Mud Volcano

We arranged for a trip to the mud volcano today, not knowing what to expect. In hindsight, I haven't had any idea of what to expect this whole time, so its nothing new. The hotel made the phonecalls and at 8:30 this morning a girl in a tourism vest showed up. We followed her out and hopped into a little hatchback and started off.

Wierd, I thought. I was expecting a bus. The girl and the driver seemed nice though so no worries and soon enough we stopped at a bus and switched vehicles.

They had an attendance sheet to sign in, and being near the back of the bus, I noted that nearly everyone else on board was either Australian, Spanish or from New Zealand.

After an hour long drive along the coast, passing tons of dilapidated villages that made me realize how fortunate we are to live in the states. I mean, unless you're homeless, you live probably a better life than can be found in living in a shack made out of trash, with a floor made out of trashbag wrapped boards, on top of septic looking pond.

But back to the point. After a long, long drive through nowhere, we pulled up to the mud volcano. it's like 80 feet high, with the most dishevelled set of stairs. And have i ever mentioned i hate heights? But up the stairs i went, to the top of a bottomless pool of mud, and then in we all went. So wierd. It's impossible to sink. I mean, it takes all your effort to stay partially submerged rather than just bobbing back up to the surface. So we all played in mud for a while, and went to the river to clean off. A few other tourists asked for pictures with us, since they hadn't made it into the mud. One of them's actually blogging about her south american tour, so i told her where this is on the internet, and i rather hope she finds it, so that i can get copies of the pictures she took!

the mud volcano, all 80 feet tall of it

I'm terribly afraid of heights. Just saying.

Entry into the mud.

Danielle, joining the pile of muddy bodies.

Entry to the mud, part 2

Just so wierd!

End result

After the mud, we drove back to a dilapidated old fishing village. Hung out in the ocean, ate a meal and continued home. All of this (travel, mudding and food) for the price of $25 a person for 5 or 6 hours of activity...