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Travel Blog » South America » Colombia » Bogota

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Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade, and also the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.

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By mars3
September 21st 2006

feeling like a local...

South America » Colombia » Bogota

local cuisine!
i did not see a single tourist eating it!

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 [View Full Entry]

By Sarah and Princess Sparkle explore the world
September 18th 2006

Just a quick stop

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Statue from Mueso de Oro

Ok, I know I've been a bit slack seeing I started writing this 2 months ago but have only just got around to adding the photos. So here is the last installment of my Columbia & Guatemala trip. Back in Bogota again and it was still a bit over whelming. Although my spanish has now become existant I'm still struggling. People here speak very fast unlike Guatemala where everyone just cruised along. but the good thing is that I can understand so much more than I did before and in a round about way can have a very basic conversation. If [View Full Entry]

By Sarah and Princess Sparkle explore the world
August 18th 2006

off again

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Bogota

Well here I go on another adventure. First stop Columbia for 2 days. What can I say but "Wow, what a surprise!" Everyone I have met has been wonderful. I stayed with my friend, Steven's family. They were all wonderful. They showed me the city and were very hospitalible. I went out on my first night to a bar in Columbia with Steven's friend Jenni. She and her friends were great. Unfortunately I was so tired so I struggled but I did manage to stay out until 3.30am. It was great. Everyone danced. Salsa, samba, merangue and other dances I don't [View Full Entry]

By mars3
August 15th 2006

SELF INFLICTED ULCER!!!- my partying is finally catching up with me!

South America » Colombia » Bogota

this is the hottie that i picked up last night!

8th August- 15th august i was meant to be on my home by now. Had a flight booked from BA in Argentina for 7th August!!! Though not yet ready to get back home! and am still so far from BA- a place that i dearly love, but will one day soon also hold the place that i return back home from!! so if anyone wants to come out and join me and make me stay longer, i would be forever inviting! Bogota, the capital of Colombia, was a definite surprise. My 2nd favourite city in South America thus far, it was [View Full Entry]

By The Yak
July 12th 2006

Bogota

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Bogota, Colombia 10 or so hr flight over to Colombia and then a good 2 hrs going through passport control, don´t get many tourists here so was expecting a long wait but got trough really no trouble and got the stamp I was after... Took a cab from the airport over to our Hotel in North Bogota called Hotel Patio Amarillo, first impression was a bit mixed as excited to finally be there but also saw what people had been going on about as I´d never seen so much police before, they are literally everywhere and all with bi big machine [View Full Entry]

By Nels Abrams
June 21st 2006

2 1/2 months in Colombia

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Bogotà

Well, I am wrapping up my time here in Colombia. I spent the vast majority of my time in the capital city of Bogotá. One of the reasons I am intrigued by Colombia is the lack of knowledge we as North Americans have of the culture here. Similar to Russia of the Cold-War era it seems the information we receive about our latino-brothers to the south is narrowly focused on the problems (in this case drugs and violence) and the vast spectrum of culture is missed. To be sure, this filter has deterred international travel here to the extent that there [View Full Entry]

By Andie H
May 6th 2006

Closing the loop

South America » Colombia » Bogota

The border crossing from Ecuador to Colombia

Almost 3 months after leaving last time I am back in Bogota (only the third place I have doubled up on after Bariloche and Puerto Madryn in Argentina!). The weather has not improved- it is still cold and rainy but still a lovely city wth friendly people. We have travelled here from Ecuador moving pretty quickly through the south west corner of Colombia but taking enough time to appreciate the incredibly beautiful scenery which is pretty unique I think. From the border which was hassle free we arrived in Ipiales where we didn't stay but before leaving on another bus we [View Full Entry]

The church at the Santuario de la Virgen de Lajas

The church was built into and spanning the gorge

By Pocket Rocket
May 2nd 2006

Colombia - full of hidden gems....

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Beach, Tairona National Park

We arrived over the border into Colombia with very little hassle at all, apart from a big queue to get over the bridge from Venezuela. I think we all felt we should be able to smell danger in the air, but it all felt pretty normal. We stayed for a night in the border town of Cucuta, at a very nice hotel indeed, with pool, internet, and bar (including very nice looking men both serving and drinking there!!!). The next morning we got dropped at the airport and had to say good bye to Euan who had been our driver since [View Full Entry]

Late afternoon sun from the city walls, Cartegena

By unpaidbill
April 24th 2006

BOGOTA, BLOGOTA, BLOG TA TA

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Street sign
Bogota

Back at altitude with attitude again but I must be getting acclimatised. Great Bogota. Home to Bolivar’s greatest and lowest moments and still alive with a sense of history, passionate, proud and over populated with beggars. A little scene setting, this morning I took off the damaged panier, you might remember from the dog crash ep, I took it over the road to a small ferreteria (hardware) and told them I needed to fix it….did they have drill, hinges, rivets etc, within 5 mins the boy, the boss and 2 passing bike riders had accumulated tools, bits and pieces, sent the [View Full Entry]

By batgrl
April 3rd 2006

Last day in CO

South America » Colombia » Bogota

Crabs
Just ask them not to play Inna Gadda Da Vida

Bogota has a bad rap. As long as you are careful...and then mostly at night....this is a wonderful city. What other big city shuts down one side of major road every Sunday and holiday so people can ride bikes, run, and rollerblade? There are tons of great restaurants and bars. And cheap of course, at least by US standards. Plus the people are kind. Since this is the my second visit to Bogota and my main goal was just to hang out with Sarah, I haven't got a ton of pictures. The one I am going to post is of a [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » South America » Colombia » Bogota