Bogota, the capital

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Thursday 26.03.09 (continued)
After saying my goodbyes to Elsie, Milena and Dan at the Calipso Hotel I caught the night bus from Medellin to Bogota. As it wasn´t leaving until 8:45 I had some time to kill at the bus terminal so went and listened to a free live concert of typical Colombian music which was on in the main areas of the station.

Friday 27.03.09
On the bus and dawn breaking, I pulled the curtain and wiped the window to read my watch - 5:30 and the driver was doing a stop start, heavy on the break in tailgate traffic on the outskirts of Bogota. One guy was sent sent flying healong down the aisle with his luggage as he prepared to get off at a stop en route. We pulled into the city at 6:15 and headed for the tourist information but it was closed. I joined a line to get a taxi into the city (9km away) - a good sytem whereby you get a ticket before getting in the taxi which says what the fare is going to be. The taxi took me to Platypus - a popular backpackers hostel where I had a coffee while waiting for them to sort out a room for me. ´Had a sleep for about an hour before going out and having a wander round the centre of the city. ´Found a tourist information office on Bolvar Square where they were very helpful. ´Found many interesting sites within a walking radius of the square - St Augustin Chapel, the Military Museum, Palacio de Nariño, Capitolio Nacional .... I also managed to post a card, a time-consuming feat here in Colombia, similar to that of Venezuela. The rain came down quite suddenly - torrential, so that the roads were like rivers, so much so you couldn´t cross them without getting soaked. Took shelter for a while and invested in a small umbrella. When it eased I made my way back to the hostel. Many people on the streets and pavements now; I became a victim of one of the light-fingered young ladies of the street when I felt a hand in my jacket pocket, and turned to find a girl taking my electronic translator out of my pocket. Too late, I tried to grab her hand as she eeled her way through the overcrowded pavement; tried to keep up with her but in vain. ´Went over to a nearby policeman but he wasn´t able to do anything about it. Yet another lesson down to experience! Fortunately that was all she got. ´Went to the supermarket and bought a nice piece of steak, veg, rice and fruit and decided to cook in tonight. After a good meal I shared a couple bottles of wine with some of the hostel residents. This is a lively social hostel run by a German couple who are a mine of information about the city and its surrounds. The weather here is much cooler that in Medellin - need for a pullover or jacket most of the time; when the sun does come out it is, however,very stong - as it´s directly above it can easily burn the top of your head.

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Photos

Protests, Protests, Protests
The Colombians take their freedom of speech seriously and protest marches are common around Bolivar Square. This one is about the people forcible displaced from their homes. In the background you can see many of them camped out in the square with all their worldly possessions.

Riot Police on Standby
The police stood at strategic points surrounding the square ready to step in if any of the protests got out of hand.

Iglesia de San Augustin
This delightful little church stood just off the square - very ornately decorated interior.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Another beautiful church near the top of one of the quaint little streets with a background of the mountains.