Exploring Bogota

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After a good nights sleep we got got up reasonably early, after breakfast of bread and jam we got a short taxi to the funicular (or as i was saying pinicular) ride to take us up to the top of Cerre de Monserrate. This is a big mountain that looks over Bogota on the East side of the city. When up at the top it was originally tough to breathe for the both of us as the altitute was really taking its toll.

The views of the city from Monserrate were amazing. Some may say breathtaking (you get the pun) It was interesting just to witness just how big the city was. The interesting thing that i noticed it that there wasnt too many tall buildings or any that stand out in particular. Quite a contrast to New York. Whilst in Monserrate we also took a look at the church and wondered around the pretty well looked after gardens.

After spending a couple of hours the top we moved to Plaza de Bolivia which is at the heart of the historic town. It was quite a random place really in my opinion it was just a mismash of articultural styles. It was just generally not really that impressive and the thinks that really grabbed my attention was the amount of pidgeons and the amount of beggers. So it wasnt a confortable environment to be in. Another think of note was the fact they were only just taking down the christmas tree only the 27 days after christmas day!!

After the square we got a drink and some food and moved onwards to the Museo Del Oro (for the non spanish speaking readers this translates to the gold Museum). I wont lie i was a little nervous about this as i didnt want Fiona to discover an addiction to gold. Fortunately we left empty handed but with plenty of knowledge about the process of making gold. So if anyone needs any tips you know where to come 😊

Our final experiance in Bogota was back to the market place the day before. This time we were back with more success as we (mainly Fiona) we able to successfully haggle 50% off a pasmena/scarf thing.

We then got back to the hostel late afternoonish were Patrick (who incidently is French) invitted us to a party that he was throwing for friends he has met in Columbia. The food was excellent he cooked us pasta followed by a mousse for dessert. We even had home made sangria and Ponche which went down very well i must say.

The party was a real mixture of nationalities and cultures, we had 5 columbians, 2 english, 2 french, 1 belgian and even 1 welsh. It was nice though talking to different people and drawing upon there experiences and recieve advice for future places we will be visiting.

Fiona was really in her spanish eliment at this party, so much so at one stage she even turned round to me to explain a joke that had just been shared, this was great however i she was explaining the spanish joke in spanish. My response was simple - No Hablo Espanol Fiona.

Anyways our Bogota journey was now over and tommorow we shar be flying further sound to visit peru.

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Comments

[kim]

lovely
Hi Ant and Fi, missing you more this week - glad you are having a great time pictures look so brillent. glad your meeting people as well. We here are fine had a busy week-end myself - went to fat loaf friday very nice meal, sat went picture as we told you on facebook, and sunday went looking at cars - nothing as yet- still looking - and had a lovely sunday lunch out - called in to see Grandma Tina and James and Gwen turned up - they have come home while Gwen is doing something in court and there going onto India after its over. It was funny to see them home. Grandma Gigi says hello and the message was make sure your ok x. Kaine had his wash and set on saturday and looked lovely and smells nice until Sunday he decided to come to the stables with me and show us what he thought of his new hair cut - in the MOOD and rolled all over. ginger no more grey/blackish - it was so not funny. well good luck o nthis trail can not wait for these picture, i feel like i'm going up there with you. xx

[RA]

getting warmer eh. . .
love your pics again. . . must have enjoyed the sunshine. My spanish consists of mainly unproductive curse words. . . Antony - simply walk around introducing yourself as the 'anglais bendayho' and you'll make twice as many new pals. RA

[James]

Spanish Joke?
Just Reading your blog out to Kerryann whilst she's driving, both loving it, glad your having fun x is the Spanish joke "what do you call a Spanish goalie with no legs?"