Weeks 11, 12, & 13: The Goodbye Colombia Tour
Prepare yourselves, this is a big post and all the photos have almost broken the Colombian internet.
Week 11: Visitors & Pueblitos
Harsh and Alex came to visit, and after showing them all the sites around the city, Jake bought the highest insurance package (covering cars, houses, cows, etc.) and drove us out of Bogotá. We headed to the Boyacá Department, where we were greeted with the most beautiful Colombian pueblos. Each had their own distinct look — Villa de Leyva was painted all white; Monguí a beautiful white and green.
From Monguí we ventured up to the Páramo, a rare and stunning part of the Colombian Andes. Of wildlife we saw birds, frailejones, and all manner of color coordinated high altitude plants. Right before we climbed to the highest point, two very angry Colombians in wool ponchos and on horseback emerged above us from the mist and yelled some very angry Spanish words at our guide — to which we promptly turned around and hurried back to public land. I don’t have photos because I didn’t think it appropriate to whip out my camera at that very heated moment, so you can just use your imagination.
In the end we did lose Harsh, but eventually found him in the village.
Week 12: Guatavita Writing Retreat
A lovely little white town overlooking a lake (de hecho, a reservoir) a short bus ride from the city. We stayed in a little cabaña here so we could spend some time in focused writing. Jake produced a masterpiece report for work, and I scribbled some things during moments of inspiration.
We hiked up a mountain overlooking the lake and made friends with two vicious puppies with wandering appetites, who we eventually returned to their owners at the bottom of the mountain.
Week 12: Finishing up in Bogotá & Eje Cafetero
7:17am: The tamale lady takes her first pass around the block. If we happen to sleep late, Tamale Lady is absolutely 100% our alarm clock. She will return approximately 27 more times this morning to sell us tamales. But how do we know she is selling tamales? The woman has chords. Her ability to notify the entire block of her fresh tamales is truly remarkable. We have only a few days to get out there and buy some, or else we’ll be left forever wondering how good were they…
And thus, we have arrived at our final week in Colombia. Jake’s work in the country has just wrapped up, we have finished our Colombian Spanish classes, and have taken delightful trips around the country. We feel as if we’ve gotten to know a place.
And yet, we long for the familiar. Created just yesterday on the way to the Parque, the Top 9 (9 because we got distracted) America list includes:
- Fall & all its glory (though I did have the PSL at Starbucks a few days ago)
- American Futbol
- The Virginia bike path & our bikes
- Quick service, fast lines
- Chic Fil A (you never really know what you’ve got til its gone)
- Spending time with friends
- English (can we say this one? please don’t judge us)
- Good bread
- Just all around speedy internet everywhere
And of course, how could we make a top 10 America list and not be grateful for all of Colombia’s gifts:
- Plentiful abundance of avocados
- Plentiful abundance of fresh fruit
- Super hospitable Colombian friends
- Beautiful and dramatic landscapes
- Arroz con coco
- Lemonada de coco
- All things coco (not to be confused with coca)
- Cool weather
- Not getting sick (mostly)
- Time
We head to Eje Cafetero (the coffee growing region) later this week to finish up our time in Colombia. Then a redeye to Argentina :)
All love to our family & friends,
J&R
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All images © 2018 Rachel Sims. All rights reserved.
