The Warmth and Colours of Colombia

When the email inviting me to the World Dermopigmentation Congress in Medellín, Colombia, arrived in my inbox, I had mixed feelings. I had just finished watching the Netflix series about Pablo Escobar, with his adventures and the ruthless drug world that dominated Colombia. The cartel, the gruesome stories and the terror surrounding them were still vivid in my mind. In a word, I was scared. But inside me burned an irrepressible passion, for aesthetics and dermopigmentation, and that passion won out over fear.

I made a brave decision: I chose to face my unease and board a flight from Rome to Medellín, a fourteen-hour journey that would enrich my life. When I landed, Colombia greeted me with a gloomy November day and a light drizzle. But it was immediately clear that the real warmth of this land came from its people. A kindness and hospitality that showed themselves on every occasion: at lunches, at dinners, on guided tours of the city and, above all, during the congress.

The defining moment of my trip came when, during the congress, I heard the presenter call my name. A warm ovation greeted me; thunderous applause and enthusiastic cheers filled the hall. That warmth doubled at the end of my talk, turning a dream I had kept in my mind into a thrilling reality. I had travelled all that way to talk about psychological dermopigmentation, about treatments that help resolve not only aesthetic problems but also the deep emotional scars of those who suffer because of them.

Colombia proved to be an extraordinary country, a place where foreigners are welcomed with celebration. The atmosphere was always joyful, the evenings and gala dinners were festive, and dancing was a fundamental part of the culture. A song, "Quattro Rosas", echoed through the streets and became the soundtrack of my memories.

Yet Colombia has left a void in my heart. During my travels I became friends with an extraordinary man, Miguel, who had invited me several times to this enchanting land to share our passion. But the cruel fate of Covid-19 took Miguel away, leaving an unbearable absence. Every time I return to this wonderful land, I feel joy and, at the same time, a deep nostalgia. Colombia has left an indelible mark on my life, made of human warmth, vibrant colours and contrasting emotions.