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Misspelled Paradise: A Year in a Reinvented Colombia
What does “Colombia” bring to mind? This South American country has sometimes been misrepresented, only known for cocaine, guerrilla groups, coffee, and Shakira’s hips. In 2011, Bryanna Plog spent a year in the country to find out what the headlines might be missing (headlines, that let’s face it, sometimes misspelled the country as “Columbia.”).
As a volunteer middle school English teacher in an impoverished community outside of Cartagena, Colombia, Plog recounts with delightfully understated wit her year traveling Colombia’s cities, deserts, and rain forests (fairly successful ventures), her attempts to hold class on a regular schedule (less successful), and her quest to eat meals that didn’t include rice (a complete and utter failure).
Through her teaching and traveling, Plog realizes Colombia is a place closer to a paradise than a country supposedly off-limits to travelers. Instead of having to survive encounters with drug cartels or avoiding kidnappings, Plog discovered her biggest problems included trying to get her students to pay attention in class, the country’s strangely undrinkable coffee, and the searing Caribbean heat.
Misspelled Paradise gives an honest and lighthearted look at the history, culture, and diversity of this complex Latin American country. Colombia may be struggling with poverty and civil conflict, but over the year she gets to know the country and its people, Plog also sees it celebrate its passion for life with raucous street parties powered by champeta, vallenato, and reggaeton music, crates of tiny watery beers, its eighteen national holidays, and a never-ending parade of beauty pageants.
Misspelled Paradise is a book for readers of memoir and travel writing and anyone who is interested in travel to South America. It gives an honest looks at the ups and downs of teaching abroad and how one teacher and traveler was surprised and captivated by a culture and country so unlike her own.
Plog takes her readers to the mountainous streets of Bogotá and to the small island of Isla Barú, to the deserts of the Guajira Peninsula and to the jungles of the Amazon rain forest, to the inside of her sweltering classrooms and to the sweeping beaches of the Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Learn, be surprised, and laugh out loud as you journey through a reinvented Colombia.
As a volunteer middle school English teacher in an impoverished community outside of Cartagena, Colombia, Plog recounts with delightfully understated wit her year traveling Colombia’s cities, deserts, and rain forests (fairly successful ventures), her attempts to hold class on a regular schedule (less successful), and her quest to eat meals that didn’t include rice (a complete and utter failure).
Through her teaching and traveling, Plog realizes Colombia is a place closer to a paradise than a country supposedly off-limits to travelers. Instead of having to survive encounters with drug cartels or avoiding kidnappings, Plog discovered her biggest problems included trying to get her students to pay attention in class, the country’s strangely undrinkable coffee, and the searing Caribbean heat.
Misspelled Paradise gives an honest and lighthearted look at the history, culture, and diversity of this complex Latin American country. Colombia may be struggling with poverty and civil conflict, but over the year she gets to know the country and its people, Plog also sees it celebrate its passion for life with raucous street parties powered by champeta, vallenato, and reggaeton music, crates of tiny watery beers, its eighteen national holidays, and a never-ending parade of beauty pageants.
Misspelled Paradise is a book for readers of memoir and travel writing and anyone who is interested in travel to South America. It gives an honest looks at the ups and downs of teaching abroad and how one teacher and traveler was surprised and captivated by a culture and country so unlike her own.
Plog takes her readers to the mountainous streets of Bogotá and to the small island of Isla Barú, to the deserts of the Guajira Peninsula and to the jungles of the Amazon rain forest, to the inside of her sweltering classrooms and to the sweeping beaches of the Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Learn, be surprised, and laugh out loud as you journey through a reinvented Colombia.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
282 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2014
About the author
Bryanna Plog
2 books25 followersBryanna Plog is an international traveler and author of two travel books. Her first book, Misspelled Paradise: A Year in a Reinvented Colombia, was celebrated for being an honest and entertaining account of life and travels in a forgotten Colombia. Make Sure You Have a Map (and Other Bits of Travel Advice I’m Glad I Ignored) followed up with a delightful collection of stories exploring bad travel advice. Her writing has also been included in The Wonder of It All, a collection of stories from America's national parks to celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service.
