With the addition of this route, Viva Air now provides non-stop travel between Cali and San Andrés, Cartagena, Medellín, and Bogotá.

Tickets are on sale now, and flights begin Wednesday October 7^th

With fares starting at $79,900 ($21.56 USD), the route will run Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from Bogotá to Cali 4:30pm to 5:45 PM and then Cali to Bogotá from 6:35pm to 7:45pm. This new route is announced while other airlines have cut back or restricted service. In fact, Viva Air is taking delivery of the first of its Airbus A320 Neos that have already been spotted in new livery colors at Airbus’s Toulouse, France final assembly facility.

The sunny new #Viva livery #AvGeek @VivaAirCol #Airbus #A320Neo #A320 #Toulouse #Blagnac @TLSWatch @aibfamilyflight #Airbuslovers ?? pic.twitter.com/Hys0I8uxqd

— Eurospot (@cliper31) September 10, 2020

“Even in times of Covid-19, at Viva we do not stop and we bet on connectivity and air inclusion, promoting the development of Colombia and a city as important to the country as Cali. Likewise, this opening also seeks to strengthen tourism and the generation of businesses in this stage of area reactivation that is essential for the economy and competitiveness of Colombians. That is why we are happy to be able to offer, through this new route, differentials for passengers that materialize in low prices, safety and punctuality,” said Viva Air CEO Félix Antelo.

Viva Air has already started domestic routes within Colombia, and international routes to the United States beginning this Saturday. The airline has stated that it is ready to begin international flights between Colombia and Peru as soon as the Peruvian government opens airspace. Viva Air operates extensive domestic networks within both Perú and Colombia.

And even though guacamole is Mexican in origin, the amount of the green dip made in the US with Colombian avocados is growing. According to figures from Colombia’s DANE Statistics Agency and ProColombia analysis, between January and November 2019, sales to the United States reached US $3.5 million—an increase of more than 470% compared to the same period of 2018.

Most avocados imported by the US come from México, though Colombian exports are growing. Last year, Colombia exported 541 tons of avocados to the US, and according to Jorge Enrique Restrepo, executive director of Medellín based trade group Corpohass, “in the three weeks prior to the Super Bowl there is a 30% increase in avocado consumption” in the US over yearlong averages.

Avocado photo courtesy InvestPacific

Shakira photo by Andres.Arranz

Original uploaded to www.arteyfotografia.com as Shakira Rock in Rio 08 003 – https://www.arteyfotografia.com.ar/3786/fotos/220156/, CC BY 2.5 es, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8620384

A young silletera in last year’s parade with her silleta

Business travelers to Colombia in the coming weeks would be unwise not to make time for this year’s Feria de las Flores (Flower Fair) taking place in Medellin. Colombia is one of the world’s top flower producers, and Medellin’s Antioquia region is a flower production epicenter. The annual celebration of this bounty takes place every year with a parade and judging of silleteros, people carrying exquisitely designed flower mounts, “Gigantes de Flores,” giant flower topiaries, artistic events, nocturnal exhibits, bazaars, and agricultural events.

Most events are free, but some privately organized events associated with the Feria, such as the kickoff concert sponsored by Pilsen Beer, require tickets. The July 31 kickoff concert features salsa singer Rey Ruiz, Vallenato crooner Martín Elías, and Reggaetón stars Zion Y Lennox.

The Silletero parade takes place on Sunday, the 9^th of August and starts at 2pm at the Guayaquil Bridge, and terminates in the Plaza Mayor—Medellin’s equivalent of a Town Square, where the finalists and winners of the Silletas contest will be featured.  This year’s parade consists of 420 adults, and 80 youths between the ages of 7 and 17.

Last year’s parade

Purdue University’s marching band will be visiting from the United States, a cohort of over 200 students, 10 technical directors, and conductor Jay Gephart, performing in the parade, and at other sites during the Feria. Purdue University already has strong links with Colombia, including programs with EAFIT University, and Ruta N.

Currently confirmed performers:

• Purdue University Marching Band (USA)
• Rey Ruiz
• Martín Elías
• Zion & Lennox (Puerto Rico)
• Miranda
• Zona Prieta
• Haydée Milanés (Cuba)
• Yury Buenaventura
• Gospel Voices (USA)
• Grupo Profetas
• Grupo El Sur Suena Cubano (Cuba)
• Grupo Bahia
• Edmar Castañeda (USA)
• Grupo Fatso
• Grupo María Barilla
• La Bambarabanda
• Victoria Sur
• Trío Barahú
• Yolanda Be Cool (Australia)
• Roger Sánchez (USA)
• ChoQuibTown
• Astronaut
• Tego Calderón (Puerto Rico)

On the first and second of August, the floral bazaar takes place in the Ciudad del Rio park from 10am to 8pm featuring local designers, cultural goods, youth entrepreneurs and craftspeople, and culinary offerings from local restaurants.

Sunday, August 2^nd is Noche Negra (Black Night) and features Gospel Voices from the United States, a choir featuring singers from Central State University in Ohio, Prarie View A&M University in Texas, and Alabama A&M (Agricultural & Mechanical) University. Colombia’s Grupo Profetas, musicians that fuse reggae, rock, and hip-hop with AfroColombian music and featuring African Antombo Languangui and Colombian Pablo Fortaleza will perform.

Jazz group El Sur Suena Cubano from Cuba, featuring Kelvis Ochoa, William Vivanco, and drummer Yissy Garcia is performing, as well as Colombia’s own Grupo Bahia, representing the sounds of Colombia’s Pacific coast.

Friday the 7^th of August will see a classic car show that runs from El Colombiano newspaper facilities to EAFIT University. From August 4^th to 9^th, orchids and parrots will be on display in the Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens). The last weekend of the feria features a concert with the likes of Yolanda Be Cool, De Bruces a Mí, Astronaut, ChoQuibTown, and Tego Calderón.

Photos of the 2014 Feria de las Flores provided courtesy of the Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau