32 January 4ths ago, my 16-year-old biological mother gave birth to me. She named me Marina and very courageously gave me up for adoption. I was cared for for the first five months of my life at Los Pisingos orphanage in Bogota, Colombia – my city of birth. My mom tells me each baby received incredible one-on-one around the clock care. We were even fed home made (Spanish-style) baby food. I practically came out of the womb with a plantain addiction!

Mom & Dad

My adoptive parents (this is the only time I am going to refer to them as that because they were put on this earth to be my parents – we might as well share blood) are the most worldly, accepting, self-less people I’ve ever met. My mom grew up in Jersey (was high school classmates with Meryl Streep!) and my dad was raised across the river in NY. They were both American and the children of two loving families. My mom lived abroad in Paris in her early 20s all by herself. I honestly don’t know how she lived that far away from home…snail mail was the only form of communication. The number of times I call or text her in a day is slightly embarrassing. But she always dreamed of experiencing the Parisian culture so she made it happen and returned to the states fluent in French! My dad studied abroad in Spain and fell in love with the Spanish culture. He learned Spanish fluently and was determined to land his first “real” job in an industry that would allow him to use his new language! Long story short, my parents met on the job in NYC. They had a short engagement (ours was only five months!) and were married by June of 1972. This year will mark their 48th wedding anniversary!

Just as he had hoped for, my dad’s career relocated him throughout Latin America. He and my mom moved to Puerto Rico as a young married couple. My mom picked up Spanish very quickly – apparently the French she learned in Paris was a huge help. Three years later they were placed in Caracas, Venezuela, and while my dad sold elevators, my mom taught JEWISH school children (how ironic!) English! At that point my parents were in love with Latin America, but their families were all in North America. So every summer they’d return to the states to visit family. One of those summers my mom found an article in the New York Daily News featuring a NYC lawyer who was facilitating adoptions out of Colombia. Once they returned to the states for the foreseeable future in the late 70’s, they decided to seriously pursue adoption.

Bogota, Colombia

Colombia in the 80’s was pretty “sketchy.” The drug cartels were out of control. There was a lot of criminal activity. But like any other couple going through the adoption process, the adoption agency performed home inspections, background checks, and took finger prints. Their paperwork was held up over and over again because the Colombian government was tending to more pertinent issues. It took them almost five years to finally adopt my older sister Kyla in 1984. We are from the same orphanage but from different biological mothers. I cannot imagine how frustrating this must have been, BUT I am so grateful it happened. We could have ended up with another family.

Evidently one Colombian baby would not suffice so they adopted my sister a sister (me!) four years later. It was a much smoother process the second time around and I literally HIT! THE! JACKPOT! To clarify, I HIT THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS JACKPOT. What are the chances that two Colombian babies would end up in the home of Americans who were not only fluent in Spanish but who embraced and loved the culture?! SO MANY STARS HAD TO ALIGN…and it gets better. During my childhood, my dad’s company relocated US to Puerto Rico. It was those 3.5 years of my life where I was immersed in the Latin culture, language, and food. This is where my love for “tostones” (friend plantains) began! I met my very best friend to this day, Megan, the first week I was there and she was a bridesmaid in our wedding. I left the island with a very strong grasp of the Spanish language and an immense appreciation for my Latin heritage.

The Next Chapter

This Colombian adoptee (LOL) went on to spend most of her adolescence in Connecticut, before attending LSU where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Textile and Apparel Merchandising – surprise, surprise! Eventually I met and married Jonathan (but that’s a book for another day), and a few years after moving to San Francisco, I returned to Colombia for the first time in 30 years. It was wonderful and I got a kick out of Jonathan’s new Spanish vocabulary. #BlessHisHeart. I went to Colombia for one sole purpose: to see with my own eyes the country where I was born! I had no ulterior motives. But visiting Los Pisingos felt like the right thing to do during my time in Bogota. I brought a suitcase full of women’s clothes and children’s toys (items on their donation list) and had a great conversation with the assistant administrator of the facility, Gloria.

Gloria was fascinated and proud of my life in the US. We shared photos and stories as well as a book of thank you letters from the newly adoptive parents. As I leafed through the book, my mom’s handwriting immediately stood out to me. It hadn’t changed A BIT and neither had her voice or sincerity. I immediately felt emotional. My parents definitely shaped me into the person I have become today and I am forever grateful. They are always supportive of my dreams and aspirations. I cannot imagine my life without them. A match made in heaven. Thank you for reading my adoption story.

