How was Colombia?

Honestly, absolutlely fantastic. It's probably not a big secret that Morocco was something of a disappointment for me. And I'm sure that someone will give me hell for saying this, but Morocco was great - except for the Moroccans. Which is why Colombia has been such an antidote for me: the Colombian people are curious, and sweet, and clever, and determined and warm and wonderful. Colombia has no Macchu Picchu, no Igazu Falls, no Galapagos. But it's lovely, varied, interesting, and dymanic nonetheless. Muchos gracias, Colombia, for not just showing me your wonderful country, but for restoring my faith in the goodness of people, travel, and the world.

Things Colombians Love

Mandarinas



Molasses Soft Drinks



Juan Valdez



Empanadas



Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas



Their Country!

Bogota, A Welcome Respite

Got off the plane in Bogota to a 25 degree temperature drop, here in the third highest capital in South America. Met up with a friend of a friend, who is a contractor for the US government here in Bogota. We had lunch, he handed me the keys to his apartment, and was off on a mountain biking trip for the weekend. So basically we have free accommodations for the weekend in an apartment that is a 20 minute walk from the central district of El Candelaria. Righteous.

Yesterday we visited the world famous Museo Del Ora (Gold Museum), housed in temporary quarters while they refinish the museum. Pretty cool:



We explored the Plaza Bolivar, home of the Colombian legislature, the cathedral, and the rather young Justice Palace, rebuilt after a deadly raid by the (now defunct) guerrilla group M-19.

From there we found ourselves in a local bar, where we befriended a group of Colombians, and were off to a long night in the Bogota night life scene. Today we had planned to head north to the Salt Cathedral and the colonial town of Villa de Leiva, but decided that we just needed a day off after last night's shenanigans. Tomorrow we hope to make the trip, as we must return to Los Estados Unidos on Tuesday morning.