Cheesy Fish and Pink Panthers in Guatape, Colombia

After climbing all 740 steps of “La Piedra”, my stomach was begging for a reward. I never ignore my stomach, and was eager to check out the popular town of Guatape (GuataPE as you may recall), so I hopped in a cab at the base of the rock and continued down the road…

You can’t help but smile upon entering the shoreline streets of Guatape.

The brilliant colors of the houses make the streets of Bogota look like one of those black and white photos that someone applied water colored pink to the subject’s cheeks.Street vendors with sweets and trinkets line the sidewalk, boats line the docks with dance music beckoning visitors to catch the next trip around the reservoir, and the houses compliment all of this with a brilliant backdrop of colors that make the whole place feel like a carnival. Guatape is famous for the carved tiles that border the base of most structures, adding even more flavor to the scene with artistic depictions of what the shop sells, or of the resident’s religious beliefs, or a celebration of the local culture. Every string of tiles is a different story and its hard to avoid distraction  as you follow along — there’s still traffic on those streets, remember!

As much as I immediately loved the vibe of Guatape, I NEEDED FOOD. The first man to approach me with a menu in hand and a spiel at the ready was likely accustomed to distracted visitors who walk off without acknowledging him. Lucky day for him as I immediately took the menu and sat down at his nearest table. He looked so proud when informing his father that he had a customer.

Good work buddy, but I was a sure thing. 

I recognized the section for “pescado” (fish) and picked a random option — somewhere in the middle of the shortest and lengthiest descriptions.

What I got, was this…

Fried fish with loads of cheese… probably my two favorite things in this world.

AND This…

French fries, side salad, and a fried plantain. Because obviously I’d still be hungry after the five pounds of cheesy fish…

This is one of the most exhausting meals I’ve ever happily demolished. But hey, I had just walked all those steps — surely the calories were already canceled out. Yep, I’m going with that.

Continuing on down the road after lunch (much slower than before) revealed the increasing cuteness of the town as I made my way up winding streets, towards the center. Women stood atop their pink and orange balconies, hanging the laundry for the day and shop keepers leaned against blue and green doorways, smiling at passerbys. Guatape radiated happiness and it was one of those brief moments where I kind of wished someone was travelling with me to share in my “Oh my God, I want THIS house!” moment…

Pink Panther House… someday, I will live in you, and I will never stop smiling.

But pictures will have to do for sharing. This whole solo travel thing makes pictures pretty imperative. I walked (skipped) the streets of Guatape on my own, but now you can take the walk with me! Enjoy…

Steps to a cloudless sky…

Is it a courtyard? A playground? Heaven?

Lovely stroll, wasn’t it? And you thought Colombia was “scary”, didn’t you? How can a place that appreciates pink panthers and cheesy fish be scary?? Truly, despite my brief beef with Bogota, I’m falling in love with this country. Hopefully, through my continued adventures and stories about delightful little towns like this one, you will to.