Bryanna Plog's writing draws from her substantive travels in over 20 countries and her passion for the natural world and history. Plog is also an educator and park ranger with the U.S. National Park Service and she has worked in parks in Utah, Alaska, California, and New York. Originally from Western Washington, today she lives and works in Cascade Mountains. Her next book project explores her travels to some of the most interesting and infamous volcanoes around the world.
Bryanna Plog's writing draws from her substantive travels in over 20 countries and her passion for the natural world and history. Plog is also an educator and park ranger with the U.S. National Park Service and she has worked in parks in Utah, Alaska, California, and New York. Originally from Western Washington, today she lives and works in Cascade Mountains. Her next book project explores her travels to some of the most interesting and infamous volcanoes around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 9, 2018
The author spent a year working and travelling around Colombia and brings with to this book a clear love of the country. The longer she spent in Colombia the more she seemed to enjoy her time there, and with it we are presented all manner of interested anecdotes about all elements of life, as well as the history and culture, sports, food, music and more.
This really is all things Colombian for the 21st Century, and it was eye opening as to just how the school day was "structured" there, and how little teaching appeared to be done, not Bryana's fault, but due to a whole variety of idiosyncrasies that made trying to work out what she was meant to be doing at times hard.
I loved the spattering of Spanish in the book, as it gave ma an opportunity to see if I could work out the gist of the statement from my own limited knowledge of the language.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bryana's trips around Colombia, exploring different areas and the trip to the Amazon was completely absorbing, having never really read anything set anywhere near the Amazon rainforest before. Hearing about elements of culture and regional differences was also really interesting.
I also really enjoyed meeting the students she was teaching and hearing about some of the different lessons she came up with. while being shocked at the attitude of her co-teacher.
There is a lot to love about this book, and if you know nothing about Colombia but want to learn a lot about the country, from someone that has spent a good amount of time there, then this a very accessible book and I would highly recommend it.
This really is all things Colombian for the 21st Century, and it was eye opening as to just how the school day was "structured" there, and how little teaching appeared to be done, not Bryana's fault, but due to a whole variety of idiosyncrasies that made trying to work out what she was meant to be doing at times hard.
I loved the spattering of Spanish in the book, as it gave ma an opportunity to see if I could work out the gist of the statement from my own limited knowledge of the language.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bryana's trips around Colombia, exploring different areas and the trip to the Amazon was completely absorbing, having never really read anything set anywhere near the Amazon rainforest before. Hearing about elements of culture and regional differences was also really interesting.
I also really enjoyed meeting the students she was teaching and hearing about some of the different lessons she came up with. while being shocked at the attitude of her co-teacher.
There is a lot to love about this book, and if you know nothing about Colombia but want to learn a lot about the country, from someone that has spent a good amount of time there, then this a very accessible book and I would highly recommend it.
February 12, 2021
Amazing book.
I'm from Colombia and it was nice and interesting to see the country through the eyes of a foreigner who lived for a considerable time there.
Completely recommended
I'm from Colombia and it was nice and interesting to see the country through the eyes of a foreigner who lived for a considerable time there.
Completely recommended
February 1, 2014
Back when I was leaving the US for a year in Latin America as a volunteer, I would have done anything for a book like Bryanna Plog's. Nowadays we have ample access to blogs and the snapshot views they provide of travelers' experiences, but Misspelled Paradise is that rare treasure: a book you can hold in your hands, that you can take with you on a bus or a plane; a story with a beginning, middle and end. Misspelled Paradise captures both the excitement and the eventual normalcy that comes with spending a long period of time as an American Abroad, as well as what it is like to try to exist in two languages. An important read for any American thinking about heading to Colombia or anywhere else to be a temporary expat.
February 24, 2019
I love Colombia
I have visited Columbia a couple times and I hope again in the future. The book gives insight into a small,hot village. I am glad she gets to see the more temperate regions during the epilogue....my favorites. Good humor throughout.
I have visited Columbia a couple times and I hope again in the future. The book gives insight into a small,hot village. I am glad she gets to see the more temperate regions during the epilogue....my favorites. Good humor throughout.
February 27, 2024
I picked this up to get an idea of what to expect on our upcoming two-week trip to Colombia. Also, I have been an ESL teacher in foreign countries, so I could relate to Bryanna's teaching experience in the small and hot Santa Ana, not far from Cartagena. This book is probably what my own book would be on Teaching English in Korea if I took all my blog posts and put them into a book. Some parts were super interesting (the characters, her travels to Bogotá and Cartagena), and some parts I had to slog through, especially the chapter "Life on a Caribbean Island (Did I mention we had a beach?)," which tells mostly about a long moto-ride over horrible roads and Bryanna's ensuing accident. The chapter on "Not Yet a Paradise" was interesting as it talked about the different political factions (very confusing!) and the violence that is still ongoing, but in smaller proportions, revolving around drugs and cartels. Overall, I got some good food ideas to try in Colombia and visitor tips on Cartagena and Bogotá. I wish she had ventured as well to Medellín, also on our itinerary. I'm glad Bryanna shared her experiences in this book.
November 23, 2024
I struggled to finish this book. While there were a couple interesting parts, the vast majority was incredibly boring. Also would have benefited from a more thorough review by a copy editor.
April 13, 2014
Misspelled Paradise is a thoroughly enjoyable read. If I was a traveller intent on visiting Colombia, I would consider it a must-read.
There are a couple of points that made this a stand-out for me.
First is the fact that it is not a simple travel guide. The author lived in rural Colombia for a year, and while she took the opportunity to visit and describe some of the better known destinations, she also spent considerable time in the out-of-the-way places. Judging by the reaction of the locals, not very many tourists make the effort:
“We walked around, creating a small sensation. Santaneros had gotten used to us and we were always greeted by students, parents, and shopkeepers as we went through Santa Ana’s streets. Here in Barú, reactions was a mixture of unabashed stares (“Dios mío, there are white people in Barú!”), many looks of confusion (“Wow, these tourists are really lost if they were looking for Playa Blanca”), and a few sales pitches for tourist trinkets (“Amigas, we have beautiful towels for the beach”).”
Also, Bryanna Plog has a delightfully understated wit, and faces many of the less agreeable aspects of moving off the tourist tracks with good humour and, eventually, affection. The endless heat, the less than reliable services like water and electricity, the laid back attitude to scheduling, interminable school anthem/national anthem/local anthem singing, local food, drink, livestock, bugs, travel, history and customs are all clearly characterized as the reader experiences each with her on her journey.
There is also the sense of her frustration as the job she went to do, to teach English, is made near to impossible by a school system flawed and barely functioning. Against this is a genuine affection for her students and the people of Santa Ana, with their stoic acceptance of difficulty and exuberant expressions of joy.
Misspelled Paradise is a well-written and uncomplicated read, and one which zips by easily. I read it in three sittings. I am not a traveller and am not usually a reader of travel memoirs, so the one fault I found is probably irrelevant to those who are. Once put down, there is no page-turning narrative to drive you back to it. It is an enjoyable way to learn about Colombia -- and, no less importantly, the realities of volunteer work – and so best recommended for those who want to travel there, or to volunteer anywhere.
Four stars, for travel lovers.
There are a couple of points that made this a stand-out for me.
First is the fact that it is not a simple travel guide. The author lived in rural Colombia for a year, and while she took the opportunity to visit and describe some of the better known destinations, she also spent considerable time in the out-of-the-way places. Judging by the reaction of the locals, not very many tourists make the effort:
“We walked around, creating a small sensation. Santaneros had gotten used to us and we were always greeted by students, parents, and shopkeepers as we went through Santa Ana’s streets. Here in Barú, reactions was a mixture of unabashed stares (“Dios mío, there are white people in Barú!”), many looks of confusion (“Wow, these tourists are really lost if they were looking for Playa Blanca”), and a few sales pitches for tourist trinkets (“Amigas, we have beautiful towels for the beach”).”
