#云游风物之旅 #
Part 01. Why go to Colombia
I went to South America this time because InterSearch is having its annual conference in Cartagena this year, which I should attend.
But I was hesitant before going to Colombia.
At that time, I was in very poor health, so I had surgery, and I was panting when I walked, which was too inconvenient in South America.
And there are more negative impressions of the country, the first impression is drug lords, beauty pageants, and Colombian coffee, my favorite American drama "Modern Family" in the sexy and exotic accent beautiful stepmother Gloria is Colombian, there is a lot of black material about Colombia in the play, anyway, I have always felt poor and chaotic.
Check the plane ticket again.
Basically, it takes more than 40 hours and turns 3 times. It's really numb. I was hesitant to stay up for more than 40 hours to this small Caribbean country.
But my InterSearch partners all say, you must come to Colombia, this is the "Athens of South America", South America from here, and the style of South America from here, it is impossible to understand the history of South America, and you should not miss it to understand the scenery of South America.
If you only want to visit one city in the Caribbean, go to Cartagena as well.
Moreover, my Mexican partner laughed at me, Colombian drug lords are indeed very powerful, but in recent years, after all, Mexico is closer to the beautiful country of the terminal consumption country, and has been fully surpassed by Mexico. You don't have a drug lord fight in Mexico, and you won't be lucky in Colombia.
I researched it and found that I was really ignorant and there were so many places in the country worth seeing.
Although I could only catch a glimpse of Bogotá and Cartagena this time, I was impressed by the variety of Colombians.
Map of Colombia: Crossing the equator and surrounded by two oceans, Panama is separated from Colombia.
Part 02. Facts about Colombia
After learning more, I found that this country is really not a small country, it should be an important country in South America, which is called by some as the "origin of Latin America" quite reasonably.
01. First of all, Colombia has a favorable geographical environment
Colombia is the only country in South America with two oceans, both in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea in the northeast, that is, the Atlantic Ocean. To the west is the Pacific Ocean. One of the three plans for the Panama Canal that year was northern Colombia.
Bolívar, known as the liberator of South America (the famous Bolívar, if you don't go to Colombia, I actually forget his great achievements) liberated six countries that year, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. The Republic of Gran Colombia was finally established by four countries: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. In November 1903, the United States instigated Panama's independence from Colombia. Panama was built by the United States to build a canal and forcibly secede from Colombia. So at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena a few years ago, Venezuelan President Maduro asked then-US President Barack Obama to apologize to Colombia. This is the characteristic of South America, often major events are not South America has the final say, it is the beautiful country that has the final say.
Due to the diversity of landscapes, Colombia has Amazon rainforests, perennial snow-capped peaks, alluvial plains, mountains, beaches and islands, dormant and active volcanoes, and so on. Colombia is one of the 17 most species-rich countries in the world.
02. Brilliant cultural and artistic achievements
Colombia is a cultural powerhouse.
Whether we know it or not, we all know García Márquez, the representative of Latin American magical realist literature and one of the greatest Spanish-language writers in the history of world literature.
Márquez was born on March 6, 1927, in the small town of Aracataca, on the Caribbean coast of northern Colombia. He is a Colombian writer, journalist and activist, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature, and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude. The famous Chinese writer Mo Yan admired him very much, and Mo Yan's writing style was somewhat influenced by Márquez. Although "One Hundred Years of Solitude" made him famous all over the world, the best-selling work was "Love in Time of Cholera". The place in which this work takes place is in Cartagena.
Márquez was in Cartagena and embarked on his literary path. The young Márquez only stayed in Cartagena for two years, but his family moved to Cartagena after his departure, and Márquez frequented the area. In the spring and summer of 1984, Márquez returned to Cartagena and based it on it, he wrote one of his best works, Love in the Time of Cholera. And the movie "Love in the Time of Cholera" starring Javier Bardem in 07 was also filmed in Cartagena.
Another world-class painter and sculptor, Botero, is known as one of Latin America's best-known modern artists and one of the most prolific artists in the world. His work is imbued with an exaggerated sense of form, an iconic artistic feature also known as the "Boterismo". "Botero style" is very distinct, his biggest feature is to draw fat people, has been to China, the report can be found, it is said that the most able to draw fat people Botero came to China.
Botero became famous: "Chubby Mona Lisa" at the Botero Museum in Bogotá.
