Collaborative post
The Athens of South America
In order to be seen as the best place to go if you’re a young professional in Colombia, Bogota had to mix the old with the new. Now it’s called the ‘Athens of South America’ because it has so many old buildings and traditional or classic architecture standing everywhere. These are typically found among the new homes, streets, markets and sometimes even skyscrapers. As you can imagine, there needs to be something around to keep the younger generation liking the culture more than just churches and architecture. The Zona area is where many of the trendy bars and high end shopping stores are located. Yes you can walk the cobbled and stone streets of the city to get to where you want but you may soon also be able to take the metro. This is a plan that is due to be completed in 2024 and since the population is a staggering 8 million people, it really, really needs this. As ever with any capital city there are the museums, libraries, theaters and much to enjoy.
Barullo in Barranquilla
Situated in the northernmost region of the Caribbean Coast, Barranquilla is one of the first places that the Spanish settled in. It’s clear to see that although there are modern buildings and resources in the city there is still a massive traditional life celebrated here. You can see the colorful buildings everywhere, with typical Spanish style. Bear in mind that the Mediterranean culture was brought over and this is why you see peach and red buildings, yellow and blue homes, green walls with splashes of red as well. Here in this city, is where you can learn Colombian dance skills better than anywhere else in the entire nation. Sure Barranquilla has many reason why you should visit, since the city is absolutely ripe with history and carnival festivals that cover the streets with colorful dancers. But the best thing is surely two of the best dance schools anywhere in the city. Barullo is right in the middle of the Plaza del Parque shopping center. It’s quite a new school but it brings in many of the youth to learn traditional and modern dance. Classic Colombian music is played from morning till noon, a great place to make friends and take with you a skill which you can use at parties.
Into the vast mystery
The Amazon Rainforest is staggeringly large. The entire landscape which it covers is so large that much of it hasn’t been explored. Around two thirds or even more has not yet been explored by human beings. So many people throughout the centuries had said that there were many ancient civilizations actually living inside the forest. Some explorers even proclaimed to have seen cities that were populating up to 60,000 people in the 16th century. They were cast aside by archeologists and other explorers in their time for apparently lying. Yet we know now, that actually there were huge cities right in the rainforest where there was almost no chance of them being discovered. If you’re thinking of travelling to Colombia, you have to set foot into the Amazon Rainforest at least once in your life. It’s one of the most beautiful and colorful places that you will ever come into contact with. There are so many undiscovered species in the jungle that we just cannot reach because of how dense and difficult the vegetation and landscape is. Only on foot can we venture further and further into this beautiful green mystery.
Cuisine in Cali
You’re probably wondering what the local cuisine is like? It’s the quintessential thing to do when you go abroad is taste the flavors of the country you’re visiting. Head over to the city of Cali on the east coast, and sit in one of the many loved restaurants. One of them is La Casona Valluna which is a cosy place for both lunch and dinner. There’s also outside seating which is typical of the climate. Of course Colombia is known for some of the highest quality coffee beans anywhere in the world, so try the coffee-based beverages here. A mocha cappuccino is served with extra thick foam and sometimes whipped cream if you ask. Sweet and peppery grilled meats are served here fresh and cooked right in front of you. Pork belly with fresh peppers and lulo fruit sauce is often served for those that want something juicy and filling. Yet you also have the classic aborrajado which is plantains stuffed with cheese and then deep fried. Check out the carimanola for what is essentially a cross between a burrito and a pasty as it’s a fluffy pastry stuffed with cheese and ground up meat.
Colombia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. If it’s not the beaches you desire, then head into Bogota to experience some of the earliest Spanish culture through the buildings and architecture. If you are craving for adventure then there’s only one place to go and that’s down south into the Amazon Rainforest.
