Located in the warmer climates of the Valle del Cauca department in the west of Colombia, is Cali, serenely surrounded by miles of sugar cane plantations, and sweeping landscapes. A contrast to the inner city itself which pulsates a unique and sassy energy. The energy of ‘fiesta’ and homegrown Salsa!
During my four days in Cali I was royally spoilt by the kindness of the locals, who were more than ready to show the jewels of the city and lead me through some of Cali’s exciting activities readily available,
My first activity on the list….dance classes!
During a regular warm Cali morning we went to one of the cities classic dance schools – Rucafe, (although the city counts with hundreds of options offering expert trainers and lessons).
Our two instructors, a professional dancing couple, talked me through the basic steps of salsa in a large spacious room with a wall of mirrors, (I felt like I should have brought my leg warmers and neon tights!). We practiced our moves with a partner to a typical and very catchy salsa song from Cali which funnily enough sings “Cali” in the chorus. After an hours class I was ready to party and show off some of my new moves, however our instructors instead cooled me down in their downstairs bar with a refreshing non- alcoholic drink called Cholado, made with crushed ice chopped fresh fruit, added flavors with some condensed milk.
Although my recent dreams of my own potential career in Salsa dancing had already began to fade, I was luckily able to see one of Cali’s most important events the very next day – the World Salsa Championships which happened to be in full swing during my stay. Professional salsa groups from all over had come to compete against each other in what was to be an incredible show down. As we settled into our seats on the final night of the competition I watched each team perform with extreme passion and energy.
The brightly and skimpy clad costumes on the dancers dazzled and whizzed colors of rainbows as they fiercely moved their bodies in time to the beat, legs stepped perfectly in sync with each other and woman were thrown under legs, over shoulders and around waists!
It was no wonder that later in the night, after being inspired by the nights competitions (and earlier dance classes), that a visit to a popular dance club in the city brought plenty of fun filled dancing and energy!
For a break from all the salsa, I took with my local hosts a day trip out to the countryside to learn a little more about the department’s main economy, history and see its spectacular landscapes.
With ideal weather climates, the Valle del Cauca department has been the countries leaders in sugar cane production. Sugar cane plantation houses from years gone by still stand and a visit to a couple of them can not be missed!
At first I went to the Hacienda Piedichenche. Flowing creeks and built in water ways flowed around the grounds, which created a relaxing and tranquil environment. Soft breezes passed through the large trees that dotted the plantation, and beautiful gardens surrounded the plantation houses and water mill. I took a tour of the Haciendas museum; consisting of seeing the perfectly in tact living quarters of the hacienda, almost as if the family that has once lived there so many years ago had picked up and left for a holiday and never come back.
Afterwards as the sun was setting, we took a stroll around the Hacienda Paraiso, another old Plantation house which is adorned in roses, and the main setting for the novel ‘Maria’.
During the full four days in Cali I also happened to grow a couple of belt buckles despite all the dancing and walking through sugar plantations as the gastronomic selections in Cali is some of the best in the country. A visit to the classic neighborhoods of Zona Rosa and Granada will bring you plenty of opportunities for incredible dinning, party and shopping experiences. In more than one restaurant I was able to taste a variety of exquisite typical dishes such as an incredible Sancocho – a typical soup like dish washed down with a Lulada a drink made with Lulo; an exotic fruit found in Colombia and mixed with no doubt some locally grown sugar.
For some time out a relaxing stroll along the river Cali was just what I needed, in the warm balmy weather under the shady trees and with the sound of the water passing over the rocky river bed, I reflected back on my short yet fulfilled four days in Cali and began thinking about when I could possibly return! Perhaps for the infamous Cali Fair this December….?
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Muchas gracias!
