Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

In his book, Makers of Democracy A. Ricardo López-Pedreros traces the ways in which a thriving middle class was understood to be a foundational marker of democracy in Colombia during the second half of the twentieth century. Drawing on a wide array of sources ranging from training manuals and oral histories to school and business archives, López-Pedreros shows how the Colombian middle class created a model of democracy based on free market ideologies, private property rights, material inequality, and an emphasis on a masculine work culture. This model, which naturalized class and gender hierarchies, provided the groundwork for Colombia's later adoption of neoliberalism and inspired the emergence of alternate models of democracy and social hierarchies in the 1960s and 1970s which helped foment political radicalization. By highlighting the contested relationships between class, gender, economics, and politics, López-Pedreros theorizes democracy as a historically unstable practice that exacerbated multiple forms of domination, thereby prompting a rethinking of the formation of democracies throughout the Americas.

And in an interesting turn we talk about the possibilities of these policies from the past and how they have shaped the unrest and protests of 2018 in Colombia. Tune in!

Direct download: RCC_255.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

As a student of ethnonationalism and cultural identity originally from Arizona, Shenandoah Cornish has moved her life to Minca in Colombia's Sierra Nevada and is working to create a Centro de Memoria de la Sierra so that people from Minca can recognize and value their past. Offering guided tours of a museum she has set up with her boyfriend in the Casa Balaguera in Minca, Shenandoah and her team can provide you with a background to the indigenous importance of the region, the roles that the paramilitary groups and guerrillas have played and even has a tale about a Nazi settler to the region post WWII. 

Creating what is believed to be a "family photo album," for the people of Minca, Shenandoah has immersed herself in the local culture and stresses the importance of non geopolitical identities when discussing a country like Colombia. 

Tune in for a fascinating conversation from the highlands of Minca above the city of Santa Marta connected to us here in the capital of Colombia, Bogotá.

Direct download: RCC_254.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

As everyone is doing it, and so have we, and here on Episode 253 of the Colombia Calling podcast we sit down in Bogotá with Sergio Guzman, Director of the political risk consultancy, Colombia Risk Analysis (https://www.colombiariskanalysis.com/home-eng) to talk about President Ivan Duque's first 100 days in power. 

Colombia Risk Analysis is a political risk consultancy which seeks to provide its clients with analysis, context and projections about the political, economic and social environment that affects Colombia and the region. And so, we put Guzman to the test and hear his thoughts on President Duque. 

Spoiler Alert: President Duque has a challenging time ahead of him! 

Tune in to hear an account of politics, scandals, economics and of course intrigue.

Direct download: RCC_253.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

For Episode 252 of the Colombia Calling podcast we were honoured to be invited to the offices of the editorial Semana in Bogotá to talk to Paola Forero, the Director of Operations for the publication "Semana Rural." We discussed the challenges facing various regions of Colombia in terms of tourism and infrastructure and how Semana is teaming up to help non-traditional areas in getting on the tourism ladder. Not only is Semana Rural as a newspaper, reaching 13 of the towns which were hardest hit by the long-running conflict in Colombia, there is also a handy APP created to provide you with all the information needed to travel to these regions. So, tune in for an interesting episode about the potential future of tourism and reconciliation in Colombia and be sure to download the APP: ARRANCA!

Direct download: RCC_252.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

On Episode 251 of the Colombia Calling podcast we are able to chat to an academic from North America who has been exploring the dimensions of "demobilization" of guerrilla outfits such as the FARC and ELN in Colombia. On the condition of anonymity, we discuss some fascinating issues which are taking place in the reincorporation process of the FARC. We discuss the reality of the Zones of Transition where the FARC are living, how they see themselves, how they view the Colombian government, what their fears are and the stigmas surrounding them. There are also some topics we touch on which have not seen the light of day in neither the Colombian nor international press

Direct download: RCC_251.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

This week on our landmark Ep250 of the Colombia Calling podcast, we are on the line to Medellin with Australian journalist Andrew Wight. 

Specialising in Science-focused stories, Andrew tells us about some of the most interesting things taking place in the field in Colombia right now, regarding coffee protection, the health consequences of Venezuelan migrations into the Guajira, the X syndrome in Antioquia, instances of juvenile Alzheimers in Colombia and the opportunity to chart and report on formerly out of bounds areas known as Zonas Calientes or Zonas Rojas across the country due to the long running conflict. 