COLOMBIA ALSO HAS A VARIETY OF MUSIC AND DANCES THAT ARE FAMOUS IN LATIN AMERICA: VALLENATO, CUMBIA, MERENGUE, SALSA, CURRULAO, MUSICAL DE LLANERO, JOROPO, ETC., MANY OF WHICH ORIGINATED IN COLOMBIA.
These local music are actually the sparks and crystallizations of the collision of European culture, local Indian culture and African culture brought by Spanish colonists, which is very distinctive.
We at InterSearch Colombia Partner give us the following knowledge:
In addition to local music, Colombia has also produced many world-class singers, such as the familiar Shakira, and Juannis, who is not well known to the Chinese and won the award in the Latin American "Greenmy", is also a well-known star in the West.
Colombians have the enthusiasm typical of Latin America, our Colombian team are typical beautiful men, very lively, they told me, Colombia every day may be exaggerated, but many festivals are true, the carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia is said to be the second largest carnival in the world after Brazil. Anyway, I keep hearing about flower festivals, music festivals, carnivals... It's a joyous country anyway.
03. Abundant products
Colombia has four specialties: gold, flowers, emeralds and coffee.
Before I went, I only knew coffee, too famous. In fact, the other three are also very distinctive and have an outstanding status in the world.
Not to mention, the average quality level of coffee drunk every day in Colombia is very high, the hotel buffet has many choices, and the last coffee will pull a flower, which is indeed addictive.
My Colombian Partner popularized my local coffee category, and Colombia has a special coffee route tour, so those who are interested in coffee can take a walk.
04. Population and economy
Colombia was originally inhabited by Indians such as Chibcha and Mesca people. It became a Spanish colony in 1536. It gained independence from Spain on 20 July 1810 and was later suppressed. Colombia was liberated in 1819 after the rebel army led by the South American liberator Simón Bolívar defeated the Spanish colonial army. In 1821, it formed the Republic of Gran Colombia with what is now Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama. In 1829-1830, Venezuela and Eritrea withdrew, and the Republic of Gran Colombia was dissolved. It was renamed to its current name in 1886 (Panama became independent in 1903).
Colombia is about one-ninth the size of China. The Amazon rainforest covers almost two-thirds of the land area. The population data released in 2023 is about 51 million, equivalent to about one-27th of China (don't think small, it is already the second most populous country in South America, after Brazil).
In 2021, Colombia's total economic volume is about 314.5 billion US dollars, equivalent to about 2 trillion yuan, less than our country's Suzhou, don't feel no, Colombia's economic total is the fourth in South America, second only to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, from the per capita GDP point of view, and Brazil is similar (from the total economic output, Brazil's GDP (1.6 trillion US dollars) accounts for 49% of the South American continent, and its population of 210 million also accounts for 49% of the continent, Brazil's economic development level can be described as the average line of the continent, is the most representative country in South America, ranking fifth in South America per capita, Colombia per capita is lower than Brazil, ranking seventh, if the average GDP of Chinese is placed in South America, ranking third).
Because of the problem of economic structure, export resources, imported industrial products, the economy is not good, and prices are relatively high, which is a common problem in South American countries. Naturally, there is another common problem in South American countries: deep polarization.
Colombia recognizes dual citizenship. As a result, most of Colombia's rich people also have the nationality of developed countries in Europe and the United States. Alas, again a common problem of a country that once made a colony.
Under the strong leadership of former bull president Uribe, the overall security situation in Colombia has indeed improved dramatically. Colombia's economy is getting better and better, and it basically always ranks in the top three of Latin American countries. Uribe attaches great importance to the development of tourism. This may also be a sign of confidence to show the outside world that the level of law and order in Colombia has greatly improved. In the current Duque president's "orange economy", tourism is also a focus of national economic income, which is precisely the line of thinking of Uribe.
Part 03. Cartagena
The ancient city of Cartagena was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984 because of its important historical and cultural value.
Cartagena is located on the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia, close to Colombia's main river, the Río Magdalena, and has always been an important port for Colombia's foreign trade.
Cartagena was founded in 1533 and takes its name from the Spanish city of the same name, a name that can be traced back to Carthage in Tunisia. During the colonial period, Spain on the one hand transported Peruvian silver back home, and on the other hand transported African slaves from here to South America as labor, so that Cartagena still has a large black population. At the same time, the mixed descendants of multiple races are also prone to beautiful places.
