January 2023
Love and Surprises in Colombia

Dear Journal,

I’m excited to share my journey to Colombia for New Year’s Eve. Beyond escaping the cold Connecticut winter, this trip was a whirlwind of love and adventure. Join me as I recount the highs and lows of traveling with friends, a surprising twist involving a potential new spouse, and navigating turmoil in love abroad.

Setting Off on an Adventure

My journey to Colombia began with a mix of excitement and bittersweet goodbyes. Leaving behind the chilly Connecticut winter. The night before my departure, I booked a hotel by the airport where Eve and I spent our last night together. I set the mood with candles and a touch of playful lingerie, making our farewell the next morning particularly hard. Morning came too soon, and Eve brought me to the airport, ensuring I had everything I needed. Saying goodbye was tough, but Eve’s support and understanding made our farewell easier to bear.

Even with my sadness, there was still excitement.  I knew Colombia awaited with its promise of adventure and warmer weather.

Why Colombia?

Colombia had been calling me for a while. Beyond my desire to learn and practice Spanish, I sought a break from the winter blues. As someone who chases warmer climates to escape harsh Connecticut winters, Colombia offered me an opportunity to not only improve my language skills but also explore its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. Having previously spent time in places like Florida and South Africa, Colombia was the next step in my journey of personal discovery and seasonal exploration. 

Originally, I had planned to go with my sister Andrea, but those plans fell through. During a trip to Aruba in September, I connected with Shawna, who had recently been to Colombia and raved about Medellin. While I’m a beach lover and initially favored Santa Marta, Shawna’s enthusiasm for Medellin convinced me otherwise. Plus, Shawna had just ended a relationship and was eager to enjoy Colombia as two independent women exploring and embracing the single life. Joining us later was our friend Laura, who managed to carve out vacation time to join our adventure. Like me, Laura is a beach enthusiast, making her a perfect fit for our plans for both city and beach time.

Surprises and Setbacks

Yay! We landed, and we’re here, excited to start our Hot Single Girls Colombia trip! Originally planning to stay in Medellin for New Year’s Eve and beyond, we faced an unexpected setback with our Airbnb. Unfortunately, our initial excitement turned sour as soon as we entered the Airbnb. The stench of mildew was overwhelming, making the place nearly unbearable. We immediately contacted Airbnb for assistance, which proved to be a lengthy, few-days-long process. Despite the challenges, I was persistent in negotiating with Airbnb to secure a $1000 compensation coupon. Our initial plan was to stay in Medellin for about two and a half months, but the setback with our accommodation prompted us to consider other options. We entertained the idea of relocating to a different city or country midway through our trip, depending on how things unfolded.

New Year’s Eve Antics

On New Year’s Eve, the weather took an unexpected turn with rain, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. The day kicked off with Shawna suggesting a visit to Parque Envigado for lunch. She was excited to guide us to a great spot to eat, and I was eager to fill my stomach before the night’s festivities.

As we walked around, the pressure of time weighed on me, knowing we needed to eat before preparing for the evening’s celebrations. Shawna was preoccupied on a phone call, not fully engaged, while I spotted what looked like delicious Colombian home-cooked food nearby—rice, beans, salad, and steak. Laura and I decided to check it out, hoping to grab some coffee for Laura. When Shawna joined us, she saw fried chicken and fries and quickly dismissed it as unhealthy. In my defense of the local food, I retorted, “Don’t dismiss people’s culture as unhealthy.” This sparked a heated argument between us. From Shawna’s perspective, she saw fried chicken and fries, which she deemed too heavy. On the other hand, I saw traditional Colombian home-cooked food—rice, beans, and salad—which I considered wholesome and delicious. We weren’t looking at the same dishes, or all the dishes. The misunderstanding led to a tense moment.

After the disagreement, we headed back to our Airbnb to get ready before heading out to celebrate. Despite the hiccup and the weather, the evening unfolded magically as we joined locals and fellow travelers on a hotel rooftop, toasting to new beginnings against the backdrop of the city’s fireworks shows all around.

A Chance Encounter

Navigating Relationships Abroad

Beyond the NYE celebrations, my time in Colombia was marked by some serious relationship ups and downs with Eve. Despite our deep emotional connection, things got complicated as our desires started to diverge. At the beginning, I made it clear where I stood, and Eve was incredibly supportive and understanding. But over time, things changed. That emotional conversation I mentioned in my last journal entry really brought to light that Eve was looking for a more serious commitment, while I was focused on a place of casual dating and personal growth. Yes, I had strong feelings for her, but I also had strong feelings for my ex and look where that ended up. I wanted to take things slow, I wanted to learn to trust myself, and my feelings again. This difference led to some intense discussions, especially as Eve struggled with my preference to keep things more open, just like I had talked about not even two months before. I felt torn and unsure of what to do—on one hand, I didn’t want to hurt Eve, who meant a lot to me, but on the other, I needed to stay true to my own feelings and ambitions of taking things slow and exploring my options before committing to something serious.

Lessons Learned

Ever wanted to travel with friends, and not sure if you could? My next entry digs more into it. Traveling with friends always brings unexpected challenges and joys. From navigating cultural differences in cuisine to overcoming last-minute accommodation issues, each day presented new opportunities for growth and discovery. 

Exploring Santa Marta

With the Airbnb disaster, we saw it as a chance to say goodbye to Medellin and headed to Santa Marta for a week — a coastal gem known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back vibe. After a chilly and rainy few days in Medellin, our time there was a much-needed break. We spent lazy days lounging on the sand, exploring local markets, and enjoying fresh seafood. It provided the perfect contrast to our lively New Year’s Eve in Medellin, allowing us to unwind and appreciate the natural beauty of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

Want to learn more about Colombia’s Beaches. Make sure to subscribe to my email list to be notified of upcoming blogs! 

Have you traveled with friends before? What has been your experience in traveling with friends?  Tell me in the comments below!