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Final Thoughts – Colombia

Bogota restaurant

Colombia was to be the last country of my trip around the world, and either because I was nearing the end of my adventure, or I simply couldn't satisfy my curiosity about the place, its people, and culture, I decided to see what it would take to live abroad.  Throughout the previous 13 months of travel through 19 other countries and kingdoms on 4 continents, I was always wondering whether there was a city which would inspire and motivate me to take on the challenge of working abroad.  It feels good to have found such a place.

Despite the concerns about FARC, kidnappings, and crime, I felt safer in Bogota and Medellin than Cape Town and Johannesburg.  While the traditional Colombian food is artery-clogging to the core, the nightlife is awesome (in this gringo's opinion).  The people on a whole are amongst the most friendly and curious I have met on my trip.  The women can inspire a guy to want to learn Spanish.  And with the snow-capped Andes, jungles, undeveloped beaches, and smaller towns and villages yet to explore, there is enough to keep me busy or coming back again and again.

A Bogota shopkeeper thought it'd be funny to dress me up

Highlights –

  • Not getting ripped off on the taxi ride from the airport to Laura's apartment in Bogota
  • Couchsurfing with Laura and her roommate
  • The Botero and Gold Museums
  • The cable car ride up Montserrat
  • My Friday night out in Bogota's Zona Rosa
  • The short and scenic flight to Medellin
  • Visiting the city's new aquarium, Parque Explora, and botanical gardens
  • Watching the sun set from atop Pueblito Paisa
  • Botero Plaza and the Antiquities Museum
  • Getting around Medellin on the metro line (and taking the western cable car for great views of the city)
  • Free dance performance at Teatro Lido
  • Meeting and partying with Medellin's couchsurfing group
  • Tracking down a restaurant where Anthony Bourdain ate on No Reservations last year
  • Being recognized by 2 Americans who had read this blog before leaving on their own year long trip!
  • Dance lessons with the local girls
  • Visiting Pablo Escobar's grave (I know, it is an odd highlight)
  • Attending Carnaval in Barranquilla
  • An impromptu sidetrip to Cartagena
  • Drinking a caipirinhia on the beach
  • Launching MedellinLiving.com

Pueblito Paisa, Medellin

Lowlights –

  • Having my computer's AC adapter ($40), my French corkscrew ($50), some burned music, and USB cables stolen from my bag in a hostel

Tony Bourdain at Brasarepa (photo courtesy of Victor, the owner)

Eating –

Meat, chicken, beans, avocado, traditional soup, Aguila cerveza, Aguardiente, rum, tinto (coffee), lots of sushi.

# of Days Couchsurfing –

6

Bumbling around Cartagena

Average Cost Per Day –

$44

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

Pete

Sunday 10th of May 2009

Hey Dave - Hope all is well in Medellin. I have been coming back to your blog for the last year. I love travel and experiencing new cultures and I've been wanting to take a RTW trip for the past couple years. Your blog has helped me keep that dream going.

Now that your living abroad, which is also something I want to do, once again you're inspiring me.

I'm still hoping and planning - one day I'll get follow in the footsteps of you world travelers.

Pete

Saturday 9th of May 2009

Hey Dave - Hope all is well in Medellin. I have been coming back to your blog for the last year. I love travel and experiencing new cultures and I've been wanting to take a RTW trip for the past couple years. Your blog has helped me keep that dream going.

Now that your living abroad, which is also something I want to do, once again you're inspiring me.

I'm still hoping and planning - one day I'll get follow in the footsteps of you world travelers.

Dave

Sunday 22nd of March 2009

I know, it was a splurge. It was the only souvenir I bought in France, and I got it in St. Emilion, near Bordeaux. I was drinking a lot of wine at the time!

Dave

Monday 23rd of March 2009

I know, it was a splurge. It was the only souvenir I bought in France, and I got it in St. Emilion, near Bordeaux. I was drinking a lot of wine at the time!

Joey Logano

Friday 20th of March 2009

That actually looked like alot of fun, I thought too in the beginning your concerns about Columbia, but it seems it was fine, hehe.

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