Written by Aina Bandele, (George Washington University), Student Correspondent for CET Colombia, Fall 2026
Salsa and Santa Elena
I used to treat weekends as time to catch up on sleep, but then I spent one in Cali, Colombia. Suddenly, my Saturday began at 7:30am, when my local roommate, Mariajose, and I decided to experience the Saturday morning market. When I asked where I could get my fruits for a decent price, she suggested this place. So I gladly went, not really knowing what to expect, but trusting that following her lead would allow me to experience a side of Cali I might not find on my own.
The first stop was Santa Elena, Cali’s largest outdoor market located in the central part of the city. Hundreds of vendors lined the streets with fruits, vegetables, and everything you could possibly need for the week. This is the perfect place to try fruits native to Colombia and Latin America, like my current favorite granadilla. Each block had at least three different speakers blasting salsa as vendors called out prices.
Since I’ve been here I’ve learned to appreciate the sounds of salsa as I feel like I hear it everywhere and no time is a bad time to hit a basic step. I used the shopping opportunity to practice my negotiation skills while my roommate taught me how to choose ripe or unripe fruits and vegetables depending on when I wanted to eat them. By 11:30, we had got what we needed, took an Uber home, and settled into a slow Saturday afternoon vibe that felt very different from my usual university routine.
Back at the apartment, we decided to keep the day lowkey. I headed to our building’s gym for an hour, so grateful that it was empty enough for me to move at my own pace and reset after the busy morning. Afterwards, I made a simple breakfast, eggs, avocado, and toast, then took a shower and gave in to a midday nap.
Homemade Dinner
When I woke up around 3 p.m., I saw a message that one of our local roommates had invited the whole group to her mom’s restaurant. I quickly got ready and we Ubered across the city to Ulpiano Lloreda, a barrio in northeastern Cali. It was a long ride, but it gave me time to enjoy the landscape in a car as the mountains appeared and disappeared behind different buildings. Our roommate, Mayerlin, greeted us alongside her mom and sister, and as dinner was being prepared I used the time to get to know her family better.
I joined them in the kitchen and asked questions about their families’ history and shared my own. There were definitely moments where I was searching for the right verb or pausing to rephrase, but those hesitations quickly turned into giggles and by the end of our time together I felt much more confident. The plate they served easily became the best meal I’ve had in Cali so far. After dinner, we headed back to the apartment, and I spent the evening catching up on facetime with friends from home.
Hiking Tres Cruces
Sunday morning started even earlier. I woke up at 7 for a 9am hike to Tres Cruces, three massive crosses that sit 4,800 ft above sea level. It is an exciting weekend activity for many people who climb it for exercise and amazing views of Cali. I went with my neighbor across the hall, Keler and we joined a larger group of students from our building.
Our apartment specifically houses students from many nearby universities, which makes it the perfect place to make friends and participate in activities like this. The hike started off fun and easy, but the last fifteen minutes were steep enough that I was asking for a break every three minutes. I very quickly learned how to request that we stand in the shade: “Vamos a la sombra!”
While going up I was so focused on my footing that I hadn’t realized how high we were until we reached the top. The view was genuinely like nothing I’ve seen before. The bird’s-eye view of the city plus the mountains were so beautiful. Venders sold snacks at the top and Keler and I celebrated with a cup of fruit salad that was like the perfect reward for the effort. We did pull‑ups on the jungle‑gym apparatus while who I assume are regulars entertained us with cool tricks. It turned out to be a nice place to mingle and meet people of all ages. Most conversations started with “Do you mind taking a photo for me?” and turned into little connections that reminded me how welcoming Cali can be.
The descent down was much easier which gave me time to really take in the views I had missed on the way up. Once we regrouped at the bottom, some people headed back to the apartment and others went out to lunch. I dozed off during the forty‑minute ride back, my lower body definitely feeling the effects of this morning’s activity. When we got back to our neighborhood Keler and I walked down the street to Crepes & Waffles, a Colombian chain known for their sweet treats. After our ice cream, we parted ways and I spent a couple of hours by the pool before heading back to cook dinner and complete the readings for the upcoming week.
Why Weekends in Cali Are Worth It
By Sunday night, my weekend included a successful mercado trip, delicious food at a family-owned restaurant, a challenging hike with incredible views, and relaxing by the pool at my apartment. This weekend was a perfect example of me becoming more familiar with Cali and embracing the routines of a new city. If you’re unsure about studying abroad, or about choosing a place that feels unfamiliar, know that weekends like this are waiting for you here in Cali, and they are more than worth it!