tales of wander
Colombia
Trekking to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)
The Lost City, or Ciudad Perdida, is an ancient city in the Sierra Nevadas that is believed to have been built 650 years before Machu Picchu (around 800 CE) by the Tairona, the ancient ancestors of the area’s current tribes: the Kogis, the Wiwa, and the Arhuacas. It was “found” again in 1972 when treasure … Continue reading
Lessons learned in the flood…
I think I mentioned in passing that while we were in Cartagena with Jill and Don, we were caught in a torrential downpour. Allow me to elaborate on that rain by relaying our experience in Santa Marta, which is where we are this morning to embark upon our trek to the Lost City. I will … Continue reading
Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean…
After Villa de Leyva, we all flew to Cartagena, whose old town is a Unesco World Heritage site for its well-preserved Murallas, or stone walls that were originally built in the 16th century to protect the city against marauders. Within the walls is a charming mix of narrow roads, vibrantly painted stone buildings in shades … Continue reading
The Santuario de Iguaque…
As I mentioned in my previous post, we headed to Villa de Leyva, which is a beautifully preserved colonial village not far from Bogota. There, in addition to strolling the cobblestoned town, we focused on outdoor pursuits, such as cycling and a hike to the Santuario de Iguaque. The Santuario is a sacred place that … Continue reading
War and peace
In the 90s, when I was much younger and dreaming of all the places that I would travel to one day, I remember someone asking me if there was a place I wouldn’t go. I didn’t hesitate in my reply: Colombia. Back then, it was considered one of the most violent countries in the world with … Continue reading
Visiting a friend in Colombia…
I feel fortunate to have several people in my life who I’ve known since my early youth. These are people who have seen me at my best, my worst, my most socially awkward, and in moments that make me cringe to remember them. They saw me with huge permed hair shellacked with the cheapest drugstore … Continue reading
tales of wander 