Colombia, a country that will always hold a special place in my heart

I went to Colombia at a time when I wasn’t in a great emotional state. I needed to escape—the winter, the routine, the weight of everything that was upsetting me. So I booked a flight to one of the most beautiful and exciting countries in the world. I had heard about Colombia from friends, seen it on TV, and once read about Cartagena—a description so vivid that I couldn’t resist going.

And so I made my way to this fabled land.

Each major city in Colombia has its own rhythm, and Bogotá’s was fast, chaotic, and always moving. Even locals warned me about the violence, and sure enough, a murder happened just a street away from where I was staying. Though I was in shock, I didn’t really let that incident distract me from enjoying the city. But it’s a word of caution to listen to the locals. They know. It’s their country, it’s their city, they know. If they say avoid a particular neighbourhood or to take precaution, then believe them. They are not exaggerating. 

The rain can also be relentless in some seasons, but the city has the energy, rhe resilience and the endless nightlife that counteracts with the challenges. It offers a sense of relief and escape for its residents. Chapinero’s LGBTQ+ scene and La Macarena’s artsy cafes, and La Candelaria’s colonial streets were very much appreciated. I remember standing at the top of Monserrate, looking at the magnificent city below listening to Arlo Parks’s soothing music. I wanted time to stop so I could just pause and appreciate the beauty of the moment. There is a surreal, magical and almost gothic appeal to Bogota. The dark skies, the people stressed about the traffic, their demanding jobs, and the challenges that any major city faces. But the people of Bogota do not let anything deter them. They’re some of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. Bogota also has a cool factor to it, being the capital city, and the city most Colombians want to move to for school or for work.

Medellín, on the other hand, was warmer, lighter, sunnier, thought it doesn’t have quite as many things to do as Bogotá. It felt more laid-back, even though it is unfortunately overrun with annoying North American tourists, and if you know me, you’ll know that I avoid North Americans like the plague when I travel abroad. One of my favorite things that I did in the city was taking the cable cars up and seeing the city spread across the valleys. The lights at night making it feel almost like a dream. I still remember listening to Here with me by D4VD on the cable car. A moment I’ll never forget. There are far more spots in Medellin where you can get a spectacular view of the city.

I have to commend the drivers of Medellin because it’s such a mountainous city, and how anyone drives there is beyond me. It takes some real talent to swerve and take control the cars when navigating those steep and narrow roads. Medellin has just as much to offer in terms of nightlife. It’s not a city that will bore anyone. Colombia in general may be many things and people will have their own descriptions of it, but it is not a boring country. There’s always something to do, and something is always happening. 

As a true snowbird, Cartagena is the city that was looking forward to the most. Walking through its streets felt surreal, like stepping into a place I had imagined long before I ever arrived. The contrast of modern skyscrapers with the historic charm of Getsemaní was striking. I made friends on a free walking tour and explored the city with them. An Uber driver did scam me but at least I was unharmed. After Bogotá’s endless rain, I was happy to experience the blazing sun, the beaches and the islands of this coastal city, and gorge on the delightful seafood. There are so many colors in Cartagena, there’s no way your mood won’t be lifted.

Colombia, for all its beauty, is not without its complexities. The Venezuelan migration crisis is woven into daily life. Millions have sought refuge here, and while many Colombians have welcomed them, others feel their already struggling systems are being stretched too thin. In both Bogotá and Medellín, the tensions were visible. It was a reminder that immigration is a sensitive topic everywhere and that people get worked up about borders everywhere. It isn’t a uniquely North American or European issue.

If you go to Colombia, keep an open mind, listen to the locals, take their advice and take it seriously, leave your stereotypes behind, and learn some basic Spanish. It’ll help.

All in all, I went to Colombia knowing what to expect but I also tried to leave all the preconceived notions at the door. It is beautiful and complex at the same time, but most of all, the warmth and friendliness of the people, the way my friends took me in and made me a part of their world, made me feel at home is something I will never forget. It’s a country that will always have a special place in my heart.