1. Both places are hot, but Colombia doesn’t quite match the intense warmth of Panzhihua—and it rains endlessly there. I already battled eczema in Chongqing, so heading to Colombia might just exacerbate the dampness and worsen my condition.
2. To reach Colombia, you’d need to endure two or three layovers on flights, while traveling from Chongqing to Panzhihua offers the convenience of a direct high-speed train. It’s much simpler and less exhausting.
3. The security situation in Colombia leaves something to be desired. On the other hand, the biggest risk you face in Panzhihua is overindulging in delicious food, leading to stomachaches or perhaps a touch of diarrhea.
4. Colombia boasts the former residence of Gabriel García Márquez, while Panzhihua holds the memory of my grandmother’s home. While I deeply admire García, I feel an even stronger connection to my own grandmother.
5. In Colombia, you can watch the famous cockfights associated with colonels, whereas in Panzhihua, the attractions include chubby leopards, bears, vultures—and me! Plus, entry costs only two yuan, which is likely far cheaper than witnessing those legendary cockfights.
6. Colombia offers guavas and bananas as described by Márquez, yet I lean toward red-fleshed fruits and have no particular fondness for bananas. Moreover, strawberries in Panzhihua are priced at just ten yuan for three pounds, and blueberries, sugar apples, loquats, and cherry tomatoes are all incredibly affordable. These fruits may not be as accessible or budget-friendly in Colombia.
7. Above all, Colombia has Márquez’s Macondo, but Panzhihua will always remain *my* Macondo.