We also discuss the issue of Cassandra Sainsbury, the young australian drugs mule caught at Bogotá's El Dorado airport and how Andrew decided best to report on this story. 

Tune in for a fantastic and informed conversation as always on the Colombia Calling podcast

Direct download: RCC_250.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

It's time to talking birding and birdwatching in Colombia and the opportunities open to enthusiasts as told by expert Chris Bell. It's a real pleasure to have Chris back on the show and talking with such knowledge about Colombia (the only gringo here I know to have visited all of Colombia's departments) and the species of birds found here. 

Chris talks to us about his period under detainment by the dissident FARC on a birding trip in Caqueta, his recent Global Big Day in Tumaco 2018, the Global Big Day in Guaviare in 2017 and how the department of Antioquia (where Medellin is located) could rank as No7 for bird species in the world, were it a country! 

And, don't forget Nov 1-5 is the South American Bird Fair is in Manizales and then after that it's the Colombian birders get together in Mitu, Vaupes, so it's all happening in the birding world in Colombia!

Tune in to hear about the reality of travel in Colombia and this birding paradise through the eyes of the knowledgeable Chris Bell.

Direct download: RCC_249.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

The murders of his family in rural Colombia could have inspired a young Jesus Abad Colorado to pick up a gun; instead, he bought a camera and over the years became a highly acclaimed photographer, dedicating the next 25 years of his life to documenting the conflict in his native Colombia. 

A year after Colombia's then President, Juan Manuel Santos signed peace with the FARC guerrillas, Jesus goes in search of some of the people from his most iconic photographs, to explore just what it means to forgive the horrors of the past. While an unexpected meeting forces him to relive his nightmares, it also gives Jesus a message of real hope to communicate to Colombia's new generation. 

In this hard-hitting Episode 248, we are privileged to speak to the accomplished British documentary film-maker Kate Horne (other works include: Gabo, Turtle Boy, My Kidnapper. See www.kate-horne.com) on the line from London speaking about "Testigo; Cain y Abel" her most recent work. 

Funded by Caracol and screened across 12 Colombian cities (25, 26, 27, 28 October 2018) in Cinecolombia theatres, "Testigo" uses Jesus as the lens on Colombia's atrocities and conflict but is humanizing in its quest for reconciliation, forgiveness and hope for a more positive future. 

On a personal note, I had the opportunity to view this documentary at a special screening and feel that it should be mandatory for schools in Colombia and indeed for anyone in a country trying to emerge from a long-running confict. "Testigo" is not only powerful and informative, it's going to win awards, you heard it here first on the Colombia Calling podcast.

Direct download: RCC_248.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

Back on Ep131 we were privileged to have actor and script writer of the movie Andrew Perez on the line from Los Angeles discussing his latest film, Bastards and Diablos...this time, on Ep247 of the Colombia Calling podcast, we have the honour of speaking to the other lead actor and producer of the movie, Dillon Porter. 

And he's here in Bogotá with the team, why?! Because, incredibly CineColombia has seen fit to give this indie flick, filmed in Colombia and released in the US in 2015, a weekend of viewings in Bogotá, Medellin and Cali starting on October 18. So, hurry on down and get your tickets and support a film which has won awards in the US, was made on a threadbare budget and is making waves. 

This is a film about two estranged half brothers and a journey of discovery through Colombia, the cinematography looks spectacular and the soundtrack is certainly awe inspiring. I will see you there on October 18 at the screening in Bogotá!

Direct download: RCC_247.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

How much do you know about the plantations and the medical cannabis industry in Colombia? If you're like me, very little at all, so it is with great pleasure that on Ep246 of the Colombia Calling podcast, we sit down with British journalist Mat Youkee, the brains behind the "Colombia Cannabis Investor,"(http://www.colcannin.com) and learn more about this unknown economic driver. 

With Youkee, we learn about the regulatory confusions surrounding this cash crop, the local growing conditions in Colombia for Cannabis and the issues of security and and community relations. 

Mat Youkee is a freelance journalist and analyst covering Latin America and the Caribbean from his base in Bogotá, Colombia. An emerging markets reporter since 2007 his regular work maintains a strong business and economics focus and he travels regularly across the continent to write in-depth analyses of sectors including extractive industries, finance, agriculture and healthcare.

So tune in!

