In July 2017, I embarked on a journey to the enchanting town of Barichara in Santander, Colombia. The palpable anticipation of reuniting with my family heightened, particularly after an exhilarating 80-day tour across diverse countries around the globe.

Barichara once again captivated me. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride in my Colombian heritage. Undoubtedly, it is a place of true magic, wrapped in a serene and peaceful ambience where time appears to stand still. It’s as if the town has been plucked from the pages of one of Gabriel García Márquez’s novels. Barichara steadfastly preserves its historical identity, resisting the erosion of time. I had visited this gem years ago with my sister Adriana, and now, the time had come for a nostalgic return.

This particular journey has been a treasure in my heart, one I’ve never before put into words. It brought me immense joy, stirred sentiments, unfolded adventures, and gifted me newfound friendships. Witnessing the realisation of this gathering fills me with gratitude.

Margarita had extended several invitations before, and with my mind brimming with travel ideas, the realisation struck me: Barichara could be the perfect destination for a memorable family trip. Without hesitation, I proposed to my family that we convene there on the last weekend of July. It was to be a celebration, marking the culmination of my fantastic 80-day journey with both family and friends. Barichara was chosen as the setting, where we would revel in a warm weekend in July alongside my dear friend, Margarita.

Gratitude overflows for my exceptional and delightfully eccentric family, always ready to embrace my adventurous spirit. They rallied their kids and belongings, undertaking a remarkable 300km road trip, navigating nearly seven hours from Bogotá to Barichara. As they reached the doorstep of Tu Casa Barichara, Margarita’s warm embrace awaited them, filled with affection, friendship, and a shared love for the land.

As my family navigated the mountainous roads of our beautiful Colombia, I found myself bidding farewell to San Pedro Ambergris in Belize, happily aboard those familiar metal birds, with my nose pressed to the window as always. Crossing through Panama, Bogotá, and Bucaramanga, I endured an additional three hours on the road! phew! until finally arriving at dawn.

With eyes heavy with fatigue but a heart brimming with joy, I stood at the entrance door of ‘Tu Casa Barichara.’ The tremendous excitement of reuniting with my loved ones and crafting a tapestry of adventurous memories during that weekend in the enchanting land of Santander was palpable.

Barichara: The most beautiful town in Colombia

Barichara, a small town in the northern reaches of Colombia, cradled within the embrace of Santander’s department, unfolds its allure with winding cobbled streets and colonial architecture adorned in rich shades of brown. Affectionately dubbed ‘the most beautiful town in Colombia,’ Barichara proudly stands as one of the nation’s best-preserved gems, conjuring an ambience that effortlessly transports visitors back a couple of centuries

Barichara unfolds as a canvas of vibrant hues, its landscape adorned with a symphony of colours and rooftops painted in earthy tones of brown and red. Amidst this picturesque setting, the churches stand as timeless sentinels. A leisurely stroll led us to the enchanting Chapel of Santa Barbara, conveniently nestled near the main square.

It was here that I seized the opportunity to immortalise precious family moments through my lens. Directly across, a sculpture of a cross and oxen diligently ploughing the land captured our attention, embodying the region’s rich agricultural heritage. This spot not only served as a visual delight but also provided an ideal pause to take in the panoramic view of rows of tile roofs that seemingly stretch towards the majestic mountainous horizon.

The streets of Barichara unfolded as a living canvas, offering a vivid portrayal of the city and proving to be the best way to truly appreciate its undeniable charm. Our afternoons were spent meandering through squares and winding streets, where each corner revealed new wonders. Whether pausing at craft stores or savouring ice cream, every moment became a tableau, perfect for capturing in photographs.

Barichara, in its essence, opened the door to ecotourism, seamlessly connecting us with nature. The city’s embrace revealed beautiful landscapes, adorned with lush green fields and subtle traces of our colonial past, creating an immersive experience that echoed both the present and the history woven into its streets.

Our journey led us to a contemplative pause at El Mirador, where nature unveiled a panoramic masterpiece painted by the Canon of the Río Suárez and the majestic Gran Cordón de Yariguíes. Beneath the canvas of the sky, the sun gracefully yielded, allowing us to bear witness to the awe-inspiring magnificence of the towering Andean mountains.

El Camino Real – From Barichara to Guane

Spanning a distance of 8 km, this trail, initially laid by the indigenous Guanes, evolved into a pathway traversed by the Spanish during colonial times. Through the ages, it has metamorphosed into a cherished route, highly recommended for those fortunate enough to explore this region of the country. Beginning at La Calle de la Piedra de Bolívar, the trail weaves its way from Barichara to Guane, preserving its historical significance and offering a captivating journey through time

Although I had not yet arrived in Barichara at the time, my family eagerly undertook the 8 km hike, later sharing every detail of their adventure. It proved to be quite a challenging trek, as the cobblestone paths undulated with numerous descents and ascents, posing a demanding journey, especially for the young ones. Nevertheless, their determination prevailed, and they completed the hike with smiles on their faces. The trail unfolded as an enriching ecotourism experience, immersing them in breathtaking scenery while offering a poignant connection to our past, the heritage of our Guanes aboriginal ancestors. The journey became a tapestry woven with challenges, triumphs, and a deeper understanding of the historical tapestry etched into the landscape.

