Back to South America I Happily Go

In 12 hours, I will be pulling up to DCA in a taxi, ready to take on my next big adventure. I am tremendously excited to be going back to South America tomorrow. Colombia to be exact. A country that fascinates me in more ways than one. I'm not sure if there is really a true pattern to my traveling, because countries are often selected based on the best airfare deal to be had, but I have a strong desire to visit, photograph, eat and see countries that are not on the average American's checklist, are seen as a tad bit dangerous, are full of natural beauty and, last but not least, have the ability to provide for endless delicious meals. Colombia definitely fits that bill - bring it on!

Food grabs the first focus of this trip, especially since I'll be traveling with my good friend, amateur chef and food blogger Dan Tompkins (aka Kitchen Geeking). I've written on WeLoveDC.com a few times about our epic local food journies and we also have a history of tasting the best ethnic food each city around the US has to offer when we traveled domestically. But this time, for the first time ever, we get to take our culinary foodventure abroad. It is not by chance that we chose a Latin country, the home of the empanada. Empanadas, arepas, platanos...I am so hungry I can't stand it. We are happily joined by my quickly-becoming-an-ethnic-foodie-and-lover-of-plantains girlfriend Danielle as well as Dan's fellow foodie friend Stephanie (who Dan refers to as #TheQuietOne). Nobody is going hungry on this trip, that is for sure.

True to style, only the infrastructure for the trip is already planned and reserved. The details and internal travels are yet to be solidified and will be based on some great local advice as well as anyone we happen to have a conversation with on the street or in a bar. Or more likely, in a restauarant (or food cart?). While my Spanish is nowhere near what I want it to be, I have a feeling I'm the translator for this trip. Let me apologize in advance, Colombia - please bear with me.

We fly to the cosmopolitan capital of Bogota tomorrow (via Miami) and have reserved 4 nights in a super fancy hotel which happened to be super cheap because of hotel points. It's supposedly one of the best in Colombia so I'll be traveling just slightly differently from my previous South American adventure in which I slept on concrete beds in 100 degree hostels that only had cold water. But regardless of 0 star hotels or 5 star hotels, my goal of experiencing the culture, food, people and sights of the country will absolutely be realized. It just may be in comfort this time, that's all. After Bogota, we hope to get flights to Cartagena on the coast to enjoy a historic colonial town and a little white sand beach time. A lot of delicious fun awaits and you can bet there will be something new on the menu at Pound in the coming months!

Well, packing is calling. I've got the iPad with me on this trip so chances are good that pictures and blog posts will be frequent. Adios.

Karl