COLOMBIA

Colombia is a country undeniably defined by contrast, rhythm, and intense reinvention. But traveling here on a highly curated group tour, I experienced a strange paradox: while the itinerary hit the major highlights across Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena, I didn’t feel connected to the country, the culture, or the people.

The exception, however, was Medellín. Nestled in a dramatic valley, this city is an amazing example of urban resilience. Here, the tour company leaned into the history, finally shattering the curated bubble. Exploring the colorful hillsides of Comuna 13 (a neighborhood that has redefined its painful past through community and street art) felt incredibly raw and tangible. We also visited Berracas de la 13, a powerful, women-owned restaurant run by single mothers and domestic abuse survivors making a massive difference in their community.

The only other moments that felt truly grounded happened outside of the tour itself. In Bogotá, before the trip started, I explored Ciudad Bolívar, learning the history of this poverty-stricken area and seeing how a new cable car system has radically transformed daily life and accessibility for residents.

Similarly, in Cartagena, I went looking for quiet spaces behind the crowded paths of the walled city. I found it in the bustling rows of a local market and on a wooden boat deep in the coastal mangroves, where a local fisherman attempted to teach me how to cast a net (without much luck).

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