Jericó

Aaron and I love small towns. We love their unique personalities and the ability to feel like we know a few faces and where we are going within a few days. In new countries, we feel like we get a better sense of the traditional culture in more rural areas, too.

Jericó is about 4 hours from Medellin, up in the hills and surrounded by lush jungle forests. Like most South American towns, the town surrounds a central plaza with a handful of gorgeous churches and charming cobblestone streets. Jericó also boasts a riot of colorful homes with wild balconies and doors trimmed out.

We were happy wandering around up the streets, hiring some horses for a ride through a cloud forest, finding a river and hiking up to the Virgin de la peña or up to Cristo de Rez, or up up up. Everything was uphill both ways. Side note – we had a family photo shoot at Cristo de Rez due to an irresistible and extremely energetic budding tour guide. You will see him in this family photo.

Most restaurants here serve only Colombian food (read rice, French fries, and some sort of meat) but what they lack in variety and spice, they make up for in beverages. Fruit juices from fruits we’ve never heard of (Lulu?) and coffee granitas that made me swoon. Cardamom is prolific here and this dear lady makes and sells little chocolate bars with cardamom. (She is single and looking for a “special, judicious and entrepreneurial friend” if anyone out there has matchmaking skills)

Before we indulged in cardamomo chocolate or granitas, we tried to do a look-out hike to earn the calories and the Cerró des Nubes was our favorite. Thanks for the hospitality, Jericó. Next time, Aaron will bring his own mountain bike and I’ll find my way to the coffee place every day!!!