COLOMBIA | Monday, 22 April 2013 | Views [609]
From the lonely Planet:
If you spend any time at all in the Zona Cafetera it is highly probable that you will take at least a couple of rides in a classic WWII jeep.
These veterans don't just look great parked in formation around rural parts of the Zona C. Willys are used to transport everything from passengers to pigs, platano, furniture and of course coffee. And unlike buses, a Willys jeep is never really full- don't be surprised if your driver packs in 16 passengers or more.
The first jeeps to arrive in were army surplus models sent from the USA in 1950 in order to sell the vehicles to farmers in the Zona C, a kind of traveling jeep show was created with expert drivers maneuvering the vehicles up and down the stairs in front of the churches and moving loads through obstacle courses in the plazas. The locals were sold instantly- and so began a love affair that lasts to this day.
Willy jeeps are such an integral part of rural Colombian culture that a "yipao" is a legitimate measure of agricultural products in Colombia (it's about 20 to 25 sacks of oranges). To see these majestic vehicles an all their glory check out Armenia's fabulous Yipao parade. where pimped out jeeps are loaded up with agricultural products and furniture and driven around town on two wheels, or check out www.willyscolombia.com
