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Published: November 11th 2005
Tunja
The friendly tourist copperHotel Saboy is a strange place, a little shabby but quite homely in a way. It is owned by a Colombian family. All rooms are off a courtyard with the families glass dining room at one end enabling the huge dog to see whoever enters the courtyard and resulting in much barking. It was a proud moment when, on our last day, it stopped barking and jumping up at the glass windows as if it were about to rip our heads off.
The family were very helpful and gave us detailed instructions of places of interest as well as providing maps.
The first day we spent looking around the town. I asked a copper why a particular church I wanted to see was shut, only for him to show me around the town for the next hour and take me into a restaurant to secure me a table. Just a touch embarrassing. It´s not as if I didn´t stand out anyway.
As we were walking around the town, I asked him what the main problem, the police in Tunja have to deal with, and he said "boredom".
Once again, we were of interest to anyone who could
Tunja
Plaza Bolivar speak English. They loved to practice with us and show us what they knew. We popped into one shop and a woman with her son, shouted out in English: ¨Hello, hello, yes you. Where are you from?" etc etc
Sogamosa
Not bad either. We stayed here a couple of nights with a husband and wife duo. We didn´t end up seeing the temple of the sun, but instead were shown the wife´s collection of her own paintings. She apparently studied in Paris, where anyone who claims to be an artist, says gets their inspiration. I think because Botero was there. Anyway, I soon got bored of being polite when the cat painting, which had a real cat´s skeleton stuck to the canvas, came out. We used Sogamosa as a base to see various smaller peublos nearby and visit the cascades.
Aquitania
What friendly people! I´ve never been invited so much for coffee and to meet the family by so many strangers. It started off when we were dropped off by the bus in the town square, a family offered us a lift to the walk of the 15 crosses. Shit, it might not be 15 it might
be more, or it might be less. I cannot remember but it is massively marketed everywhere in Colombia and I should know. Whoopsie.
Anyway, as we climbed up the hill, passing each cross, to finally get to the top for the fantastic views we were met by a battalion of the army. We literally rounded the last corner and there were 15 guys in military uniform and guns, sitting looking at us.
The army were present because apparently the guerrillas were quite active in the area. They would target the poorest communities, the farmers/countryside folk, to recruit to their cause, and if they did not agree they would be shot. The army was in position to try to prevent this happening in the village. The boys also kindly told us that although we (travellers) do not look like we have much money, we are still good publicity and an attractive trade for guerrillas. The idea I had that guerrillas mainly want diplomats and gringo business types quickly dissolved. The army told us of several kidnaps that had happened just that month, involving tourists (one an Irish guy) who no-one hears about.
We stayed with the boys, joking
Aquitania
Incredibly friendly town and chatting for a while, as well as the local kids who lived up on the hill. It was really enjoyable, everyone was happy and wanted to play.
On walking back to the peublo to catch the bus, we passed a grim looking house which had a green tarp for a door. The wind caught it as I went past and I saw three children, sat on empty crates, cleaning onions. It was a real life sweat shop, although this one was for the local community business. I managed to quickly take a photo, but the kids were not willing to turn to face the camera. A pretty miserable working life had started for them. I wonder how long they would contine to work like that?
Nobsa
Not much here. Quiet little town, where they make footballs.
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cristina
non-member comment
me encanta una foto
la foto de los niños de aquitania en una foto bellísima, es una de las muchas muestras de ternura y belleza que he visto.