An imaginary place where everything is pleasant or perfect in a way that is impossible to achieve in real life....
El Rio...the neverland of my heart and soul. A very special place nestled in the northern jungle of Colombia.
If there is one thing you must know about what I am about to share, is that you can read the words on the page but this place is something you must experience for yourself. Everyone has their own story, and this is mine for El Rio.
The magic begins the moment you set foot on the dirt track that runs along the river to El Rio. The air is filled with sounds that tingle in your soul. The wild animals playing all around you, breeze that dances in the trees, smells of wild fruit, and a flowing river that is so fresh and inviting...you literally can't wait to take your clothes off and jump in. You smile and go forward. There is music, smiling faces, welcoming hearts and so much animal love the moment you arrive, and you think to yourself....is this place real or am I dreaming. Luckily for you...this is real living, and your in for one hell of a journey.
You become detached from the world you knew and start experiencing the world that surrounds you. Jungle, river, wildlife, so much colorful nature, music, beautiful people, the simple life. You learn to love living with nothing, and begin to look inside yourself and realize the many talents and skills you possess. Giving back to those around you and learning new skills from people around the world.
Fall in love with yourself more each day, and without fear express who you truly are to your new friends/family. You live, work and play together. Always laughing and hoping to make someone smile. Whether it's your cooking, terrible jokes, hugs, or epic dance moves...you know your appreciated and inspire someone to never grow up.
El Rio is not just a magical place because of the location and people that created it, the magic is also felt outside of it. El Rio is set in the jungle just off a town called Buritaca. Local Colombian community, and from here you can reach so many other surreal locations. You head to the Guajira (desert) where the journey is long and tiring but the wonder of this place makes you blink twice. Spending days swimming in the calm colorful waters of the northern point of South America, eating wicked good sea food, and sweating more than necessary in the hot dry desert sun. Nights in the desert are so calm and cool, you are blessed to witness such a starry sky, it just goes on forever.
Desert not for you, that's ok there is the national park Tayrona. Spend your day hiking through ruins, playing in the clear cool waters, cracking open coconuts on the beach and nights nestled in a hammock, nose in a book.
Just further south of Buritaca you will find Taganga. A place to dance and dive your face off. A small beach bum town with prime location for daily trips to the ocean for scuba diving. Not certified as a diver, well than your in luck, Taganga has numerous shops waiting to help you experience the wonder that is below the ocean surface. Just a few days and at a low price you will be open water certified in no time. Your journey to loving the open ocean will change you forever. And finally the people, get connected with the people. Venture out to hostels along the beach, meet fellow travelers, make new friends and do weird wild things. Go to the full moon parties, dance with your new loves, roll in the sand and stay awake till the sunrise greets you with colors that paint the horizon.
Go to Colombia, go to El Rio, do it because you want to feel something so real you can't begin to describe it.
Get naked, dance under the stars, witness the magic that is the Sierra Nevada, and remember the colors that fill the skyline in one hell of a sunrise.
One love ❤ Colombia!!
Be Inspired!!