Colombia | FindPenguins

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Trip start
February 21, 2024
Colombia Traveler
Day 42: Nueva Villa de Aburrá
February 21, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
While we were very excited for all countries in South America, we were ecstatic to visit Colombia and see amigos Pacho (Francisco) and Zady (Zagudelo).

We met Pacho and Zady 2 years ago in a Philadelphia hostel and spent 4 hours in an ally talking about metal, swimming, and movies. Pacho is a somewhat celebrity in Medellín because he translates for famous rock bands that play in Colombia. He also has an extensive collection of rock CDs and tshirts (https://youtu.be/XvnhzL2r8Ac?si=FSJ4S8d1s1lGf6l7). His family is hosting us at their home so we were able to see the collection in person.

Pacho and Zady didn’t disappoint the first Medellín night and took us to a delicious panadería for snacks as well as a neighborhood in Colombia where metal heads come to drink in a park surrounded by rock bars. He introduced us to his friends and we got to meet a metal band from Colombia as well.

Restaurant: Panadería Dulce Paladar Bakery Santa Teresita

Food:
Arepa de chocolo con chorizo
Buñuelos
Empanadas de Iglesia
Tamarindo Smoothie

Spots:
Nueva Villa de AburráRead more
4 likes
Colombia Traveler
Day 43: Downtown Medellín
February 22, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Pacho’s family is absolutely lovely. His mother made us breakfast and lunch, and we were able to wash our clothes and hang them dry.

We then ventured into downtown to meet up with Zady to see beautiful architecture and statues, as well as a cable care up to Tres de Noviembre.

Once again, Pacho is famous so we ran into many friends, Colombian musicians, and bar owners downtown. Icing on the cake is that he obtained us free tickets and press passes to see the most famous band from Venezuela Los Amigos Invisibles. It was the first time Kieran and I were ever backstage for a show and got to meet artists.

Pacho explained we were from the US and it was our first time seeing the band, and the artists were very gracious as we said hello.

Restaurant:
Shalom
La Jaus

Food:
Papá criollas
Super Arepa
Ceviche de Chicarrón

Spots:
Plaza Botero
Tres de Noviembre
Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe
Buenos Aires NeighborhoodRead more
2 likes
Colombia Traveler
Day 44: Parque Arvi
February 23, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
We gave Pacho a break from hosting and metro’d out of the city for some hiking and nature in Park Arvi. The Colombia metro system is integrated so if you start using a bus or metro, you have 1.5 hours to take all the connections you need to get around (bus, cables, trains). We road all three to get to the park.

We came back and Pacho had us try some Colombia ants, which is an aphrodisiac. We then headed to a brewery for more music and friendship time, meeting new folks like Claudia, Lina, and Adwin. The band was Laura Azul and she is an actress in the Colombian version of The Boys

Restaurant:
20 Mission Cervesaria
Mercado del Río

Food:
Tigre de Leche
Chimichurri Pollo
Bandeja PaisaRead more
1 like
Colombia Traveler
2
Day 45: Comuna 13 & New Family
February 24, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
Today we visited the beautiful Comuna 13, which is a neighborhood with graffiti, food, and street performance. Historically, Comuna 13 suffered from Narcos, military operations, guerrillas, and paramilitaries. Pablo Escobar had control of the neighborhood in the 80s. We loved it and it was such a magical resilient place.

After we prepared for an evening out which meant 90s grunge, street food, and partying till 5am. We started in La Villa de Aburrá again for a pregame, headed to the mall for a beautiful shot of the city, and then Barnaby for amazing 90s covers. At 2am, we were bullied by the 40 year olds to keep partying at Fresh bar which was 80s and 90s retro disco.

It was an amazing night and we are so grateful for our new friends and family.Read more
Traveler Good looking Bloody Mary!
2/25/24Reply
Traveler It’s a michelada
2/25/24Reply
1 like
Colombia Traveler
2
Day 46/47: Goodbye Medellín, Hello Ocean
February 26, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 90 °F
After waking up from a 4am night out, it was time to say goodbye to our lovely hosts. We bought Pacho’s mom a Swiss cheese monstera to add to her hanging plant collection.

She made us the National dish of Colombia Bandeja Paisa from scratch and it was the best home cooked meal. We then set out on a 14 hour bus ride to Cartagena de Indias, a beautiful beach town off the Caribbean.

We took a big nap when we arrived at 6:30, and then enjoyed the afternoon walking around Bocagrande and watching the sunset.

