Barichara and Panachi: In and around Bucaramanga

On Sunday, my host teacher Sandra, her nephew Diego and Jorge took us to Barichara and Panachi. We left at 4:30 in the morning and started making our way along the long winding road. On our way we stopped at Chifles, a road side restaurant that has specialized in serving truck driver caldo for over thirty years.

Caldo is a delicious soup that had a rich broth with potatoes, cilantro and your choice of eggs or meat. At 6:30 in the morning on a cold and misty morning there is nothing I wanted more. Caldo along with cafe con leche and an arepa is a pretty perfect meal.

We continued on our way and finally arrived in Barichara, a colonial town founded by the Spanish in the mid-1700s after a sighting of the Virgin Mary. The town is lovely - white washed with beautiful views of the Andes Mountains. Throughout the town are artisans who specilize in handcrafted jewelry, ceramics and sculptures made out of stone the color of terra cotta.

After exploring Barichara we drove to Panachi National Park where we, once again, were treated to beautiful views and a delicious meal of mute, another traditional Colombian soup. It was a lovely day.

Apparently goat is a speciality in all things

Lauren, Jorge, me and Diego

The Andes

Me and Diego on a coffee break where he tried to teach me the past tense in Spanish

Sandra my host teacher

At Panachi National Park

The Andes Mountains

Barichara

View from Barichara