feeling like a local...

16th september- 21st september

coming back to Bogota was an experience of mixed feelings-


a)Unfortunately, it was filled with the burdens of a large city. a place where you have to catch up on all those errands that can only be done in large cities! and for me, it was also finding a new camera (those of you that know me know that i am not normally an impulsive shoppper, so this was hard!), and failing miserable to repair my videocamera (yes problems with all forms of photography!)- the repairer took 4 days to finally tell me that he couldnt do anything! frustrating as hell!




b) on the other hand, it was great to come back to a place that i loved (my second fav city in SA so far) and i felt relaxed and comfortable. i already had done all the touristy things and was left to simply enjoy the city.

- i knew my favourite places to eat. there is one place ran by a guy who used to be a matador- he made the best arrepas you will ever try (arrepas are these grainy paties with cheese filled if your lucky! and he made them cheese filled). but i also came across the best empanadas in south america! i even told the guy! my favourite was chicken, mushroom and ham- believe me its great! i love food on holidays!

- my favourite places to go clubbing. back to Gothica- 3 levels of awesome music and dancing! experienced new places- Cha Cha- set on the top floor of the old hilton hotel, it demanded amazing views of bogota city. it had a cool decor inside and i met the DJ (from NY) and a local TV presenter. should have tried gettin on TV!

- i could navigate myself around the city. it definitely was the cheaper option! once however, i took the wrong bus...thought that the reason it was taking forever was because of the traffic. next thing i know, our bus is driving by the cliff with bogota city lit up all below! it was amazing! getting lost in Bogota that day was an experience i loved! i saw things i would never ever see- views, plazas, churches. there is so much to see from a city, but often as tourists we only see it from the viewpoint of a guide book! take my advice- when you get to a new city, hop on a random bus and get lost! you´ll find much more than you expect!

-i had friends to hang out with and that i knew from my prior visit! automatic friends wherever i went. and some new friends that i had met along the way. met up with 4 people that i had hiked the lost city with!


all in all, i still love Bogota, but my time was definitely overspent here, and was ready to get on that next cost saving overnight bus!

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