History and a warm welcome beckon in Colombia
When our oldest daughter was accepted into the Peace Corps and received her assignment of Colombia, we had no idea what to expect.
She was quick to fall in love with the beautiful country, kind people and vibrant culture. With a desire to see what this often misunderstood country has to offer, my wife, our youngest daughter and I headed south for a visit. We spent three days in the capital city of Bogota and three days on the coast in Cartagena.
Bogota has towering skyscrapers, an efficient metro system and a host of renowned museums. Tucked away between these modern buildings are remnants of the past. Beautiful churches as old as 500 years are scattered throughout the city. Traditional architecture can be seen in buildings that have been turned into businesses and museums, and plazas are home to statues that tell the country's history.
We took a day trip to Zipaquirá to see the Salt Cathedral, explored La Candelaria historic district, visited the Gold Museum and Botero Museum, and rode the cable car up to Monserrate for breathtaking views of the city.
In Cartagena the old and new are a bit more separate, with the sprawling city coming to an abrupt halt at the historic Walled City. Entering under the beautiful clock tower, you will feel as if you have stepped back in time.
We wandered through the stone streets and colonial buildings of the Walled City, rested in the bustling Plaza de Bolívar and enjoyed seeing people go about their daily lives in neighboring Getsemaní. We rounded out the trip with a day of enjoying fresh-caught fish and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of La Boquilla, a small fishing town on the edge of the city.
Once considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, Colombia brings to mind the images of drug cartels, kidnappings and right-wing paramilitary takeovers that marked the last part of the 20th century. Today, it is home to millions of welcoming people who are eager to share their beautiful country with the rest of the world. It boasts beautiful Caribbean beaches, chilly mountain cities, sprawling metropolises, vast expanses of nature and a fascinating culture just waiting to be discovered.
It's an impressive turnaround, but when you look at all this beautiful country has to offer, it is not surprising that it is quickly becoming a desired destination for tourists from around the world.
The writer lives in Phoenix.
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