Direct download: RCC_246.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

It is a great honour to have to the Assistant Professor from the Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, Abbey Steele on this week's episode 245 of Colombia Calling. Not only do we discuss some of the poignant issues raised and debated in her book: "Democracy and Displacement in Colombia's Civil War," but we also digress and discover Steele's experiences as a "helper" or "translator" in a Cali-based marriage agency. 

Talk about extremes! 

This is a fascinating conversation with an academic who possesses an intimate knowledge of Colombia, the political processes here and who has been able to show through extensive quantitative and qualitative research that the democratization of the political process in the country led, in fact, to an increase in violence and displacements. 

Tune in to hear more

Direct download: RCC_245.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

I came across this curious page called www.fairtradecoke.org on twitter recently and decided to follow it up and talk to the author for Ep244 of the Colombia Calling podcast. It was a great pleasure to talk to Dutch Anthropologist Janneke Nijmeijer in Amsterdam about her project and foundation. 

For those unaware, Coca grows at an altitude between 500 and 2000 metres, and the Andes mountains of Bolivia, Peru and Colombia offer the perfect climate for cultivating coca. Centuries before cocaine was being discovered, indigenous people across South America consumed coca. The cultivation and consumption has been of cultural and social value, and therefore an important of their economy. 

Besides the social and economic importance, coca was also used as a medicine. Coca is a mild stimulant that fights altitude sickness, enhances concentration and is very nutritious, among other things. Because of its medicinal and nutritional qualities indigenous people considered coca to be sacred: la hoja sagrada. 

So, tune in to hear more!

Direct download: RCC_244.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:19pm EDT

This we sit back down with Chris Morfas (you'll remember him from Ep225, President Trump in Colombia) and speak with him about his expertise in alternative travel, sustainability and cycling and take all of this into account with his experience from Sacramento, California. 

Chris has been both volunteer and consultant to Colombia's leading NGO working on sustainable mobility, providing analysis and recommendations regarding its strategic planning, organizational structure, program implementation, project delivery, and political effectiveness. 

And, now Chris is a transplant to Bogotá, providing his knowledge to his new home town.

Direct download: RCC_243.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

After a brief holiday period away, I am happy to announce that the Colombia Calling podcast is refreshed and back on the airwaves and thrilled to have special guest Emma Louise Jay on the line from Las Palmas, Antioquia, talking about her unique Colombia experience. 

Imagine being bought a flight to a strange and far-off land by a stranger - no strings attached? Well, this happened to Emma back in 2011 and now, she calls Colombia home. Was she, as she suggests in her blog www.conqueredbycolombia.com born in the wrong country? So, hailing from the town which gave the world Radiohead, she now prefers a buñuelos to crumpets and is a researcher at a prestigious university in Medellin. 

Want to find out more about Emma and her adventures in Colombia, well you'll have to tune in to this engaging and philosophical episode No242.

Direct download: RCC_242.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:53am EDT

Following on in the footsteps of Episode 221 where I regaled you all with the first chapter of my novel: "The Mompós Project," I have decided to share with you a further adapted extract from the book. This is entitled, "Sonia and the Gringo," and is the tale of a friendship in Mompós. This extract was also published in the New Orleans literary magazine, the South Writ Large (www.southwritlarge.com). 

I am still searching for an editor and of course a publisher, so please if you know of anyone, please let me know and then send this their way to see what they think.

Direct download: RCC_241.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

Canadian expat Delaney Turner sat down over several cupos of coffee with Colombia Calling and discussed his love of Bogotá and the whole Colombia experience. In what is, quite a profound and verging on the philosophical coversation, Delaney and I delve into the issues of identity, belonging and Bogotá. 

We talk about his projects here in Bogotá, his love of photography and writing and how he turned his back on the marketing world to come on down to Bogotá and explore a new lifestyle and plunge himself into the language. 

This is an exciting and upbeat episode of Colombia Calling where we focus on the boom which Bogotá has experienced in recent years and how individuals like myself and Delaney are not only benefitting from it, but enjoying it. Check out his website www.becausebogota.com

Direct download: RCC_240.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:06pm EDT

Colombian photographer Gabriel Eisenband performed a great public service when he decided to abandon his career in marketing to pursue his passion and dream of a life behind the lens. 

Now, Eisenband is a journeyman around his beloved Colombia and is the principal photographer for the new Colombia National Parks coffee table book available from July 2018. Having himself visited 41 of Colombia's national parks, he may be the person who has seen the most of this country and so we at Colombia Calling have the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about his latest project and the adventures he encountered along the way. 

