Bogota
Trip Start
Sep 20, 2008
1
13
29
Trip End
Sep 2009
Bogota,
Colombia
Friday, November 14, 2008
We came to Bogota earlier than planned cos of a Luna family wedding where Ali would be swamped with the Luna family. Thrown in at the deep end didn't come close, an introduction to latin american families, being that they are generally huge, and full of Maria's and Jorge's! Pleased to say there was an open bar for long enough that the whiskey helped most of the complicated stuff. Ali's initiation went something like this:
"Er.. Ali, you do know its considered rude in Colombian weddings not to ask the bride to dance the first waltz"
"Shit, but I've only been learning salsa."
"Doesn't matter, go now before she gets offended"
Returned a little later a little red faced
the cousins
. Monserrate: Again using our common sense from Cartagena went to the highest point in Bogota, this is almost a small village with its own market place restaurants and compulsory church. Took a funicular up instead of the optional walk (apparently this would have been a sure way of finding some of Bogota's more famous resident theives). The city is beyond belief stretching as far as is possible to see in every direction (except up I guess). We decided to leave exploring properly until later, just looking at it is enough to take the energy. Add to this we had unexpectedly and unintentionally got lost round the centre the day before for several hours driving, and needed time to recover before braving it again.
Zipaquira: Churches and cathedrals normally put us to sleep, and we've done our best to pass little time in them. However. The entire thing is underground, with walls, altars and as we confirmed by sharing the spit of millions of colombians (including Caro's from previous visits) and licking the walls - everything is made of salt.
Our first official trip to the centre, was to see the infamous museo del oro, a collection of the gold from various places around Colombia. On arriving to the centre most vendedores were on strike, was nice to wander round and not be hassled. But there was at least one that did catch our attention. Lining up a handful of guinea pigs one end, the guinea pig master called for your 200 peso bets, and released the pigs to run to there home
Juan R, Caro & Ali
. The crowd screaming for there number, all very emotional! Probably the best waste of money we have seen yet. The rest of the museum was all very interesting but unfortunately they were somewhat reluctant to let us take our pick for souvenirs. Sorry!La Vega: One of Caro's relatives owns a farm a little outside of Bogota, set amoung rolling hills, with a huge balcony view over the valley. Fitted with hammocks and all, we spent a little time relaxing before being put to work on the farm, picking a least 5 coffee beans. First time seeing some of the other fruit and veg we were accostoming ourselves to being grown, such as the plaintain, yuca, guanabana and etc. Pretty cool, but think in terms of proper farming we are still on holidays. Its a year for good breakfasts, and the one we were offered here has to be pretty much equal to the Cartagena egg-meat-arepas. A starter course of eggs, followed by caldo (potato soup), followed by arepas, and a hot chocolate and cheese for dessert. 4 courses to start the day. Eat that Kelloggs.
Hope all is good, hasta luego!
