Colombian congress is voting to ban bullfighting. Colombia is the most recent Latin American country to ban that. Animal advocates say that it is cruel to the bulls. The bill made it so that professional bullfighters, or people who's main income comes from bullfighting, have three year coverage to get their feel under them again and find a new job. Bullfighting will be solely used for cultural events.

Conflict Zones

Around 8.4 million Colombian civilians are living in conflict zones. Armed groups constantly use intimidation and violence to move them and force them to do things. These armed groups include the ELN Guerrillas and the AGC. It's a terrible living condition and minorities are strongly affected and are usually hit the hardest by the area.

Cartagena

The most popular tourist attraction is Cartagena. It is a old city with colorful buildings. It is very know for its tropical weather and ideal beaches, as well as attractions inside of the city.

Salt Cathedral

The Salt Cathedral was a catholic church that was built underground in the 1950s. It was built in the tunnels of a salt mine. It is located near Zipaquira, Colombia. It is still a functioning church and welcomes over 3000 people every Sunday.

Cano Cristales

This is arguably one of the most beautiful places on Earth. If I went to Colombia, this is where I would visit. It is commonly called the River of Five Colors. The beautiful colors are the results of a lowering waterline during dry season that then exposes the Marcarenia clavegera. Marcarenia clavegera is commonly mistaken by algae, but it turns red instead of green. It needs a certain amount of sunlight to really show itself, so there is a very short period of time in the dry season that you can see it. It is very magical.

This is one of the most popular dishes from Colombia. It is a mixture of different types of meats, rice, beans, and avocado. It is the national dish of Colombia. I would definitely try this if I went there.

Patacones

This is a more unique dish. It is flattened and fried plantains. Plantains are similar to bananas but the are bigger and are not as sweet. It is often used as a side dish.

Ajiaco

This is a very comforting meal. It was typically half chicken and beef stew and half soup. It is a very common dish from Colombia's capital, Bogota.

Natilla

This common and enjoyable desert is made from custard. The custard is made from milk, corn starch, cinnamon, shredded coconut, and panela. It is a Christmas dish and is usually paired with bunuelo, which is a fried bread tat is covered in cinnamon sugar.

One traditional Colombian music genre is cumbia. Cumbia is folk music that originated in Colombia. It has Latin American and African heritage. Commonly played instruments include maracas, guitar, bongos, and tamboras. Another traditional Colombian music genre is vallenato. It is another from of folk music and it originated in the Caribbean. It is played with accordions, guitars, and small hand drums. Some of the bigger singers to come out of Colombia were Shakira, Karol G, and J Balvin. I have heard both Shakira and Karol G before and I enjoy listening to them.

Dance

One of the most common traditional dances in Colombia is bambuco. It resembles the waltz. Another one, which is the most popular, is cumbia. It is the national dance of Colombia. It is paired with cumbia music. It is also a folk dance. In this dance, the women wear big, flowy, colorful dresses.