Follow him and see some of his photos on instagram: @gaboeisenband
or, better yet, buy the book!

Direct download: RCC_239.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:05pm EDT

On Ep238 of the Colombia Calling podcast, we catch up with Jennie Levitt and get to see her new publication, "The Paris Picnic Club," a delightfully constructed cookbook put together with her business partner Shaheen Peerbhai, and illustrated with paintings by Levitt herself. The result is a collection of 100 mouthwatering and exciting recipes which stem from their student days in Paris and crosses continents to include elements from Peerbhai's native India and Levitt's adopted homeland of Colombia. 

The launch in Bogotá for the Paris Picnic Club is expected for September 2018 and we can expect to wash delicious platters down with cordials or juices from the book itself, or perhaps even, some sparkling fruit juices made by Levitt under the brand Corelia. Available in Bogotá and with flavours of Mandarine, Passion Fruit, Blackberry and Lulo and produced in Chapinero, Bogotá, Levitt's is truly a story of success in Colombia. 

Tune in for a fun and upbeat episode of Colombia Calling.

Direct download: RCC_238.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58am EDT

It's always a real pleasure to have the brains behind the Leyenda del Dorado (la-leyenda.com) mountain bike race on the show bringing with them an infectious enthusiasm for Colombia and what they are doing. So, on Ep237 of the Colombia Calling podcast we chat with race creator Brian Murphy and his sidekick Dave Procter based in the city of Cali to talk about this, the third edition of the only race of its kind in Colombia. 

With 250 participants coming from 21 nations for this multi-stage mountain bike race to take on the challenge of volcanic ascents, humid river valleys, colonial towns and coffee plantations in the department of Caldas, this is a UCI certified event which is not for the faint of heart. 

Hear about the news sections to the race, who is coming to participate, how the locals have embraced this event to their hearts and check out the daily updates and drone footage on La Leyenda's website.

Direct download: RCC_237.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm EDT

It's a pleasure to have Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports (www.colombiareports.com) back on the show, this time, on Ep236 of Colombia Calling he discusses with us his newfound cult status - he is currently being shadowed by a photographer from the Dutch edition of Esquire Magazine who is doing a feature on him. So, for once the guy who writes the news becomes the news. 

However, the real reason for Alsema's return to Colombia Calling is to talk about the terrifying state of affairs for journalists and social/ community leaders in Colombia. Official figures put the number of deaths of Community leaders across Colombia since Jan 1 2016 at over 300. The worst departments are Cauca and Antioquia, but it is happening all over. 

We discuss this genocide, the problems in reporting and which groups and potentially behind the killings and why. 

Please tune in to this important episode telling the story of a tragic situation in Colombia.

Direct download: RCC_236.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:40pm EDT

There's an announcement to be made on Colombia Calling, no the "English Voice in Colombia," is not going away, but, we'll be branching out and there's a Spanish language podcast in the making (yes, I will stumble through in Spanish). There will be more about this in the podcast, so you have to tune in, but, just rest assured Jose Miguel Jaramillo (Ep219) of www.urbanlink.co and myself will be at he helm!

Direct download: RCC_235.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58am EDT

It's taken me 11 years to get to the Colombian department of Casanare and it shouldn't have taken this long. But, under the careful guidance of husband and wife team of Julia Buschmann and Andres Gonzalez Perez (www.aventurecotours.com), I took my wife and three year old son out for a "Colombian Safari" in the plains, savannahs and wetlands of Casanare. 

On our bespoke experience, we took in the perfect combination of a slice of the authentic Llanos cowboy lifestyle and saw droves of birds and other wildlife including deer, caimans and chiguiros (capybara). 

Colombia is a country of contrasts and with an embarrassment of riches to which to travel and only recently is this being understood. Casanare has charm, style and substance and oozes all of them and anyone wishing to experience adventure, birdwatching and authenticity should make time to come here. I must also emphasise that at no point did we feel unsafe at all, just embraced by the warmth of our hosts and the destination as a whole. Visit Casanare!

Direct download: RCC_234.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

Ivan Duque is the new president of Colombia and will run the country from 2018-2022, what does this mean for the peace agreement with the FARC, of which he has been openly critical and opposed to? 

Instead of striking dramatic blows against the accord, it’s more likely that Duque and his coalition will kill it through neglect. Casting the accord adrift, failing to take action and failing to spend money, will bring much the same end result as dramatically tearing it up.

