Final Thoughts – Colombia

Posted by Dave on 18 March 2009. Tags: blogsherpa, bogota, Colombia, medellin

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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 -

Bumbling around Cartagena

Average Cost Per Day -

$44

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This post was written by:

Dave - who has written 997 posts on Go Backpacking.

Dave Lee (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing, and lamenting his untimely departure from Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave

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Pete

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

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!