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El Paso - The great passage

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In the previous chapter, we kicked off our journey by diving into the vast, beautiful eastern plains of Colombia known as los llanos . For easier representation, I will be using the term llanos in the blog. It refers to the plains. This region is mostly lush, wet grassland, and because of that, cattle ranching has become a huge part of the local culture, woven into everything they do. Comida Llanera You can see this influence everywhere—in their music, their dances, and especially in the food. It is ironic, though, the comida llanera (food of the plains) is all about meat, even with so many fantastic vegetables and grains around! Honestly, finding great vegetarian food has always been my biggest challenge and complaint while exploring the plains. Typical food from the plains  Restrepo, Meta Anyway, back to Restrepo! This town is our starting point for all the adventures we will have here. Sticking to the local custom, signified in the song Ay, sí, sí , ‘y a las seis de la mañana...

The Eastern Plains - The beginning

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Happy new year and this is the time to start a new chapter in Unknown Colombia. Thank you for sticking around.  Orinoquía region, also known as the eastern plains, is one of the most fascinating natural regions of Colombia, yet is often overlooked by travellers here due to the vastness and remoteness of this region, starting with the complicated trunk road RN 40 from Bogotá to Villavicencio. Sunrise over the plains is a sight to experience Geographical Extent The Eastern Plains covers the departments of Meta, Casanare, Vichada, Guaviare, parts of Cundinamarca and Boyacá. Although there are some cities in this region such as Villavicencio, the capital of Meta department, which is the 11th largest in Colombia and Yopal, the capital of Casanare department, this region is rural, remote, fertile and full of culture, gastronomy, music and dance. Villavicencio is affectionately referred to as Villao (Vee jaa oo) and is considered as ‘Puerto Del Llano’ or ‘Gateway to the plains’. The gover...