Hotel: Rosary Galaxy Hotel

Restaurant:
Paisa Parrilla

Food:
Mojarra Frita
Sopa de Pescado
Chicharrón

Spots:
Cartagena Bocagrande
Tranquillo BeachRead more
Traveler Ham & cheese...?
2/28/24Reply
TravelerFried egg!
2/28/24Reply
1 like
Colombia Traveler
Day 48: Isla Grande
February 27, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 84 °F
Because Cartagena is on the Caribbean Sea, we have access to beautiful white sand beaches like Grand Cayman, St. Martin, and other islands.

However, not too many visit Colombia so the Islas del Rosario are not well known and protected as a national park. We paid $90 for boat transportation to Isla Grande and spent a wonderful day on a free public beach. In February, the winds are crazy in the afternoon so we had a wild boat ride back with waves blasting us with water. We couldn’t complain, it was beautiful and warm.

Restaurant: La Ranchería

Food:
Ceviche
Sopa Racheria
Cazuela de Mariscos

Spot:
Isla Grande
Playa LibreRead more
2 likes
Colombia Traveler
Day 49: Centro & Getsemani
February 28, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 81 °F
Today we took a free walking tour to learn more about Cartagena history. Originally a successful Spanish port, it was attacked several times by the English, Portuguese, and French. Tired of the attacks, the Spanish purchased slaves from Africa and had them build a wall around the city.

As a result, majority of the population in Cartagena is African or a mix between Spanish, Indigenous, and African. The architecture, statues, street art, and culture is reflective of this troubled past, which is a mix of beautiful Spanish style homes with statues and paintings dedicated to slaves and African heritage.

We ended the evening eating street food and drinks from the Getsemani neighborhood which is in the process of being gentrified and converted into hostels, hotels, and Airb&b.

Food:
Michelada
Limonada de Coco
Lulo Margaritas
Pinchas
Arepas

Spots:
Centro Cartagena
Getsemani NeighborhoodRead more
1 like
Colombia Traveler
Day 50/51: Bogotá Street Art
March 1, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
We flew from Cartagena to Bogotá Thursday afternoon, excited for our last city in South America. Some restaurants and cafes in South America have “menus of the day” which are cheaper lunches made up of whatever food staff had on hand. We ate a fabulous early dinner, but we’re promptly locked out of our hostel room because the previous tenants threw away the keys.

The next day, we woke up for a graffiti walking tour to see the beautiful street art downtown. Due to the Palestinian genocide, much of the artwork is dedicated to their liberation. When we didn’t see political pieces, there was much anime and cultural references.

We ended the evening by locating a rock bar where Kieran mistakenly ordered a pitcher of beer for himself. After listening to some metal bops, we found a game bar and promptly ordered 6 more beers. We regretted it immediately and were able to pocket three of them for tomorrow.

Hostel: Hotel San Luis

Restaurants:
Pollo Broaster
Voluntad Café
Dos Gatos Taqueria
Kraken Rock Bar and Cafe
Game Pub

Food:
Ajiaco Sopa
Carne de Res
Pizza

Spots:
Chapinero Sur Occidental
Chapinero
La Candelaria
Journalists' Park Gabriel García Márquez
Calle Del Embudo
Sendero a MonserrateRead more
Love the street art [Rene]
3/20/24Reply
2 likes
Colombia Traveler
Day 52: Millonarios for a Day
March 2, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Teachers are our greatest influences in life, and one high school teacher left an impression on Mary when they showed ESPN 30 for 30 fútbol documentary The Two Escobars in her geography class. This documentary not only inspired her to visit Colombia at some point, but also attend a Colombian soccer game. Another bucket list item checked off, we attended a local fútbol match between the Millonarios and La Equidad.

We attended with a few Americans, Canadians, British, and French, and were able to pregame with beer, shots, and empanadas. Throughout the match, the crowd was singing, cheering, and yelling Puta at every opportunity against the opposing team.

The game didn’t disappoint, and we got to see three yellow cards, two red cards, and a huge fight in the end. Mary couldn’t have been happier.

We ended the night with some delicious soup and tacos, and watched the documentary since Kieran had never seen it.Read more
3 likes
Colombia Traveler
Day 53: Bogotá Blues
March 3, 2024 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Today was our last full day in South America. We visited the Bogotá Museo del Oro which is dedicated to gold and metallurgy. We have never seen much gold in our life, and the mastery behind several pieces is unmatched.

We walked through the Sunday street market and then visited Chapinero neighborhood for some final ceviche. The restaurants were all closed sadly so last meal was some incredible pizza.

We ended the night with wine and watching Dune Part 1 on our surface to prepare for Part 2. Shai Hulud!

Restaurant:
#Pollos
Brunetta Pizzería Trattoria Chapinero

Spots:
Museo del OroRead more
2 likes

Trip end
March 4, 2024