September 30th 2014
After a successful if overwhelming experience this AM getting a blood test done I am ready to take in some more enjoyable sides of this massive city of more that 8 million people. The only bigger cities in North America are NYC and Mexico City.
I drop off some stuff back at my hostel Lima Limon which is right in the old town neighbourhood known as the Candeleria, full of winding narrow streets and incredible amounts of history. The hostel itself is quite nice, set in an old colonial house with comfy beds, warm blankets (needed in Bogota), and a free breakfast included in the 18,000 COP price tag. The staff is friendly and helpful and there’s a very social atmosphere.
As I’m about to leave two police officers enter the hostel and talk to just about everyone with big smiles. Finally they ask if anyone could help them translate a fable type story from Spanish to English. Together with a new friend from Mexico we spend the next hour helping the officers do just this and teaching them both some new words. Honestly, it makes me miss teaching and when we finish working through the story I start thinking maybe I should find a place to volunteer for a few weeks. After the Galapagos since I need to get there pre high season. The officers are thrilled and I feel I’ve made to new friends as they thank us and wave goodbye. Even now I don’t know why they needed this done, though i suspect it may have been homework for english class and they were just looking for a leg up. Clever cops, who’d have thought?
At any rate, I head out of the hostel and into the streets which are full of energy and life. Bogota seems to have almost as many universities as it does people. The high percentage of young people makes it an vibrant and very attractive city.
I stop for lunch at a restaurant advertising Arab food just around the corner from my hostel. It’s run by a friendly Egyptian man and the chicken schwarma is good, if a little expensive at 8,000 COP for a lunch sized portion.
From there I head down closer to the ancient centre and towards the world famous Gold museum. The streets grow more crowded and everywhere I look is some incredible street art. (I’ll just include one photo here as I think they’ll be a special post about the graffiti scene here coming this weekend.)
I turn down a main street and reach what is definitely the most touristy area of Bogota. the streets are lined with souvenir shops and trendy overpriced cafe’s. Despite the obvious catering to tourism though, the entire neighbourhood has a pleasant feel to it and I find I’m smiling as I wander though the crowded pedestrian walkways.
I reach the gold museum all together too quickly and decide to continue on, hitting it on the way back. As I wander out into the plaza in front of the museum through vendors of just about everything you can imagine, I see a bunch of tent canopies and a small stage thats been erected. I work my way through a pretty sparse crowd and figure out after a minute that It’s Bogota pride week. I stay to show my support for a few minutes and watch a very provocative dance and hear a few stirring speeches about equality and how far they’ve come while there’s still a long way to go. I don’t know much about the attitude towards this in Colombia, the crowd was small but I didn’t see any protestors or people causing trouble, so that’s a good thing.
From there I wandered through busier streets and found myself in Bolivar square. I wander through a huge open square full of pigeons and surrounded by ancient buildings. I spend a few minutes sitting in the centre of the square studying a sky a vibrant mosaic of blue and white. Bogota sits at 2640 meters above sea level and something about that makes me think I’m closer to the clouds. The day to day skies up here are certainly more impressive than any I’ve seen since Indonesia.
I go in to the Cathedral and wander for a while, admiring the impressive marble construction accented with stunning crystal chandeliers. Inside Colombian life carries on, family’s ducking in for a quick prayer, and even a few other tourists circling with camera’s out.
From there I head back towards the gold museum and step inside one of the worlds best rated collections of exhibits for only 3,000 COP. Inside are countless pieces of gold and a lot of fascinating information about the history and working of gold throughout the ages, in both Colombia and the world.
I spend two hours wondering through the well curated rooms, enjoying both the learning and the glittering gold. I can’t help but think of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, all while cackling and repeating the word “Gold Gold Gold!!!” Quietly under my breath.
A few hours later I leave, my mind and eyes both tired but happy and find my way back to Lima Limon, having had a good half day first taste of what Bogota has to offer.