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Your Colombia Travel Guide to Bogota, Medellín, and Cartagena

Where to stay:
Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia is located in the heart of “La Zona Rosa,” about 40 minutes from the airport. We had a wonderful three nights at this hotel and highly recommend it. The WiFi was complimentary, the breakfast was included with the room rate, the bed was heavenly, and the location is superb. Jonathan and I like being steps away from the action. City life in San Francisco has definitely rubbed off on us! The Zona Rosa has something for everyone and Sofitel Bogota boasts a beautiful property in the middle of it all.

Where to Eat:
La Puerta Falsa in “La Candelaria” serves up authentic Colombian Cuisine and has been since 1816! This hole in the wall joint lives up to the hype and is worth the wait. Get the chicken soup and chocolate plate to start. Don’t ask…just do it! You won’t regret it.

Casa, just two doors down from Sofitel Bogota, is an open-air restaurant offering international food with a Colombian flair. We sat on the heated back patio and for a minute it felt like we were back home in San Francisco!

Dinner at Casa San Isidro on top of Monserrate is an absolute must. We were afraid it would be an over-rated tourist trap, but were pleasantly surprised by the good eats. Ask for a table by the window and prepare to be amazed.

What to do:
“La Candelaria” offers more than just fine food. Rich in history, the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), the Museo Botero (a famous Colombian Sculptor), and plentiful street art can be found here. Word of advice, arrange a guided tour.

If you’re in the Candelaria neighborhood, you MUST take the cable car to Monserrate for a panoramic view from (10,000 feet up) of the eight million person city. Twin Peaks has got nothin’ on this. WHOA! And while you’re at it, stop for a bite at Casa San Isidro. Dress warm because it’s cold and windy up there. I’m talkin’ 45-50 degrees chilly.

Tip: Avoid the hassle of exchange rates and use Uber to get around Bogota. WiFi is available throughout the city. Please note you will be more comfortable in an Uber Black versus an Uber X, and the difference in cost is negligible.

What to Wear:
Our summer months are Bogota’s winter months. To me, the temperature is perfect because it is very similar to San Francisco. 50s at night (although it felt warmer than that) and 60’s during the day. I dressed in layers with jeans, wedge sandals, and lightweight denim jackets.

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The Spanish in Bogota is very textbook – it is very pure and easy to understand. In fact, I used my Spanish all day everyday while we were there. Jonathan, on the other hand, will vouch for me when I say that it would be challenging to visit Bogota without knowing the language…and four years of high school Spanish is not gonna cut it. That is not to say you cannot go there unless you speak Spanish, rather do some research ahead of time, and hire a bilingual guide.

Medellín

Medellín is an incredibly beautiful city. Here you’ll find desolate country-side as well as bustling nightlife. The city sits in a valley made up of mostly high rise buildings. There is no such thing as a bad view in downtown Medellín!

Where to Stay:
The Charlee Lifestyle Hotel is where it’s at. Located downtown on Calle 9A, this property is simply chic! Featuring a pool/sushi bar on the roof deck, this place is regarded as a Medellín hotspot by locals and tourists alike. Also included in the room rate at Charlee Hotel is WiFi and breakfast – much appreciated. Again, location, location, location. EVERYTHING is steps from the hotel lobby. Boutiques, beer gardens, coffee shops, flower shops, you name it. It felt very much like the Marina District in San Francisco.

What to Eat:
Envy Rooftop on the 17th floor at The Charlee Hotel serves up sushi and Asian Fusion from 5 pm – midnight. And if you’re lucky, it might even be salsa night with live music and entertainment. Regardless, the sushi rolls are works of art and very sizable. Start with the chicken wings and make your way to the salmon and avocado crunchy roll. A “dress to impress” dress code is enforced.

La Guachafita Del LLeras is great for a pre-dinner cocktail or post-dinner dancing. The drinks are all made-to-order and are a good bang for your buck. We enjoyed fresh sangria and pina coloda out of a hollowed out pineapple. You cannot visit an exotic location as a blogger without taking that obligatory fruit beverage photo!

What to Do:
Riding the cable car in Medellín should be at the top of your to-do list. From here you’ll witness sweeping views of the valley and have a better understanding of the typography and challenges it presents. In 2004 the “teleferico” or cable car was constructed as a means of public transportation. This project made it possible for people in the mountainous regions to hold jobs in the big city.

Consider a four hour guided tour. Short and sweet but just enough time to broaden your horizons. Start at Botero Park and finish up over a late lunch at Pueblito Paisa.

What to Wear:
The climate in Medellín is heavenly. There was little to no humidity in the air and the temperature was a consistent 75 degrees. This is very easy dressing weather in my book – anything goes. I rocked two-piece pants sets, a maxi dress, and shorts during the tour.