However, Colombian president-elect Ivan Duque’s first challenge will be to unite the nation, something he has pledged to do whilst on the campaign trail, and recognize that eight million citizens voted for the left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro, the first time that a leftist candidate has achieved such a large following in Colombia.

Direct download: RCC_233.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:14pm EDT

It's that time again! The football world cup is upon us and it's in Russia and Colombia take a strong team to face the likes of Poland, Senegal and Japan in Group H. So, it's a great pleasure to have South American football expert and journalist Simon Edwards on the line to Colombia Calling from Medellin talking about what to expect from the Colombia team, the likes of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez. 

And not only do we discuss Colombia's chances...should they make it through Group H, they may end up facing either Belgium or England in the knock out rounds, how very exciting, but, we also welcome back Peru to the World Cup after an irresistibly long absence and Panama to the World Cup for the first time in their history. 

So, while my enthusiasm for the World Cup this year is somewhat muted due to the finals being held in Russia and indeed the FIFA-gate scandal, Simon Edwards starts to motivate my enthusiasm once again for the beautiful game.

Direct download: RCC_232.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:56pm EDT

So, Colombia just had the first round of their presidential elections on May 27 and the right-wing Ivan Duque won by a significant margin but not by enough to take him straight to the presidency. In second place was the former M19 guerrilla and Mayor of Bogotá, Gustavo Petro who will now face Duque on June 17 in the second round. 

On this Episode 231 of Colombia Calling, your host Richard McColl will provide you with a summary of what took place and how the voting happened in the first round and what to expect for the second round and the three weeks until then. Tune in to learn more about Colombia's fascinating political spectrum.

Direct download: RCC_231.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30pm EDT

Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range rises more than 18,000 feet from the Caribbean Sea — a height that makes them the tallest coastal mountains in the world. The national park that houses them is also the world's most irreplaceable protected area for the conservation of threatened species and is home to ancient communities and archeological wonders. So, it is with my great pleasure to invite Santiago Giraldo back on Colombia Calling after an absence of a few years. 

Giraldo is the Director for Latin America for the Global Heritage Fund and the Director of Prosierra, a Colombian environmental NGO. You'll remember we discussed the Lost City or the Ciudad Perdida and the 24,000 annual visitors to this sacred site, well, we catch up on what has been going on and explore some of the conservation projects underway in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Direct download: RCC_230.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:37am EDT

In the light of recent events such as FARC politician Ivan Marquez returning to his jungle hideout in Caqueta and Jesus Santrich under arrest for allegedly cocaine trafficking to the US, I discuss the topics in the news about Colombia this week and it doesn't make for comfortable reading. 

This is an episode put together to bring my international listeners up to speed with what is going on in Colombia, what international hawks are saying about the increasingly fragile-looking peace deal, President Santos' failure to act, the on-going crisis with the ELN, the FARC dissidents and indeed the issues surrounding Marin, Marquez and Santrich....all of this and we are less than 20 days from the presidential elections which appears to be head to head Ivan Duque vs Gustavo Petro.

Direct download: RCC_229.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:20pm EDT

Long-time listener Adam Navarro-Lowery contacted Colombia Calling some weeks ago, full of enthusiasm for his upcoming first visit to Colombia...and yet, Adam is half Colombian and with extensive family links to Tolima and Santander. We sit down to discuss his family tree, look over sepia photographs from a yesteryear Colombia and trace his roots. 

In an open and frank discussion, Adam - a native of Dearborn, Michigan - tells us of his reason to join the US military (spoiler alert: the Medellin cartel is involved), his desire at age 39 to trace his roots and learn about his family, and his findings on a trip to Ambalema and Honda in the department of Tolima just beyond Bogotá along the river Magdalena.

Direct download: RCC_228.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Everyone has an opinion on the war on drugs, and here in Colombia, many are far better placed to make educated decisions about its worth and reach. One of these such people is Carlos Villalon who has been photographing the Colombian conflict, its actors and the drugs trade since 2002. Having embedded himself with guerrillas, paramilitaries and more, Carlos has seen first-hand the effect of coca production for its use in cocaine on Colombia, the economy and on a global scale. 

We sit down with Carlos and scan some of the images he has chosen over the length of his career to illustrate his new book entitled: Coca, the lost war on drugs. 

The images are both powerful and thought-provoking and follow the passage of this sacred indigenous plant through its evolution in the comunas of Medellin, the Narco Corridas of Mexico and finally in the slums of the New York's Bronx. 

This book requires funding and could end up being a mandatory text in various classrooms. So, check out the Kickstarter campaign and throw some dollars at an incredibly important project which will show the world Colombia, this sacred plant and how we have damaged something ancestral and otherworldly. 

Link: https://kck.st/2HjoCOC

Direct download: RCC_227.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:41pm EDT

This week we have an incredibly interesting conversation with Colombian academic Diana Maria Valencia about the upcoming presidential elections here. 

On the line with us from my alma mater, the University of Exeter (Devon, UK) where she is studying for a Mphil/PhD in History about food insecurity and agrarian counter reforms in Colombia, she gives us a background of her investigations and a very balanced look at the 2018 elections. 

If we boil down the causes of Colombia's conflict to their most base, then, land rights and reforms are privotal and so Diana Maria is perfectly placed to provide us with a better understanding of the issues in Colombia from her investigations, and then, apply this knowledge to a brief breakdown of what is taking place here before the first round of elections on May 27. 

So, who do we think will come through the first round, Duque, Petro, Vargas Lleras, de la Calle or Fajardo? How can we interpret the opinion polls? All of this and more on the Colombian election special on the Colombia Calling podcast.

Direct download: RCC_226.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Sitting in the incredible and trendy downtown bar Revellion (Calle 16 #4-23) Colombia Calling sits down with two US expats in Bogota, Victoria Mulgannon and Chris Morfas, to talk about their thoughts on President Donald Trump's impending visit this April to Colombia after the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru. 

Bringing with them a wealth of well-informed opinions - Mulgannon has worked with USAID and the US Embassy and has now opened the hugely successful Revellion bar, and Morfas is a nonprofit leader and government relations professional from Sacramento - this is a fascinating and balanced reflection on the US Presidential visit to Colombia. 

There's time for some laughs, there's jazz in the background and there are some excellent insights and potential predictions for President Trump's visit. And, if all else fails, let's hit up Revellion bar and enjoy a wine tasting or some fine single malt!

Direct download: RCC_225.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am EDT

It's a great pleasure to have Juan Fernando Hincapie, one of Colombia's bright new things on the literary circuit. Already known for the books "Gringadas" and "Gramática pura" he has now published a new novela in English entitled "Mother Tongue."

Having read the book and laughed out loud in parts, it was great fun to discuss this Colombian tale which may touch a raw nerve here and there with his countrymen. But, you can relate, as you laugh at the descriptions, family dynamics and hardly unique class system so ever present in Bogotá. 

"Mother Tongue" is to be enjoyed on a rainy afternoon in Bogotá, when the rain only increases in its ferocity and drive and you are obliged to duck into a non-descript and filthy café in an unknown part of town. If you have done this, then you'll understand what "Mother Tongue" is all about.

Direct download: RCC_224.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:34pm EDT

Danny Concha is a filmmaker and a storyteller and he's brought his unique brand of good news to Colombia, and we are the better for it as he has travelled this country far and wide to ensure that his stories go beyond the superficial and show us some of the real Colombia. 

In Episode 223 of Colombia Calling, we speak to Danny - on the line with us from the city of Medellin - and discuss how he came to here in Colombia, what he is doing with the "Yo Creo en Colombia" foundation and how he will be starting the: "Yo Creo en Peru" branch of this positive outreach program. 

For further information about Danny's documentaries and writing, please check out his website: dannyconcha.com and of course his youtube channel too.

Direct download: RCC_223.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:14pm EDT

Only the other day, i read a statistic that claimed that four out of every ten Venezuelans still remaining in that country are trying to scrape together another money to leave. 

Those of us here seeing more and more Venezuelans arriving to Colombia every day, whether they are staying here or moving on to places further adrift such as Ecuador, Peru and Chile, believe we may be witness now to one of the greatest refugee crises outside of Syria.

So, this week on Episode 222, we have invited Venezuelan-born journalist Frank Cardona on the show to talk about the troubles being experienced by the diaspora as they try and seek a new life elsewhere beyond the chaos being wreaked by President Maduro and his followers. 

For an excellent take of how Frank is feeling, read his blog www.frankcardona.com

Direct download: RCC_222.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm EDT

Some of you will know that I have been penning a novel about my experiences in Mompós and throughout my "otherworldly experiences" whilst getting the Casa Amarilla (www.casaamarillamompos.com) hotel up and running, and as the search for an editor continues, I have decided to share chapter 1 of "The Mompós Project" out there with the world...have a read and let me know what you think. Here, I have decided to give you a reading.