Also, Bryanna Plog has a delightfully understated wit, and faces many of the less agreeable aspects of moving off the tourist tracks with good humour and, eventually, affection. The endless heat, the less than reliable services like water and electricity, the laid back attitude to scheduling, interminable school anthem/national anthem/local anthem singing, local food, drink, livestock, bugs, travel, history and customs are all clearly characterized as the reader experiences each with her on her journey.
There is also the sense of her frustration as the job she went to do, to teach English, is made near to impossible by a school system flawed and barely functioning. Against this is a genuine affection for her students and the people of Santa Ana, with their stoic acceptance of difficulty and exuberant expressions of joy.
Misspelled Paradise is a well-written and uncomplicated read, and one which zips by easily. I read it in three sittings. I am not a traveller and am not usually a reader of travel memoirs, so the one fault I found is probably irrelevant to those who are. Once put down, there is no page-turning narrative to drive you back to it. It is an enjoyable way to learn about Colombia -- and, no less importantly, the realities of volunteer work – and so best recommended for those who want to travel there, or to volunteer anywhere.
Four stars, for travel lovers.
May 4, 2014
In many respects it is hard to review a travel book. One isn't critiquing the plot lines, since they are real events. Rather one focuses on the authors ability to put forward the experience in an engaging way that makes us want to take a similar journey.
In Misspelled Paradise, Ms. Plog does a wonderful job segueing from experience to experience, taking us from jungle trips in the Amazon to understanding the plumbing issues of Colombia.
Her main endeavor in Colombia, was to teach English to Colombian students at a school in a small coastal village, Santa Ana. She describes the warm people, rich environment, grueling weather, and broken education system. Nonetheless, those who could, took advantage of her being there to further their opportunities.
It turns out, to mine and the authors surprise, that Colombia is a large travel destination. Many locals rely on tourism for work. Hence, the parents of Ms. Plogs students play an integral part in her tales.
I highly recommend this book to those who don't perceive Colombia as a travel destination. The city life of Bogota, the meandering streets of Cargegna, the travails of flooding mud roads in villages, are all wonderfully expressed via the food, music, vegetation, and history of this country.
Ms. Plog successfully weaves a travel log that will make you excited to experience this part of South America (well, except for the rice).
In Misspelled Paradise, Ms. Plog does a wonderful job segueing from experience to experience, taking us from jungle trips in the Amazon to understanding the plumbing issues of Colombia.
Her main endeavor in Colombia, was to teach English to Colombian students at a school in a small coastal village, Santa Ana. She describes the warm people, rich environment, grueling weather, and broken education system. Nonetheless, those who could, took advantage of her being there to further their opportunities.
It turns out, to mine and the authors surprise, that Colombia is a large travel destination. Many locals rely on tourism for work. Hence, the parents of Ms. Plogs students play an integral part in her tales.
I highly recommend this book to those who don't perceive Colombia as a travel destination. The city life of Bogota, the meandering streets of Cargegna, the travails of flooding mud roads in villages, are all wonderfully expressed via the food, music, vegetation, and history of this country.
Ms. Plog successfully weaves a travel log that will make you excited to experience this part of South America (well, except for the rice).
January 12, 2017
I bought Misspelled Paradise because I knew that I would be able to relate to the author's story. As an international educator myself living the past six years in Honduras, I related to almost all of it. I felt her pain as she suffered through the tropical heat, strange insects, and power shortages. However, I also identified with the warmth expressed by the locals, the gorgeous scenery, and visits she made to quaint villages.
Although I found the writing a bit flat and expressionless at times, Plog's sense of humor came through and I enjoyed her take on her fellow teachers and the students she taught. I haven't traveled to Colombia yet, but her description of Cartegena made me want to go there very soon. I found Plog's memoir a humorous, light-hearted and entertaining read. I enjoyed it very much.
