In Colombia, the train is sporty. And when there are no trains in the Andes, it's scary. Hang on as best you can. In Colombia, even on the paradise side, there are always surprises. Small ones. There are things that sting. No. Yes. And big ones. Like an entire neighborhood dedicated to the glory of drug lord Pablo Escobar. It's incredible. I admit that I didn't expect that. Here, trains sometimes mistake themselves for elevators. Colombian. So, to go very, very high in the hearts of Colombians. The train isn't bad. For a long time, something has been telling me to go take the train to Colombia. And it's a funny idea, because most Colombians will tell you, here, it's the land of buses, cars and cows, but not trains. And yet, if you look closely, somewhere in the Colombian countryside, like here in the remote region of Antioquia, when you look from above, you see rails. And who says rail, says that there are perhaps a few little nuggets in the sector, a few trains, unlike any other. Ooh there! Ooh there! Good morning. Good morning. Can I come there? Yes, of course, settle down. Are there trains passing here? Trains ? No no no. No, we haven't seen trains here for a long time. What amazes me is that it makes you laugh. Why do you laugh when I tell you there's a train passing? It makes me laugh because it's not a train. It's a slightly strange machine, different from the train, which allows us to travel. There are no more trains here anyway . And no, it's not a train. He's a little late now, but he should arrive in 4 to 5 minutes, I think. There is no set time, so we wait. Must wait. Ah, he's trying something on me. That's it ? Yes yes. It is ? It looks more like a gas mower arriving. And here is our train. That's it. That's crazy. That's crazy. Nowhere, nowhere, have I seen this. Nowhere in the world. It's our means of transportation. Here, it allows us to go from the farms to the city and it serves all the villages. Wait, I can't believe it. And what is this machine called? Here, we call them motomessas. As there are no more trains on these tracks, the local people had the idea of ​​making this funny machine. And it's very useful for us country people. It allows us to move around. But then wait, because it's huge. It's a motorcycle. It is a motorcycle which is placed on a board and which pushes the board. That's it ? Exactly. The motorcycle pushes the board. It's a local invention. You know, if we manage, it's our D system. What I love is the mechanism. Because if you lean over, it's the tire that sticks to the rail. But then what I don't understand is how she holds the bike. Wait, I'll show you. There, look, there is a hooking system. Oh yes, it's attached there, okay, OK. In fact, there is a scrap metal rod to securely hook the motorcycle to the board and prevent any skidding. And there is also a stick there. The stick allows the steering wheel of the motorcycle to remain straight and fixed. And under the board, you can't see them well, but I added ball bearings so that the board remains firmly fixed on the rail. It's very simple, but it works. Okay, let's go. So here I am, off aboard this strange machine, half-train, half-motorcycle, on a disused track. So, the big advantage, which we don't think about before, is that there is air. Like it It's super hot. It feels good. On the outdoor side, it's good, but on the safety side, we're a bit in the void. There is not much security. And sometimes it could go off the rails. Oh, is it? But it's cool. We are in the open air and we can look at the landscape. Why do you use this machine, the motomeza? Why don't you go by bus or car? I love it. Because here, it's the only mode of transport. You know, we don't have a bus. So, I use it to go to work or see my family. The motorbike, but that's very practical. How long does the journey take? About an hour. But when you arrived, did you hear anything again? It's just a quesiton of habit. Ok. That means there is one that grows by hand. It's There's a gondolier of rails. But how are we going to do it? We can't double it. We're going to stop. He stops. We'll help him take off his board. And like that, we can move on. This thing is heavy. But no, it weighs nothing. Come on, let's put it there. How are you ? And why are you all alone there, on the rails, carrying your container? Why do you use this machine? I'm carrying a container of drinking water for a lady who lives further away. I'm a delivery guy, so I deliver it. Okay, you're a water delivery man. Yes, you know, I have nothing. I have no animals, no cart, no car. I just have my board and I deliver for a few pesos. And everyone can therefore use this railway as they wish to transport what they need. Yes, it is very popular. Because it costs nothing. The board is the poor man's car. I prefer to ride early in the morning or late in the evening, because there is less traffic. And as a result, it saves me from having to take my board off every time I come across a motomesa. Yes, since in fact you don't have priority there , obviously. You are obliged to remove the fuse, I don't know what to call it, the raft, with each motomeza that passes. Yes that's it. As I am the lightest, I give priority to others. Good luck. Gracias. Bye. And then we will help you. We go by and then we help him afterwards. Yes of course. There's one across the street, it's dangerous. But no, no. Calm down, calm down. Quiet, we can't unscramble them. They just stop, he snaps. Don't worry, we don't have the ending, but it still turns out well. It stops right at 5 cm. We feel that they have a job. So there's a traffic jam. There are one, two, three, four, five motomezas. It's rush hour. There are still more coming. It's sport. Yeah, you saw, I have muscle. That's from lifting the motomessas, but my back also hurts. For my first Colombian train, I'm really not disappointed. Here, the trains are a bit like motorcycles like no other. I'm heading deeper into the Colombian countryside and what I'm itching to do now is to go a little further, to see what life is like in the mountains, where nature seems more exuberant. Here I am in Rardine, an adorable little town with colorful houses that has kept its colonial style. But to really appreciate Rardine, you better spend the night there and get up very early. One of my favorite moments in Colombia is this. Actually, it's a little early. It's morning around 6:00, because we get up early in Colombia, we get up with the sun. And so it's on the village square. Everyone comes to drink coffee. A Colombian coffee, obviously. And I don't know, there's a good atmosphere. We just feel good. Often, these are people who are there before leaving to work in the fields. Mario, come here. Mario. Mario, ready. Whoa, whoa. Buenos dias. Where are you going ? We're going to the banana field. And can I go with you? Yeah, yeah, come on, let's go up. Ok. Yeah, come on, let's go upstairs. There is ambiance. There's a little space. There ? Lets' go. What's your name ? Philip. Philip. Philip. Here I am in good company in a Jeep which picks up agricultural workers from a banana plantation every morning. The plantation is located an hour away, an hour's drive, in the land of bananas and coffee, on rutted paths, which never stops you from laughing. Are we getting there? We arrive at the Banana Farm. Come down? Yes yes. Come down, we have to go to work. The banana doesn't wait. Are the bananas planted there, on the slope, there? Yes, planted bananas and coffee. Why do we plant bananas in such a place? Because it's completely... It's extremely difficult to access. For what ? Because here, the climate is very good and as a result, the land here is very fertile. It's crazy, honestly, it's crazy. Because these are plantations on steep slopes. This is the relief of the region. It's very mountainous. It's like that. We adapt ? Not Is it true, guys? Yes, the slope is steep and as a result, the water does not stagnate in the earth. With the heat, it makes the land much more fertile for agriculture. Hey, what an incredible place. And frankly, I could never have imagined that bananas were grown in a place like this. And your plantations, is that the one? Is that the one that goes downstairs? No, our plantations are on the other side of the valley, right over there. On the other side. You mean across the way over there? Yes, yes, on the other side. But then, why did we come here? Why didn't we go to the other side by car? Because there is no road, no car to go to the farm. You have to go there on foot. Okay, so we're going to have to go down there. All the way down and all up again, but it will take two hours. But otherwise, there is another, more comfortable way. These are the garouchas. But sometimes there are people who are afraid to get in it. It depends on you if you are brave or not. It’s true that it’s not for everyone. If you're afraid of heights, this isn't for you because it's high. Very high. If you prefer to walk, listen, you'll have several hours while with a garoutcha, it's three minutes. Where are the garouchas? It is over there. Come on, let's see if you're afraid. That's our system. Do you see the cables? Wait, I don't believe that. Will we have to get in there? No, this one, it's for goods, to transport bananas. She's not very sure. For passengers, we'll take the one next door, on these cables. We'll bring her in. There's just a little bit of altitude, but you won't be afraid. Come on, let's call him. We'll call him. Ring the bell, you. Yes, the doorbell. It's this stone, it's homemade. Is that the remote control? Yes totally. It's a very sophisticated system. And who is listening to the sound of the stone on the other side? How it works ? It's Gustavo, the owner of the farm. Gustavo is pending. It waits and as soon as you hit, the sound follows the cables. And Gustavo hears the sound of the stone. So he starts the engine and sends the Garrucha. All right. So we're going to get in there. Don't worry too much. The first time I was told I was going to go in there, I almost pissed myself. And there you have it, your car has arrived. And maybe this is my last vehicle. But no, don't say stupid things. Go up instead. It's your first time. Come on, get in. Good. Okay, come on. It moves. It moves. It moves. A little, it moves a little. You are scared. In fact, it's true that we're afraid because I feel a bit like seagulls in my hands. It will be worse when we are in the middle of the cable. You will be wet all over. We're not going to think too much. Here we go ? Here, they say that if you are afraid, in a garrucha, you can only hold on to your hair. Actually, I'm a little scared. Here we go. Here we go, let's go. He scares me. Calm. Look at the landscape, it’s beautiful. That's not our thing. It's my natural observatory. It's beautiful, but a cake to finish. It shakes, it moves. You don't have to think. The good thing is that the stupid reflex is that we cling to the bench and the cabin, which makes no sense. So, are you afraid? Are you holding on to your hair? It's magnificent, magnificent. It's beautiful. And it's true that there is no other way to get to the other side than that. There is no road. We arrive at Gustavo's farm. A little rough landing, but it's okay. Come on, go out, let's go get some bananas. Gracias, we're happy to go out. After a dizzying journey, I am in the plantation. Here, everything is done on the mountainside. On an extremely steep slope, each movement requires increased effort and a certain amount of caution. And it's incredibly steep. A poquito. A poquito. Take care of yourself though. That's crazy. That's what I love about cutting the banana, is that it's all in the string, in fact. Very important, the string. Yes, because the terrain is very inclined. The string is there to hold the banana tree. Because when the banana grows, it gains weight. And the bunch risks falling and the banana bunch risks falling. And the tree is uprooted because the ground is too tilted. There are cords for everything here, it's cable country, in fact. Yes, for everything, it's true. It's because of the terrain. And even you, I tie a cable to you Very well, otherwise you risk falling. Okay, come on, enough talking. I'm going to cut the string. Come on, then. We cut the whole banana tree to catch up with a diet. Imagine now, he will We'll have to wait a year for a new diet. And so, a banana tree grows in a year and it provides a diet. Yeah, that's it. A diet. And why is there plastic? The plastic is to protect them from animals like insects. The skin of the bananas will be more beautiful and less damaged. And what's more, it raises the temperature. As a result, bananas grow faster and with a beautiful color. So we can sell them more expensively. Oh dear, that amazes me, that. On the shoulder, on the slope. And even more, it goes down. Can I come just to see how much it weighs? Yes of course. It's very steep. This work still amazes me. We will try ? Yes. It is heavy. How many kilos? 15. 15 kilos. I put it there. That's it, like that. Like that ? As you feel, be comfortable. The best thing is to put it on your shoulder. It especially hurts the bone. It's up to you to manage the weight by keeping it more or less on your back. Ok. But it crushes the bone, it hurts. Put it a little more on your back, further back, like that. When you go down, it's okay, but when you go up this slope to bring back the banana trees that are at the bottom, but how do you manage to avoid being completely rinsed? The trick is to go up by tilting your body forward. And then, it's a question of habit. Leaning forward while going up prevents you from falling backwards, carried away by the weight of the diet. Wait, I'll try. Do I level like this? It's horrible. It's the weight of the bananas that pulls you up. Is my technique not bad? Yeah, she's not bad. You still need a little practice to learn. And little by little, you will become a real local man. I think it would take me a lot of time. We make him work. Here, boss. Well, that's it, it's good, he's going to replace us. It's a bit heavy. Honestly, you're super strong to do that with that slope. It's incredible. We are real sportsmen. For me, it weighs nothing, look. It's easy. Well done, boss. I hope you liked it. Now that you have learned, we will be able to hire you on the farm. You will work with us. I liked it, yes, working. I'll think about it a bit. THANKS. Good bye. I leave the agricultural region of Antioquia, and its pretty town of Rardine, to go even higher. The altitudes in Colombia sometimes climb very, very quickly. All these mountains are part of the Andes Cordillera and a large part of Colombians therefore live very high up. Bogotá, the capital, is in the mountains. It is the third highest city in the world at 2,600 meters. And to discover it, I was advised to take a small funicular capable of climbing almost 3,200 meters. Can we come? Good morning. Good morning. You know I love being in the cabins. Shall we go there? Yes. We're going to leave there, but first, I have to warn the machinist upstairs that we are ready to leave. Ok. The slope must be very significant. How many percent is that? At one point on this route the gradient is almost 80 percent at maximum. And that is almost unique in the world. It is one of the steepest funiculars. It's true that it's a wall. 80 percent is like that. 100 percent is like that, 80 is almost a wall. He is impressive. With the city behind it, it's magnificent. We are on the border between the funicular and the elevator. Not much is missing for it to be an elevator car. Frankly, this vehicle is very impressive. We obviously feel our ears becoming clogged and our oxygen lacking. For us, it's a habit, but it's true that for people for the first time, we recommend that travelers walk slowly and avoid any overly physical activity so that the body gets used to it. altitude. We arrived. THANKS. Good day. Wow, Bogota. It's worth it though. You don't go down to the heart of Bogotá without a little thrill. I have always wondered what this city could be like, with its always somewhat murky reputation. The city is very large and the first instinct is to go towards Bolivar Square. It is in the heart of the historic district, where the Government Palace and many buildings dating from the colonial era are located. Then, moving away, there is an alternation of slightly less charming neighborhoods, even if they are sometimes chic, and less safe areas. Bogotá is today one of the leading economic centers in South America. And while walking around, I come across a small square. A small square where people seem to be engaging in some kind of traffic, in whispers. A strange business which seems secret, but which, at the same time, takes place in plain sight. Apparently there are things going on there. There are small groups who visibly speak rather in low voices. With small white papers in his hand. We wonder if it's legal or not. Good morning. Good morning. You're French ? Yes. What do you sell in your little white papers? They are emeralds. Emeralds? Yes, Colombian emeralds. It seems that in Colombia, emeralds are very, very pure. Yes, it's true. These, for example, are of spectacular quality. It is a polished stone, very beautiful. Delighted, it’s beautiful. Can I touch ? Yes of course. I have never held an emerald in my fingers. It's beautiful. I love the color. No, frankly, my price is good. It is a good quality stone. I'll give you 2.5 million. No, it's too much. 2.5 million. Did you do business with the gentleman? There, where are you? Yes, we are still negotiating. It doesn't happen like that. He asks me for 2,200,000 pesos, but I want 2.5 million. So, we disagree 300,000 pesos. And why do you want this one? Because I like her. Emerald is my pleasure. She's like a beautiful woman. It's the same thing, emerald. She is a woman and when she is beautiful, it is easy to fall in love with her. It’s true that it’s really attractive. You are right. There is something magical about stones. And why are the sellers of beautiful stones like that in a square and not in shops with a quiet counter and air conditioning? In Bogotá, those who have money, who are well established, they have a store. But we are simple people. We don't need a store. We go directly to the mine to buy emeralds and come here to resell them in this square. There is like a great friendship between us all. We have coffee between us, we have confidence and we feel better in the street. You know, we're not from the upper class. And so, can I ask you what is the most beautiful stone you have on you? The most beautiful ? Right now, it's this one. Yes, she's beautiful, she's cut, she's big. Yes yes. This one costs 20 million pesos. That's about $7,000. But I have even more on me. These two are worth $45,000. $45,000. There, you have 45,000 dollars on you like that, there, in the middle of a square in Bogotá. In total, with all the stones on me, today I must have 200 million pesos in my pockets. Wait, you have more than €60,000 on you? It's incredible. It's crazy, it's crazy because we imagine Bogoda as a city that's not always very safe. And you, do you walk around with this amount on you? Only here. If I leave this