Colombia's Desert Coast

Taganga is far from what I was expecting of a Caribbean Coastal town. The hills around the fishing village are desolate and covered in cactus and bushes with yellow flowers. The deep blue water contrasts with the dry brown landscape.

It is 5:45 and the sun is beginning to set. From my vantage point on the shore, I am in perfect position to watch the fishing boats return home for the day. The carved wooden boats are as weathered as the men who captain them. Deeply lined faces reveal toothless grins as they great each other on shore. Once their boats are properly tied, they retrieve plastic bags bulging with the bulbous bodies of their day’s catch.

A child walks by, with one hand grasping a large fish under the gills and the other holding a string leash loosely tied around a skipping puppy’s neck. The fish’s tail brushes the sandy beach as the child makes his way along.

The sun has gone below the horizon. It is time for me to make my way back to the hostel. Time for dinner. The dirt path leads up a hillside. I fallow a young man who carries a boat motor over his right shoulder.

Nicely done Colombia.