infections, and of course, what we can do together. I think this would be a great partnership, we all just need to learn flank incisions.

After our long discussion, luckily in English, I walked down a questionable "main" road for about 15 mins to my bed and breakfast. There is an army everywhere here in this town! They started all walking towards me so much so that I thought they were stopping to ask me a question.

The B&B is nice, Hotel Amazon. Courtyard set-up with abundant gardens and seating arrangements from couches and chairs to hammocks. My room also has a hammock on the enclosed deck where these damn mosquitos better not bite me.

Instead of wandering the dark streets alone, I ate at the B&B. Certainly not cheap.

Hotel Amazon

Trucha 45.000 3/5

The vets asked me to go out late that evening and of course, I said yes- I mean, that's why I'm here, right? I got to walk the streets with people who know the area and got to work on my Spanish! Positivity!

Well, then they told me the morning meet-up was at 830am!

Yikes, I am not a morning person.

Note: if you visit this city, there are 2 guarantees:

1. You cannot get by without knowing Spanish

2. Must love nature because using the internet is out of the question

This city is- different, to say in some words, and I can't really explain what that expresses. I honestly wouldn't come to visit Leticia by itself, maybe to backpack and do tours (of what, I don't know). But if you have a chance to come, leave the 'city' behind and go straight to the jungle. Apparently you can get to Brazil and Peru all within a half hour!