I absolutely love eating and drinking Chocolate in Colombia, but I LOATHE the over-the-top COVID-19 Dicktatorial CONTROL of a small city in the middle of the Coffee Axis, which I happen to call home!

Chocolate in Colombia

The taste of hot Chocolate rolls over my tongue. I added a smidge of Baileys. Whimsically I contemplate Molotov Cocktails. Hmm, where did I leave my poncho? This cold rainy season weather is driving me nuts too.

A couple years ago, I was involved in a cocoa business that processed cocoa from the pacific conflict zone of the Department of El Choco, and into ready-made chocolate for drinks and pastries. Today, I always drink hot chocolate for breakfast or dinner, and nibble local artisan chocolate for snacks or when I am working.

Pictured below, are some of the cocoa varieties we have put away for future use. Half are for Hot Chocolate, and making pastries, the other half is ready-made chocolatina or sweet chocolate, for eating as a snack.

According to local culture, cocoa was once a form of currency during the Pre-Colombian (PreColombino) Era. In recent history, many people remember their grandparents preparing cocoa with cloves and natural vanilla. My friends have told me about the ball form it used to come in – from places like Cartago and La Virginia. Now, natural vanilla is scarce, if not impossible to find.

The pulp from cacao can be eaten fresh, or frozen as a fruit pulp for juice. Some even believe that eating the cocoa pulp will make you crazy. For me, it is one of the most delicious exotic fruits I have ever tasted. Ambrosia doesn’t even begin to describe it’s flavor.

There is something unforgettably unique about the Chocolate Culture and History in Colombia. It is a cultural drink which has persisted since the early exploration, and encounters with indigenous tribes. Perhaps it is part of what keeps these people working hard and walking far even as they advance in age.

The Coronavirus Plandemic lockdown here, continues to be the longest worldwide, with no sign of letting up. Thankfully, the one thing we haven’t had a shortage of, is Chocolate in Colombia. In fact, production is higher now that no one has a life to go live unless they risk fines or arrest. I guess living in a total state of tyranny has its uses.

Watching My Dreams Crumble

In 2013 I moved to Pereira, Colombia. I stayed because, what I found was a place with freedom reminiscent of the USA, back in the 90’s. Business is freewheeling, the men handsome, and opportunities are in every direction for the open minded traveler.

Today, I run websites dealing with different cultural facets of life, gastronomy, and tourism in Colombia. Each one has a special focus on topics like Chocolate in Colombia.

https://coffeeaxistravel.com – features gastronomy, lifestyle and tourism information and insight for the Colombian Coffee Axis!!

My 2020 sob story is an exhilarating race to success, and depressive “smack of reality” drama starring me watching the Covid-19 bring all my dreams to a screeching, bone tearing, metal grinding halt.

And then starting over…

Covid-19, has made me rethink the very meaning of life itself. Which means, I simply need to be a bit more innovative. Survival of the fittest is now the order of the day.

As I sip my spiked hot chocolate – I can’t help but stew angrily over the new controls by our local governance on our lives. Fierce independence has always been a thing of mine – I don’t dig being told what to do.

At the very least I can use my frustration to work harder and create more content. In Spanish they say “levanta desde las unas,” to lift yourself up by your nails, or pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You could call what I am doing, that.

Staying Positive

I digress. There is a silver lining in all this. Some of us are emerging stronger, meaner and more willing to fight for our dreams. Others will go whining to the government praying for a little bit of bread, and maybe a wee bit of milk – to see them through to the other side. Those of us who were born with the predator spirit will go out and find their dinner the old fashioned way – through true grit and survival instinct.

Finding something to do has never been such a challenge. Colombia is one of the last countries still forcing quarantine and FEAR, on the general population. This noose of control and paranoia stifles my constant travel between cities and has made life difficult for everyone.

For now, I continue to focus on my work. Time to cultivate communities of like minded individuals and confront reality with truthful information and a sense of perspective.

There is always a way to achieve my objective – it only takes a bit of focus, commitment, and Chocolate in Colombia.

Click Here: https://steemit.com/@openmindedtravel