Trip Report: Bogota
May 27th, 2015, 03:17 PM
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Trip Report: Bogota
Bogota trip report - May 2015, 5 days with a local family
(Please see my Facebook page, Laurie Kay Designs, for photos!)
Had a lovely time in the capital city of Colombia, Bogota, with my US next door neighbor who is a Colombian native, at her Mother's apartment in the building that she grew up in for a family occasion. It is said that Bogota was formed from a former lake, when the mythical Bochica separated two stones to empty the lake which covered the savannah. Thus, the city is in the middle of surrounding mountains which offer quite spectacular views of the city and the landscape is lush and beautiful.
Packing: Bogota is a mountain city, at 8300 feet. It is very temperate, staying in the upper 60s to low 70s generally. While the weather reports I looked at before I left called for 50-80% chance of rain every day (May is in the rainy season) we never had a drop, although there were clouds. I did pack a small umbrella and light hooded raincoat, which I never used. It was gorgeous weather. I read on line, and absolutely agreed with the advice of others: don't pack sandals or shorts!!! This is a large, capital city, and people dress nicely. Jackets, leather boots or shoes, scarves, nice shirts and sweaters. Layers are good, as if the sun is out, it can feel warm since you are at the Equator, but if it turns cloudy with a breeze, it can be cool. For the fashion minded: high heeled knee boots were everywhere, paired with shortish skirts or skinny black pants or jeans and a leather jacket. Mostly black... As to jewelry and purses: leave your flashy or expensive jewelry and/or high end designer bags at home. You are asking for trouble if you don't.
Transportation: Arrived via Delta at the very new airport terminal, with a private car waiting, in the midst of crazy Bogota traffic. It is a city of 8 million, you know!! Apparently certain license plate numbers can only drive during certain days, but even with that traffic is quite crazy, as is the driving. This is not a city for walking (can be dangerous, even in good areas, and never at night) and mass transit isn't good for visitors either. So, it's hire a private car or hail a taxi. And, keep your windows closed while in the car in the city: the motorcycles come right up against the side of your car and there have been instances of grabbing phones, jewelry, etc. Also be careful disembarking from the taxi or car: some streets have bike lanes on the sidewalk itself, and I was almost taken out by a biker as I wasn't looking!!!
Where I stayed: in the vicinity of the Bogota World Trade Center, just down the street from the Bogota Royal Hotel, Calle 99-55 (or as I understood it off of Calle 100ish) at a private apartment. It's a good neighborhood, but there are dogs and police at the World Trade Center that inspect every vehicle. Not something I was used to seeing. Also, for you coffee fanatics: there is a Starbucks (with wifi) right there. In the area is also a Juan Valdez coffee shop (best coffee ever, in my opinion) as well as a Crepes and Waffles Restaurant, delicious. It's a chain, and hires only single mothers as a community service of sorts. Can you imagine that in the states?? A discrimination lawsuit!! We ate their twice. Yum!! Just a block or two away was a lovely park with some great restaurants around it. Had the opportunity to enjoy the park and the restaurants on a Sunday, along with many families and their children. Pictures on my Facebook page.
We spent a lot of time meeting and visiting with her relatives, wonderful people that made me instantly feel like family...even though I didn't speak a lick of Spanish beyond the few words and phrases I learned before going, to be polite. I did not find that many of the drivers, restaurant staff or store clerks spoke English, so be prepared with a written address for a taxi if you don't speak Spanish. The taxis have fare cards to translate charges. Anyway, We had the time to do several activities planned by my friend that I would like to highlight.
First, The Catedral de Sal in Zipiqueria, Colombia. About a 40 minute drive from where we were in Bogota (depending on how bad traffic is), and well worth hiring a car for a day trip. Once you get out of the city, the countryside is beautiful with many greenhouse farms that grow mainly roses. It was described as a "salt mine" to me, which it is, but so much more....and I had no expectations nor had I researched it before we went.
Just before we got to the salt mine, in the town there are several restaurants specializing in rodizio: a platter of various meats including chorizo, blood sausage, and as one of the family described it, "baby cows" roasting in a fire pit oven with the delicious, juicy meat being cut directly from outdoor fire pit and added to the platter. Delicious! You also can have a traditional potato soup that has shredded chicken, cream, corn, capers and optional spicy salsa available to add to it as well. I had the "real thing" made by one of my friends' relatives and it was much richer, but it's worth a go at these restaurants. The bill, with beer and drinks, came to about $10 per person for more than we could eat. Also in this area are many "touristy" shops, offering local/native goods for sale.
