Radio Show: Colombia: Who Said It's All About Crime?

Why would I venture to Colombia? Because everyone told me not to go. And, after I recently published an article in the Huffington Post on 20 reasons to visit Colombia -- there were actually many more but I decided to limit it to 20 -- my friends are now rethinking whether Colombia should be on their list of top places to go. In fact, many of the comments reflect a delight in finally being able to read an article that shows off the country's first-rate side.

Below is my interview with Terry Boyd at KPAM 860 radio in Portland, Oregon, where I discuss why we need to look at Colombia beyond the activities we typically associate with this country, namely drug trafficking, kidnapping, and terrorism. If you love coffee, you'll definitely want to listen in.



   

Hosted by kiwi6.com file hosting.
     Download mp3 - Free File Hosting.

continue reading "Radio Show: Colombia: Who Said It's All About Crime?"

Colombia Beyond the Myths

When I tell friends I'm about to take off on a new adventure, if I happen to be traveling to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Spain, Chile or dozens of other places around the world, often the response is, "Oh, can you take me in your backpack?" That's not the response I got when I told friends and colleagues that I was venturing to Colombia. Instead, I heard, "Oh, be careful." "Don't go out at night." "You're not going alone, are you?" "Wow. Colombia. Well, email me that you're safe."

Even when I returned and told of the expansive nature preserves, the hot nightlife in Bogota, the fine restaurants with wines from around the world, the boutique hotels with spas, and quaint colonial villages paved with cobblestones, the responses were, "Sounds nice. Glad you didn't get kidnapped." Poor Colombia. There's so much beauty and culture that most people are missing because they continue to believe that terrorists, thieves, drug lords and kidnappers are lurking around every corner.

 My article for the Huffington Post describes 20 of the treasures I found on my recent trip to Colombia. And, as we all know, it's the people you encounter that can make or break a trip. In Colombia, I was surprised to find so many people who were delighted that someone from New York came all the way to their country.

And, if you don't feel like visiting Colombia alone, then check out Voyage Colombia, a company I used to help me plan this trip. They'll set up your itinerary based on your interests, whether it's the culinary scene or more nature based, and also provide an English-speaking guide and/or a driver that will be flexible, informative, helpful and absolutely interested that you enjoy your stay in Colombia.

continue reading "Colombia Beyond the Myths"