I’m baaaaaack from my solo trip to Colombia. First impressions? I needed more time! I started the trip in Medellín; I learned about its history and also present day projects being implemented for residents and then quickly became comfortable using the metro and moving around the city like a local. As my time in the city of eternal spring came to a close, I was sad to pack my bags and move on. Yet as soon as I landed in Cartagena and experienced the music, bright colors, tropical flavors and beach days – once again, I didn’t want to leave! Overall, I fit a lot into a short amount of time, but needed a bit more time to slow down and discover beyond the must-sees. What more can you do than return someday?!
Let’s start with Medellín. A comprehensive public transportation system of metro, escalators, and cable cars has been installed that transformed neighborhoods and provided access and opportunities. As my guide said: “The city decided to believe in its people.” I took a tour through the market and tried fruits that I’d never seen before as I listened to my guide talk about the history of the city, of Colombia, and of Latin America as a whole. I then took a food tour through the streets of the city center and hit many must-tries in one afternoon, once again chatting about Medellin’s history and also Colombian history. I later met up with local language teachers and coordinators to brainstorm future programs together. I walked up and down the inclined streets while admiring the architecture and green lushness of this city located in the Aburrá Valley in the Andes Mountains. I can’t wait to go back and continue experiencing all that Medellín has to offer.
I then landed in Cartagena. My time in city #2 started with a historical tour of the city to gain knowledge of the past that brought the city to where it is today. I wandered around the center admiring the buildings of a city bursting with color at every corner. Side note, if you need a good sweat, come to Cartagena! The heat is no joke – wear your lightest clothes and embrace it, there’s no other way. After wandering through the city center and Getsemaní neighborhood, I ended the trip with some island hopping between Caribbean beaches, complete with seafood dishes, tropical drinks, and boat rides between islands. Shout out to my former student, current friend for the restaurant recommendations in Cartagena! The food experience was the cherry on top that sealed my love for this bright, loud, bustling, full-of-life city.
So what now? You can expect a few more blog posts about my time in Colombia over the summer as I dive into specific tours or information that I Iearned and share my experience with you all. Could a Colombia 2026 trip be on the horizon? Stay tuned! Collaboration and organization with local teachers and guides is currently in progress. 🙂 We’ll be working on designing a language learning, cultural immersion itinerary for Spanish leaners.
Know Your Rights
It’s important for everyone to know their rights. One of the websites that I use to find information is the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota https://www.ilcm.org/:
“The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota. ILCM provides services based on our capacity.”
“ILCM also works to educate the community about immigration matters and advocates for public policies which respect the universal human rights of immigrants.”
Specifically, I’d like to share this link with resources on the rights of both citizens and non-citizens alike: https://www.ilcm.org/immigration-resources/know-your-rights/ It includes printable cards in English and Spanish that remind people of their rights and the words to say to exercise said rights.
Les mando a todos un fuerte abrazo y mucho amor. ❤️
Elizabeth
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