We got to the salt mine, chose the basic option for the tickets, which meant we toured the cathedral part, we did not go into the active mining area or tour. I was not prepared for the spiritual nature of a walk down into a salt mine. This is no simple salt mine. I have posted pictures of some of the stations on my Facebook page. Suffice it to say, there are simply magnificent carvings of the Stations of the Cross at the end of what had been old mine shafts, culminating in a fabulous actual cathedral with the largest underground cross in the world carved into one end of the cathedral itself. Wow. We tagged into an American speaking small tour group, which was well worth the time in the narration. There is a movie also at the end, which was worth seeing as well. The light show I thought was a waste of time, compared with the magnificence of the rest of the place. But that's just me. As you finish up, also located in the mine are various choices for refreshments food and souvenirs. I would go back to do the "mining" tour next trip. We ended up spending about 4 hours there. Do walk around outside and take in the views, as well!
We also cabbed to Andino Mall to shop. WELL worth a trip and an afternoon, at least. Behind the mall is a pedestrian only street with shops and great restaurants, don't miss it, either!!! HIGHLIGHTS: for men, go to Arturo Calle. One of the men with us got two suits (Valentino brand, very nice) altered in two hours (while we ate lunch) plus two dress shirts, two ties, cuff links, shoes and cologne all for around $600 U.S.!!!! For the ladies: boot shopping is fabulous here, as boots are worn year round. Yes, I snagged a beautiful pair
. I love both the men's and women's shoe selection here: very fashionable! It's an upscale mall, and with the dollar to peso conversion, you can get some great deals. Tons of shops there plus the outside area, both nationally known and local brands. You could spend a whole day. Of interest: in the Mall itself on the third floor (as I recall) is a life size horse, made by a family member of my friend, artist Adriana Vasquez, for a charity auction (the mall actually bought it) made of 80,000 pieces of cut glass. It's so beautiful!
A night out highlight: after dinner one night, we headed to the Mexican Plaza to have drinks, dance and be entertained by the excellent Mariachi band at Garibaldi. They do two shows a night. There are several places in the Plaza to choose from...as your driver enters the plaza you feel like paparazzi are surrounding your car to get you to go to "their" specific place lol. We had a blast !!!
I would love to go back, and hope to be invited on another trip
!! Cartagena beckons, as well as other areas and places I'd love to explore in the beautiful country of Colombia!!! Check out my Facebook page for photos: Laurie Kay Designs, as well as highlights from other of my travels. #catedraldesal #andinomall #shoppinginbogota
#bogota #bogotafashion
(Please see my Facebook page, Laurie Kay Designs, for photos!)
Had a lovely time in the capital city of Colombia, Bogota, with my US next door neighbor who is a Colombian native, at her Mother's apartment in the building that she grew up in for a family occasion. It is said that Bogota was formed from a former lake, when the mythical Bochica separated two stones to empty the lake which covered the savannah. Thus, the city is in the middle of surrounding mountains which offer quite spectacular views of the city and the landscape is lush and beautiful.
Packing: Bogota is a mountain city, at 8300 feet. It is very temperate, staying in the upper 60s to low 70s generally. While the weather reports I looked at before I left called for 50-80% chance of rain every day (May is in the rainy season) we never had a drop, although there were clouds. I did pack a small umbrella and light hooded raincoat, which I never used. It was gorgeous weather. I read on line, and absolutely agreed with the advice of others: don't pack sandals or shorts!!! This is a large, capital city, and people dress nicely. Jackets, leather boots or shoes, scarves, nice shirts and sweaters. Layers are good, as if the sun is out, it can feel warm since you are at the Equator, but if it turns cloudy with a breeze, it can be cool. For the fashion minded: high heeled knee boots were everywhere, paired with shortish skirts or skinny black pants or jeans and a leather jacket. Mostly black... As to jewelry and purses: leave your flashy or expensive jewelry and/or high end designer bags at home. You are asking for trouble if you don't.
Transportation: Arrived via Delta at the very new airport terminal, with a private car waiting, in the midst of crazy Bogota traffic. It is a city of 8 million, you know!! Apparently certain license plate numbers can only drive during certain days, but even with that traffic is quite crazy, as is the driving. This is not a city for walking (can be dangerous, even in good areas, and never at night) and mass transit isn't good for visitors either. So, it's hire a private car or hail a taxi. And, keep your windows closed while in the car in the city: the motorcycles come right up against the side of your car and there have been instances of grabbing phones, jewelry, etc. Also be careful disembarking from the taxi or car: some streets have bike lanes on the sidewalk itself, and I was almost taken out by a biker as I wasn't looking!!!
