You are Cali Cali

“Cali is Cali - the rest is hill” in German "Cali is Cali - the rest is just hills. This song comes from the salsa song "Cali Pachanguero" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhBwGUityKo ) by Grupo Niche, the most famous salsa band from Colombia. In their Lied there is es darum, how sure the Men in Cali das Feiern lieben. And because that’s exactly what it is, it became the City Anthem. The phrase, especially in its short form “Cali is Cali”, is universally important - people say it, sing it and write it in the household. It must be inferred that there is no place like Cali. Those will separate the main city of Colombia from many travelers.

Now well, Cali may not be full of attractions or sights, it is permanently hot and stable here and quite comfortable in many city areas - BUT Cali has a special flair and a friendly energy like no other place. Here is to every day and night salsa in the air and connect the people. Usually it is done: in the supermarket, on the street or at home, without special equipment, simply just out of fun.

Here are some of our crafts - for all those who want a little glimpse into Calis at night (and see us in the tank) https://youtu.be/KRfEfYppyOU

Our stay in Cali couldn't have started any better; Our Couchsurfing Host Damian greeted us with broad greens, a lovely smile and the words “Welcome home”. Damian is a man who radiates so much heat, like a torch. You can do nothing else but feel comfortable in your own right. So it felt like it was really late, like to the House.

After a quiet month in the coffee mountains we were very ready for Calis lasting nights. And after visiting Cali Salsa, Salsa and even more Salsa means, we have visited several courses to be able to so properly dive into the market.

Cali has a quite unique salsa-style: the Caleña Salsa. This style of tan is very fast and has more texture than most other styles. That's why it's slightly sweeter - but also looks cooler. After over 10 hours, at least swimming and researching our super hard workouts, it was then so long; we can tan Salsa Caleña together! Not super professional, but enough not to blame us. And most importantly: it actually makes a lot of fun!

Judging from Salsa, our main activity in Cali was, we often stroll through the city (the colonial downtown is very hip and bustling) and did exactly what people in Cali tend to do; in the afternoon to the river outside and drink a beer. Watch the sunset in the park at night when the burning sun finally disappears, wander to the viewing point, have a good cook and get together, go into Kino and of course tens, tens and tens of thousands.

Around the oyster weekend we wanted to drive in the smaller, 3 hours away to the place called Popayan, known for its especially great oyster processions. Popayan has done a great job, we got a lot of it but not because we both got super high fever and were ready to leave it behind. Our stay there lasted 3 days then a week long because we had no energy.

SPANISH (FAILS) MIT PIPE
When the net man picked up from the hostel, as it's us getting, said Pipi, the optimist wants to translate: “mañana esta mujer” also - Tomorrow is a woman, as opposed to “Mañana esta mejor” - tomorrow get's her best. The man obviously had to latch. Beautifully, Pipi is still so popular even in capsule mode.

Many people leave Cali out of anxiety and lost interest. We were staying and hoping for a rapid view,

Bussi Baba

///

"Cali is Cali - the rest is hill." This quote comes from the salsa song "Cali Pachanguero" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhBwGUityKo ) by Grupo Niche, the most well-known salsa band in Colombia. In the song it is about how much people in Cali love the holidays. And as this is really so, it became the anthem of the city. The quote, especially in its shorter form "Cali is Cali", is ubiquitous: people say it, sing it and write it on the walls of houses. It purports to express that there is no place that resembles Cali. Despite this, Colombia’s third largest city is ignored by many travellers.

Well, Cali may not be full of attractions or places of interest, here it gets hot and boring permanently and in some neighborhoods it is quite dangerous, BUT Cali has a special charm and an infectious energy, like no other place. Here there is salsa in the air at all times, day and night, connecting people. It is danced everywhere: in the supermarket, on the street or at home, for no special reason, simply for joy.

Here are some of our phone recordings for those of you who want to have a little insight into Cali nightlife (and watch us dance hahaha) https://youtu.be/KRfEfYppyOU

Our stay in Cali couldn't have started any better; our Couchsurfing host, Damian, welcomed us with a wide smile, a delicious dinner and the words "Welcome home". Damian is a person who radiates so much joy that you can’t help but feel comfortable in his presence. Therefore, we really felt at home with him in a very short time.

After a quiet month in the coffee area, we were very ready for Cali’s vibrant nightlife. And as going out in Cali means sauce, sauce and more sauce, we diligently attended a course in order to fully immerse ourselves in the action.

Cali even has its own style of sauce: the Caleña Sauce. This form of dancing is very fast and has more steps than most other styles. Therefore, it's harder, but it also looks cooler. After more than 10 hours, sweating to seas and being corrected by our strict teacher, the moment finally came; we can dance salsa caleña together! Not in a very professional way, but enough so as not to embarrass us. And most importantly: it’s a lot of fun!

Besides salsa dancing, which was our main activity in Cali, we often stroll around town (the colonial center is very modern and pretty) and do what people in Cali do; go to the river on the weekends and have a beer. Watching the sunset in the park, walking up to the lookout at night, when the scorching sun finally disappears, cooking a lot and eating together, going to the movies and, as we already said, above all dancing, dancing and dancing.

During Easter weekend we wanted to go to the smaller village, 3 hours away, called Popayán, known for its especially wonderful Easter processions. Popayán looked really charming, but we couldn't experience much of it because we both got sick with high fever and were too exhausted to get out of bed. Our stay there extended from 3 days to a week because we had no power.

LEARN SPANISH WITH PIPI
When the kind hostel man asked how we were, Pipi, the optimist full of conviction, said: "tomorrow this woman", that is, tomorrow she is a woman, instead of "Tomorrow is better" - tomorrow will be better. The man had to laugh quite a bit. It's good that Pipi is still so entertaining even in his deteriorated state.

A lot of people overlook Cali, out of fear and lack of interest. We were loved and hope to return soon.

Besito byebye