Medellín, Music & the Mountains: A Soul Journey Through Nature, Fear, and Festival Magic

There are moments in life when the weight of everything becomes too much, when words feel heavy, and even sharing your struggles seems like a burden. That’s where I was. So I did what many of us feel called to do in those moments, when a friend says let's go to a festival: I booked the ticket, packed my bag, and off we went.

Destination: Medellín, Colombia.

But this wasn’t just a trip. It became a powerful soul journey experience, one that peeled back layers I didn’t even know were still there.

Relaxing in a hammock surrounded by stunning mountain views after an adventurous day of waterfalls and ziplining. Life is good.

🌄 Into the Wild

It started with nature. Endless walks through lush forests, breathing in fresh mountain air, climbing, hiking, feeling small beside waterfalls. I went with my bro, one of the most positive, encouraging people I know. The kind of person who challenges you to go further, physically and mentally. However, in quiet moments, like in the bathroom, or in the middle of the night, I’d let myself feel. Emotions welled up. Sadness, release, gratitude. All of it.

Each step forward was like reclaiming a piece of myself I had lost.

Sitting on the rock and inhaling my surroundings

💧 Facing My Fears (That Weren’t Really Fears)

We zip-lined. We climbed a waterfall. We jumped into rivers. At first I did not want to do this, but the second opportunity, which was much higher I went for it. It was like taking a leap of faith. I’ve always said I have a fear of heights, but something shifted as I came back to the surface. Because I realized: it’s not heights I was afraid of. It’s the falling. Not just physically, but emotionally. Falling in love. Falling into vulnerability. Falling without knowing if anyone will catch you. Colombia showed me that no one needs to catch me.

🎶 The Festival That Broke and Rebuilt Me

We arrived at Core Festival as early birds, soaking in every detail. Our first stop was the food tents. While grabbing food, we sat across two festival newcomers, vibrant, open, and very curious. 'Who were these two energetic Arubians?' they might have wondered.

Naturally, we made it our mission to give them the best first-time experience at a festival.

The music carried us all night, but one moment stayed with me: A light glove dance during Paul Kalkbrenner’s set, with “Breathe” by Camelphat .

Pure energy. Pure presence. That day we went early as we wanted to have energy for the second day. The next day, we started the same, food tent, eat, connect and get ready to dance. This time we met one of the most beautiful rave girl at the festival. As my friend asked her why the sad face, she transformed that face into an energetic smile and become part of the crew. She knew exactly where to go and when to go. It started to rain but that did not stop us. Even with pouring rain, we danced harder, all wet and fully alive. The track that had a major impact on me was:

MGMT - Kids (Anna Remix) - Vintage Culture

This song brought my innerchild back to life. Listen to the message when you have a chance.

🔊 The Alan Watts Moment

As the night ended and the last track was played we taught it was over.....Wait for it.......

Then came the track that cracked me open: This is the closest version I could get a hold of. Interstellar - Pontifexx remix layered with the voice of Alan Watts:

“The ultimate reality of the universe is the self. What you do is what the whole universe is doing at the place you call here and now. You are something that the whole universe is doing, in the same way that a wave is something that the whole ocean is doing. You separate from life, but life dominates you. The real you, the real deep down you, is the whole universe. And it's doing your living organism and all its behavior, placed in the world. It's expressing it as a singer sings a song.”~ Alan Watts

In that moment, I didn’t just feel. I remembered who I am. But it did not end here..

🧠 The Song That Took Me Back

Then it happened: Innerbloom by RÜFÜS DU SOL.

The last time I heard that song was during a retreat I had planned for someone I loved deeply. In the middle of a sacred ritual, she walked out. And when she returned, she told me her retreat had revealed she needed to leave, to go live abroad. Now if you can imagine the lyrics of the song while I was already knowing what was about to happen as she said those words to me. That was the last time I played Innerbloom, as it broke something in me. But this time, at the Core festival, surrounded by strangers turned soul family, soaked in rain and music, the song became something else. A release. A healing. A FreequenSee

A transformation of the memory from pain… to presence.

🌀 The Message

As I watched my new found friend process her own emotions, I realized something:

We all have different stories. But the feelings? They’re the same.

I’ve made a vow to myself and this I will also keep to myself!

And that was what freedom really felt like.

💭 And Now, I Ask You...

Have you ever truly asked yourself — Who am I, really? Not the version others expect. Not the one you wear in public. But the deep, raw, real you, buried inside? If you’ve felt something reading this? If you’ve cried to Innerbloom, if you’ve felt your soul stir at the words of Alan Watts, reach out. We might be part of the same tribe. You are not alone. You never were. You never will be.

With love and music,

Moorebida

MooreBida