I've decided to take a mini excursion to Colombia. I have the unique opportunity of taking a few weeks off and decided to get my travel fix before returning to the grind (or "back to the salt mine" as my dad would say). I picked Colombia because I heard travelers
raving about it non-stop when I was in Central America in 2007.
Naturally, I did my homework on the safety aspect and will be vigilant about avoiding any regions still experiencing
socio-political instability (fortunately it sounds like most of the trouble spots are regionally isolated). I promise not go go wandering off into the jungle by myself, and (yes, mom) I promise to be careful.
I arrived in
Bogotá late on Monday evening for one night before heading up to the Caribbean coast. Before I left San Francisco, I'd been experiencing side effects from my Yellow Fever vaccination. That combined with the extreme change in altitude (
Bogotá sits at 2600 meters) made for probably one of the most miserable nights I've had in a while (I will spare you the details, but it was not pretty). This wasn't the ideal way to start out in Colombia, but you just have to roll with the punches.
After my one night in
Bogotá, I headed back to the airport, jumped on a flight to Santa Marta and then continued on to the fishing village of
Taganga (on the Caribbean coast, close to Venezuela). The whole deal was fairly seamless and I landed in a great hostel (La
Casa de Felipe) in
Taganga.
Colombia is nothing like the picture painted by the foreign media during the late 1990s. Contrary to popular belief, Pablo
Escobar-types are
not lurking around every turn and masked guerrilla fighters do not roam the streets snatching up blond, American tourists. What has struck me, however, is the kindness of almost every Colombian I've met. People have been so warm, welcoming and eager to help visitors (similar to the vibe I experienced this in the Philippines).
For example...on the plane to Santa Marta, I asked the passenger to my left about the approximate price of a taxi from Santa Marta to
Taganga (I like to do this when I land in a new place so I have a target in mind before I enter the cab-driver gauntlet). Most of the time, this question results in a short exchange, and then I go about my own business getting a taxi. In this case, however, my neighbor waited for me to retrieve my luggage, then personally helped me talk with the drivers waiting at the airport so I was sure to get an honest taxi and a fair price. I've already had several experiences like this during my few short days in Colombia, which makes me think I will like it here...
Bogotá airport: you can hardly see this in the photo, but the sign says "the only risk is wanting to stay"
Taxi to Taganga
Making dinner with some fellow travelers at Casa de Felipe
My room at Casa de Felipe
The chill-out hammock patio (I think there are 2 hammocks for every 1 person staying here)
Taganga town
Hiking to the beaches with Jo and Alec
"Playa Grande" - worth the hike!
Taganga
