Let me take you on a trip. A trip throughout Colombia, where the only risk you will face is falling in love and wanting to move here.
Lets start with its geographical location. When traveling to Colombia, you are able to experience all types of weathers and sceneries that will leave you speechless. All the way from the Andes Mountains to the Caribbean Sea you will take so many amazing pictures that you'll have trouble choosing which one's you want to frame later, not to mention the flowers you will want to take home with you.
Throughout the trip, you will meet the Colombian people, who's tenderness and smiles will make you feel happy every single day. They don't call it the happiest country in the world for nothing. You'll notice how Colombians are always open to new people and will make you want to dance and have a fun time with them. There will never be a dull moment with a Colombian.
Many people are not willing to go on this trip because of common misconceptions they have about Colombia and the Colombian people. They deny themselves the opportunity to see one of the most magnificent countries the world has. These common stereotypes not only make people afraid of traveling to Colombia, but they also irritate Colombians because we are tired of hearing them over and over again and having to explain how none of it is true.
Here is a list of common stereotypes that Colombians are tired of hearing:
1) Every Colombian is a Cocaine Drug Lord
Not everyone in Colombia sells drugs or does drugs. Its ridiculous to even be explaining this, but many people believe that, because of our country's past, we are all the same. Colombians are not all drug lords, coke heads, coke producers etc. Most Colombians haven't even had cocaine in front of them.
2) All Colombians are related to Pablo Escobar
This man is our worst nightmare. He is the murderer of thousands of people and the cause for Colombia's most violent time. So no, it's not funny when you go up to a Colombian and ask if they are relatives of Pablo Escobar, it may be a joke to you but its painful for us to remember all the harm that this man caused.
3) Columbia
For the last time, "it's Colombia, not Columbia!" Come on guys, its just one letter, it's not that complicated. We are not Columbia University, we are not the District of Columbia, we are a country. Its spelled Colombia with an O!
4) If you go to Colombia, you'll get kidnapped
No! You will not be kidnapped. Don't think that everyone in Colombia is a kidnapper. People in Colombia are kind and welcoming and the biggest risk you will face with them is drinking too much "aguardiente."
5) All Colombians sound the same
Most people don't understand that Colombia is an extremely diverse country. We have cultures within our culture. Every city has a distinct accent, so just because we all speak Spanish it does not mean we talk exactly the same.
These are the five most common misconceptions Colombians deal with everyday. I advise you to forget about these stereotypes, they do not identify Colombia, give it a chance, come on this trip with me and you can see it for yourself.