Although I found the writing a bit flat and expressionless at times, Plog's sense of humor came through and I enjoyed her take on her fellow teachers and the students she taught. I haven't traveled to Colombia yet, but her description of Cartegena made me want to go there very soon. I found Plog's memoir a humorous, light-hearted and entertaining read. I enjoyed it very much.
Read
June 23, 2015It's ok so far, but nothing special. I saw it in the library's list of new books and thought, why not? I like travel writing, and haven't read much about Colombia. The title irks me. The author claims that misspelling Colombia as "Columbia" is common? Really? I don't know about that. I don't think I've ever encountered that before.
Update: I don't think I'm going to finish this. It just never gripped me at all, and in fact, I think I may have returned it to the library already (can't remember). A good travel writer should be able to write about any place and make it interesting. This makes an interesting country seem a bit dull.
Update: I don't think I'm going to finish this. It just never gripped me at all, and in fact, I think I may have returned it to the library already (can't remember). A good travel writer should be able to write about any place and make it interesting. This makes an interesting country seem a bit dull.
November 19, 2018
Margi gave me this book to read about Colombia thinking it might be interesting. There were a few tidbits that were interesting but I was overall frustrated about the woman’s superior attitude toward the other teachers and toward the experience as a whole. Lots of “look at how hard I had it” and “you should feel lucky you didn’t suffer like I did” which bugged me.
December 14, 2015
A great look at one person's experience while teaching for a year in Colombia. h.
A great look at one person's experience while teaching for a year in Colombia. I liked the balanced view on a host of issues and the descriptions of the individuals she shared a year with.
A great look at one person's experience while teaching for a year in Colombia. I liked the balanced view on a host of issues and the descriptions of the individuals she shared a year with.
February 4, 2017
This book took me far longer than normal to read and I picked up many other books in between this one, occasionally going months with it sitting on my nightstand collecting dust.
I'm very grateful for my friend for thinking of me and gifting this book to me at the beginning of my own adventure teaching in Colombia.
Unfortunately, Bryanna Plog was just such an irritating narrator that it made the book difficult to read. I got frustrated a lot and had to force myself back to it. She's got a very holier-than-thou attitude throughout the book - from criticizing other travelers, to patting herself on the back for knowing what tinto means (and being surprised no one else congratulated her), to looking down on several Colombian traditions - she just was grating. At the end of the book she admits that it turns out she's a bad teacher (personally I hate one-year volunteer teaching programs - they lower the standards of the profession) but that she's sure she and the other Americans have improved the country for the better. Much too white-savior for my taste.
It was interesting learning about rural Colombia (I am spending my couple of years in a small city), but I wish I could've done it without her constant judgment.
I'm very grateful for my friend for thinking of me and gifting this book to me at the beginning of my own adventure teaching in Colombia.
Unfortunately, Bryanna Plog was just such an irritating narrator that it made the book difficult to read. I got frustrated a lot and had to force myself back to it. She's got a very holier-than-thou attitude throughout the book - from criticizing other travelers, to patting herself on the back for knowing what tinto means (and being surprised no one else congratulated her), to looking down on several Colombian traditions - she just was grating. At the end of the book she admits that it turns out she's a bad teacher (personally I hate one-year volunteer teaching programs - they lower the standards of the profession) but that she's sure she and the other Americans have improved the country for the better. Much too white-savior for my taste.
It was interesting learning about rural Colombia (I am spending my couple of years in a small city), but I wish I could've done it without her constant judgment.
April 24, 2017
Guys this book was a laugh out loud funny hilarious book. IT was a refreshing and very real take on teaching English in Colombia... from the moment she discusses the often misspelling of Colombia to the last page I found myself laughing at this book.
This book discussed the serious stuff in a refreshing & brutally honest way and I could not put this book down. The author has a fantastic insight into the world and she should write much more!
Full review will be posted on The Cubicle Escapee
This book discussed the serious stuff in a refreshing & brutally honest way and I could not put this book down. The author has a fantastic insight into the world and she should write much more!
Full review will be posted on The Cubicle Escapee
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews