Когда звучит слово Колумбия, первое, что приходит людям в голову: кока, картели, кокаин, наркобароны, партизаны-гарийерос, ФАРК, похищения людей ... В общем, чудесный букет, отпугивающий многих туристов от этой страны. Некоторые ещё вспомнят: кофе, Маркеса, колумбийские изумруды, а молодежь добавит певцов Шакиру и Хуанеса. А у меня Колумбия всегда ассоциировалась с фильмом "Роман с камнем" - зеленые джунгли, горы, реки-водопады, экзотика, смешные автобусы ... Может, именно поэтому, та Колумбия, которую мы увидели, и оказалась так похожа на наше представление о ней. Сейчас для меня Колумбия - это зеленые горы, укутанные туманом и облаками, реки и водопады, красивые лошади, великолепная природа, загадочные цивилизации, более древние, чем инки, майя и ацтеки,а главное, удивительно доброжелательные улыбающиеся люди, делающие все "Con mucho gusto!" ( С большим удовольствием!)

Тег в тему: Un gran viaje a América del Sur

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Sledding, or tobogganing, was first recorded in the 16th century. Modern racing began in Switzerland in the mid-19th century. Three forms of tobogganing developed: a bobsleigh, or sleigh, has 2 axles and 2 pairs of runners, is steered with a wheel, rope or bungie cord and is operated by teams of 2 or 4 racers; luge uses a single sled (a 1- or 2-seater) with the rider lying back from a sitting position; in Cresta tobogganing the rider lies on his chest. In the later 19th century skeleton was introduced, where a single athlete slides on a sheet-like sled face down and head first in the prone position.

Tobogganing developed independently in eastern Canada among native tribes who used their transportation sleighs for occasional fun. It was refined by groups such as the Montreal Tobogganing Club, the first such club in Canada, formed in 1881.

Most sleds could take as many as 4 riders; some accommodated 12. Tobogganing was one of Canada's prime winter sports in the 19th century. The Montmorency Ice Cone, outside Québec City, was a popular site for recreational sledding. When the sport grew less popular in Canada after the 1880s, the original toboggan runs were abandoned. Canadian competitors were forced to practise in Europe or at Lake Placid, NY, until 1985, when the Bobsleigh and Luge Track, built for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, was permanently opened at Calgary Olympic Park. A track was also constructed in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the 2002 Winter Olympics and has been in operation since 1997. Skeleton was also reintroduced during the 2002 Games.