Here's Bogota mostly in pictures.
City view/parks/people- so many people are out in the streets all day long, gathering in the parks, hanging out, eating street foods, watching the futbol games through the windows of bars/restaurants, etc. It's fun to just be in the streets, being a part of everything.
Ciclovia- every Sunday, the city closes several major roads in the city for pedestrians, bikers, skaters, etc. Its a huge weekly event- tons of activites in the streets and parks, vendors along the roads, group excersize classes, etc. I think it really gives a small town feel to a GIANT city. Elise and I rented bikes and rode all throughout the city for about 4 hours. A great way to see different parts of Bogota.
Botero Museum- he's famous for painting people, animals, and fruit in a very chubby way.
Monserrate - views from the top of the mountain that dominates Bogota's city center.
Zipaquira Salt Cathedral- a 1.5 hour bus trip from Bogota, the town of Zipaquira has an underground cathedral built within the tunnels of a salt mine. This place in a religious mecca, but also a pimped out tourist attraction. It was a bit overwhelming. Interesting, but overwhelming: the surrounding areas of the cathedral have a rock climbing wall, light shows, play grounds, a 3-D movie about the indigenous people, gift shops galor, etc. like I said, it was A LOT to take in. PS yes, I licked the wall.... it's salt!
Graffiti tour- we took a walking tour to see all the street art but well known graffiti artists (not the stupid 'tags' but really beautiful, colorful, art that covers some of the walls in the city.
My visit with Camilo: when I worked at United Way, I made a good friend from the United Way in Colombia through a year-long fellowship program (in 2008). We have kept in touch but haven't seen each other in nearly 5 years. I saw him twice during my time in Bogota, each time involving lots of authentic Colombian food. It was so great to catch up in person, and try some interesting new foods (ie cow intestines, and a blood sausage version of boudin- called something different though). Cow intestines......a great way to end my visit to Bogota!