place, it would be dangerous for you. I could get robbed. I don't go anywhere else but here. And so, if, for example, I take the stone, like that, I put it in my pocket and I run away. What are you doing ? To be honest with you, don't shoot very far. Because everyone was chasing you to catch up. Everyone ? Yes, everyone. Everyone was chasing me there. And all my companions on the road. You know, we protect each other and in the end, if you leave... Well, I'll give it back to you then. In any case, you are super nice. Honestly, I learned a lot of things. Thanks to you. Muchas gracias. I found Bogotá a little worrying in the first moments. And in fact, she quickly becomes endearing. But I must not forget my mission: to find a train. You should know that the National Railway Company was liquidated in the 1990s in favor of road and bus. This was the end of long-distance train travel for passengers. But in Colombia, the rails never really die. A train lover decided to buy some locomotives and carriages in poor condition at the time . He restored them and put them back into operation to allow Colombians to experience the sensations of a train journey. At the time, many found the idea completely stupid. It is now a real success in Bogotá. What I like about these old Balan trains is that you can guess what the original sensations of the railway were. Because we can feel it, the iron. We feel the imperfections on the rails, we really feel them. There is speed, a little 30 km/h. The entrance, and then the sound. We hear everything, we hear the box, we hear the metal. Good morning. Can I sit with you? It's tight, the benches here. It is his birthday. It is his birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthdays. THANKS. And this little train ride is his birthday present. Why, for a birthday concert, do you want to take a train ride, in a slightly rickety train? It's a weird idea. Well, because it's nice, it's curious for us. It's a different experience. And it's been a long time since we've been on a train. Ah yes, so getting on a train is strange for you. You know, in Colombia, there are no trains. So, for us, it’s a means of transport that we don’t know about. So, like this train, it's the only one that runs for passengers, we want to try it and enjoy it. And what do you think of this train? In my opinion ? So, I would say it's charming because it has a little vintage side. Afterwards, I wouldn't say that he is calm. I would even say that it is very noisy. You're right. It's brilliant, but that's part of the charm of this walk. And so, the concept in the old Colombian trains was that obviously everything was done so that we touched each other and crossed our legs, but that we crossed each other's legs. Like that, it's nested. Oh yes, it's important. I think it's cultural. We like to share, touch each other, be close. And... And... Yes, yes. And to touch each other. It's part of us. Ah good ? And how do you explain that? I believe it was done on purpose by the railway company. It is a strategy to create connections between people. Because, for example, when you move, you have to apologize. So, that inevitably starts conversations. Oh yes ? And could you get on a train where no one speaks to each other and everyone is on their computer or smartphone and not talking to their neighbor? Yes, it can happen, but it's rare. And even if you're on your phone, there's bound to be a moment or another where people are going to have to talk to each other. No, but take a good look at the passengers. No one on this train is on their phone. It's true ? No, it's not part of our culture to stay like that, arms crossed, not talking to each other. No no. No, we talk to each other. In Colombia, never during a trip will you have people who don't talk to each other. It's impossible, impossible. It feels like it. Muchas gracias. And happy birthday. THANKS. Every weekend, there is excitement in this little train, one of the nicest trains in Latin America, but which, unfortunately, does not go very far. To find a last train, I must now go to the second city in the country. And that’s good, it’s a city that I absolutely wanted to know: MedellĂn. MedellĂn, these are the darkest hours of Colombia. In the 1980s, it was the reign of the MedellĂn cartel, led by Pablo Escobar. His nickname: the king of cocaine. And the numbers are insane. His fortune would have reached 30 billion dollars. He is undoubtedly the richest criminal in history. At the height of its activity, the cartel reportedly supplied 80% of the cocaine consumed in the United States, with all the violence that goes with it. Murders, settling of scores, attacks, corruption. The whole country is suffering. The Escobar system means deaths by the thousands. Pablo Escobar was finally shot dead by the police in 