Cali, Colombia - South America's Finest Emerald

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life, pass a few days in the tropical sun surrounded by the rich culture, savory flavors, and enchanting music of Cali, Colombia. Cali only knows one season of the year and that season is summer thanks to its' geographical location near the equator, but that doesn't always mean sweltering heat and high humidity because the geography of the region also offers mountain escapes where the air is crisp and clean and the evenings are cool and refreshing. There are a vast number of things to see and do in Cali, Colombia and far too many to cover in a book let alone an article. This article will cover some of the cultural events, celebrations, and activities that take place around the holiday season in and around Cali, Colombia. "La Feria de Cali" as it is called is a week long celebration where the streets come alive, the food is served fresh at every street corner, and the music takes hold of your heart.

La Feria de Cali was first introduced approximately 50 years ago and brings together all of the various facets of the Colombian culture, history, traditions, and people celebrated through food, art, music, dancing, parades, and traditional bull fighting. The people of Cali remember their origins and celebrate the 474 years of history since the founding of the capital of the state of the Valley of Cauca. The festival starts with a large parade called "Desfile de Cali Viejo" (The Parade of Old Cali) that involves thousands of people marching from northern Cali to southern Cali. People dressed as characters from as far back as the colonial days when the city was founded fill the parade as they dance and sing in their lavish period costumes. Be sure to look for Jobita Feioo, the "crazy" lady that thought she was a queen, or Pachito Zorrilla that thought he was a famous bull fighter, as well as the great General Batata who lived under the illusion that he was a great Army General that fought in many battles. You can't miss the authentic native music that is played throughout the parade and the dancers adorned in true folklore style dress. Floats and carts abound lavishly decorated in hundreds of thousands of flowers. Take every opportunity that you can to enjoy the exquisite and genuine cuisine offered by the various street vendors that line the streets as you sample a large selection of tostadas (fried platano), fritanga (fried pork, beef, and potato strips), morcilla (Colombian sausage), and any number of fresh made juices that are available.

The 26^th of December is the day of "La Calbalgata" or the cavalcade of horses which is a significant event in the course of cultural celebrations. It is a parade of over 5,000 horsemen that are demonstrating their authentic "caballero" (cowboy) dress and horsemanship. During the parade, people line the streets to enjoy the finest horses and riders as they sample the ever present selection of typical "Caleño" (name given to a Cali, Colombia citizen) food and drink. Restaurants abound with rich cuts of beef and pork, delicious chicken recipes, fruits, and an absolute must are the empanadas (fried pastries filled with meat and vegetables), and the llena-bobos (enormous hamburgers topped with everything imaginable which gives them their name of fool fillers). You can choose to snack throughout the festival or dine in true Colombian style at any one of the hundreds of restaurants that offer several course meals. Wherever you go, be sure to order a serving of the "sancocho" soup that is an absolute delectable way to begin any meal.

The traditional Spanish style bull fighting also begins on the 26^th of December which is held in "la Plaza de Toros de Cañaveralejo" (Plaza of the bulls of Canaveralejo). This is a seven day long event filled with excitement, drama, entertainment, displays of horsemanship, bravery, and skill that only the well trained bull fighters can possess and demonstrate. Cali, Colombia adopted the tradition of bullfighting from Spain in the middle 1800's and brought with it the bullfighting arena and while several countries in the America's adopted this tradition, few countries still celebrate it in the authentic style and manner that culminates in the demise of the bull so be prepared to see this if you attend the bull fights. The skill, elegance, and bravery that the bullfighters demonstrate as they face down a charging animal that weighs several thousand pounds is indescribable and it will bring you chills as the entire stadium is filled with the exhilarating music and the reveling calls and cheers of the crowd. The bullfights in Cali bring famous bull fighters from around the globe including El Juli, Cesar Rincon, and Ortega Cano to include just a few. World class bloodlines of bulls are brought in for the occasion as well to add to the steep tradition of this event.

The 27^th of December marks the start of an unforgettable spectacle of music and dancing called "Festival Internacional de Orquestras" (International Festival of Orchestras) which is a 10 hour marathon of music that provides continuous entertainment by world famous musicians from The United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, South America and Europe. Take advantage of another opportunity to dine on empanadas, morcillas, picadas (fried pork ribs, charcoal cooked beef, sausage and french fries), and arepas con queso (a thick flour cake fried and served with cheese). Over 40,000 people fill the "Estadio Pascual Guerrero" (Pascual Guerrero Stadium) to dance and listen to the authentic music with origins rooted in African-Caribbean culture.

On the 28^th of December the music continues with the "Superconcierto de la Salsa" (Super Salsa Concert) with live musical performances by well known and famous entertainers from around the world. In addition, the celebration for all ages continues with the "Encuentro de Melomanos, Coleccionistas y Salsotecas" (Great International Oldies) that is musical and dancing entertainment geared towards the people that prefer an older style of music played by live bands of yesteryear. The musical groups bring the songs of the fifties, sixties, and seventies back to life. In addition, two full days of "El Concurso Nacional de Balarines de Salsa" (National Concourse of Salsa Dancers) brings together dancers from various cities throughout Colombia to compete for the honor and title of best dancers. They are judged on their steps, style and dress and it is truly exciting to see these performers as they demonstrate their skills with passion in their steps and smiles on their faces as they please their audiences with their movements.

The children are not left out of the incredible celebration and they can join in to the revelry at "La Feria de los Niños" (The Festival for Children) which offers several days of entertainment catered specifically for children, Cali's youngest generation. Santiago de Cali brings very popular and well recognized people "Los Cuentistas" (Storytellers) from many parts of Colombia. These storytellers and entertainers hold many functions that present the history of the origins of the culture performed as plays, acted out with marionettes and stories and fables told about Old Cali.

The rich culture and heritage of Cali, Colombia abounds all year long as you walk the streets and visit the numerous "tienditas" (small stores) while sampling all of the various foods presented by the street vendors but to get a full dose of the customs, music, cuisine and dancing of Cali, Colombia, visit during "La Feria de Cali" held throughout the holiday season and in a few short days, you too will be calling yourself a Caleño as you dance the Salsa.