All Romesh knows about Colombia is cocaine barons and for most of his life, that was more than enough to stop him wanting to visit. But is Colombia's reputation for drug wars justified? Or does it have more to offer?
To find out Rom is spending a week traveling around the country, guided by radio host and journalist Heisel Mora. He sees stunning Colonial cities, beautiful Caribbean beaches and, in a scene that inexplicably makes the cut, a Jesus statue shop. He learns to make coffee, learns how to salsa and learns how to play Tejo - a popular Colombian game where the entire point is to make explosions.
But he also looks into Pablo Escobar’s legacy and the country's reputation for violence. A recent spate of TV shows detailing his life has given rise to ‘Narcotourism’ – people coming to the country specifically to look into the life of a man who is arguably the most successful criminal in history. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? How do ordinary Colombians feel about the fascination with a man who is believed to be personally responsible for the deaths of more than 5,000 people? And should Rom feel guilty for being interested? Show less