SANTA MARTA AND MEDELLÍN

BY AURA PIEDRAHITA

I was born in Santa Marta, specifically in Gaira. I lived there for 24 years so I know
a lot about the coast’s culture, then I moved to Medellín in 2017 to my father’s home.
I feel like a paisa because on my father’s side everybody is paisa.

In Santa Marta, there are beautiful beaches like the ones found in the Tayrona Park
and typical dishes usually have seafood. My favorite meal from there is shrimp; you
can cook it with BBQ sauce, rice, ceviche, coconut oil, and it comes with patacones.
In Medellín, the typical ingredients are beans, mazamorra, and morcilla.

Both cities have special holidays. For example, in July Santa Marta celebrates the
sea party: It is a week when you can have fun with friends and family or meet new
people. There are many concerts, especially of vallenato music, and also a Beauty
Contest.

On the other hand, here in the City of the Eternal Spring, people celebrate The
Medellín Flower Fair. In this beautiful festival, you can find the most representative
event: The Silleteros Parade, in addition to the many parties, concerts, and
competitions as trovadores. This festival lasts approximately 10 days and is the time
when paisas, foreigners and everybody enjoys Medellín with total happiness. I
remember an event in North Park where I could see so manyflowers, colors lights,
people eating and enjoying. There were some presentations, such as stand-up
comedies, and dancing groups: It was amazing.

Santa Marta and Medellín are spectacular cities, they both have their unique, special
thing, people are different, culture is different. However, we all are Colombia, with a
great mixture of festivities and traditions. Some days I miss Santa Marta although I
love Medellín too.

I feel quite lucky because I had the opportunity to start over here, I am costeña but
deep in my heart, I am paisa as well.