Colombia

by Paw Gissel

“I first travelled to Colombia a decade ago, fresh out of journalism school, looking for a change of scenery; craving new sights, sounds and smells after a long northern winter.”

“My journey started with a one way flight, and developed into seven months that were influential for me, both personally and professionally. We covered social and cultural stories with very little experience, just a fresh intuition and a deep curiosity.”

“It reset my perspective, helped me see the world from a different angle. Since then, I’ve returned many times, and I know that Colombia has shaped me as a photographer in many ways.”

“This is a colorful and dynamic land, of warm and inviting people, moving to the alluring rhythm of salsa.The landscapes are varied; they evolve and transform through several attitudes even on a short drive. From dense forests to high-altitude mountains, from small Paisa towns to sprawling cities.”



“Colombia overwhelms the senses - visually and emotionally.”

“There’s an openness here, an invitation, a meal prepared, a story told. It makes it easy and natural to work here. One feels part of the family more than an outsider, a ‘gringo’.”

“In Ethiopia, coffee feels ancient; it’s ceremony and tradition. In most western countries, it’s a fast paced fix, while in Colombia, it’s a balance between the two.


Coffee isn’t just a product here, it’s a livelihood and an identity, a real reason for people to stay home in the mountains rather than migrate to the cities.”

“This mix of pride and tradition alongside pace and intensity can be found in Colombia’s coffees. A wide and ever changing palette of character, of sights and sounds; every flavour you can imagine can be found here.”