A Festival Quest to Dance, Connect & Remember Who We Are

An Unforgettable Journey Through Bogotá with the Talented Aruba Crew

🧳 Introduction

After CORE Festival cracked me open, I felt the Universe wasn’t done with me. That’s how I ended up in Bogotá; not just for a festival, but for another transformation. This is the story of how a solo quest became a collective adventure. It was filled with deep connections, unexpected turns, and memories that still vibrate in my chest. And yes… the next one might be happening in November.

Me at CORE Festival before the call to BAUM

🌌 After CORE, the Universe Whispered: “There’s More”

After CORE Festival, where I connected deeply with music, people, and presence, I knew more was coming. Camila, a Colombian rave queen I met there, mentioned BAUM Festival; Colombia’s top electro/techno gathering. If you like CORE, you have to come to BAUM.

The plan was to go with my festival buddy, but when he couldn’t make it, I thought: “Why not go on a solo quest?” Solo quests have become my practice—a way to meet myself in new places, among new people, in unknown environments. This time, the universe reshuffled the script.

🎟 From Solo Quest to Soul Crew

What started as a solo mission quickly transformed into a full-blown crew experience. We had two-day festival passes, Airbnb, transportation, professional videos, photography, breakfast, and great vibes.

The BAUM festival crew ready to fly

The Crew Highlights:

• 🎥 Vince: A gifted travel videographer and photographer who lives and breathes the island life.

• 💡 Diana: A branding queen and marketing mastermind, with an eye for every detail.

• 🏴‍☠️ Johny: A go-getter and exciting character who lives the boat life. He always goes straight for what he wants.

• 😎 Kowan: A multi-talented soul known for his Aruba e-foil adventures and smooth energy that meshes well with everyone.

• 🤠 Marlon: That’s me. I explore rhythm, raw moments, and real connections. I chase experiences that move the body, open the heart, and wake up the soul.

  
  

With each person who joined, the vibration of the trip increased. We even printed crew shirts before takeoff—unified and ready for whatever Bogotá had to offer.

🏚 Airbnb Horror to Boutique Bliss

We landed in Bogotá and arrived at our first Airbnb: dark, dusty, and dead vibes. It took us half an hour just to enter the house. Exhausted, we spent the night there. By morning, we were kicked out by the host because we canceled our stay. No time for a proper shower!

We swiftly upgraded to the Mediterranean Luxury Condo in T-Zone near Parque El Virrey. The space was inviting—spacious beds, clean rooms, fresh energy, and a fully stocked kitchen.

The only catch? No guests allowed after 11 PM, and no parties. Plus, the host’s name was Karen. And yes, she lived up to the name. But I focused on what mattered: prepping my body, mind, and spirit for BAUM.

💫 Rituals Before the Rhythm

One week before the festival, I entered ritual mode. This was more than a party; it was energetic work. It was a safe space to meet yourself, to feel everything inside of you.

Mind Body Spirit Preparation and Rituals

🧠 Mind: Chakra meditations shared with my rave partner.

💪 Body: Training, cardio, and late-night movement/dancing sessions.

🌀 Spirit: Various cacao ceremonies with a sound bath on the day of my flight.

💊 Supplements: Multivitamin, Ashwagandha, Shilajit, electrolytes, and Joint Extreme.

I grounded myself with the intention for the whole crew to have a great time. As we entered day one of the festival, I fueled up with my favorite burger recommendations: 🍔 Chef’s Burger, Smoking Burger (the Jack Daniel’s was my pick of the day), or El Corral Burger. Energy locked in!

🪩 BAUM Day 1: Opening the Frequency

With the crew glowing and hydrated, we headed out. Camila had given us the ultimate DJ roadmap, and we were ready to let go. The vibe was electric. I bounced between two high-energy crews, embracing the welcoming energy of the Aruba crew and the emotional openness of el equipo Colombia. They weren’t afraid to say “Te quiero” amid drops, hugging each other and passing smiles along the dancefloor.

The Aruba Crew

“We danced like family. We hugged like we’d known each other forever. We invited anyone curious to join us. We embraced all emotions, connecting with only a gaze.”

El equipo Colombia

🫀 BAUM Day 2: Hollow to Whole

Day two hit differently. I was excited for my favorite DJs and wanted to catch them all. One of my favorites, ARTBAT, was playing, so I headed to the stage alone, as the others wanted a break. At one point, I found myself dancing alone when “Hollow” by ARTBAT began to play. It felt like an arrow through my heart.

“Our love lost in translation... Can’t see a road that leads out of here…”

That song unearthed old pain, the kind lying beneath the surface. It was more than music; it was an emotional cleanse. Surprisingly, I noticed another soul dancing alone beside me, visibly moved. I reached out and offered a half-heart with my hands. She completed it.

Two strangers. One emotion. One magical, unspoken healing. It marked a breakthrough. From there, I rejoined my crew, and we danced wild and free, exploring stages together with new members of the "Baila lo Rocky" crew.

🔊 Afterparty: Techno in Another Dimension

After the festival, only the die-hards remained (and those with pre-sale afterparty tickets!). We approached the afterparty but almost didn’t make it inside. We were the last ones allowed in, while 20+ behind us, including the Aruba crew, got turned away.

Pro tip: Always buy your afterparty tickets in advance.

Once inside, the DJ dropped into pure hard techno. It wasn’t just music anymore; it was a physical vibration. No lyrics. No stories. Just bass ripping through us.

“This isn’t about the mind anymore. It’s body. spirit. movement. Por los bajos del pecho; from the depths of your being.”

🌿 Cloud Forest & La Chorrera: Cleansing the Soul

Hiking to Colombia’s tallest waterfall, La Chorrera

The next day, we traded dance floors for waterfalls and cloud forests. Despite a brutal stomach ache from bad food, I still showed up. Something told me this part mattered. We hiked to La Chorrera, Colombia’s tallest waterfall at 590m. Standing in front of it, something monumental washed over me.

“It felt like a detox. A soul rinse. A physical and emotional cleanse, releasing whatever residue remained in me.”

Our guide, Stefany, was warm, funny, and deeply connected to the land, making the experience even more special. The food was delicious. All in all, a great experience.

🛑 A Day of Silence, A Moment of Meaning

That night, I stayed in. My stomach still hurt, but I felt tuned in more than ever. I turned down all activities and spent the night in my room, reflecting on the magic festivals bring to us. The next day, I woke up feeling good, and we visited Museo del Oro, surrounded by golden relics and ancient wisdom. Ritual, transformation, and shamanic energy—exactly the closure I needed. We ended the day indulging in delicious typical Colombian food.

Museo del Oro, Bogotá

💫 The Unexpected Goodbye That Wasn’t Really Goodbye

Before heading to the airport, Camila joined me for one final ride—a full-circle moment. I felt pure appreciation for the experience. Somewhere in her presence, I realized it’s easy to connect when you reveal who you truly are. Most likely, you’ll find more in common than you expected—and that’s a beautiful thing.

🌍 A Message to You, Fellow Soul Dancer

Conscious travel isn’t only about the destination. It’s about who you become and who you meet along the way. This wasn’t just a trip. It was a celebration—a remembering of Who We Are!

“If you’ve ever danced until you cried, stared into a stranger’s eyes and felt you knew them, or told a total stranger you love her... then you’re already on the path.”

💬 Over to You:

What’s one place that helped you meet a new part of yourself? Was it a dance floor? A mountain? A person? Comment below or DM me.

And if you're ready to join me on my next festival quest in Colombia, you know where to find me.

With love, rhythm, and presence,

Marlon Moore

Moorebida - Travel. Dance. Connect. Remember Who You Are.