This week happened to be one of my most travel-heavy yet. From Medellín back to my home of Sasaima, it is about 8 hours on a bus and totals 336 kilometers. On my journey, I crossed 2 out of 3 of Colombia’s cordilleras, or mountain ranges, and the country’s most important river, El Río Magdalena.
Since I have been in Colombia for a year, I’ve had the privilege of exploring many parts of the country, each reflecting its immense diversity. I have been to Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Bogotá, Villa de Leyva, and now Medellín.
Colombia’s transportation system is admirable, if sometimes chaotic. Between Sasaima and surrounding towns I use the camionetas, trucks or jeeps, where I prefer to sit in the open-air back to get a panoramic view of the landscape. Motoraxis are also common.
As a part of my trip to the Antioquia region where Medellín is located, I went to a charming town called Guatapé, known for a massive rock overlooking a stunningly beautiful artificial lake. The pueblo is brimming with culture. I was most interested in the colorful traditional buildings and painted mototaxis.
