The Story

José María Samper, a Colombian writer and politician, packs his bags in the 1850s and sails to Europe. Spoiler: it’s not a textbook tour. He starts in London, moves to Paris, visits the Vatican, checks out bullfights in Madrid, and wanders around Italy. But under the surface, this is a story of a man caught between two worlds. Samper explains how to light a European cigar, compares French cathedrals to Colombian churches, and pokes fun at European manners while secretly stealing their fashion trends. He also shares his shock at witnessing poverty next to the riches of Vienna, and the struggle of sounding educated in a language that’s still new to him. It feels like you’re walking alongside him, half fascinated, half rolling your eyes at his 1800s stuffiness.

Why You Should Read It

What really grabbed me was Samper’s honesty. He doesn’t sugarcoat his confusions—like when he feels flattered that Europeans think he’s Spanish, then awkward standing in a room full of white duchesses as the only Colombian. His identity still rings modern. As someone born outside Europe, your brain flips between wowed by the sights and angry at your own history. Samper gets that. He fusses over literature and revolutions without even trying to show off. You feel like you’re learning about Old World through the eyes of someone who felt equally in love and out of place. If you’re a writer, you’ll catch his sarcastic despair at meeting wannabe poets in every café.

Final Verdict

I’d hand 'Viajes de un Colombiano' to anyone who wants read something smart but not exhausting. Perfect for history buffs waiting for more lay-person angles on colonization, travelers hooked on comparative views of the world, or fans of travel writing that goes quiet on vibes but loud on opinions.