Imagine a small mud mound volcano, small in size and not what you expected. Imagine you walk up the volcano on tiny steps to a mud hole where one by one people enter the pit. The pit is also small and a tiny square full of three grown men. As you descend a handmade wooden latter you meet the mud and start to sink and float at the same time to the top of the mush. One of the three men approach you and start to massage you. Even if you say no they still do it! This scene becomes shuffled body after body around the mud like sardines to fit everyone in! Absolutely hilarious! This scene was so awkward and intimate that you cannot help but laugh!

One of my most favorite things I have loved about Colombians is that they never take anything too seriously. From getting foam and flour poured all over their faces, to doing something stupid they don’t get mad, embarrassed or feel stupid about, they always have a good attitude. I admire the fat they know how to laugh at themselves and each other and it’s actually one of the most amazing qualities and something I love about the culture.

After the bath everyone dried off and then washed off in the river. So beautiful so hilarious, everyone was playful and having a good time.

My favorite part about it were the children. You could stand in the mud pit but not because there was a floor but because the pit is so thick with mud!

To get to the mud volcano from Cartagena you just hope on an hour bus for $30,000 COP ($15 USD) toward Barranquilla and get off right in front of the volcano. If you want to go another way you have to take 3 different forms of transportation, it takes an hour and a half longer, and it ends up costing about the same. Bring a towel, bathing suit, camera and small change as many of the people who assist you in the experience expect money at the end. Don’t be alarmed when they tell you to only bring your bathing suit with and to hand over your cameras as you walk to the mud pit. It’s normal and you will have great pictures as the end, promise!