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Medellín is magical. It is very American-friendly as there is city-wide free public WiFi. Uber again works seamlessly from here. The Spanish is slightly faster than Bogota, but more people speak English. Jonathan would be comfortable returning without his personal translator…ME! We stayed for two nights but will make it three on our next Colombian excursion.

Cartagena

Often described as the “Miami of Colombia” this coastal city takes you back to the future – in a good way. The old city sits behind a concrete wall that was constructed back in 1585! It’s a photographer or bloggers’ paradise. The colorful architecture and picturesque backdrops are plentiful. Jonathan’s job as official #InstagramHusband has never been easier.

Where to Stay:
Cartagena is like its own separate country. I didn’t really feel like I was still in Colombia! I highly recommend staying within the old walled city for a one-of-a-kind experience. We stayed at Tcherassi Hotel and Spa. It was very comfortable, and quiet. A totally different experience from Charlee Hotel in Medellin! The beds were lush, and WiFi and breakfast were included with the room rate. Once again we were walking distance to the heart of the city.

What to Eat:
Patacones, patacones, and more patacones! No really though, fried plantains are a menu staple in Cartagena and I was not complaining. Just make sure they’re the green plantains and not the sweet ones.

El Balcon is a flavorful eatery with an abundant menu of Colombian cuisine. Grab a seat along the balcony and people watch as you enjoy 2-for-1 margaritas and a mouthwatering burger. I’ve never appreciated a breeze as much as I did on our first night in the hottest place on earth Cartagena.

Andante Allegro Vivace is a charming Italian bistro in the middle of the walled city. Here you’ll find Italian favorites such as: cacio e pepe and lasagne, alongside Colombian inspired stuffed pastas. What a treat indulging in Italian comfort food after a week straight of meat and vegetables.

What to Do:
It sounds cheesy, but get lost in the walled city! Start early and end late wandering the magical streets of Cartagena.

Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas an old fortress for a lesson in history.

Take a group tour or charter a boat and spend the day exploring Las Islas Rosarios. Here you can scuba dive, snorkel, kayak, etc., in one of Colombia’s most impressive national parks. But don’t be surprised by the rustic nature of the Rosario Islands – you will not find luxurious resorts here! Rather this sanctuary is where you’ll find beautiful white sand beaches and some of the freshest seafood on the planet!

What to Wear:
Is nothing acceptable?! Ha! Cartagena is hot and HUMID. If you visit during June or July I can assure you that you will be sweating the entire time. I saved all my rompers and crop tops for Cartagena and it was the best decision I have ever made.

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Thank you for reading my Colombia Travel Guide. Feel free to email me with specific questions should you have any!

The post Colombia Travel Guide: Bogota, Medellín, and Cartagena appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

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White Jumpsuit | Wedge Sandals | Orange One-Piece | Straw Clutch | Rainbow Maxi | Pineapple Earrings | Silicone CoverUps | Fringe Jacket | Carry-on Bag | OTS Blouse | Round Purse | Curling Wand | Blush One-Piece | Yellow Earrings | Red Romper | Rose Gold Flip Flops | Palm Romper

After researching fashionable carry-ons it became very obvious that the Delsey suitcase was the way to go. Not only is it super stylish, but it has the obligatory double spinner wheels, and an ergonomic interior featuring removable hanger, laundry, and shoe bags. I bought the white for me and the brown for Jonathan. They’re on sale right now on Ebags.com and you can check out the complete line of Delsey luggage here. So how does one fit 11 days of outfits in a carry-on suitcase? By committing to one pair of shoes and “ranger rolling” your clothes.

If you only travel with one pair of shoes, they better be comfortable. That is why I am packing wedge sandals and wearing flip flops on the plane. Wedges are the most comfortable version of high heels. I chose yellow because it is a neutral in my book. And as you can see, not one item in my suitcase clashes with the yellow. Score! Tip: If you’re partial to color, choose your shoe first. Then coordinate your looks around the shoe choice. The only items not pictured above are white jeans and blue jean shorts, a pink tie-front top, and a lightweight sweater. Wish me luck…!

Shop the items in my Delsey Suitcase:

White Jumpsuit | Wedge Sandals | Orange One-Piece | Straw Clutch | Rainbow Maxi | Pineapple Earrings | Silicone CoverUps | Fringe Jacket | Carry-on Bag | OTS Blouse | Round Purse | Curling Wand | Blush One-Piece | Yellow Earrings | Red Romper | Rose Gold Flip Flops | Palm Romper

The post What’s in my Delsey Suitcase? appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.