Direct download: RCC_221.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:50pm EDT

Given that the past week was the huge tourism fair here in Bogotá, Colombia, it seems timely to invite Alex Egerton, author of the new Lonely Planet guidebook to Colombia out later in 2018, here to Colombia Calling to chat about travel in our adopted country, new travel fashion here and of course, off the beaten path travel. 

So, we start with a conversation about the ANATO Vitrina Turistica and how it has changed over the 10 years I have been attending and how travel practices have altered too, including the perception of Colombia. 

And finally, we start to discuss how the country is opening up further to more intrepid travellers wishing to visit far-off jungle areas the Colombia great plains. Tune in to a great travel episode.

Direct download: RCC_220.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:53pm EDT

It's always important to me to feature local people whenever possible on Colombia Calling and indeed especially those who are giving back to Colombia, so I was particulary happy when I was put in contact with Jose Miguel Jaramillo. Jose is a Bogotano and the brains behind a small, socially aware company called Clark and Rose (www.clarkandrose.co) which makes a variety of stylish leather bags. 

But, aside from these leather bags, perhaps the most important issue is that Jose is employing people from less privileged backgrounds to work in a responsible company. Some of his workers even include former guerrillas from both the ELN and FARC rebel groups. It's all about being socially inclusive, trust and humility. 

Tune in as we talk to Jose about his company, about his plan and also about his other project, Urban Link, where clients can rent store fronts or available "spaces" for short periods of time.

Direct download: RCC_219.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

This week we speak to Briton Jay Speller who moved to Minca, Colombia eight years ago and opened an eco hostel with a capacity of 10 guests. Today, in 2018, the Casa Loma (www.casalomaminca.com) can sleep up to 60 guests between private rooms, cabins, dorms and more and offers vegetarian meals, yoga courses, views to destroy your soul with their beauty and a place in which to disconnect from life as we know it. So, we talk to Jay about how he came to be in Minca and choose this place, how the business has increased and how Colombia has changed.

Direct download: RCC_218.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

It's a pleasure to have academic and University teacher Pete Watson back on the show (see Ep185 Football and Politics in Colombia) and talking about his findings from his time in Colombia in 2017. 

Pete discusses how football projects are building a sense of nationhood, society and identity in Colombia and how the yellow shirt of the Colombian national team is more than just a football kit. 

We talk about the politicization of football language in the speeches of current President Juan Manuel Santos and how the Colombian premier has used football to push ahead with his agenda. 

Tune in for a fascinating and in-depth conversation about the evolution of sport and politics in Colombia.

Direct download: RCC_217.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:03am EDT

Sitting down and chatting with British journalist Matthew Charles is an education and an eye opening experience into the mind of a brave and selfless correspondent who will stop at nothing to get the story out there. Who better to speak to regarding Colombia's current state of malaise than Charles? Having recorded interviews with members of neo paramilitary groups (broadcast on Insight Crime) and then spent more than a week with the ELN guerrillas, Charles can provide us with an invaluable insight into off-limits Colombia and the work, life and times of a serious freelance foreign correspondent. Tune in!

Direct download: RCC_216.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:56am EDT

This week on Colombia Calling we throw you are curve ball and bring on Charles Massey of Ottawa to talk about his experiences in Barranquilla as a volunteer English teacher, but not only do we focus on La Arenosa, but we delve into the world of Bollywood a little too. 

In a fresh and fun episode we are able to broadcast for the first time on Colombia Calling some bollywood songs and they certainly don't disappoint. Tune in and enjoy.

Direct download: RCC_215.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:42pm EDT

Here we are, on Colombia Calling, starting 2018 fresh in mind and ready to take on the world...or at least Colombia in this election year which may be a make or break moment on various fronts for the country. 

After such a long hiatus away from Colombia and back in the UK, I have returned - several kilos heavier - and with the desire to take on even more challenges and best them. so, we discuss the elections, the potential presidential candidates, the problems with Colombia's taxes, some positives from 2017 and much more...oh yes, please check out my new walking tour guidebook to Bogotá entitled: "Bogotá through the Five Senses" available now as an ebook on Amazon.com

Direct download: RCC_214.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:30pm EDT

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