Con·tact Colombia

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:50:00 +0000

10 reasons why Colombia is not as dangerous as you think

Featured and above photo by Luz A. Villa

More and more people are visiting previously unthinkable locations in Colombia. See why they’re totally good to go.

1. President Uribe

Love him or hate him– and there appears to be no standing on the fence here– Bush’s best buddy in South America has increased security, dealt some serious blows to the guerrillas, presided over economic growth, and encouraged tourism into a “conflict zone.”

Did you know that Colombia, in stark contrast to its Latin American counterparts, has only suffered one coup d’état and one dictatorship in its history, way back in 1953…although the students hollering out there in the streets would have you believe that current boss is no better than a dictator.

Whisper it carefully and in well-chosen circles, but the FARC and ELN Guerrilla groups are possibly at their lowest ever ebb.

2. Fading FARC Influence

Controversial events such as the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and the three American contractors from the southern jungles of Guaviare, as well as the deaths of leading FARC members Raul Reyes, Ivan Rios, and founding member Manuel “Tirofijo” Marulanda, have led many commentators to declare FARC a tired anachronism.

3. The conflict is not aimed at you.

Cocaine and kidnapping. Sure, cocaine and marijuana are regularly available, and your decision to meddle in the marching powder is what keeps Colombia’s warring factions in business.

As for kidnapping, unless you are an aid worker attached to an international NGO, a crusading journalist or just plain crazy, why would you be traveling alone through the forests of Guaviare, Vaupes, or other outlying regions where there is the very real threat of being kidnapped?

4. Reputable Bus Firms

Overland travel, even at night, with reputable bus firms between the major cities of Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta and intermediary cities such as Barrancabermeja, Bucaramanga, Ibague, Manizales, Villavicencio has become acceptable and frequent.

5.US State Department Warnings

Come on! If you were to follow these to a T then you would never leave the prairie. Apply some common sense and listen to what the locals have to say; after all, this is not Baghdad.

6. Secure Urban Areas

Walk around Bogota’s Zona T and Zona G or Medellin’s El Poblado and see how lightly the Colombians themselves are taking life. Some 15 years ago you would have thought twice and then thought better of a night out here in Medellin, but now it’s how to stay in and detox that is the main concern.

7. Colonial Cities

For small perfectly preserved whitewashed and cobblestoned oases of calm, make your way to Popayan, Mompos, Villa de Leyva, and San Gil.

Cartagena is a little more frenetic and plagued with street vendors but then it’s been receiving tourists for decades.

8. Tourism is booming

But don’t let this put you off; come now before the rest of the world catches on. Cartagena and Bogota are still the most visited areas of the country, closely followed by Medellin, but what does it tell you that a country with a long running internal conflict received a little more than two million visitors in 2007?

9. Colombians

War weary and decidedly unhappy with their narco-fueled image as perceived by those only glued to Fox News will have you believe – are arguably the friendliest bunch in the Americas.

If you’re lost In Brazil, a local will show you home. But in Colombia you’ll be invited to the family cookout that day or the following!

10. Still Afraid?

In this case you are advised to head only to the Colombian Caribbean islands of San Andres and Providencia – as they say over there, “no hay guerrilla maritima,” “there’s no sea-based guerrilla!” Grab a coco loco and hit the beach.

Thanks to Richard McColl

Con tacto Colombia launches on Google maps

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:40:00 +0000

Offering our clients the chance to explore our bespoke tours through google maps and online photo album's:

View Our trips in a larger map

Bogota´s focus on blues and jazz

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Bogotá has pretty much everything. From April 14 till July 4 it even has its own Blues and Jazz Festival. For the twelfth time, Colombia's capital will some of the finest jazz and blues artists of South America.

The festival is held in the capital's Libédula Dorada theater and will host dozens of artists from all over the continent.

Headlining for the festival is the Kurt and Norma Band from Panamá. It's not really blues or jazz, but it does nicely blend the North American traditional styles with those of the Caribbean.

To see the festival´s full program visit Colombia Reports.

The San Antero donkey festival: you kinda should have been there

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:42:00 +0000

The church objected to San Antero's donkey festival, traditionally held in the Holy Week, because of its frivolous nature during such contemplative times, but that didn't stop the Córdoba people from enjoying a festival celebrating one of Colombia's most useful animals, the donkey. (Photos by Manuel Rueda)

Thanks to Colombia Reports

Donkey library in Colombia

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Now for a story of one man, eight donkeys, and a passion to bring the joy of reading to children. Not content with teaching pupils to read in class, school teacher Luis Soriano has created a mobile donkey library to bring literature to children in Colombia's remote villages.

Now for a story of one man, eight donkeys, and a passion to bring the

joy of reading to children.

Luis Soriano is a school teacher in the village of La Gloria, in Magdalena province, Northern Colombia. For Soriano teaching is a vocation, so rather than relaxing at the weekends he saddles up one his donkeys, chooses a selection of books and sets off into the countryside.

