We are alive! And have enjoyed four very nice days in Bogota. We're staying at a pretty great hostel ($9 a night for a dorm room with free breakfast AND dinner included... and we've been told that Columbia is one of the most expensive countries in South America!) and the city is very beautiful. It's built on this high plateau that is surrounded on all sides by big green mountains. The old historic district where we are staying (la candelaria) climbs right up the side of the mountain and is full of steep cobblestone streets and brightly colored houses. The people are friendly, the food is plentiful and the juices are amazing. Bogota offers much more than Columbian cuisine, which seems to revolve around soup, potatoes and beef. The city is like no other. Every sunday the main street (carrera 7) is closed to cars, resulting in a flood of people and vendors sprawling as far as the eye can see.
The first impressions of Colombia in general is that the people are friendly and curious. The government has gone a long way to ensure that people feel safe in their own city. In terms of night life, there is something for everyone. Upon the recommendations of a local, we visited a salsa club located 30 blocks west of our hostel. The club, while small, was soon packed with hips-shaking Colombians. Beyond that we've had a great time hanging out at the hostel and meeting people. It appears that most people treat Bogota as the staging area for their foray into South America or as the departure point.
Tomorrow we are off to Villa de leyva, a small town north of Bogota. It promises to have lots of camping, climbing, white-water rafting and warmer weather.
The first impressions of Colombia in general is that the people are friendly and curious. The government has gone a long way to ensure that people feel safe in their own city. In terms of night life, there is something for everyone. Upon the recommendations of a local, we visited a salsa club located 30 blocks west of our hostel. The club, while small, was soon packed with hips-shaking Colombians. Beyond that we've had a great time hanging out at the hostel and meeting people. It appears that most people treat Bogota as the staging area for their foray into South America or as the departure point.
Tomorrow we are off to Villa de leyva, a small town north of Bogota. It promises to have lots of camping, climbing, white-water rafting and warmer weather.
Anthony Bourdain in Colombia: http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain/Episodes_Travel_Guides/ci.Episode_Colombia.map
ReplyDeleteTony said that there were lots of really cool buses - that each one was decked out showing what neighborhood it was from. True? Pictures?!
Love you guys - have fun!!