The only thing I had heard about Cali before I arrived is that it is the Colombian Capitol of Salsa. Even my travel guide has little to say about Colombia’s third largest city beyond its dancing and party culture. And yes, the salsa was impressive. Over my month in Colombia I had a few opportunities to witness salsa and give it a whirl myself. Although not necessarily successful I loved nearly every awkward, exhilarating and fun minute of it. Cali was the perfect place to round off everything I had learned, and inevitably shame myself on the dance floor. Unfortunately my final night in Cali left me asking whether salsa is somewhat tied up in misogyny… I don’t think it is; I’m sure there are arseholes represented in every dance style. No longer in Colombia, I have sworn I will return and brush up on my footwork; so people might want to dance with me for a reason other than my gringa novelty.

So aside from salsa, what does Cali have to offer? Gentle rain started one afternoon during my stay and thunder rumbled softly in the distance, I decided to whack on my trainers and have an explore. My run took me to a hilly park close to my hostel. Despite the less than perfect weather, groups of families and friends gathered in the park eating, drinking and laughing. Past the park I made my way alongside a highway, hoping for a good view over the city. Having not found my view and with the thunder sounding closer I headed back to the park. En-route I stopped to check out a charmingly proportioned nativity scene at the side of the road, complete with palm trees, crocodiles, giant lambs and a few dogs.

Entering the park again I headed upwards towards the little church which sits on top of the hill. On my way I managed to take a tumble and graze my knee so that it was bleeding a little profusely. I totally kept my cool though, I don’t think anyone even noticed; like a little dance move in itself I was on my feet again in no time and striding up the hill. In front of the church was the busiest part of the park. A couple sheltered under an umbrella, admiring the city view and the dramatic sky; a group were practicing ariel acrobatics from huge ribbons hanging from a tree; and street food stalls were selling a selection of classic deep fried Colombian favourites. There was a really nice community vibe in the park and I took a few moments to rest and breath it in. Until people started staring at the white girl with the bloody knee (I think Cali is the stary-est place I visited in Colombia).

Something I haven’t reported on much in my blog is the beautiful and striking street art in Colombia. I decided to try and find some good examples for a pic before returning to the hostel. After a couple of minutes I found a wall with a variety of pieces. Unfortunately not up to the impressive and often political standards I have seen in other cities, particularly Bogota, I snapped a pic of this snake, eating ‘somos’; ‘we are’. The trickles of blood were sneaking down my leg towards my trainers now so I turned back and was under cover in the hostel before the heavens opened with full force.