“Yo Sis! Yo quiero Colombia! Why? Their friendly people, fascinating history, creative culture, killer coffee, yummy street food … the list is long!”
And possibly the coolest place in Colombia is San Agustin.
Way before the Incas, Kim, the “Agustin” culture flourished in the Colombian Andes. Almost three thousand years ago the Agustin people buried their leaders in elaborate tombs guarded by stone warriors and mythical gods.
Locals believe San Agustin is magical and sacred.
“Kim’s View of the Colombian Andes is at San Agustin, the world’s largest necropolis.”
We could have made a Kim’s View–Colombia in so many places; Cartagena, Tayrona National Park, Medellin, Zona Cafetera, and even at the border with Ecuador in Ipiales.
Castillo San Felipe would have made a great Kim’s View, but we needed a break from fortress views. Originally a Calamari Indian village that Spanish conquistadors invaded in the early 1500s, Cartagena grew into the Caribbean crown jewel of the Spanish empire.
Attacks by French and British pirates forced the Spanish to build South America’s mightiest fortress, Castillo San Felipe.
Every Colombian city I visited seemed to be the birthplace of a world-famous writer, musician, artist, or athlete; names like García Márquez, Botero, Shakira, Juanes, Nel Gómez, Valderrama …
“From famous writers and superstar musicians to street performers and graffiti artists, Colombia oozes talent.”
I lived in Colombia for one hundred thirty-three days—our longest “search and enjoy mission” in one country, so far—including two months in Cartagena and a month in Medellin working on this travel blog.
The local “paisas” in Medellin’s Prado neighborhood were so nice; every day in my Airbnb, high-rise apartment’s elevator neighbors would say “buenos dias / tardes” and “hasta luego” to each other. Everyone!
If I was that nice to everyone in the elevator back home in San Diego, I’d get creepy stares.
Warm and friendly Colombian ‘Paisas’ are among the world’s nicest people, Kim.
Many people still think Colombia is dangerous, Kim, but that’s old news.
Now there are police on almost every street corner in Cartagena and Medellin. I never felt unsafe. But Colombia’s battle against violence and crime is very much a work in progress, the same with every country.
“Medellin has risen from ‘murder capital’ to cool.”
Throughout Colombia I loved hearing the shopkeepers say “a la orden” when I walked in. It literally means “at your service” but it’s also a mash-up of “welcome” and “how can I help you?” and the street vendors use it for “get your kick-ass (tamales, frutas, etc.) here.”
I never worried about being scalped or cheated with “gringo” pricing. Ever!
“Monica’s tamales and rice pudding are definitely delicioso!”
You aren’t a super coffee lover like me, Kim, but you’d be impressed with Colombian coffee. Colombia’s soil and climate are perfect for growing many different types of high-grade coffee. Only Brazil and Vietnam grow more coffee than Colombia, but the Colombians proudly say they grow the world’s highest quality coffee. The good shit!
“Colombia is coffee Mecca, Sis, and it’s all hand-picked!”
Our second Kim’s View—Colombia is in the small, “heritage town” of Jardin. I’m sure you’d love Jardin, Sis, it’s one continuous photo op; colorful, colonial-era casitas, classic town square and basilica, friendly, inviting locals, surrounded by lush, green hills filled with coffee plantations.
“Jardin reminds me of your home in Durango, Colorado.”
The Jardineños love to show off their “paso fino” thoroughbred horses and prance around Plaza del Libertador.
“You can post up at the bar in Jardin without getting off your super-trotting stallion.”
I love Colombia, Kim.
Colombia comes to mind first when people ask me which countries are my favorite and I know you’d love Colombia, too. KV
“Your spirit lives among Agustin gods, Kim, guarded by fierce warriors. Colombia is ‘magico y sagrado’ indeed!”
