Discovering Columbia
This South American country has lots to offer those wanting to take on the Latin culture
I recently went back to one of my favourite places in the whole world, which is also where my family is from; Colombia.
Despite what you may hear, Colombia is one of the most fun places to travel. There is so much to see and do and the atmosphere is amazing. It's no wonder I always go back. If you ever decide to go on a trip I highly suggest you go, you will have so much fun. These are a couple of things that I always love doing and seeing while there.
Playa Blanca, Colombia
Awake in a hammock with no need for more than your bathing suit and never a thought for shoes as the creamy, white sand slips through your toes like butter. True pictures of paradise as you find yourself beaming at the emerald-Caribbean waters; this is where you indulge in your morning bath.
Bogotá, Colombia
Northern Bogotá has lots of gated communities and sits on the side of the mountain, where my aunt and uncle currently live. Houses are placed sporadically through out the mountain. The malls are great; the Hacienda Santa Barbara is a fantastic place with the cafes outside with water fountains and huge flora surrounding you while drinking your aromatic tea.
Also visit the Tea House, a gorgeous Arabic bar/lounge. Central Bogotá is where politics meets Old Spanish colonialism. Check out the Museo del Oro (the Gold Museum); free admission on Sundays. Every Pre-Colombian artifact found is in this museum-including the Balsa oro Muisca, the Golden King riding the golden boat that started the myth of El Dorado; has emerald mines that contributes 80 per cent to world market.
Barichara, Colombia
A mountain jungle oasis, Barichara is a six-to-seven hour bus ride from Bogotá. The place is 80-90 degree weather (I got sun burnt on the first day). Tip: the further away from a major city, the more scarce toilet paper is. My family took a two-to-three hour hike through the Andes along an Indian trail, set at a steep angle-if you're not careful, can kill your ankles.
Guane, Colombia
Our three hour-long hike ended in a small village named Guane. Tip: when you finish your glass bottle drink, you must return bottle back to store clerk. The local museum shows that the whole area was under water millions of years ago. There was even a two foot tall seahorse fossil and tribal pictographs found.
Sangil, Colombia
Another gorgeous place, but some of the roads are severely steep. Here I went rafting and I got to swim in the River Fonce for under $10 a person (Colombia Rafting Expedition). November is when the water levels rises.
Medellin, Colombia
While it may once have been the home town and business centre of one of the world's most notorious drug barons, this now-peaceful city is home to a young and vibrant population of Colombianos who just want to have a good time. Clubs, bars and restaurants abound, so if you're looking for a place to let your hair down for the weekend, this is it.
Zipaquira, Colombia
North of Bogoták, Zipaquira is the site of the salt cathedral, which is very spectacular. Try and go on a Sunday when there's a religious service to view. You can get there by train. There's a tourist train that leaves from Bogotá every Sunday and Festivos.
Traditions:
Pilsen: World's most unrecognized beer
World famous in Antioquia, this is a cheap and tasty beverage that deserves a place alongside the other more well known Latin American cervezas. Dos, por favor!
Las Plasticas - whoa mama!
I can honestly say I've never seen so many fake knockers in all my life. As a heterosexual chick, they're not something I normally look out for, but it's impossible to miss them in this country of cheap and high-quality plastic surgery. Teenagers often request implants for their 16th birthdays - and get them!
Bandeja Paisa
“You want cholesterol with that?” This baby is a meat lover's fantasy, available wherever hungry Colombians gather. Featuring the obligatory rice and beans you would expect from a traditional South American dish, this tasty heart-attack-on-a-plate also includes chorizo, fried egg, fried plantain, ground beef, a slab of roast pork fat - and salad.
Habla Español?
If you've ever wanted to pick up that desirable second language, may I suggest a study trip to Colombia? Not only is the currency conversion favourable for most gringos, the local accent is clear and the Colombians most forgiving of your initial murdering of their native tongue.
I recently went back to one of my favourite places in the whole world, which is also where my family is from; Colombia.
Despite what you may hear, Colombia is one of the most fun places to travel. There is so much to see and do and the atmosphere is amazing. It's no wonder I always go back. If you ever decide to go on a trip I highly suggest you go, you will have so much fun. These are a couple of things that I always love doing and seeing while there.
Playa Blanca, Colombia
Awake in a hammock with no need for more than your bathing suit and never a thought for shoes as the creamy, white sand slips through your toes like butter. True pictures of paradise as you find yourself beaming at the emerald-Caribbean waters; this is where you indulge in your morning bath.
Bogotá, Colombia
Northern Bogotá has lots of gated communities and sits on the side of the mountain, where my aunt and uncle currently live. Houses are placed sporadically through out the mountain. The malls are great; the Hacienda Santa Barbara is a fantastic place with the cafes outside with water fountains and huge flora surrounding you while drinking your aromatic tea.
Also visit the Tea House, a gorgeous Arabic bar/lounge. Central Bogotá is where politics meets Old Spanish colonialism. Check out the Museo del Oro (the Gold Museum); free admission on Sundays. Every Pre-Colombian artifact found is in this museum-including the Balsa oro Muisca, the Golden King riding the golden boat that started the myth of El Dorado; has emerald mines that contributes 80 per cent to world market.
Barichara, Colombia
A mountain jungle oasis, Barichara is a six-to-seven hour bus ride from Bogotá. The place is 80-90 degree weather (I got sun burnt on the first day). Tip: the further away from a major city, the more scarce toilet paper is. My family took a two-to-three hour hike through the Andes along an Indian trail, set at a steep angle-if you're not careful, can kill your ankles.
Guane, Colombia
Our three hour-long hike ended in a small village named Guane. Tip: when you finish your glass bottle drink, you must return bottle back to store clerk. The local museum shows that the whole area was under water millions of years ago. There was even a two foot tall seahorse fossil and tribal pictographs found.
Sangil, Colombia
Another gorgeous place, but some of the roads are severely steep. Here I went rafting and I got to swim in the River Fonce for under $10 a person (Colombia Rafting Expedition). November is when the water levels rises.
Medellin, Colombia
While it may once have been the home town and business centre of one of the world's most notorious drug barons, this now-peaceful city is home to a young and vibrant population of Colombianos who just want to have a good time. Clubs, bars and restaurants abound, so if you're looking for a place to let your hair down for the weekend, this is it.
Zipaquira, Colombia
North of Bogoták, Zipaquira is the site of the salt cathedral, which is very spectacular. Try and go on a Sunday when there's a religious service to view. You can get there by train. There's a tourist train that leaves from Bogotá every Sunday and Festivos.
Traditions:
Pilsen: World's most unrecognized beer
World famous in Antioquia, this is a cheap and tasty beverage that deserves a place alongside the other more well known Latin American cervezas. Dos, por favor!
Las Plasticas - whoa mama!
I can honestly say I've never seen so many fake knockers in all my life. As a heterosexual chick, they're not something I normally look out for, but it's impossible to miss them in this country of cheap and high-quality plastic surgery. Teenagers often request implants for their 16th birthdays - and get them!
Bandeja Paisa
“You want cholesterol with that?” This baby is a meat lover's fantasy, available wherever hungry Colombians gather. Featuring the obligatory rice and beans you would expect from a traditional South American dish, this tasty heart-attack-on-a-plate also includes chorizo, fried egg, fried plantain, ground beef, a slab of roast pork fat - and salad.
Habla Español?
If you've ever wanted to pick up that desirable second language, may I suggest a study trip to Colombia? Not only is the currency conversion favourable for most gringos, the local accent is clear and the Colombians most forgiving of your initial murdering of their native tongue.
