Tomorrow, July 20th, is Colombian Independence Day and for that reason I felt it appropriate to focus today’s post on Colombia, and what it means to me.
Colombia is a country of stunning, unexpected diversity. From the hidden colonial villages like Mompox, to the sprawling beast of Bogotá, to the snow-capped peaks of Sierra Nevada, to the phospoherescent red sands of La Guajira; travel to Colombia is marked by shattered expectations.
And of course, these mistaken expectations aren’t just limited to aesthetics. What many people still imagine as a country torn apart by violence and war is currently one of the most exciting places to live in the world. Yes, there are stil problems that need to be overcome, but we in Colombia are in a moment of great importance.
It’s a time that we can realistically expect to look back on with glowing pride and say: we were there. We were there when Colombia was put on the international economic scene. We were there when Colombia become one of the most talked about travel destinations in the world. We were there when week by week more foreigners appeared and gave hope to those locals that thought they’d never see a real, proper tourism industry grow here. We were there when all that Colombian joy, all that optimism, finally came into fruition and life in Colombia finally began to match the country’s natural beauty.
We might not be there just yet, but it’s coming.
And to me, that’s what Colombia is. I love life in Bogota, I love to travel throughout the country and see the incredible towns, cities and landscapes that define this incredible country. But more than anything I love being here right now. It’s a country brimming with excitement and opportunity. A country that is changing. The youth are creating new types of art, the businessmen are creating new opportunities, the emigrants are returning home. The rhythms of Colombia have a new briskness about them, and those that dance skip with a new energy. This, Colombians know, is their moment.
It’s not just me that’s enjoying Colombia. I also spoke to a few of my foreign friends and asked them, ‘what does Colombia mean to you?’. Here’s what they said:
Florian Flierenbaum, Germany
I came to Colombia for over a month travelling and it was one of the best trips I’ve had. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was exactly that made me enjoy Colombia so much – I loved Ciudad Perdida, I loved Bogota… – but overall it was just an experience that really made a mark on me. Something about the culture and the people is just amazing.
Lachlan Page, Australia
Colombia to me is a country looking towards the future. A country that has emerged from internal problems to become one of the leading economies in Latin America, where people are quick to smile and laugh and where the hospitality of its people reveal a country that is welcoming to visitors and tourists from all around the world.
Calum Hurley, England
I came to Colombia full of intrigue. It’s a country that, to the average Brit, is not well known in a positive light. It didn’t take me long, however, to realise what a great country it is. Peronally, the reason why my 18 month stay here has been so much fun is because of the people. Everyone from taxi drivers to waitresses have made me feel at ease and I truly call Colombia my home now. For that reason, whether I leave Colombia tomorrow or in 10 years, it will always be, at worst, a second home to me.
Benji Waddell, Ireland
I think Colombia is one of the friendliest countries I’ve ever been to. There is an amazing sense of community and welcoming no matter where you go and who you are. So I suppose Colombia means to me, people, community
Jairo Galvis, Colombia
Colombia starts to make sense when I travel. When I leave my house I understand that this country is above all diversity. In these trips I always find myself with distinct landscapes, people, food and places, to the point where it all seems inexhaustible. I think of Colombia as a land to discover, and to leave yourself surprised.
Phil Elías, Mexico & Wales
Although I’ve only been here a few months, Colombia has grown on me rapidly. I had a good feeling about being here after a week, and that feeling has just gotten better and better as time has passed. I think the people are fantastic – outgoing, confident, funny and warm. I look forward to every night I go out, because I almost always have a fantastic time, chiefly due to the people I meet. On a more serious note, as a half Mexican, Colombia is like the light at the end of the tunnel. It has seen some very dark days but is emerging and growing now, and its people are rightly proud of that. I hope that one day Mexico arrives on the same side of that tunnel.
Mickael Teo, France
Me and my friend Josian decided 2 years ago to leave Europe for a new life. We were pretty much set on the continent, but not yet on the country. That’s where we started asking around what people who had travelled South America had preferred and one country kept on coming back: Colombia. What a weird paradox when for us at the time this was a country where bullets where flying at every corner and everyone daring to go for a hike would end up 5 years in captivity in a wet jungle?!
The more research we did, the more convinced we were about the tremendous potential of the country and we pretty quickly set our minds for the Colombian adventure. And god, we were not disappointed! We’ve travelled in almost every corner of the country and been completely blown away by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes, the richness of its culture and kindness of its inhabitants. I am now working in Brazil which in a way is quite similar (although muuuuch bigger) but will still come back regularly to Colombia to keep on exploring and enjoying its limitless richness…
Mickael works for Off2Brazil.com, a great place for information about Brazil.Paul
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