1993. His grave is in a cemetery in MedellĂn, and to my great surprise, and it is very far from being abandoned. A certain number of residents even come to pray there. Good morning. Good morning. Excuse me, but I'm praying for Pablo Escobar. This is my hero's grave. It's Pablo. Pablo Escobar. From your hero? Yes, he is our hero. A good man who fed the poor and also housed them. Pablo Escobar, a good man? You know it's a Yes, of course it was good. You know it's a little strange to hear that from a man who is the cause of a lot of suffering in this city, of thousands of deaths, of attacks. There are a lot of people who talk bad and say bad things about Pablo Escobar. But me, in my heart, I only see the good things that make them. I find it hard to believe because there are many people who suffered in their flesh from this period of violence during the Pablo Escobar period. There are many people who have lost family members. And what kind of eyes do they look at you when they see you bringing flowers to his grave? But I too am a victim of this civil war, you know. When I was in the army, we fought drug traffickers. One day, while we were looking for Pablo Escobar's coca crops, in an attack, I lost my arm. I don't blame anyone, neither Pablo nor the army. It's like that. But we can't forget that who killed him , who made you kill thousands of people who made MedellĂn the world drug hub for years. But also look at everything he has given us. I live in a house that was built by him. And given to my family. He wanted everyone in MedellĂn to be able to live in a decent, comfortable house. In my neighborhood, he did what no government has ever done. So if you really want to understand, I would be proud to show you my neighborhood and show you around my house. I accept the invitation. So here I am, I don't know where, in the depths of MedellĂn, with a former soldier who became a fan of one of the greatest criminals in history. Honestly, I didn't think I would ever experience this. I never would have imagined that there could be a district in MedellĂn today to the glory of Pablo Escobar, anyway. And who painted this? They are young artists from the neighborhood. Here, it is a pride to glorify Pablo Escobar. It's crazy because he's almost in a divine position there, since he's underneath a sort of altar. It's like a god. Of course, that shows the good he had in him. It's incredible.
I admit that I didn't expect that. And so, the entire neighborhood, all these houses that we see around us were built with Pablo Escobar's money and on the orders of Pablo Escobar. Yes, Pablo built this entire neighborhood with his money. The money he worked so hard to earn. You see, there too, there is Pablo Escobar. He is everywhere. It's still amazing. How many residents are there in this neighborhood? 16,000. 16,000? Yes, 16,000. And what is the name of this neighborhood? Pablo Escobar neighborhood. This is the official name. For us, it's the Pablo Escobar neighborhood. And even if the government does not agree with this name, we will defend it to the death. Is it an official neighborhood with public services, a school, electricity or is it completely denied by the government? At first, the government denied the existence of the district. But now that we've been here for so long, they're bound to recognize us. And what is it like here? Is there a feeling of belonging to a kind of separate family? Pablo taught us to all be united. So all of us, the 16,000 inhabitants, are like a big family. There is even a hair salon called El Patron. It's still crazy. El Patron was Pablo Escobar's nickname. It's crazy though. I'm going to go see the boss, see why she calls her boss El Patron. Good morning. Good morning. How are you ? GOOD. And so, you are the boss of El Patron? Yes, sir, I'm the boss. And so, can we get Pablo Escobar's haircut in this salon? Oh well yes, obviously. The same cut as Pablo. And also, more modern living room, like here. And which one works best? Is it this one or that one? The modern one. That one ? Yes. When is this a photo from? It's a photo montage. I was fooled, frankly. It's an editing. There are plenty of people like you who think it's from Pablo's era, but no. And then this photo attracts fans of Pablo, of El PatrĂłn. People come to my living room, either for a souvenir, or for a little haircut like back in the day. This photo gets people talking about El PatrĂłn. Oh. Bastante. Muchas gracias. Bye. Ciao. Ciao. This Pablo Escobar neighborhood in MedellĂn leaves me with a slightly strange taste. 