TRAVELER

For Esfand Aashena

 Hi Esfand, thank you; the sculptures and also the paintings of the inflated forms and exaggerated human figures are by Colombian painter named Fernando Botero. He was born in Medellin and there is a sculpture garden outside Museo de Antioquia in the same city; filled with his sculptures which sadly are not protected and many of his paintings are also on display in the same museum but also in other cities. Glad you like his work, they are very beautiful and charming.

Nice pictures. Statues in 40 and 41 are Indians? (Natives)

40 and 41. Native Indians are known to make these large marble or granite statues in America.  They are really good and if you were to buy them, very very expensive. 

Everything is sacred

I like to visit cartagena

Hi NY Gal, I don't think travel to Colombia would be expensive; for example: we traveled in September and used miles which only cost 15,000 each way from San Francisco to Bogota via Miami. Cartagena is only a 3 hours flight from Miami. We stayed at a brand new 2 bedroom/2 bathroom condo outside of the historic district (in the modern down town) for $100/night but I highly recommend staying in the historic district. You can stay at very luxurious & gorgeous condos or hotels (ex: Casa San Agustin, Charleston Santa Teresa Hotel, Santa Clara Hotel) for around $300/night. The food is amazing and we dined at very fine restaurants and the bill for 3 people including wine was around $100. We had a driver that drove us around for one day including 150 miles to Santa Marta for $200 (the driving is of course crazy like in Tehran).  Taxi within Cartagena, let's say from the airport to down town and between to the historic district is $15-$2 but you just have to set the price before you get in the cab as they will try to over charge tourist whenever there is an opportunity (and you must negotiate when buying anything). It is a beautiful city but you will see beauty mixed in with the poverty; you will have everyone try to sell you something as soon as you place your foot in the airport. But if you are used to this, then Cartagena is a must see ... I would go back and 2-4 nights is enough for sightseeing and relaxation (very hot and humid, Caribbean weather). Let me know if you need further information off line.

I like to visit cartagena

The photos are beautiful. I used to live in colombian neighborhood in NYC. expect for few bad experiences in general they are friendly. I am wondering if it is costely to travel to colombia?

Did you see SHAKIRA?

Hi Johnny, glad to see you have enjoyed our pictures and thank you for the compliment. We did not see Shakira as she along with most other famous and/or rich people are highly protected but also for their safety often live outside of major cities and some like Shakira even outside of Colombia. My sister-in-law is Venezuelan but I have yet to visit Venezuela; it is on my list along with all of the other South American countries. People everywhere are good but just sometimes not the very best in behavior given their circumstances and their need for survival. Colombians are good people, I have friends now in Colombia :)

Thank you

Thank you JJ and all others for your comments and glad to see you have enjoyed the pictures JJ has selected. I was fortunate to visit Colombia with my brother who is fluent in Spanish and is a frequent traveler of South American countries. It was one of my most memorable trips and couldn't have done it without him. Colombia is a beautiful country (the food, fresh fruits/juices, music, people are all great), I highly recommend everyone to visit Cartagena as it is a beautiful, historic, fun, and a safe city in comparison to other cities such as Bogota. I thought Bogota (and surrounding landscape/attractions/villages such as Catedral del Sal and Villa de Leyva) was far more interesting than the safer and more modern city of Medellin. However, Bogota indeed is not safe or an easy city to get around specially if you are a woman traveling alone as no one hardly speaks any English and it is not safe given that 65% or so of the population is living in major poverty. No doubt, this was the most adventurous trip I have taken and that Colombia is a beautiful country. I recommend Colombia if you are a savvy and a fearless traveler, have connections, or can go with a tour guide (in particular for Bogota). PS. The most common questions we got was "Where are you from? USA, What language do you speak? Farsi, Where is Iran? We explained, and lastly the big question: Why are you here? We here to visit your country :) Totally surprised! And then very pleased ...!" The new President is making changes ... Colombia will get more visitors.    

Nice Photos

I have been visiting Medellin for the past 2 years because my little boy and I love it there. Cartagenta is very nice also with an amazing history.

Did you see SHAKIRA?

i loved your photos. I always wondered how columbia looked like since the only columbia i know is the street that i live on. Someday I must visit those countries. You only visited columbia while you were there? Venezuela must be pretty too. Thank you very much for sharing the photos! How where the people?

"God is love!"

آخی.... حیونکی

نه نمیشه به جان شما.

من اینجا سرقفلی دارم.اگرم برم دوباره برمی‌گردم.

اون فیلم "ایت" رو ندیدی؟

//www.imdb.com/title/tt0099864/

The good behavior of the people, warms our heart and make us thankful.....  And the bad ones, just make us to recognize and appreciate the good ones!

It is safe and secure there

Please go. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ.

:)

I loved these pictures. The vibrant colors are so enticing, from the food to people, gardens or landscape.

Another country on my to do list. Thanks!

Jahangard :)

Very beatiful pictures!

I had some customers from Bogota, they invited me to go there.

Now, I'm more inclined to visit Colombia and Bogota (still afraid of the insecurities in there) Thanks for sharing your experience with us.  

The good behavior of the people, warms our heart and make us thankful.....  And the bad ones, just make us to recognize and appreciate the good ones!