spicy carrots

colombia part ii - zona cafetera

Dropping down a few thousand feet to the fertile volcanic soils prime for coffee production, we reach the Zona Cafetera. Colombia, along with most coffee producing nations, exports nearly 100% of its best beans. Nearly all the coffee available within the country is instant coffee, save a few Starbucks-esque chains which serve a decent but nothing special cup of drip. Frustrated with the coffee quality, we went right to the source and demanded that they roast and serve us their beans. By demanded I mean took a tour of a coffee plantation which came with a free cup of the good stuff, and a relaxing day at the pool outside of the city. First stop, Manizales, a city on top of a hill:















Next stop, former home of the infamous Pablo Escobar and epicenter of the cocaine business, Medellín. A beautiful, organized city with great people and no trace of the violent past.