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Colombia Travel Blogs

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 Lucy and Jon
December 5th 2006

Colombia - The Carribean

South America » Colombia » Cartagena

Playa Blanca

We arrived in Cartagena (on the northern coast of Colombia) to be greeted by the most overwhelming humidity EVER. It was sooooo hot and humid. People had warned us about it, but it is unimaginable until you experience it. It was much more humid than the jungle even. The town is an old walled city and the (rather large) historic centre is really pretty. It's the town that Sir Francis Drake attacked and stole so much gold for queen and country. I'd always imagined him as a British naval hero, but here they talk about him like nothing more than a [View Full Entry]

By pink mona
December 3rd 2006

MANGOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

South America » Colombia » Medellin

midgets
poor guys, dressed up like kids, they kinda look retarded, with the dummies and the toys

Camilo has been telling me about Mangos since the first day we met I think. That it is absolutely spectacular and I just can't leave Colombia without going to Mangos. Last night finally I made it. We made it, with Alison, my Canadian friend from the Language Center, Camilo and some of his Swedish and Colombian friends. And let me tell you that there is nothing that can be compared or come close to Mangos. It is unique , just as Vincure is absolutely unique in its style and all the other big discos around here...I think I forgot to [View Full Entry]

By pink mona
December 1st 2006

Women's Rights

South America » Colombia » Medellin

MUJERES COMO ESCLAVAS NUNCA MAS!!

It is a sad fact that Women's Rights are not respected in Colombia, that Children's Rights are also totally disregarded. I think that being in Eafit most of the time and hanging out in Parque Lleras at weekends doesn't really help me get the entire image of Colombia, to say the least. I don't think I really know what Colombia is about , in terms of real issues and populationwise concerns. We talk about paramilitary and guerrilla, but I honestly think we don't really grasp the immensity of the problems, as we, the foreigners are very far away from all [View Full Entry]

By Tyrone
November 27th 2006

Gentlemen, what we have here is a terrifying example of the reindeer effect.

South America » Colombia » Santa Marta

The normal sea

“I now thirty-seven in perfect health begin. Hoping to cease not ‘till death.” According to Uncle Walt I have seven years before I even get started. I had a tomato basil sandwich for dinner, I need to buy a new pillow, I need to finish watching the Royal Tennenbaums and I think the Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl. A weird candy they have here, called Bom Bom Bums, like blowpops, but coughdrop flavored. Pretty gross. The psuedo Skittles, Sparkies are good though. In the wake of a Thanksgiving where I skipped dinner had no traditional food at all, [View Full Entry]

By En Colombia sin tiquete de regreso
November 27th 2006

One month in, still melting

South America » Colombia » Barranquilla

Rochy and I, in Barranquilla airport, on the way to San Andres

1. English first 2. Español abajo Hola from Barranquilla Welcome to my first update from Colombia. For those of you who haven’t heard from me and are probably thinking “weren’t you in Asia??”, I have been living in Barranquilla, Colombia, for the last month and a half. I hadn’t seen my girlfriend Rochy since she finished her job in Leeds last June, so coming here to be with her was my first priority after getting back from my travels around Asia with Indie. Besides, I am not starting work til March, so why not chill out in the tropics for [View Full Entry]

By wheresdave
November 27th 2006

Ahh colombia

South America » Colombia » Medellin

colombia8

Well I am back in South America, Ecuador to be exact (I was in Ecuador, now i am in Medellin, Colombia). The two weeks in the states flew by and can be summed up with two words. 24 and pizza. I ended up watching 3 seasons of the TV program 24 which probably equates to 60 hours of TV and ate I don't know how many pizzas. The highlights, however was visiting with everyone (well those of you that I saw) and the "annual" reunion at the Bally Muck (a bar for you non Waukeganites). I was also blessed to see [View Full Entry]

By Lucy and Jon
November 27th 2006

Beautiful Colombia

South America » Colombia » Medellin

One at a time please!
Trekking through Colombian cloud forest near Salento

We left Ecuador and flew into Bogotá on 17 November. It is a huge city and is really good for a few days of sightseeing. We went up a big hill on a funicular railway and got spectaular views of the city. We visited Simon Bolivar's house. We visited the gold museum (which is world-renowned) and it was actually really interesting. We also spent a day travelling out to this little town nearby (Zipachirá), where they have a huge salt mine, and have built an entire underground cathedral all carved from salt. It was really interesting (but for those who know [View Full Entry]

By pink mona
November 25th 2006

Plaza Botero

South America » Colombia » Medellin

plaza Botero
hello fat naked lady!!

I think I should take it easy for a while and try to stay put, I have been spending a lot of money going out a lot and I think I should have a rest. Went to Thaico and Blue yesterday with Andrew from New Zealand, former trainee in Cartagena, now travelling Colombia and some back-packers, and of course the AIESEC trainees , today had classes, and went to an event with ALCANCE SOCIAL in Plaza Botero, - I am just too tired now to get into all of this, about displacement and women's rights- but it will surely be [View Full Entry]

By pushonnorth
November 24th 2006

Ibarra (Ecuador) to Sincelejo (Colombia)

South America » Colombia » Cartagena

Pig

Pig Apparently some scientists say That as much as 98% of our DNA Is shared with the common swine. So its hard to know what is the pig´s and what is mine. Gutted and mounted on a spit, In the best of circumstances an unfortunate fate Publicly displayed by the highway like an installation in the Tate. Small black eyes stare inevitably into Death´s mid-distance. Parallel lines are scored down his diminishing back Separating yellowing chunks of fatty fudge. I wonder if he bears a grudge? Yesterday he was happy enough Tied to a rope by the road. Then his debenture [View Full Entry]

By pink mona
November 23rd 2006

craaaaaazy giiiiiiiirllllsssss- TRILOGIA and more thoughts...

South America » Colombia » Medellin

Trilogia
Colombian friends

After a hard day at work Caro and I ended up deciding to go out with the trainees and some Colombian friends. They were in a place called Vertigo on la 33, a street with bars, clubs and coffee places. We went first to Caro's place to change and improvised some outfits from our a bit formal work clothes to casual, a tiny bit sexy-looking outfits :PP. God, Caro, we are like twins :PPP, really we are! When home, I change 20 times in 5 minutes, I try to match all the clothes I have in the closet and give them [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » South America » Colombia