Colombia: Not Just For The Intrepid

Danger, adventure and exhilaration. These are some of the words people think about when they consider travelling to Colombia, and the lost city of "Ciudad Perdida" continues to be one of the main attractions that lures intrepid travellers from around the world.

This ancient site is older than Machu Picchu, and almost as well hidden as el Dorado. First discovered in the 1970's, this man made wonder is relatively new and exciting. However to access the city requires a challenging 5 day trek through Colombia's mountainous jungles, involving steep rock climbing, precarious river crossings & culminating in a brutal 1400 step entrance to the lost city.

Obviously an adventure that not everyone is capable of, but this should not deter travellers from visiting the beautiful tropics of Colombia. Although there is no alternative way to reach the city, there are many other stunning sites to behold throughout this magnificent country. Ciudad Perdida aside, there are plenty of "unlost cities" in Colombia begging to be visited by the less adventurous travellers. 

Whether you're looking for some national history in the renowned museums, ready to walk the streets of the towns, curious to try some Colombian cuisine or just hoping to find a relaxing hideaway from the world. So if you're not keen on trekking the jungle, don't just cast Colombia aside, really look at all it has to offer.

Colombia's Wax Palm

The wax palm or Palma de Cera is the national tree of Colombia. Perhaps this is because it is the worlds tallest palm (towering above the earth at 50 metres), but more likely it is because for centuries, this tree has been a vital resource for Colombians. From its stem, a durable building material, to its fruits which feed many of the countries native animals and the use of its wax which is used to make both candles & soaps, the tree has been an integral part of Colombian history. However there was a time when the wax palm was in danger of extinction.

The sixteenth century saw the colonisation of Columbia by Spanish settlers, these settlers not only brought with them modern technologies but also modern religions. Catholicism was the dominant religion of the settlers who celebrated a day known as Palm Sunday, the annual occasion recognising the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. It is written that the people waved palm fronds in celebration of this event. Though the tradition is respectable, was it worth chopping down rare trees and exploiting local natives? 

The misuse of the wax palm lead to a serious decline in its population throughout the region, and as a result, many Colombians struggled to survive. To them, the tree was seen as a source of hope, a way of life. To religious settlers, it was merely seen as a device for worship. This was the case for hundreds of years.

The struggle between the native Colombians and the Catholics was finally resolved in 1985 when it was made illegal to cut down the native wax palm. As a result the number of trees has greatly increased and tension between the Colombians and the Catholics has decreased.Today, the wax palm acts not as a source of hope, but a source of pride for the locals. They grows safely in the Andes mountains, like giant pinwheels towering above fields, safe from human exploitation.

Colombian Coffee Man

When I think about Colombia, I think about the remarkable coffee they produce. But what makes Colombian coffee so special? Brazil grows most of the worlds coffee, and even Vietnam and Indonesia produce more than Colombia, but theres something friendly about Colombian coffee, something that makes it more appealing. and that something is "Juan Valdez".

Sporting a Sombrero vueltiao and his 70's porn-star moustache, Juan Valdez is the symbol of Colombian coffee. You may not recognise the name, but we've all seen him somewhere before.

 "Juan Valdez", Man or Myth?

But who is Juan Valdez? Depicted as a hard working farmer with a loving family and a passion for what he does, Valdez is merely the creation of the Colombian coffee industry. A character concocted by the media to separate Colombian coffee from all others by giving it a friendly face. Here is a classic example of Colombian coffee advertisement.

Although the deception of Colombian advertising seems disappointing, we can take solace in the knowledge that the depiction of Juan Valdez successfully gives Colombian coffee a persona like no other. Representing over 500'000 coffee farmers in Colombia, Juan Valdez and his trusty companion "Conchita (the mule)" bring life to Colombian coffee and remind us of the determined farmers that bring us that rich coffee we take for granted. So here's to you Juan Valdez, *raises latte* the friendly face of Colombian coffee in all its forms. I'll think of him every time I want a decent coffee, won't you?

Juan & Conchita Bring Colombian Coffee to Life