Wayuu. . .Why Not???

The district at the northern tip of Colombia is called Guajira – it is a peninsula that includes the northernmost point of South America. This area isn’t often traveled by tourists because it isn’t easy to reach and, when you do, there isn’t much available.

That said, getting off the grid can be rewarding. Being somewhere with electricity available only by generator and without internet or phone lines, is both relaxing and liberating. Couple that feeling with ocean, sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and semi-arid desert as far as you can see, and you’ve got a strangely beautiful part of the world.

The area is populated primarily by the Wayuu. They are a traditional people with a “fierce” reputation who are actually very friendly and welcoming in person, if not a bit unsure of tourists.

Among other things, the Wayuu women are known for their weaving – especially colorful bags that are sold throughout Colombia.

I met a group of adventurous people and we decided to head up to Cabo de la Vela (on the Guijira peninsula) to explore the region. Cabo is primarily a fishing village and, sure enough, we saw signs of fishermen as soon as we arrived.

We found lodging with a Wayuu woman in her guest house right on the beach built in the traditional style -- out of the inner core of the local cactus.

“Lodging” was either a hammock or the local version of a hammock, the chinchorro. We opted for the chinchorro because it has extra cloth hanging down on both sides which you can use to wrap up and stay warm. I felt like a burrito!!

Despite showers that consisted of a small room with a bucket of water, my trip up here was so beautiful, it was worth it! How often do you get to hike through a desert and end up on a private beach on the Caribbean Sea? Why come to the land of the Wayuu? Why not???

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