“In Colombia, there is the most beautiful, authentic and beautiful city, an authentic jewel of our past and our heritage ”JR.

🙏

Jenny

Now, let me share a glimpse of Margarita’s work. As mentioned earlier, Margarita is not just a friend; she’s someone I deeply appreciate and respect for her unwavering integrity and profound love for the land. Her connection with Barichara goes beyond mere residence, it’s a commitment to preserving and enhancing the beauty of this enchanting place. If you ever find yourself contemplating a visit to Colombia and an exploration of this picturesque city, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be delighted to assist you in crafting a personalised itinerary, ensuring your journey is as magical and memorable as the place itself

Frutos Conciencia Barichara:  Live and Energy Food

Margarita leads a community group that resides at the intersection of science and ethics, with a mission to heal both the body and mind at their roots. This collective belief centres around the profound connection between our well-being and the nourishment derived from Mother Earth, serving as the gateway to connectivity. Mother Earth, they assert, is attuned to and cares for our body and spirit, influencing every facet of our surroundings. 

Margarita and her dedicated team of collaborators envision the transformative power of the world through the joys of natural food. Each potent cereal mix is a testament to this vision, meticulously crafted with an array of fruits, seeds, and leaves, all pressed and prepared with care. The goal is nothing short of turning the simple act of eating into a conscious endeavour for well-being and health

All the ingredients curated by Frutos Conciencia are thoughtfully chosen from local sources, encompassing fresh and nutritious produce cultivated in their own garden or procured from local producers in the region. These carefully selected elements undergo a meticulous blending and fermentation process, culminating in authentic nutritional delights fit for human consumption.

At the heart of Frutos Conciencia lies a profound commitment to nurturing relationships, with the land, the farmers, and every being involved in bringing this unique product to life. Their mission goes beyond the culinary realm; it is a dedication to illuminate and transform lives, gifts bestowed upon us by Pachamama by filling them with the pure sustenance of the earth, crafted with an abundance of love.

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Photos Taken by  @pedromiguelfotografo

And if you are still reading, here I share this: My Writings Dedicated To My Friend Margarita Higuera: Frutos Conciencia Founder. Written in September 2019

”. .. and here we are, taking a breather in time, to pause and take time for ourselves, for me.☝️ Today, I celebrate her life, because she travelled over 8000 km, with her handsome little man.. Ahead in time, through the sky with no limits.. to this part of the ocean,, and thanks to a wonderful gigantic metal bird… An Avianca Dreamliner.. A bit of the story today is about dried fruits, those that she transforms from her gorgeous and fertile Barichara land, thousands of miles away from London, she converts them into delicacies of glory, delicious and super healthy that I can practically taste a piece of heaven. She works entirely on an organic product, full of faith, patience, passion and love for the land, Pachamama is her life, her natural state of mind. That day I had the joy of trying some of those delicacies. Mmmm Lucky me!.

In everyday life, she gives herself to others and often even forgets her own needs. She is tremendously kind with that sort of energy that illuminates the whole coast! , ..well that day the Costa Coffee of the Westfield promenade!. I can feel her spirit chit-chatting because of the pleasantness of her thoughts and then she drinks a hot black cup of coffee, in the hot weather like that day! Madness… just because she lives in a different world. We are so different yet in some way alike. Being around Margarita feels like an instant of profound well-being. And while I am sipping my nice iced-soy cappuccino, I listen to the stories of her fantastic yet real-life adventures, I smile and I listen.

That day I escaped work to see this remarkable woman, who I profoundly admire, who lives in a world outside our world, outside our system, in a jewel of a town, frozen in time, called Barichara, in Santander, Colombia, so peaceful and so present. She expresses and smiles at her experiences of working the land with her own hands, and of those fortunate to be around her, she has the power of creating, rooted in her curiosity for nature, and then she creates a magical world, where I am blessed to be invited sometimes. (Even when I show up at her Barichara home with 12 members of my family!!!).

Challenges of time, matter not, and neither do expired passports. there are no obstacles to her path in life.. because she carries on, travels through her routes and beams along the way… and despite some drawbacks, she inspires peace. She converts the impossible into I’m possible. She is a rock, yet vulnerable to the social modern system we live in.

I sometimes write stories and today she was my story, that one that I really needed to share. Her life is based on living her presence, sometimes a hippy and always happy.. Always a psychologist and forever a friend. Today my writing is dedicated to her “mi niña mangarita” as I call her sometimes, with a heart of gold, thanks for making my day and many other days before today, more joyful and full of calm, hope and comfort…. friendship shall remain within the energy of our souls. Feeling inspired, with a highlighted heart I’m grateful for another blessed day”

How Can YOU Help This Initiative? – Frutos Conciencia Barichara

1. After reading this article, check the social networks of the project and share it, sometimes we want to help but we don’t know how, well here is the opportunity to help this beautiful community project.
2. After buying and testing your product you can also share your feedback about it to Margarita and/or even better share them on all your social networks.
3. Make your requests, and enjoy the Mother Earth within you.

“Mother Earth is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. You carry Mother Earth within you. ” Thich Nhat Hanh

Love

🙏

Jenny