Stop Wondering and Start Wandering In Columbia

How a drug lord grew a country.

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

Imagine . . .

You look out your window, past the gardener, who is busily planting beautiful flowers and bushes. Lemon, cherry and fig trees abound amidst the splendor of gardenias, hibiscus, and hollyhocks.

The sky is blue. The sea is blue and sparkling with sunlight. Dolphins jump out of the water periodically.

You notice a lot of folks at the beach enjoying the beautiful day. You can hear the children laughing and having a good time.

A gentle breeze comes drifting in from the ocean, clean and refreshing, as your maid brings you breakfast.

You think you may have died and gone to heaven, but no this paradise is real and affordable.

The place I am referring to is Colombia, South America. It sounds a little dangerous and a little mysterious. But after one visit you’ll remember a country with dramatic Andean peaks and valleys, beautiful views and the best weather.

You’ll remember the images of beautiful colonial cities rich in culture with long beautiful beaches.

Columbia is located at the northern tip of South America where the Pacific and Caribbean collide with the Andes and the Amazon. A place that is more beautiful, dramatic and diverse than nearly any other. From the colonial cities in the highlands to the world-famous resorts near the Caribbean.

And the cost of living is the lowest anywhere in South America.

Robin Hood or Killer Druglord

Pablo Escobar was a Colombian druglord and leader of the Medellín Cartel which at one point controlled as much as 80% of the international cocaine trade. He is famous for waging war against the Colombian government in his campaign to outlaw extradition of criminals to the United States and ordering the assassination of countless individuals, including police officers, journalists, and high ranking officials and politicians.

He is also well known for investing large sums of his fortune in charitable public works, including the construction of schools, sports fields and housing developments for the urban poor. While U.S. and…