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Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade, and also the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.

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By Abe Henry
May 3rd 2008

Bogota, Colombia!!

South America » Colombia » Bogota

So I arrived in Bogota's El Dorado Airport today! Alone. My friend was coming to pick me up, outside the airport. But first, I had to get through the hectic, tumuluous, somewhat cramped El Dorado International Airport. For anyone who is going to Bogota, or Colombia for that matter, be warned that when you land, you don't just walk off down a ramp and into customs! You walk out the door, climb down a steep flight of stairs, get on a packed bus, and ride about half a mile to the airport. This was very different for me, but my friends [View Full Entry]

By Scowie
April 30th 2008

Columbia......caliente!

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Causing a scene
Jaakko and I goofing around during a petrol break.

Wow I´m supposed to be partaking in a game of cards at the moment but I feel I should tell you a tad bit about my time in Columbia. It´s been great from start to finish. The thing that I noticed most is how nice and helpful the people are. My first day after crossing over from Ecuador I had some troubles finding a bank where I could withdraw money. So the cleaning lady from one of the banks just left work and took me around to all the banks in the area until we found one that worked. I appreciated [View Full Entry]

Tallest underground cross on (in) Earth.

By Anglo Dutch connection goes Latin
April 24th 2008

City of extremes Bogota, Colombia

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Candelaria streets...

After a 10 hour daytime busride from Cali we arrived around 8 PM in Bogota. Our Footprint travelguide recommended a good hostel in the Candelaria area, called Platypus. What a shithole this was!!! We got put up in a house next door which is best described as a hangout for squatters. No door to the patio, a cat following us around everywhere and a room full of dust and that smelled awful because of the dampness and the cat. To finish it off, outside there plenty of glue sniffing junkies hanging around.... To make us feel even more welcome the hostel [View Full Entry]

By The John and Sarah Show
April 22nd 2008

Scuba-dooby-do and other adventures in Colombia

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Parque Tayrona

Our expectations surpassed ten-fold, we ended our three week journey through Ecuador with an overland border crossing to Colombia. Yes Mom, Colombia. Colombia is a country that was not even on our radar when left the States last September, but conversations with fellow backpackers convinced us that we had to see Colombia. To most Americans ( who, let´s face it, are not the most adventurous people), Colombia is a place to avoid. But why? I guess most people think of cocaine cartels and FARC guerillas, both of which are not nearly as prominent as they were 20 years ago. Apparently Presiden [View Full Entry]

By JosM
April 19th 2008

Aangekomen in Bogota

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Zo, het heeft even geduurd maar ik ben weer ontsnapt aan het dagelijkse leven in Nederland. Er is best veel gebeurd het afgelopen anderhalf jaar. Ik ben onder andere tot mijn eigen verbazing met veel plezier aan het werk. Desalniettemin heb ik per jaar genoeg verlof dagen om nu maarliefst 5 weken op vakantie te gaan. Bestemming is dit keer Colombia, beetje onverwacht misschien als je af moet gaan op de berichtgeving van de massa media. Ik heb echter verhalen uit de eerste hand gehoord (toen ik ergens tussen Mexico en Panama zwerfde) en die beloofden veel goeds. Neemt niet weg [View Full Entry]

By bobbin
April 16th 2008

Bogota

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Hopefully this blog will allow you all to see where I am and to know that I am safe. I have been in Colombia and so far there have been no problem, apart from my foot falling down a drain (no damage done). I spent a month in Cali with my Aunty and cousins. I had a brilliant time and loved spending some time with them as it dosen´t happen very often! I also had the opportunity to help at the Collegio Colombo Britanico which was brilliant and has made me realise that I definatly would like to teach abroad for [View Full Entry]

By salhasan
April 11th 2008

Amigo in Colombia + Links to Photos

South America » Colombia » Bogota

La Candelaria

Amigo Arrives in South America Hola Chicos & Chicas So I am back on the air typing this blog of Colombian adventures while I am here in Ecuador! S.A has been interesting so far and I am enjoying the ride, even though some of the rides in Colombia were expensive!! Colombia? 3 x the size of France, bordering Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador and Brazil with a northern Caribbean coast and a western Pacific coast. Unfortunate things that it is famous for are FARC, Nose Candy a.k.a coke and it's most famous drug baron Mr. Pablo Escobar, the ultimate badass drug baron who [View Full Entry]

By shuriken22
April 10th 2008

Colombia: Beauty reigns supreme in Cartagena

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Playa blanca, Rosario Islands

After our time spent there, we were all more than ready to leave Venezuela and head for the much anticipated Colombia. Having already changed as much currency on the black market upon entry to Venezuela, we had already increased our spending power there (getting nearly double the "official" rate), however we were duly shafted upon leaving, emphasized by their substantial hike (300%!!!) in departure tax for exiting the country. Furthermore, with the current bleak state of the Mighty Dollar, no-one would accept them for love nor money, posing some probs to those who had only enough currency for [View Full Entry]