Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

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

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