Gutape Colombia

One of my favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movies is The Beach. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about a backpacker in Thailand who discovers a secret beach island society of travelers. There’s a whole load of drama involving drugs, murder, and ethical dilemmas. But overall I like the movie because, as a backpacker, I completely understand that there are certain geographic locations that seem to epitomize that seductive beach. There are certain cities that exude some sort of inexplicable suction. Travelers arrive and, for whatever reason, just can’t seem to leave. It was evident in Prague. Unexpectedly, this force worked its magic in Tbilisi, Georgia. And more than anywhere I’ve seen in quite some time, it is alive and powerful in Medellin, Colombia.

Almost three weeks ago, I left Medellin for Argentina. My emotions surrounding Colombia are quite mixed. As you know, I had lived in Argentina from April to June and my original plan had been to stay in Buenos Aires for an entire year. But as the cold crept in and my neighbors partied from 2am to noon, the idea of temporarily leaving Argentina stuck. I had never thought much of visiting Colombia, but two people quite randomly pitched it to me and it seemed to contain everything I wanted: good weather, Spanish, and a vibrant culture. I figured why not?

Santa Marta Beaches
Beaches in Northern Colombia

An Anti-Social Experiment

Colombia was an interesting 3-month experiment. Unlike my three months in Argentina back in the spring, (or “fall” in South America), in Colombia I actively tried to avoid much of a social life. I had JUST spent three months putting myself “out there” in every social situation possible in Argentina. In Colombia, I just didn’t have the energy. Instead, I threw myself 100% into things that made me happy: my writing, working out, and my Spanish. I decided, since it wasn’t a permanent living situation, there wasn’t much of a point wasting my time making friends. It seems cold, but it was a good lesson for me: when I stop distracting myself with parties, and social situations I’m only semi-interested in, I’m a lot happier.* I think half the time I go out, I just do it so I can tell people I went out and they don’t think I’m weird or unable to make friends. I actually wrote a blog about how happy I was in Medellin. You can read it here.

Medellin Colombia food

I always planned to return to Buenos Aires on September 1st. But the closer that date came, the more I wanted to stay in Medellin. September 1st came and went. I booked an extra week in my AirBnB. Then another week. Then another. “Just a week more” somehow turned into another month. I can’t quite explain it, but I was thriving in Medellin and wasn’t ready to let go. That last month proved by far one of the best months.

I actually did make friends in Colombia, and they are part of the reason I wasn’t ready to leave. Near the end, I was speaking Spanish up to 15 hours a day. Life in dollars meant a slightly luxurious standard of living. Colombians are friendly. I liked my roommate. Every day I wore sundresses and spent my afternoons reading in the hammock on the balcony enjoying the view.

Medellin Colombia

 

Spanish Lessons Medellin
Very serious Spanish lesson
Expat Living in Medeelin Colombia
Nicole, Mark, and I at a charity event in Medellin

I’m back in Buenos Aires now, and I’m trying to be “present” in Argentina. Too often I don’t appreciate my location because I’m dreaming about another place. My return to Buenos Aires has proved to be one of my roughest transitions in awhile, which is ironic because I already lived here and actually know the language. I wrote a quite negative 2000-word blog post (or rant) about my last few weeks in Buenos Aires, but things are starting to come together now, so I deleted it. I’m settling in. I’m trying to be positive. I’m feeling happy.

I’m not quite sure I’m “done” with Colombia.  For now, I’m going to enjoy my life and work in Buenos Aires.  Clearly, I’m too indecisive for adulting. Let’s see.

*To all my Argentinian friends I stayed in contact with all summer (or winter for you guys), I clearly don’t mean you. And I appreciate the warm welcome back!

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2 Comments

  1. Glad you are settling. Can’t wait to see BA through your eyes in December!

    1. Gwendolyn A Bellinger

      I really love this area. I’ve found a crepe place as well as that vegetarian hamburger place.

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