There are signs all over Colombia that say,¨The only danger is you will want to stay."
It couldn't´t be more true. Colombia as of right now, has the perfect balance of a strong infrastructure for tourism and being an amazing place to visit without an overflow of tourists. Suffering from negative Hollywood stereotypes and a history of violence has kept the masses away, and allowed the rest of us to soak up all the pleasure on our own.
Tourism is still fresh in Colombia, and as a result many Colombians are as curious as the tourists are. They won´t hesitate to strike up a conversation over an offered cup of coffee, asking about our culture, our thoughts, and our way of life. It is very refreshing to have people being nice to you, without wanting trying to sell you something.
I would also like to add here that Colombia is the only place I have seen people walking the streets with a backpack sized thermos strapped onto their back, selling cups of coffee. It´s a funny sight, but I bet their doing more business than your local real estate agent.
Bogota is a massive city settled along a mountain range. Here are some pictures of the city and looking down on the city from one of the mountains.
The plaza Major.
Outside of Bogota one of the biggest Salt Mines in world has been transformed into a tourist attraction, with the addition of an underground Cathedral made entirely out of salt. The Cathedral is completlly inside of the salt mine, and is discovered after walking deep inside the mountain. An estimated 80% of all Colombians are said to have consumed salt from this specific salt mine. The following pictures are from deep inside the mine, including the cross, which too was carved from salt, and is over 100 feet tall.
After a couple of weeks spent in cities, it was time to head into the country for some fresh air, camping, and of course excitement. Villa De leyva, a few hours outside of Bogota is one of the oldest towns in Colombia and still boasts many Colonial structures, cobbled streets, and old buildings and churches. It is also a great jumping off point for waterfalls and caverns, and my next adventure- rappelling.
We set off at 8am to find the "lost cavern". We followed the stream, which at times was a river, up the mountain for a few hours. Stopping for lunch, we reached a lookout point that offered an amazing view back down onto the small town. After lunch we pushed on, moving paralell to the river, and soon we lost sight of it. After another hour we reached the top of the caynon, which I was convinced was a cave down into nothingness. He assured me once we rappelled down, we would be able to walk back down the river and climb out of the cavern. I wasen´t convinced, but nevertheless went over the side of the cave and rappelled down into nothingness. Sure enough once we reached the bottom of the canyon, cavern, cave, whatever, we were able to hike back up and do it again!
Pictures on the way to the canyon, descending the canyon, and in the canyon.
Leaving Medellin today and heading north to the coast. Caribbean here I come!
