Have you ever felt your heart racing when you are on a plane arriving to your home country? … Have you ever felt your body moving involuntary when you hear a song, known and loved the same way by your friends, parents and grandparents?… Have you ever felt proud of your country, because regardless of so much suffering, it is still considered one of the happiest countries on this planet?… Have you ever felt tears in your eyes when you remember the 4th of February of 2008 when millions of Colombians all over the planet went out the streets dress in white to say ¨no more FARC¨… or when the 5th of September of 1993 all the Colombians went out the streets dressed in yellow with happy tears after winning a football game 5-0 to Argentina… or do you get a smile every time you remember the 7th of September of 1995 when Higuita, the famous Colombian goalkeeper, stopped a sure English goal with his famous scorpion kick?… Well my friends… this is how a Colombian feels!
Before telling you about the things you don’t know about Colombia, lets go through the things that you have heard…
Cocaine: Did you know that in Colombia the vast majority of the population have never consumed the drug? And did you know that if cocaine were to be legalized, Colombia would be one of the richest countries because of the amount exported for consumption in other countries? Or that most Colombians would feel offended if they were asked for the drug? Only Colombians know the misery and sadness that cocaine has caused to so many innocent people. Cocaine is the worst thing to happen to Colombia, partially because the international community doesn’t understand that cocaine does not define Colombia, but mainly because it provides the economical support for the guerrillas, and one of the factors that allowed the civil war to continue for so long.
Guerrillas/kidnapping/war: Most known as FARC, ELN and M-19, organizations that lost their ideals and became the base of a war for power, drugs, and land. The most recent governments however, have been determined to end this civil war and have largely succeeded. Before 2002, there were an estimated 35,000 men and women in these groups, at present day there is an estimate of 5.000 men and women involved. The government used multiple strategies to combat the guerrillas, these strategies involved secret missions by the army, programs to reintegrate guerrillas into society by educating, offering employment and providing housing and currently a peace negotiation between the government and the FARC is underway in Cuba with help from other countries. Since these advances, the safety and security in Colombia has changed from not being able to travel by land, to becoming the highlight destination for tourism in Latino America. At the moment travelling around Colombia by land is as safe as in any other country in South America. In fact, Colombia has become one of the favourite countries of international travellers in all of the Americas. As much progress as the country has made, I cant deny that instability still exists, and that there are still areas where is not safe to go. However as long as you use reasonable caution and don’t put your self into places you get told not to go, you will discover an amazing amount of cultural diversity that you will only find in a country straddling two oceans!
Coffee: Colombia is the world´s third largest coffee producer and it is delicious! The huge weather diversity combined with the work of more than 500 families across the country produces some of the best coffees in the world. A cup of Colombian coffee is famous for its balanced profile and beautiful aroma. Colombia has a social coffee culture, from beautiful cafes to travelling street vendors, and Colombians take pride knowing that every sip of delicious coffee comes from the hard work of their countrymen. I bet you feel like having a delicious cup of hot Colombian coffee right now!
Now lets go through the things that you might not know about Colombia…
Economy: Colombia has one of the largest economies in South America. The primary export commodities include petroleum, coffee, coal, flowers, emeralds, bananas and exotic fruits. It is of the largest producers of emeralds in the world, and is an epicentre for those who are involved in the international gem and jewellery industry. The country holds great potential for investors and traders who can achieve great returns from their investments in the Colombian markets. One of the reasons that Colombia has such an emerging and powerful economy is that, in relation to the rest of South America, it has the least bureaucracy when it comes to starting new business. While it means there are lots of opportunities, this also allows for challenging societal issues. According to the GINI index, Colombia has the biggest income gap between classes. It is, in the Western hemisphere, the country with the biggest wealth and income inequality.
Development: Colombia is a recently developed country, and is sometimes referred to as a developing economy. As it develops it continues to establish itself as a leader in the Americas. Bogota is one of the most important capitals in South America, and is now building one of the most important airports on the continent. Because of its size and location, direct flights from all over the globe will be possible. While Colombia is developing rapidly, the country is still working hard to preserve its natural environment. The country has a huge range of climates, ecosystems and an amazing amount of bio-diversity, and much of it is federally protected.
Medical Tourism: Colombia is one of the top providers of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery procedures in the world. The combination of qualified board-certified surgeons, with training and experience in places such as Europe and the USA, and affordable plastic surgery procedures make it an appealing option for international patients. The country has experienced an overall tourism boom in recent times with 2006 being the first year Colombia surpassed more than one million tourists, however amazingly over forty thousand visited for a qualified medical procedure.
Salsa: Colombia is the capital of Salsa… meaning that music is what moves the Colombian souls, there are no parties like the ones you find in that country and dancing is in every Colombian’s blood. Dancing is like medicine to the people, it is the way you meet the person you like, express your self and what unites families. It is well known that Colombia has some of the most beautiful women in South America so you can only imagine the unforgettable experience of the fun of a club full of people Salsa dancing and smiling until the sun comes up. This is a part of the Colombian experience that one cannot miss out, so make sure that you take some Salsa lessons if you visit and experience a party with the Colombian style!
Variety: Colombia has a little bit of everything! The Colombia I know will never leave you bored: crystal clear water and white sandy beaches perfect for snorkelling and diving, bottomless mud volcanoes to jump into, mountains that let you hike to the sky, deserts that stretch for days, valleys with hidden treasures, rivers of endless colours and beautiful cities with colourful houses and balconies full of flowers. From untouched wilderness to historical sites with tales of pirates and gold there is always something new to discover. All across the country there is a varied and storied indigenous population with a culture that is still very much a part of the Colombian identity.
But the most important… what makes Colombia so special, my friends… is the people. Colombians are kind, happy, friendly, people with energy and desire to make Colombia a better place. A Colombian will always help you even if they don’t know you and expect nothing in return. They say that happiness is contagious, and I guarantee any one that visits Colombia will find them selves smiling more than usual!
Yes, there is still a lot that needs to be done to put an end to the guerrilla war, corruption and poverty. The country needs better infrastructure and stronger government policies, but the country keeps moving forward. Not all Colombians are always happy with the way things are, but as Colombians work together and the international community lends its support, Colombia one day will see complete peace and a full realisation of its potential development.
As one of the best advertisements for a country I have ever seen says… ¨COLOMBIA… the risk is you wanting to stay¨
Laura Vega
Link to watch the scorpion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0bSvDkXqhw
Link for happiest countries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Planet_Index