Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

Colombia finds herself at a crossroads at the moment as to where directives in the country should focus their efforts in order to best evolve industries here and become a main player on the world stage. The production of medicinal cannabis could well represent a major boom for growers in Colombia and the people at the company BreedCo (www.breedco.com.co) have positioned themselves to become leaders in the market.

This week on Ep314 of the Colombia Calling podcast we discuss the work of BreedCo and their hopes for the future with the company's COO Sebastian Gamez in Cali and board member, Don Bellamy in London.

It's important to note that BreedCo does not produce marijuana for smoking purposes.The medicinal cannabis which they produce is quite different and is based on the strength of CBD (Cannabidiol). CBD works very differently from THC. Compared to THC, it takes about 100 times more CBD to have any impact on cannabinoid receptors, the sites in the body that interact with cannabinoids. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause either intoxication or euphoria. In some ways, CBD seems to have the opposite effect of THC. For instance, while THC tends to increase anxiety, CBD appears to reduce anxiety.

Since CBD is not psychoactive, this makes it an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from pain and other symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or certain pharmaceutical drugs. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.

It’s gaining momentum in the health and wellness world, with some scientific studies confirming it may ease symptoms of ailments like chronic pain and anxiety.

So tune in to hear about how this business set up, why Colombia and what the future holds...

In this week's show, we welcome back Eric Tabone who first joined us back in the early days of the Colombia Calling podcast speaking about his business: Beyond Business English (www.bbelanguages.com).

This week, on Ep313 we share a number of anecdotes from his wedding in Ocana, Norte de Santander and mine in the coastal city of Cartagena. I think that the best advice we can both give you as to how to best survive and enjoy a wedding in Colombia is to expect the unexpected and totally throw yourself into the spirit of the event.

We'd love to hear back from all of you out there about your wedding experiences here in Colombia. I am sure we could collate a great number of hilarious stories.

In the meantime, tune in to this podcast for a humourous look at the wedding extravaganza here.

In Ep312 of the Colombia Calling podcast, location independent professional Jeff Brown revisits us to reflect on his extended travel in the country. In an open discussion, we hear about some advice on where to go, where to avoid and personal insights about poorly managed and favourably managed tourist destination.

Brown discusses his love for Colombia's coffee region and Colombian people and the diversity on places to visit in the country.

As tourism is only going to increase in Colombia, it seems only appropriate to consider thinking about how Colombia could potentially better organize herself in terms of looking within, at some of the unique offerings found at home rather than seeking out western or northern european influences.

Tune in to a fascinating travel-related episode as we approach the annual ANATO travel and tourism fair on Bogotá at the end of February.

In our first political episode for 2020, Colombia Calling is joined by the unnamed creator of www.mikolombia.com a website designed to highlight the stories left uncovered in the mainstream international press. Neither leftwing nor rightwing, Mikolombia is nothing if not controversial, but the idea is, at the very least, to open a debate.

MiKolombia (MiKo) is a loose connection of Colombian and foreign journalists, analysts, misfits and provocateurs who are unhappy with the country’s current course. They feel there is a vast undercurrent of important perspectives that are under-valued or ignored by conventional news media. Their website is a space to heap scorn on, and rail against, the ignorance, greed and corruption that are the sources of Colombia’s problems. Most of these problems are not exclusive to this country and its people, nor are they inevitable. Another country is possible – a Colombia that could and even should be better, even if many Colombians don’t believe it themselves.

Check out the website and write for them if you feel inspired.

Fresh from their December trip to Colombia's Caribbean coast and the Sierra Nevada mountains, women birders, Eliana Ardila (Colombia) and Bryony Angell (USA) join the Colombia Calling podcast to share some of their experiences and feedback and anecdotes about this country's embarrassment of riches when it comes to birdwatching.

Bringing years of experience and enthusiasm, we learn about Ardila's vehicular adventures (see: Birding by Bus) and Angell's reporting for various outlets (see: bryonyangell.com).

Why go birding in Colombia? Colombia is home to more than 1,900 bird species with new birds being identified all the time. That’s almost 20 per cent of the world’s bird species. Bird watchers often make several trips to Colombia, seeking endemic, resident and migratory birds including more than 150 hummingbird species, 200 flycatchers and 140 tanagers in bird sites as diverse as vast tropical rainforests and the high-altitude Andes mountains.

Women Birders: I'll admit that I'm a complete novice to birding and so, this is where I let Angell and Ardila take over and explain the difference between women birders and their preferences and the camaraderie that takes place in what is believed to be a male-dominated field.

Tune in for a fascinating episode

Episode 309 is an entertaining look at the Colombia Calling podcast as Richard McColl moves from being the host to the interviewee and Joseph Czikk takes over.

Long-time listener of the Colombia Calling podcast and self-declared "Colombia Evangelist,"Joseph Czikk made a suggestion over email to me that he be permitted to record a podcast episode with him as the host talking to me and having me reflect on some of the more memorable shows over the years dating back to 2016.

Now, to date I have recorded 308 episodes and some are notably better than others, some are awful and some are average. But, there's a market for all types. And so, we went for it and the result is Ep309.

In order to prepare for this show, Joey requested that I might put together a list of episodes about which we could speak and here's the resulting list - the task was overwhelming and the list became very extended. So, we plunge into the task to reflect and reminisce over past episodes and I think you'll enjoy the end result.

Jim Davies may have the midas touch for storytelling, that or he has an innate ability to find himself in the most peculiar of situations. Revisiting the Colombia Calling podcast - the first time being Ep79 in 204 when he spoke of his friendship with Danya (of secret service fame) and the legendary footballer Tino Asprilla - this time he manages to fit some of the most amusing anecdates, all true, about his life in Cali.

So, rest assured, you'll be laughing out loud at Jim "James el Peligroso's" Davies' tales including falling through a roof, nudity, interpol and yes, my personal favourite a link to the French Foreign Legion. It just goes to show, one good deed...no, you'll have to listen in!

And visit the Cali Curry House for authentic indian cuisine in the barrio San Antonio.