My Python Journey: From a Remote Village in Colombia to Building Real Web Applications

Nine years ago, I found myself in Trigana, a magical corner of Colombia where fewer than 100 people live. There’s no cell phone coverage, electricity only runs for a few hours a day thanks to a gasoline generator. During a family trip, my uncle Raúl mentioned wanting a website to sell some pills he was producing. I had my first MacBook and a fantasy about learning C++ to develop games, but that conversation became my first real programming opportunity.

C++ seemed impossible, so I thought: “Why not start with web development instead?”

Building Raccoon: A Development Team in Santa Rosa de Cabal

Back in Santa Rosa de Cabal, I formed a team with friends: Monster (designer), Mauro (marketing), Dani (frontend), Pirry (content), and me as the “programmer” who didn’t even know what backend meant. We called ourselves Raccoon and set up shop in Maxi’s living room with plastic chairs and my dad’s painting table.

We started with pure HTML and CSS—no Bootstrap, no frameworks. My first code had 3,000 lines of terrible CSS, but it taught me how not to do things. At a tech event in Pereira, I met Diego, a Django developer who changed everything by showing me Python and backend development.

The Django Discovery and 15-Day Crash Course

I found a Python and Django course on Platzi and it was love at first sight. Then we got our first big break: a contract to build the city water company’s website. The problem? I had no idea how to actually build it.

Remembering Richard Branson’s advice to “say yes, then figure out how to do it,” I locked myself away for 15 straight days:

Days 1-5: Python Fundamentals

• Variables, functions, loops, data structures
• Object-oriented programming basics

Days 6-15: Django Deep Dive

• Models, views, templates
• Forms, authentication, admin panel
• Database relationships and migrations

First Real Project: The Water Company Website

The project requirements were ambitious for a Django newbie:

• Custom responsive design
• Content management system
• User authentication
• File uploads and database relationships

But the real challenge was deployment. I had to learn Linux server administration, Nginx configuration, SSL certificates, and production deployment—all while the client waited. The IT person turned out to be my old primary school teacher, which made the process smoother!

I needed 15 extra days, but we delivered a fully functional website. It was my first serious, real project delivered to a paying client.

Why Python Over Everything Else

I never liked PHP—it looked messy and confusing. Python’s syntax breathes clarity; reading it is like reading pseudocode. Django’s structure helped me understand modern web frameworks, and knowing Instagram uses Django gave me confidence I was choosing something serious.

Key Django concepts I mastered:

# Models - Data structure
class Article(models.Model):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    content = models.TextField()
    created_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)

# Views - Business logic
def article_list(request):
    articles = Article.objects.all()
    return render(request, 'articles/list.html', {'articles': articles})

The Learning Strategy That Worked

Platzi was my university, but discipline made the difference. My daily routine during those 15 days:

• 6 AM: Coffee and course videos
• 8 AM: Hands-on coding practice
• 2 PM: Apply concepts to the real project
• 6 PM: Debug and problem-solving
• 8 PM: Document learnings

The team support was crucial. Raccoon wasn’t just making websites—we were making history in our lives, learning together, and building something meaningful.

From Django to AI: Python’s Evolution

Today, with the AI boom, I realize Python was the perfect choice. It’s not just for web development—it’s the star language for:

• Web Development: Django, FastAPI, Flask
• AI/ML: TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn
• Data Science: Pandas, NumPy, Jupyter
• Automation: Beautiful Soup, Scrapy, Celery

Currently, I use FastAPI for quick APIs and microservices, but Django remains my home for full-featured applications.

What This Journey Taught Me

Python and Django took me from theory to practice, from curiosity to real development. I learned to face real projects with real clients and deadlines. But most importantly, I learned how to learn—perhaps the most valuable skill in our rapidly changing field.

Key takeaways for aspiring developers:

1. Start with real projects - Tutorials are good, but real problems accelerate learning
2. Embrace the community - Python has one of the most welcoming communities
3. Focus on fundamentals first - Understand Python before jumping into frameworks
4. Learn by teaching - Explaining concepts solidifies your understanding
5. Stay curious and persistent - Technology changes fast; adaptability matters most

The Ongoing Journey

This story began in Trigana with a conversation about my uncle’s website and led me to discover web development, backend programming, and the power of teamwork. Finding Django was one of the great successes of my professional life—it opened doors I didn’t know existed.

Whether you’re in a remote Colombian village or a bustling city anywhere in the world, Python can be your gateway to turning ideas into reality. The only requirements are curiosity and the willingness to learn one line of code at a time.

¿Estás listo para comenzar tu propio viaje con Python? The journey of a thousand applications begins with a single import statement.