Everywhere you can see African-American ladies with heavy objects on their heads
Military school girls, clearly visible mixed-race characteristics
It is the place where Márquez, the author of the Nobel Prize for Literature "One Hundred Years of Solitude", grew up and was buried after his death, and it was also the filming place for the movie "Love in the Time of Cholera".
Cartagena, similar to the West Indies, has a tropical wet and dry season climate, with an average annual temperature of more than 25 degrees Celsius and little fluctuation, which can be described as a true four seasons like summer. The end of March was not the hottest time when I visited, but when I arrived in Cartagena from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, which is more than 2,600 meters above sea level and the temperature is less than 20 degrees, I almost overturned the ground by the heat wave of more than 35 degrees as soon as I left the airport. I took out the strongest sunscreen gear and still felt that I would be baked when I went out at noon.
Luckily, the hotel I stayed in was within the door of the old city walls. Don't trek to the sights.
From the top platform, you can see the historical ancient city on the left and the modern new city on the right.
To the left, Cartagena in the writer's pen.
Look to the right and look like any modern resort city.
Márquez's masterpiece "Love in the Time of Cholera" and his last novel, Love and Other Devils, are set in Cartagena.
Márquez once referred to his experience writing "Love in the Time of Cholera" in Cartagena in 1984:
"That year in Cartagena was the best and most mature time of my life. I entered a state of complete emotional stability. For many years I had only a very vague idea of how I wanted to live. But that year I learned how to live, how I wanted to live, and how much I loved life. When I lived in Cartagena, I wrote in the morning and in the afternoon I ran out to find some real locations for my two cities, the real city and the fictional city. “
The real city that Márquez said is the old town of Cartagena, the old town is surrounded by walls, and the buildings on both sides of the streets of the old city are extremely beautiful saturated colors, not only the buildings, but also the windowsills of the residents are full of Lingxiao, triangular plums, blooming bright yellow or purple flowers.
Cartagena Old Town
The whole town is like a palette, and the painter is experimenting with every possible color combination.
Márquez set two of his love-themed novels in Cartagena, perhaps because love is as hot and sultry as Cartagena's summer heat; And those colorful and interesting love stories like a thousand and one nights are like the color blocks of Cartagena's wanton collision.
In between, you will understand what magical realism is, why Márquez has these vivid and colorful descriptions, and so many continuous and novel metaphors. Cartagena is a figurative container for magical reality.
Walking through the alleys of Cartagena, you will inevitably feel the breath of Márquez's words. The house was a lot of people taking pictures, and it wasn't where Florentino and Firmina first met. That church is so simple and beautiful, is it the church where Firmina and Urbino got married? That table is so chic, is Florentino writing love letters there? Is that ancient monastery the monastery where Sierva was imprisoned?
Colorful Cartagena alleys
Climb the hill of La Popa on the east side of the old town and enjoy a panoramic view of Cartagena from the Convento de la Popa (Convento de la Popa) at the top of the hill. "The monastery of Santa Clara is a square building facing the sea, with three floors, countless identical windows, a long colonnade surrounded by a semicircular arch surrounded by European ferns, and a slender date tree that grows taller than the platform of a building because it absorbs sunlight. There is also a towering tree with climbing vines of vanilla and braid-like orchids hanging from its branches. ”
Convent of La Popa
La Manga & Convento de la Popa, known as Márquez's House in some domestic tourism promotions, is actually everywhere in Cartagena, where Márquez's scenes are everywhere.
Plaza San Pedro Claver
The Botero style can be seen everywhere
During this journey in Colombia, I discovered a country full of vitality and diversity.
I am fascinated by the stunning natural scenery, the rich cultural heritage, and the hospitable people. Especially in the ancient city of Cartagena, I walked through the narrow streets and felt the magic and reality of Márquez, rendered in a thick historical atmosphere and a unique Caribbean style. I tasted local food, enjoyed great performances, and met many friendly locals who made me feel the true Colombian soul. Magical Colombia, I look forward to seeing you again with memories and gratitude.
Looking back on this journey, I can't help but be glad that I didn't miss it. Colombia gave me a profound experience and precious memories, a trip that allowed me to rediscover the world. Every exploration brings me new surprises and inspirations.