Twists and Turns: Of Colombian Roads and Life

As I get off the bus, a man asks me where I am going.

Sara Burdick
3 min readJan 28, 2024
Támesis: Room View

I have gotten off at a juncture that most foreigners usually do not. However, I missed the 7 am Chiva to my intended destination, partly by choice and partly because my alarm did not go off.

I rarely wake up early for something, especially if I know there is most likely another option. However, no one told me the option, and I had to hope I did not have to return to Medellín a three-hour ride just to take another 3-hour ride only a bit south.

I did not.

As I disembarked, the man wanted to take me to a stop up the road and told me it was more secure. He alluded that this location might not be the safest for me, a gringa.

I declined and asked around if the bus for Támesis passes by, and they all agreed it did, but no one had any idea at what time.

I walked by a table full of men drinking beers and the campesinos enjoying their Sundays off. I went into the tienda, bought a Bretaña Soda, and sat at one of the tables.

I placed it in my earbuds and continued listening to my book. If anyone I asked what time the bus was correct, it would arrive within 1–2 hours. I was prepared, the phone fully charged, and a table in the shade.

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Sara Burdick

I quit the rat race after working as a nurse for 16 years. Travel and Storyteller. I live in Colombia. https://linktr.ee/saraaliceburdick