A Colombia Travel Diary with Denisse Hurrle
“Colombia is a place of proudness in every significance of the word, and this story for me represents a gratitude from me to them.”
Mexican photographer and creative director Denisse Hurrle recounts the best parts of her trip to Colombia a year ago via her photo series Orgullo Colombiana. Identifying with the area's Latin-American culture, Denisse' images are a love letter towards the local community; a celebration of family, the country's rich cultural history and its landscapes.
Why did you go on the trip?
Actually, it was very weird and beautiful. I was with my two best friends in New York and, for me, it was my first time there. We had almost arrived and they started to plan to go on a trip to Sudamerica. I was worried about the time, money, etc., and thinking [whether we could] stay a little more here and then plan the next trip, but they're wild and very decisive. We really try to travel together as much as we can, so they left New York before me and then I went to Colombia to reach them. It was one of my favourite places and best experiences I've ever had.
What was the culture and local scene like in Colombia?
It’s very beautiful and colourful. One of the most incredible things there is the music, the dancing, mucha salsa. The variety they have around places like classic cantinas, clubs, bars, to go dancing or listen to music is amazing and you can find whatever genre you are looking for at a club night. The art is really happening in the streets, [there's] a lot of talented people; you find different galleries of local emergent artists, amazing museums like MAMBO and beautiful local art.
Can you tell us about the people you met? Is there anyone who left a lasting impression on you?
We stayed at a hostel in Medellín called Yolo [laughs]. People there are lovely. You would have the best local tours with them and they have Jorge, better known as Jorgito. Jorgito was that person that changed the perspective on everything. He is an older man that – besides teaching us everything about Medellín in terms of food, music, places to see and know – taught us to enjoy life and nothing else. But to really enjoy life. He has travelled all around the world. I think culturally, in general, people in Latin America and of course the older generations tend to follow the traditional line of life where you grow up: get married, have kids, have a house and that's it. For Jorgito, life is about travelling and the people you meet in the places you visit. He is amazing and his sense of humour is the best. We still keep in touch.
You said you identified with the culture. In what ways did you feel connected to it?
If people say that Mexicans are very welcoming and cariñosos (caring), Colombians are 10 times more than Mexicans. One of the things that most characterised a Latin-American is that behind all the suffering around our story, we have this spirit and attitude to keep fighting to conquer and reach whatever we dream. To make things with humour, alegría, folklore and amour. I could go on. The importance of family, the richness and variety in terms of landscapes and vegetation. It's crazy and very familiar. And that was the thing that make me feel so connected to it.
Were there any cultural highlights from your trip?
Something that was very lovely and impressive was to see how the local tienditas – where you buy your cigarettes, water, candies, etc., – usually have a small table where you can sit down and have a guaro or a hot coffee, and spend time with the lady or man of the tiendita. The visitor becomes like family. In any local store they invite you to come in or have a drink with them.
You’ve got a lot of beautiful images from your trip. Was there a particularly memorable subject?
Muchas gracias. My favourite image was the one that there is a mum taking a picture of their girl in the beach with that little sunny table. For me was just beautiful to [be in the] presence of that real love. There is another one where there are people dancing in a cantina called Salón Malaga – a traditional and classic cantina with live music I really loved.
What’s the best thing you ate, saw or experienced on the trip?
Comuna 13 – one of the most important neighbourhoods in Medellín, Colombia – was one of the best things I saw. Two good friends from Colombia and Jorge took me there during the night and the view was amazing. Comuna 13 was one of the neighbourhoods that suffered most of the violence during the period of Pablo Escobar. The people of this neighbourhood survived through street art and community. Here, people go for a walk on the weekends to drink, eat or hang out in the street among the food stands, motorcycles passing by and music playing. You can see the whole city of Medellín and all the lights, mountains in the distance. The people there are incredible. I have never been shown a place with so much pride. Others [that are] very special are these cities for the beauty and variety of landscapes: Guatepe and Minca. Also, Salón Habana in Cartagena – the musicians, the dancers and the music is crazy incredible.
[For food] there’s a place called Gloria de Glorias in Medellín – the best one to eat la bandeja paisa which has chicharrón, frijoles, arroz, arepas and tortitas de plátano. And of course you have it with a guarito (aguardiente) – a typical Colombian drink.
What are three things you should never do in Colombia?
Never accept a free oyster test from the vendors on the beach if you are not going to buy. They are never for free and once you accept, no hay vuelta atrás (there is no turning back).
