Evidence: My view on Colombia / Evidencia: Como

veo a Colombia
 In its vast territory there are five natural regions: the Caribbean, the Pacific, the
Llanos, the Andes and the Amazon, and each inhabits different peoples and
communities with their own characteristics. Can you imagine the amount of traditions
in terms of music, gastronomy, worldview and celebrations? They are innumerable,
but there are certain customs that are common to almost all Colombians and here
we tell them

 Here you have coffee everywhere and at all times?

When I say "everywhere" I mean that wherever you go, someone always comes and
offers you a cup of black coffee. Breakfast, mid-morning, in the street for a thousand
pesos, after lunch, in a work meeting, in an outing with friends ... In Colombia you
drink coffee and this is not surprising for those who know that this country is the
fourth producer of coffee in the world and that takes the first place when we speak
of the softness of the grain.
Of course, do not expect any coffee you drink here to be a delight for the sense of
taste; the best thing is that you look for coffee shops or brands specialized in offering
organic products, grown by coffee communities that guarantee an exquisite and
unique flavor.

 Surely you have heard about chicha? in different countries of Central and South
America, since chicha is a beverage that is prepared based on the fermentation of
different grains, cereals or tubers in the region.

 Is there something to celebrate? Let it be with rumba! Any reason is good to meet
with family and friends, drink some aguardienticos and dance until dawn. To those
who do not know what aguardiente is (also called aguardientico by Colombians who
are very fond of it), it is an anise liqueur that is very consumed throughout Colombia,
which is served in small shots and accompanied by a glass of ice water. if the first
drinks are very strong; because those who follow already do not feel. The desire to
take it increases when rumba music begins to play, which usually rotates between
salsa, reggaetón, vallenato, cumbia or any other Caribbean rhythm, which
accompanies any moment of celebration. So, tropical dance + brandy?

 Here, Christmas is a serious thing

Let's start because from December 16 all the houses, offices, housing complexes,
parks and public squares, shopping centers and even local airports, build their crib
and start the celebration of the ninth. Do not I tell you that everything is celebrated?
Well, that Christmas custom of remembering the nine days of crossing of Mary and
Joseph before the birth of Jesus (or Child God in Colombian), here is accompanied
by custard and buñuelos (two typical dishes of this time), carols sung with
tambourines and maracas, family reunions and, on the days when the weekend falls,
it does not hurt a rumbita with aguardiente. Another of the peculiarities of Colombia,
which we hope will remain in the midst of so much Santa Claus and winter manger,
is that the gifts are brought by the Child God and the little ones await him anxiously
 at midnight on December 24th. In addition, the cities light impressive lighting with
different reasons and even compete for prizes which has made them a highly
acclaimed tourist attraction.

 This year the family outing is ... to a farm! The best plan for Colombian families is to
take advantage of the holidays to escape to the countryside, rent a farm with a pool
on hot land and spend endless hours there in the middle of games and abundant
meals. Of course, there are some regions where the weather does not look like a
swimming pool, but as long as there is a river nearby, a theme park or punctual
activities such as eating delicious, going out on the street or riding a horse, it is
enough to make the trip a success. And the more people in the family go better,
especially if it's the Christmas season and they'll read the novena together, play the
secret friend so they do not have to give so many people a gift and cook a dinner full
of different dishes.

 Is there a day when thousands of candles are lit? Although it is secular by

constitution, Colombia is a very Catholic country in practice and many of its
celebrations revolve around these beliefs, so the Day of the Velitas the whole country
is illuminated in homage to the immaculate conception. The celebration begins at
7:00 pm on December 7 and ends at dawn on December 8, hours during which in all
neighborhoods, groups, parks, streets ... (almost as in the ninth), lights are lit and
lanterns and people take to the streets to share these moving moments, participate
in group prayers or take pictures in the most beautiful settings. Somehow this day
marks the beginning of the Christmas season and, of course, many celebrate the
event with a good party.

 More Colombian than arepa? Suddenly the vallenato ... This musical genre of the
Colombian Atlantic Coast, played with accordion, guacharaca and vallenata box,
was born more than 200 years ago in the livestock areas with the desire to tell stories
and accompany the field work. Centuries later, the vallenato has moved away from
its anecdotal nature, but it maintains the same instruments that now what they are
looking for is for the rumba to be lit where they are played. Although in Colombia the
vallenato not only sounds in the rumbas; also in the buses, the commercial premises,
the novels, the publicity and even in some funerals.