Aracataca, Colombia -- the boyhood home of Nobel Prize winning Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia-Marquez.
Aracataca, Columbia
Few make the visit to Aracataca in northeast Colombia, childhood home to Gabriel Garcia-Marquez. The river town founded in 1885 is very simple and has no characteristics that make it a place many would want to visit. There is really only one small factor that makes it stand out: it is the birthplace of Nobel Prize writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I made the trip there last year from Santa Marta (about 4-5 hours roundtrip) along with an average of one other traveler per day.
For those that don't know Garcia Marquez, you absolutely should. If there isone South American author that's found international success more than any other and should be required reading he would be it. Try One Thousand Years of Solitude or Love in the Time of Cholera if you want a good place to start.
The town of Macondo in One Hundred Years of Solitude was based on Aracataca. The story weaves the history of the town and the lives of its residents, and does not hesitate to incorporate what many would see as magical elements. You could say that the literary genre, Magical Realism, found an international audience here.
The former home of "Gabo" has been turned into a museum of sorts. Much of it is rebuilt, therefore little is actually left of the original house. There are a number of old photos of the author and his family on the walls. There are also some old furniture, a typewriter, and a nice garden. It is fairly empty in its display, but nevertheless is full of spirit. If you look at the guestbook you will notice that most of the visitors have traveled a great distance to be here.
It is about 2 blocks from the plaza. It is best to ask for directions because you won't realize what it is until you are in the doorway. It deserves a quick look, no more. Then you can be on your way.
