un café por favor

When you first arrive in Colombia, exiting that airport door, 

you might be shocked at what you find, not what you thought before,

but as you’ve chosen this fascinating place to explore, 

just remember these key words, un café por favor.

"not what you thought before"

You arrive in your hotel room and collapse onto the floor,

how can you stay in this country? The difference is major.

You know little of the language, 2 sayings or 3 or 4,

just remember these key words, un café por favor.

"collapse onto the floor"

You drop your suitcase off, and head down to a store,

the locals seem to look at you in confusion and awe.

You need something to help you feel Colombia in your core,

and whisper to the barista, un café por favor.

"Colombia in your core"

That night you're one with the locals, out on the dance floor,

no longer feeling tired, or scared, or sore,

you feel adapted and alive, like you could stay here evermore,

lucky you remembered those key words, un café por favor.

"could stay here evermore"

-Jesse Crowe

This poem encompasses several emotions that are encountered when travelling to a new place, and uses coffee as a key to better understand the Colombian culture.

Common Emotions

Euphoria when you’re really excited about being in a new place

Disappointment when you realise that a place might be different to what you expected. This can be prevented by managing your expectations before you travel.

Hostility when you just want things to be like they are at home. This is the point where you can either accept the different culture, or oppose it.

Adaption when you begin acting like a local, allowing you to fit in and feel comfortable.

Assimilation when you truly understand and become part of the culture.

Hopefully this post helps you prepare for your travels mentally, be it to Colombia or elsewhere. Finally, looking back at the last paragraph of the poem, do you think it resembles adaption, assimilation, or euphoria……?

Capturing Colombia

While there are many ethical dilemmas surrounding Colombia, including drug trade, guerrilla warfare & poverty, I feel the need to discuss perhaps a lesser known issue, but one that is most relevant to travellers and tourists alike. Kidnapping. 

With 292 reported kidnappings in 2013 (Thrillist), the country of Colombia has one of the highest abduction rates in the world. Locals and foreigners alike are captured and held hostage for a ransom. This process, though despicable, often proves lucrative for Colombian criminals, and so remains prevalent throughout the Country.

This type of crime has developed from a combination of poverty and a weak presence of state, leading to the development of Guerilla forces that selfishly exploit innocent people.

Colombian Guerillas

I don’t want to scare people out of their trip to Colombia. This post is purely to inform you explorers about a serious issue in South America, and how you can avoid becoming a victim. Below is a short list of things you can do in Colombia to remain safe during your adventures.  

                                    WHEN IN COLOMBIA

                        DO                               |                 DON’T

-Dress in the Colombian fashion  |-Dress like a tourist

-Mainly visit large cities                 |-Wander through small towns

-Make friends with locals               |-Show off gadgets and money                 

-Travel only along main roads      |-Drive down quiet rural roads          

-Travel with a partner or group    |-Travel alone

Kidnapping is a scary and dangerous event, but in many parts of the world it can be a way of life. By being informed and travelling smarter, you can safely traverse Colombia without the fear of kidnap.

How "NOT "to act when travelling

Waiting for Colombia

When travelling to Colombia, there are some things you have to keep in mind. Driving can be extremely dangerous and street crime is prominent in the cities, but the thing that shocks most travellers is Colombia’s time schedule.

Colombians are rarely on time. From the bus schedule, to a lunch meeting, to mail delivery, people in Colombia are never in a rush. It’s not a bad thing, its a charming quirk that truly reflects their relaxed & carefree attitude.

However, this can be stressful to travellers coming from places where timing is everything. They are used to everything running on schedule, perfect to the second. These preformed expectations are built up in many of our lives, and we need to accept that not all societies have that same urgency. If people can’t appreciate Colombia’s habits, it can lead to confusion and even hostility towards the Colombian way of life.

You can get used to it, you just need to manage your expectations. Colombia isn’t strict about timeliness, and travellers should respect that, or better yet, join them. While your out of your comfort zone, try to assimilate to the Colombian outlook on timing.

Be less like this

And more like this

                                                                         

                                                                                                                          

Be flexible about when things should happen, and don’t fret when they don’t. Slow down to really enjoy Colombia and all of its traditions. Just be aware that when your tour bus is meeting at 6am to explore the Amazon, don't be surprised if the tour doesn’t begin until 10am. 

This clip confirms my point in the first 10 seconds, but watch on to see a stereotypical Colombian character.