Andrea | Caveduck

About to arrive in Bogotá — day 1

My Colombia Diary

I'm writing this for myself, to reread it the day I forget some detail. To remember exactly how it felt to arrive in a country I already loved before setting foot in it — because I had loved the woman born there for two years.

we arrived. she didn't let go of my hand for a second

some photos before I continue writing

day 4 — finally the warmth I missed

day 6 — coffee with my feet in the sand

for those who don't know her yet

Andrea

María Andrea Pineda Pinzón — nobody calls her that, except her mom when she's mad

age
26 years old

born in
Valledupar, Cesar

grew up in
Barranquilla

lives
With me

She's one of those people who talks with their whole body. Cries in airports, laughs with her head thrown back, and can go from joking about her country all day to defending it tooth and nail if anyone else dares to. She's been away from home for four years, and this trip is, deep down, her trying to see if she still has any of the 'costeña' left in her.

We met two years ago, at a friend's party. I had been orbiting her for months and had no idea. She was wearing a soccer team t-shirt, and I, knowing nothing about Colombian soccer, asked her if she played rugby. She still laughs about that.

"If you're going to understand where I come from, you have to understand where my people come from."

That's what she told me the night we decided this trip had to happen. Not as tourism. As a formal introduction — me to her country, her country to me.

Oh, and one thing: if I hear her call me by my name in public, something's wrong. To her, I'm always:

papi gordo flaco

the itinerary (she wrote it, obviously)

days 1 – 3

Bogotá

La Candelaria — Monserrate — Paloquemao — Simón Bolívar Park — dinner in Zona G

days 4 – 5

Cartagena

The walls at sunset — Getsemaní, where her aunt Nena lives — Rosario Islands

days 6 – 7

Santa Marta & Tayrona

Road with the Sierra Nevada in the background — beach in Tayrona — sunset in Taganga

days 8 – 11

Barranquilla

Grandma Rosa's house — Carnival rehearsals with Lorena — the parade — meeting the whole family

days 12 – 14

Valledupar

Guatapurí River — vallenato party — her parents' house — the farewell

And now here I am, flying to the country where she was born, about to get to know the places that made her the woman I love, her family, and the people she calls home.

— to be continued on Colombian soil