A la orden señor! An expression that can only be heard in Colombia and an expression that I want to use to describe Colombian people. Friendly, respectful, considerate and interested. That`s how the large majority of Colombians will appear to you.
Before I went I heard so many good things. Almost every South America Traveler recommends Colombia as the best place to go because of its amazing people and good vibe. So I had been excited to go for months. My expectations where high, very high and what I got from traveling this country pleased me a lot. Of course there is not a 100% of outstandingly friendly people, but the large majority welcomed you warmly and appreciates your bravery of visiting their country.
Colombians are well aware of their reputation in the world and try to do everything to change it. Colombia is not what it was anymore. Guerrilla, drugs, and crime are still present but somewhere distant, somewhere where the common traveler will never go. The new commercials everywhere say: "Colombia - the only risk is wanting to stay!" I think that is true.
On the other hands, more things that Colombia is known for are clearly visible every day. Those are plastic surgery (Boob jobs are almost obligatory and butt implants necessary for every "nadadora" :-) and the prettiest women in the world (the reason why might be arguable, I guess).
Tourism has picked up so much over the last 5 years and it's beginning to change the country. Wherever you go there are people interested in you as a traveler, as a foreigner, as someone who comes to exchange cultural experiences. But in the busiest tourist spots this spirit is almost fading. Tourism has it's bad sides and besides money cultural exchange or tightening international relations, it can bring indifference, confirmation of prejudices and unkindness to local people. Especially in places where rich tourists visit relatively poor areas, behave disrespectful, take drugs and disappear after a short time.
A place like this is Taganga at the Caribbean Cost in the North. The clearest sign that tourism has the power to destroy, to change the maybe friendliest and happiest people in Latin America.
Therefore my recommendation is, go to Colombia, and go now, before it is too late. To many people you are still a stranger, a brave person that made it to their country, someone who believes in Colombia. But there are already lots of those who are accustomed to travelers, who see you as someone who brings money and not much more - which is sad.
I was more than lucky already 4 month ago when I met David y Lida in Argentina. These two people as well as Daniela, Alex (a friend from Indiana and with 2 weeks hanging out together my longest travel buddy on the whole trip), Matt and Alisa, Karen and many others made my trip to Colombia unforgetable. After visiting stylish Medellin, historic and romantic Cartagena, beautiful Parque Tayrona and colonial Villa de Leyva, I spent my last 4 days in Latin America in Bogota. I felt super welcome there, learned a million things and I am very sure there could have never been a better end to my trip in South America. Thank you so much again David y Lida, you are great Chibchombianos!!
I left South America after 5 moths, 8 countries, and more than 360h of bus rides, with loads of experiences that will last a lifetime and the will to come back one day - maybe soon, maybe later, who knows, but one day for sure!!
Since my new passport just arrived on time in Bogota, one week before my old one expired, I was able to go to the US without any hazzle. Spent the last week in Florida, went to the Keys, to the Bahamas and incredible Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Only Problem is, that I spend as much money in one week as I did before in a month in South America - I think it's time to go back home... :-)
Soon! Greeting from Texas!
Read more on this article...
Before I went I heard so many good things. Almost every South America Traveler recommends Colombia as the best place to go because of its amazing people and good vibe. So I had been excited to go for months. My expectations where high, very high and what I got from traveling this country pleased me a lot. Of course there is not a 100% of outstandingly friendly people, but the large majority welcomed you warmly and appreciates your bravery of visiting their country.
Colombians are well aware of their reputation in the world and try to do everything to change it. Colombia is not what it was anymore. Guerrilla, drugs, and crime are still present but somewhere distant, somewhere where the common traveler will never go. The new commercials everywhere say: "Colombia - the only risk is wanting to stay!" I think that is true.
On the other hands, more things that Colombia is known for are clearly visible every day. Those are plastic surgery (Boob jobs are almost obligatory and butt implants necessary for every "nadadora" :-) and the prettiest women in the world (the reason why might be arguable, I guess).Tourism has picked up so much over the last 5 years and it's beginning to change the country. Wherever you go there are people interested in you as a traveler, as a foreigner, as someone who comes to exchange cultural experiences. But in the busiest tourist spots this spirit is almost fading. Tourism has it's bad sides and besides money cultural exchange or tightening international relations, it can bring indifference, confirmation of prejudices and unkindness to local people. Especially in places where rich tourists visit relatively poor areas, behave disrespectful, take drugs and disappear after a short time.
A place like this is Taganga at the Caribbean Cost in the North. The clearest sign that tourism has the power to destroy, to change the maybe friendliest and happiest people in Latin America.Therefore my recommendation is, go to Colombia, and go now, before it is too late. To many people you are still a stranger, a brave person that made it to their country, someone who believes in Colombia. But there are already lots of those who are accustomed to travelers, who see you as someone who brings money and not much more - which is sad.
I was more than lucky already 4 month ago when I met David y Lida in Argentina. These two people as well as Daniela, Alex (a friend from Indiana and with 2 weeks hanging out together my longest travel buddy on the whole trip), Matt and Alisa, Karen and many others made my trip to Colombia unforgetable. After visiting stylish Medellin, historic and romantic Cartagena, beautiful Parque Tayrona and colonial Villa de Leyva, I spent my last 4 days in Latin America in Bogota. I felt super welcome there, learned a million things and I am very sure there could have never been a better end to my trip in South America. Thank you so much again David y Lida, you are great Chibchombianos!!I left South America after 5 moths, 8 countries, and more than 360h of bus rides, with loads of experiences that will last a lifetime and the will to come back one day - maybe soon, maybe later, who knows, but one day for sure!!
Since my new passport just arrived on time in Bogota, one week before my old one expired, I was able to go to the US without any hazzle. Spent the last week in Florida, went to the Keys, to the Bahamas and incredible Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Only Problem is, that I spend as much money in one week as I did before in a month in South America - I think it's time to go back home... :-)
Soon! Greeting from Texas!
