Bogota

While listening to the Cholon playlist created by dearest Diana (we met while partying in Cartagena and continued our party ways in Cholon), and thought it’s time I write about my time in Bogota.

Bogota and Lima are probably the two most hated cities as mentioned by travellers going through Latin America; I have concluded that I have different taste to these people. If you love food like I do, you will like Bogota and Lima. If you like cities like I do, you will like Bogota and Lima. Food, city, conveniences, old & new, cultures, parties and histories.

Other than the fact that I don’t like doing a few hours layover of misconnecting flights, I found Bogota to be a comfortable city so I was in Bogota for a week before heading to Cartagena then I was back for two nights before heading back to Quito.

In Bogota, I learned about traveller’s fatigue – it is when you have been traveling for a while, moving between cities, experiencing a vast array of cultures, and eventually you are overwhelmed and exhausted. I realised I was experiencing a traveller’s fatigue when I visited only one church and one museum (granted it was multiple museums in one block); if you know me, you would know that I would try to visit as many museums and pay a little pray in as many churches, in any cities or towns I visit.

I don’t love tours, I rather get lost and explore, and eventually ask Google how to get home, but I do make a small exception for free walking tours especially one that promised an alcoholic traditional drink and an afternoon of craft beers and Tejo (Wikipedia) – metal disc, gun powder.

Skip to the photos if you are not ready for me being mawkishly sentimental. I was meant to do the afternoon walking tour but woke up early with nothing else to do, wandered towards the meeting point (Cranky Croc Hostel – the tour is The True Colombian Experience), stopped on the way for a shot of Colombia espresso, and sat on a bench observing people. When I arrived at Cranky Croc, still fairly early, I sat at a table while reading and observing people around me, and in the corner of my eyes, I spotted a tall being with a daggy grey tracky dacks, bright green t-shirt and a headband to keep the long mane in order – I kept my head low so I can giggle using my inner voice. He was giving away free smiles throughout the tour, displayed his skills in a few rounds of Tejo, and who would say no to a night-out in town with an English boy possessing a Spanish name. After a few days of exploring Bogota and surrounding, we said our farewells thinking it is the end of this adventure (fear not, there will be a sequel). Everything happens for a reason or a lesson. Be flexible with our days, activities, or schedules, and open your arms to challenges and adventures.

Be open to free smiles and chat to people you wouldn’t normally chat to – everyone has a wonderful story to tell.

Plaza de Bolivar – Cathedral of Colombia

La Candelaria – with a view of Mount Monserrate

La Candelaria – Walking Tour