Off the beaten track- Colombia

The essence of ‘Travel’ encompasses many different connotations. It is the feeling of being free. It is the knowing that you will meet new people. It is rush of trying new things. It is the vacuum of uncertainty, and it is the appreciation of adventure. Recently, the latter association has diminished. With tour guides and tour companies, websites and guidebooks, and the general exploitation of travel, we now live in a travel world that sits prominently on ‘the beaten track’. This is not always the case however. In searching for adventure, the North of the South fruitfully delivers in America.
Colombia is typically associated in global press under a negative stereotype. Once known as the drug capital of the world its association with these dangerous markets has typically led tourists to stay well away from it. Even as recently as 2003 Colombia had less than half a million tourists. But with the election of Álvaro Uribe Vélez this has predominantly changed. Security was on the top of his agenda and subsequently the armed forces and police have been significantly enforced and stabilised. The impact of this on tourism has been quite remarkable. The president now predicts over 2 and a half million tourists for 2009, advancing on the 1.3 million in 2007. The sudden appeal of Colombia is well founded, as I experienced on my trip there this summer.
Flights to the country vary depending on where you intend to fly from. If you are within South America internal flights are extremely cheap. You can buy package flights with companies such as Avianca, or you can pick low cost airlines once you get there. After working in America for the duration of the summer, I found a low cost airline that flew from New York along with other US destinations. My return flight worked out at $320 which is around £190 for a 5000 mile roundtrip! Once you are there, money is no issue. One pound converts to around 3,500 pesos. A taxi ride from the airport to the hostel (around 10 miles) is 15,000 pesos or £5. A pint is generally 4,000 pesos and a good meal would cost between 15 and 20,000 pesos. The price of a bed in the hostel I stayed at was less than £10, and boy was it worth it! The Hostel (Cranky Croc) was renowned for being one of the best hostels in South America. It had everything! The rooms were clean and stylish, with double bed bunk beds! The kitchen and facilities were plentiful if you chose to use them, but the food prepared in the cafe was incredible at a great price. Drinks were served on an honours basis, which meant you simply helped yourself to the bar and made a tally of all the drinks you had. The laid back attitude to accommodation created a great environment for socialising and meeting new people.
The days out were relaxing. Walking around the capital (Bogota) was fascinating, as it you gradually discover that the city is as culturally rich as Paris! Art museums are plenteous and museums were ample. As well as this, the city was that diverse that you had everything and more at your doorstep. Its unique climate was a result of high altitude, which meant the city was bordered by lush mountains. Monserrate Mountain borders the city in a similar way to Table Mountain in Cape Town. A ride to the top reveals views I can only describe as astounding. In the brief time we spent at the top, the hairs on my arm were constantly on end as I glared at the views of the city and the architecture of the church that sits on the top. On another day trip, we visited Cathedral Del Sal (Salt Cathedral) that was an underground Cathedral in a salt mine. Once again, the experience was baffling.
In the night, the city really came alive. The Candelera (Old town) was where most of the students and travellers united. Niche bars were dotted on every corner, each having encompassing a unique trait. Within one street you could listen to Jazz, Reggae and rock without even noticing the transition. On my first night, we were handed a flyer advertising a tequila tour. Along with the many acquaintances from the hostel, we embarked on what was to become one of the best nights of my life. A typical Colombian bus turned up at the hostel, armed with a crate of jose cuervo tequila. We were drove to the top of Monserrate Mountain (a 40 minute drive) where mucho tequila was consumed. After drinking and absorbing the views, we then headed to a salsa bar and then a night club in Candelera. The whole trip cost me 30,000 pesos (£10) and I drank more than enough! On the following night we headed to a 32nd floor night club where (like most other clubs) it was custom to but bottles of spirits. It must be said; drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels sat on the balcony of a 32nd floor club in great company is an experience that will be hard to rival!
In all, Colombia was a unique travel experience. The things you saw and did were often off your own back and in this way, you felt like you were doing something no one else had. I would advise anyone who want to travel for real, to start here.