World Run II / Reports

The map shows the position of which the pictures for the day are taken (if any). The start and finish markers are placed at the first and last valid registered position. This is not nessesary the actual start and finish position, if GSM or GPS signals was not available.

Goto: 2011-11-21 2011-11-23 Colombia

2011-11-22:

8
Distance today: 20.0 km (Accumulated: 30510.0 km)
Elapsed time: 01:46:15
Country: Colombia

Start 12:30, 32c, a few clouds and no wind, at km-stone "007/2504A" on hwy. 25a bypassing Cali. Finish 14:24pm., 35c, very humid and same, at km-stone "027/2504A" on hwy. 25a to Manziales.

The usual complicated drive out from Cali where we have had base the last few days at an excellent hotel right next to the city soccerstadium - Reino and Wilmer enjoyed watching a local Colombian match there with a full crowd last sundy :-)

Cali certainly is a nice city, refreshing and a long way from the horror and danger associtions one gets when hearing the word "Cali" or "Colombia" back in Europe or in European news. A calm city not much different from for example Copenhagen in Denmark when it comes to safety: Dont go the wrong places a night flashing your money or expensive things - but the rest of the day, no worries, easy and relaxed ambience and the usual curious and helpfull people which I have become used to here in Colombia :-)

Today also was the day where Reino from Finland travelled back to Scandinavia to reunite with his family for the upcoming Christmas. As I have written yesterday - it was a joy and a true help for the run and the progress forward to have the thrill of Reino's visit. Not only as a sponsor - but firt of all as a runner who understands and lives the word "Sisu", and a Friend :-)

"Kiitos" Reino and look forward to meeting you again somewhere in the world !

By the way we later had a not-so-fantastic experience as the supportcar got pulled over by local police 1km before the starting point today. I had begun to take the seatbelt off in advance to get ready to get out of the car and start running on todays stage asap. as we were very delayed after the battle with 'Cali-traffic' (a labyrinth to navigate through ;-)) and finding the airport.

The "on the spot fine" was eqvivalent to 400-500usd. for not wearing the seatbelt, the policeofficer told us. There could be no doubt: It had to be paid in cast on the spot. Having had encounters with police across the different continents I know from especially Africa that this is the beginning of trying to get a payoff/corruption. Since ofcourse theres both not fines of that scale (locals wouldnt have a chance to pay) and even more - they are paid via the correct paperwork and registation process, not a bundle of cash on the spot.

Usually its possible to explain that the money simply is not going to be handed over unless we go the proper way: to the superior and get and explanation. The 'fine' then suddenly turns out to be a misunderstanding of what is only a warning of not doing the same again.

- But not this time. We where told by the fairly agressive policeofficer that eigher we handed over the money right at the spot, or other troubles would follow. I couldnt pay that kind of amount, so he told us that we should instead pay for the gasoline for the police motorbike; still a quite large amount. Left no other option we did that. And thus becoming the first time in 1½ run around the world that I had to pay a bribe !

Sad, since corrupt police or authorities normally can be persuaded to let go of their persuit of an illigal 'handout' if one displays enough patience or insist on speaking with a superior about the incident. In this case even asking for the name of the policeman was impossible as the situation became threatening when I asked for that.