The project that started with one man, one donkey and few books has grown to eight donkeys and thousands of books.

Soriano's project has become known as the donkey library or "Biblioburro" in Spanish and the sight of the man on a mule is common around the region. His favourite companions on his mission are his most loyal donkeys called Alfa and Beto. Their names reflect his determination to teach local children the alphabet.

Soriano's project has become known as the donkey library or "Biblioburro"

in Spanish and the sight of the man on a mule is common around the region.

Soriano says children are influenced by adults, and just as cruelty affects them, so too does goodness. And he hopes that one day his students will become regular adult readers.

Soriano says when he began the library, eleven years ago, he had 70 books. Now the number has increased to a collection of more than 4,800 books, mostly thanks to donations.

Thanks to CCTV

Eco-Modernism. Go Bold.

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Eco-Modernism: sustainable fashion in design + decor.

[Lifestyle photo from Sci Fashion. Discarded Ethernet Cables Become Recycled Fashion in Colombia. Environmentalists worry about piles of non-recyclable e-waste, or discarded high-tech equipment. And somehow that's led to an explosion of Ethernet cable fashion, as you can see in this recent fashion show in Medellin, Colombia.]

RD4 Chair LE. Designed by Richard G. Liddle, 2007 from Cohda, London, UK

For the love of modern furniture + wares, combined with a feel-good-green sensibility, comes the Eco-Modernism Lifestyle. As we become true nesters and build our sanctuary of good living, it’s a good idea to give back + take less. Thank goodness we can turn to the creative, risk-taking, and innovative designers in decor fashion to bring us cutting edge designs made with sustainable + organic materials. Not only do they seek out alternative sources such as, FSC certified woods and recycled fabrics, they find creative ways to upcycle* things like Ethernet cables, automotive seat-belts and 100% recycled plastic waste.

Greenbelt Tandem ~ designed by Peter Danko. [*green info: the belting is not only comfortable and a recycled material, it is an alternative for the environmentally problematic urethane foam seat suspension.]

Thank you to 2Modern Design Talk

Welcome to Con·tact Colombia!

noreply@blogger.com (contactocolombia) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:14:00 +0000

Al last the moment I’ve so been waiting for!

I have been traveling for 15 years and I have had this idea, which today becomes real. Putting together all the bits and pieces that I have picked up on the road, combining it with my passion for traveling, to share with the world the wonders of my country: Colombia.

What am I looking for when I travel?

Living an unforgettable experience. Plunging into strong and regenerating emotions; changing perspective of things, giving that spark to my existence that sometimes is missing in my daily life; recovering my natural curiosity which allows me to appreciate the magic of small things and simple gestures and enables me to be in the moment that I am living: my prefect present.

When I travel I want to learn! From the country I am visiting I want to contemplate its landscapes until I am filled with its colors; I want to talk and sing with its people, listen and dance to its music, get intoxicated with its scents and flavors, feeling the sun caressing my skin, surrender to a range of possibilities that with their novelty arise my senses.

The magic of traveling is the gift of change. The traveler acquires a new understanding of the place: its nature and geography, its people and culture, its needs and potentials. The place welcomes a visitor who, with his attention, adds value to it and its people. It is within the subtleness of this exchange that depends in my opinion, the success of the trip. If it enables a real and genuine contact the traveler will be transformed (in his/her way of thinking, feeling, and intending to participate). I strongly believe that it is from these individual transformations that great ideas and beautiful projects may flourish.

My goal is to offer each person the possibility of composing the trip according to tastes, preferences, and budget. But one thing is for sure, the trip will be tailored to provide an authentic and genuine contact with Colombia, the country where I was born and feel passionate for.

It is a country with great natural and cultural wealth, unknown to many, unexploited still, which allowed it to keep its innocence as a touristic destination.

I want to offer the possibility for each one to put together the trip of his/her dreams. And since everybody has different dreams, it’s just a matter of choice:

Relaxing on white sand beaches in the Caribbean coast or scuba diving and whale watching in the Pacific Ocean, dancing to the beat of salsa while enjoying a local rum or maybe just strolling on the ramparts of a charming colonial city…

Trekking on the mythical Andes to visit an Indian town, or even reach the perpetual snow glaciers at 5200m(17 000 feet) and then plunge into therapeutic hot springs…

Horseback riding through the enchanting coffee fields on to a mystic fog forest home to the astounding wax palm…

Canoeing down the Amazon river, while you bird watch spied by monkeys, caimans, anacondas, pink dolphins, to get to your accommodation: a cabin in the jungle 15m(50 feet) up on the canopy …night concert guaranteed!

Whatever might be the traveler’s choice, I wish the trip to be a life altering, enriching experience, which creates an authentic link with Colombia. The visitor can be confident of leaving behind the most beautiful footprint.