Final Thoughts – Colombia

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.

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

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

Eating –

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

# of Days Couchsurfing –

6

Average Cost Per Day –

$44

Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.