25 years after his death, the legend of Pablo Escobar has not died out, but the king of cocaine MedellĂn transformed into Robin Hood leaves us cautious, to say the least. Since that time, MedellĂn has changed a lot. She fought against her image as a drug hub. And in the middle of this city bric-a-brac, sometimes still a little hot, there is a haven of peace, a place of which the city's inhabitants are proud. A very clean place and even lovingly respected by everyone. And believe it, this preserved place is the metro. The one and only metro in all of Colombia. This metro is truly impeccable. Nickel. It looks like it's brand new when in fact it's well over 20 years old. Even on the tracks, there isn't a piece of paper lying around. Hello. Buenas. How are you ? GOOD. GOOD. How do you find it, this perfectly clean metro, in the middle of MedellĂn? Excellent. This is a very important transport. It's super clean. The metro here is great. And how do you explain that it is so clean and so well kept and that everyone is careful? These are the people, the people here, who respect our metro. It's the culture here. For example, we don't throw papers on the ground, because we all respect our metro. But why ? Because it’s our transportation. It is necessary for the entire community. For the whole city, this is important. Yeah, the metro, you have to respect it and respect its rules. For us, it's like respecting your own family. The metro is vital. Yeah, for example, you have to leave your seat to the elders. This is super important. I promise you there aren't many subways in the world. I even think it's the first metro in the world where I've heard young people say that to me. It's unique. But here, we respect the rules. Here, we respect the metro. We call it having metro culture. Metro culture. Clearly, in Colombia, everything is possible, because there are several Colombias. There is even a tropical paradise version. Colombia on the Caribbean Coast, where the water turns turquoise. Impossible to end my trip without passing through Cartagena, because behind the buildings of the modern city, there hides a little treasure. At the time of the gold conquistadors, Cartagena was a wealthy port located on the gold route. A good part of the gold resulting from the plundering of the Astec and Inca empires passed that way before reaching Spain. For several centuries, Cartagena was an important political and economic center. It is still a little gem of colonial architecture. Right next door, small seaside villages and a mangrove forest. A mangrove is always a bit mysterious. A fisherman agreed to take me and show me its depths. Good morning. How are you ? She is good ? Yes, she's a little cold. Cold? Yes, even very cold. Shall we leave here? Yes of course. Ok. Fortunately I found Andrault , the mangrove is a maze in which it is very easy to get lost. He takes me to one of his favorite places, a sort of plant tunnel. You see, it's very nice here. That's life. Because the mangrove, for me, is life. It is life because it is a place where many plant and animal species live. It's very alive. There are fish, there are snails and oysters too. Oh yes, there are lots of oysters everywhere hanging on the roots of the mangrove trees. That's good, that's normal, because it's the oyster migration period. So, they are everywhere. Oh yes, because the oyster migrates. How does she move? With his paws? But no, they don't have legs. But actually what happens is that the oysters, when they're small, they attach themselves to sort of shrimp. And thanks to the current, they come here to develop and grow in the mangrove. We learn a lot of stuff here. You mean the oyster rides on the shrimp's back to move around. Finally, let's say that thanks to the current, the oysters and shrimp travel together. It's clicking, what are these noises? Listen, it’s the oysters, they’re talking to us. Do you hear the clack-clack? Philippe, in a way, they welcome you. But the worst thing is that it's true, we hear. That's crazy. What is it really? Are they really oysters? But yes, it's the oysters. They speak to us. They are the ones making this noise. In fact, because the sea level is low because of the tide, well, it spits out a little bit of water at them. And so, it makes this noise when the hulls close. It's as if they are talking to us. The oysters speak here. So not only do oysters ride on shrimp, they talk. Everything is normal. FĂ©lipe, ta, ta, ta, FĂ©lipe. Colombia is a lot of big sensations. The little thrill, the little fear before going there, wondering what we will find there. The surprise when we discover the incredible variety of its landscapes, its cities, the richness of its history and above all the pleasure when we begin to know the Colombians. Colombians are so used to hearing about horrors in their country that when you come to see them, they open their arms wide to you. Colombia is a country that always has its dark side, but above all it is a joyful, festive country, a little crazy and which deserves much better than what we imagine.
