In our travels in and around Colombia, we at the Colombia Travel Blog come across many fellow travellers, bloggers, and Colombia enthusiasts. We were privaleged recently with the arrival of Stephanie Yoder and Michael Tieso, whom we met on several nights out around the restaurants, bars and cafes of Bogota. As they’re two of the most prominent bloggers on the web, we were delighted with the opportunity to talk with them, and even managed to secure an interview before they shot off on their travel to Cartagena.
Without further ado, allow us introduce you to the pair:
CTB: First and foremost, please introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about what you do?
Hi, we’re Stephanie Yoder and my boyfriend is Michael Tieso, we’re couple of bloggers traveling the world, and more currently, South America. I blog at Twenty-Something Travel and Michael runs Art of Backpacking.
CTB: What brought you to Colombia?
A friend asked us to house-sit for him in Bogota. We were already planning to travel to South America but didn’t really know where we wanted to start. The invitation, plus cheap airfare from New York clinched it! After we started researching more about Colombia we got really excited- it has so much to offer!
CTB: What were your expectations of Colombia before you came, and how has the reality matched up?
Well, there’s always that nagging fear that Colombia isn’t safe. I got a lot of startled looks when I told people our plans, and I even started to have doubts myself. Even the Lonely Planet made me nervous! Actually being here though I’ve felt incredibly safe and secure. The people in Colombia have been incredibly friendly and welcoming, we’ve felt very at home.
CTB: You’ve spent a long time in Bogotá, what are your feelings about the city?
I love really big cities like London, New York and Rome. Bogota fits right in there: it’s a massive city with a lot going on- so much to see, so many people to meet, so many clubs to visit. It’s a really vibrant place. We spent 3 weeks living in Chapinero Alto and 2 weeks in La Candelaria so we got to see two different sides of the city.
CTB: What would you recommend to do in Bogotá if someone has only one day?
La Candelaria is the old historic part of the city and really worth exploring. We did a bike tour which was long but such a great way to really see a lot of Bogota. Definitely recommend it.
CTB: As a couple of bloggers that have travelled the world, how does Colombia match up to your other trips?
Most of our previous travels have been in Asia, which is obviously quite different! In a lot of ways Colombia has been easier- the language barrier isn’t so difficult and culturally it’s not quite as foreign. What I think makes Colombia really special though, is the sheer diversity in landscapes and things to do here. Beaches, mountains, deserts and rolling fields, it’s kind of got it all!
What are your top 5 favourite things so far about Colombia?
1. Hot Chocolate and Cheese (I know, some people think it’s gross but I love it)
2. The friendly people
3. Tayrona National Park
4. Exito- it reminds me of Target back home, love the one stop shopping.
5. Halloween- Colombians go all out, even more than back in the States! It was a good party.
Stephanie’s Twenty-Something Traveler blog covers all aspects of travelling as a 20-something year old, including insights about destinations themselves, the ins-and-outs of travel relationships, how to save money and much, much more. Be sure to check it out here.
Michael’s blog, The Art Of Backpacking, talks about travel, from the food you can eat to the places you can go to the ways you can make money while you’re there. Again, make sure you check it out here.
Paul
