In the dumpster fire that has been 2020, escape is important. I can’t physically travel right now – my normal means of escape – and I certainly don’t advocate chemical escape. So a travel date night is sort of all I have. While A and I are no longer doing these every week, as the world is slightly opening and she has a life outside of me, I still look forward to these from the moment the last one ends and we go to sleep.
This round, we head back to South America, to Colombia. I spent a few days in Bogota about a year before I started The Royal Tour, but that’s my entire exposure. Well, that and watching Narcos.
Remember, this date night is just a suggestion, and you can feel free to modify it to fit your interests, time availability, or anything else. And if you like the idea, check out all of our travel themed date nights here.
Colombian-Themed Date Night
Eat: Ajiaco and Arroz con Leche
One of my best memories from my time in Bogota was a rainy day touring the historic center. Across the street was a demonstration by students in favor of a peace deal with FARC, and inside a small restaurant were bowls of one of the best soups I’ve ever had. Ajiaco is an herbaceous broth (mine was blended with cilantro) thickened with potato, and filled with diced potatoes, avocado, chicken, and corn. I added some pepper jack cheese into my bowl tonight for a bit of fun.
So yummy!
Arroz con leche is basically rice pudding, long grained rice simmered in milk, sugar, and cinnamon. A used oat milk this time, and it was wonderful, not too sweet.
The cinnamon stick got really big, but the dessert tasted amazing.
Learn: Colombia History in 5 Minutes
Another cute animated history of a country, this one was rather short, and jumpy, and didn’t really get much into the modern history. But it was enjoyable.
Explore: Pablo Escobar’s Medellin
Perhaps Colombia’s most infamous citizen, Pablo Escobar ran the Medellin cartel until his death at the hands of Colombian forces, ending a reign of terror. This video tour shows what some of the most iconic spots from his life are like now. I’d definitely want to do a tour like this if I went to Medellin.
This is the private prison Escobar had built for himself.
Watch: Embrace of the Serpent
This Academy Award-winning Colombian film is a mostly true story about two foreigners who, thirty years apart, use the same native guide in the Amazon in search of sacred plants. It’s black and white, with English subtitles, and while parts were a bit overacted, it kept my attention. Plus I love the showcase of native traditions. It’s on Vudu with ads, but for free.
Solid film
Read: A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
Before I went to Colombia, I read One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombia’s most famous writer and one of the most widely read authors to publish in Spanish. This is one of his short stories. It’s a bit sad, but beautifully written and translated.
So that was our Colombian date night. I hope it inspires you to do your own. If so, please let me know!
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