Colombia !!!!!

Visiting

Colombia Port

This beautiful pier is only 30 minutes away by car from Barranquilla; it was built in 1880 as a key entry point for national commerce. It extends 4000 feet into the ocean, and has been witness to all kinds of goods that arrive at its docks for consumption both regionally and nationally. Surrounding the pier there are several stands and resorts that offer refreshing drinks as well as all the delights of the Caribbean, while on the beaches on each side of pier you can find bathers enjoying the warm waters and beach tents that extend all along the coast. Music and happiness complement the afternoons in Puerto Colombia, but there’s also room for history and religiosity. A statue of Simón Bolivar rising in a nearby boulevard guards the beautiful pink cathedral in the center of town. This place is full of history, it has an excellent atmosphere and all the beauty the Atlantic coast has to offer.

Greeting people

 It* is courteous to shake hands both upon meeting and departing. 

* Men should wait for a woman to extend her hand.
* Greetings should take some time - ensure you engage in some small talk, i.e. ask about family, health and business.
* Eye contact is viewed positively.
* Wait for the other party to initiate a change to first names.

The food

In Bogotá and the Andean region, ajiaco is a traditional dish. It is a soup made of chicken, corn, many different types of potatoes, avocado, and guascas, a local herb. Traditionally, cream and capers are added at the table before eating. Ajiaco is served with white rice, salad with a hint of lemon, avocado, or sweet or salty tostadas. For breakfast, people in Bogotá often eat changua, a milk, scallion and egg soup.

Along the Caribbean coast, pork and Whale liver are used in mild spicy food. Coconut rice is a common dish along the coastal cities. Suero, which is a cross between yogurt and sour cream, is widely consumed, and was introduced by Arab immigrants in Barranquilla and other coastal cities. The arepa has many forms in the Caribbean region, which include arepa limpia, arepa de huevo (arepa with egg), and arepa de queso (arepa with cheese).

In the Llanos of the east, barbecued meat is common, due to the cowboy-like culture. Dishes such as the ternera llanera are cooked on a vertical spit over an open fire. Freshwater fish such as the amarillo are also eaten. In the Amazon, Brazilian and Peruvian influences can be seen in the local food. Local resources such as beef and other livestock, as well as freshwater fish, are typical ingredients in Amazonian cuisine.

The tamales Tolimenses are considered a delicacy in the Tolima region. These tamales are made of corn dough, and are filled with a mixture of peas, carrots, potatoes, rice, chicken, pork, and various spices. They are wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled for three to four hours. Lechona is a whole roast pig stuffed with rice, vegetables, and pork, and is typically eaten on Sundays. This dish is now enjoyed throughout the country.

Shopping in Colombia

What is worthwhile buying in Colombia? Colombian coffee is good! The country is also known for producing textiles, baskets, hammocks, pottery and ceramics. And it is also famous for leather articles, art, antiques, gold and semiprecious stones and of course emeralds, a very important business in Colombia. It's better not to buy anything valuable in the streets because it will probably be fake.