Where I stayed: in the vicinity of the Bogota World Trade Center, just down the street from the Bogota Royal Hotel, Calle 99-55 (or as I understood it off of Calle 100ish) at a private apartment. It's a good neighborhood, but there are dogs and police at the World Trade Center that inspect every vehicle. Not something I was used to seeing. Also, for you coffee fanatics: there is a Starbucks (with wifi) right there. In the area is also a Juan Valdez coffee shop (best coffee ever, in my opinion) as well as a Crepes and Waffles Restaurant, delicious. It's a chain, and hires only single mothers as a community service of sorts. Can you imagine that in the states?? A discrimination lawsuit!! We ate their twice. Yum!! Just a block or two away was a lovely park with some great restaurants around it. Had the opportunity to enjoy the park and the restaurants on a Sunday, along with many families and their children. Pictures on my Facebook page.
We spent a lot of time meeting and visiting with her relatives, wonderful people that made me instantly feel like family...even though I didn't speak a lick of Spanish beyond the few words and phrases I learned before going, to be polite. I did not find that many of the drivers, restaurant staff or store clerks spoke English, so be prepared with a written address for a taxi if you don't speak Spanish. The taxis have fare cards to translate charges. Anyway, We had the time to do several activities planned by my friend that I would like to highlight.
First, The Catedral de Sal in Zipiqueria, Colombia. About a 40 minute drive from where we were in Bogota (depending on how bad traffic is), and well worth hiring a car for a day trip. Once you get out of the city, the countryside is beautiful with many greenhouse farms that grow mainly roses. It was described as a "salt mine" to me, which it is, but so much more....and I had no expectations nor had I researched it before we went.
Just before we got to the salt mine, in the town there are several restaurants specializing in rodizio: a platter of various meats including chorizo, blood sausage, and as one of the family described it, "baby cows" roasting in a fire pit oven with the delicious, juicy meat being cut directly from outdoor fire pit and added to the platter. Delicious! You also can have a traditional potato soup that has shredded chicken, cream, corn, capers and optional spicy salsa available to add to it as well. I had the "real thing" made by one of my friends' relatives and it was much richer, but it's worth a go at these restaurants. The bill, with beer and drinks, came to about $10 per person for more than we could eat. Also in this area are many "touristy" shops, offering local/native goods for sale.
We got to the salt mine, chose the basic option for the tickets, which meant we toured the cathedral part, we did not go into the active mining area or tour. I was not prepared for the spiritual nature of a walk down into a salt mine. This is no simple salt mine. I have posted pictures of some of the stations on my Facebook page. Suffice it to say, there are simply magnificent carvings of the Stations of the Cross at the end of what had been old mine shafts, culminating in a fabulous actual cathedral with the largest underground cross in the world carved into one end of the cathedral itself. Wow. We tagged into an American speaking small tour group, which was well worth the time in the narration. There is a movie also at the end, which was worth seeing as well. The light show I thought was a waste of time, compared with the magnificence of the rest of the place. But that's just me. As you finish up, also located in the mine are various choices for refreshments food and souvenirs. I would go back to do the "mining" tour next trip. We ended up spending about 4 hours there. Do walk around outside and take in the views, as well!
We also cabbed to Andino Mall to shop. WELL worth a trip and an afternoon, at least. Behind the mall is a pedestrian only street with shops and great restaurants, don't miss it, either!!! HIGHLIGHTS: for men, go to Arturo Calle. One of the men with us got two suits (Valentino brand, very nice) altered in two hours (while we ate lunch) plus two dress shirts, two ties, cuff links, shoes and cologne all for around $600 U.S.!!!! For the ladies: boot shopping is fabulous here, as boots are worn year round. Yes, I snagged a beautiful pair
. I love both the men's and women's shoe selection here: very fashionable! It's an upscale mall, and with the dollar to peso conversion, you can get some great deals. Tons of shops there plus the outside area, both nationally known and local brands. You could spend a whole day. Of interest: in the Mall itself on the third floor (as I recall) is a life size horse, made by a family member of my friend, artist Adriana Vasquez, for a charity auction (the mall actually bought it) made of 80,000 pieces of cut glass. It's so beautiful! A night out highlight: after dinner one night, we headed to the Mexican Plaza to have drinks, dance and be entertained by the excellent Mariachi band at Garibaldi. They do two shows a night. There are several places in the Plaza to choose from...as your driver enters the plaza you feel like paparazzi are surrounding your car to get you to go to "their" specific place lol. We had a blast
!!! I would love to go back, and hope to be invited on another trip
!! Cartagena beckons, as well as other areas and places I'd love to explore in the beautiful country of Colombia!!! Check out my Facebook page for photos: Laurie Kay Designs, as well as highlights from other of my travels. #catedraldesal #andinomall #shoppinginbogota #bogota #bogotafashion
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