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
