29th May, 2007 – The Times They Are A-Changin'

My excited mother called this morning – unusual because normally we speak on Skype – to tell me about a long and extremely positive article in the Norwegian financial newspaper, Dagens Næringsliv.

The article featured Colombia and in particularly Medellin as a city ones know for drugs and violence that is now a booming city with more skyscrapers emerging than New York and a safer city than Washington D.C.

Now the point isn't that this was news to me - it's not – but the point is that this is news to the world and the world is beginning to sit up and pay attention.

Specifically, the article wrote about the investment opportunities in the stock exchange and the property market. My bets are on the property market…

Ahhh, the world is slow to recognize change but when it does, it's quick to act. We're going to see great things happen here.


21th May, 2007 - Optimism

Had a long conversation with the porter who works in our apartment last night and gradually moved onto the topic of optimism when it comes to how the country is developing.

Six years ago when I first came here I was struck by something of a gloomy atmosphere when out and about. Talking to people, I couldn't help but sense a general pessimism for the future of Colombia from many of the people I came in contact with.

Now in 2007 however, the tone has changed and you can really sense it by the look on people's faces and when talking about the future. It really has become a safer place and the amount of capital being poured in is evident in the number of projects blossoming around town.

It strikes me that this is the type of thing that can't be measured but has to be picked up on. Surely these are the signs of a country in the midst of a fundamental transformation generating a new generation of values and opportunities…?

Now if this does happen here in Colombia, where will it lead? There's an abundance of resources from nutrient rich soil benefiting agriculture to emerald mines, gold, considerable oil reserves, share physical size, 20% of the Amazon (not many people know this) and a highly strategic geographic location bridging Central to South America with long coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides.

I find myself in a lucky situation to have been able to experience Colombia in this way and look forward to exciting times.