to move up and down
El Cupolog
Pan-american Transmissions : The Road to Tierra Del Fuego
Abandoned Palace
Complete with Renaissance paintings and tiger skins.
Capurgana, Colombia - © Diego Cupolo 2012
Welcome to Colombia
Capurgana, Colombia - © Diego Cupolo 2012
Cargo Boat to Colombia
Ever load a full-size refrigerator into a canoe?
We sailed between hundreds of indigenous islands, unloading supplies along the way.
The boat carried everything. Gas, building materials, beer, food, bed frames, home appliances, tricycles, diesel motors, and a large variety of wrapped Christmas presents.
We docked at different ports and I’d help unload the cargo to use my body for something. One time, we almost lost a refrigerator to the sea when two crew members tried passing it to a guy in a canoe.
At night, we stayed in ports and the crew cooked spaghetti with canned meat. They watched 1980s kung-fu movies as they ate and then we all slept on the deck.
It wasn’t always comfortable, but it was an experience.
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Cargo Cruise
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Along the coast
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
At night
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
In the morning
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Ayun
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Gas Delivery
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Church at sea
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Sleep when/where you can
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
This, for three days
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
A rough ride, it was
The trade winds were blowing hard and the sailing was rough our first day at sea.
Everyone vomited continuously.
I was the only one to hold it back.
Barely.
When at sea, keep your eyes on the horizon.
Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
Saved by Azalea I
We left Carti at dawn. It would’ve been our fourth day waiting for Fierra, but we were saved by local cargo boat called “Azalea I.”
The captain decided to take us, the Argentinian couple, and their baby for $75 each.
Ania and I climbed on board and smiled as the dock, the evil restaurant and the entire island faded in the morning haze.
Just three days of sea travel separated us from Colombia. The voyage would take us to different island ports where we would unload supplies.
It was finally over.
Adios Carti.
Carti, Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama - © Diego Cupolo 2011
