Colombia is a country steeped in paradox. It’s geography, people, political history and cities swirl with beauty and grit, warmth and fear, resolve and tragedy .

Recently my wife Lisa and I went on a 7 day trip to Colombia to experience something “new”. In this short time we only scratched the surface of  this complex country. The pastoral views of the Cocora valley brought tears to my eyes. Biblical is the only word I found to describe it. The politically charged graffitie on the streets of La Candelabria, Bogota’s old city, made a citizan’s revolt seem to be creeping around the corner.

Colombia has lived through decades of violence, destabilization and disruption brought on by gorilla groups such as FARC and M19 as well as Colombia’s infamous narcotrafficking cartels. Yet its people maintain a warmth and pride that rivals any country I’ve seen. It is also Latin America’s longest standing democracy.

Colombia brings to light how much the geography, population and history of a country can be divided by spectacular peaks and ominous valleys.

While I’m glad to be home I feel a small part of “home” lingers elsewhere, in a new understanding of the world. Such as one should feel after any rewarding travel experience.

Thank you Colombia!

Coffee plantation worker