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Go Backpacking > Destinations > South America > Colombia > Final Thoughts – Colombia

Final Thoughts – Colombia

March 18, 2009 By Dave

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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 uses and recommends:

  • G Adventures for small group tours
  • Skyscanner for researching flights
  • Hostelworld for booking hostels
  • Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
  • Rail Europe for train passes
  • World Nomads for travel insurance

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Filed Under: Colombia Tagged With: bogota, medellin

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gary Arndt says

    March 18, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Wait, wait, wait….

    You had $50 corkscrew?

  2. Gary Arndt says

    March 18, 2009 at 11:43 am

    Wait, wait, wait….

    You had $50 corkscrew?

  3. Joey Logano says

    March 20, 2009 at 5:32 pm

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

  4. Joey Logano says

    March 20, 2009 at 12:32 pm

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

  5. Dave says

    March 23, 2009 at 4:13 am

    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!

  6. Dave says

    March 22, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    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!

  7. Pete says

    May 9, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    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.

  8. Pete says

    May 10, 2009 at 2:32 am

    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.

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