The last stop on my South American itinerary was Bogota, the capital of Colombia and the destination for Tom’s birthday. It was a bittersweet experience that involved more than a few occasions of shedding tears.
But before the celebrations we had to check out the city. We signed up for a bike tour and visited the major sites. Seems it is quite a popular way to see the neighborhoods of town that we wouldn’t have otherwise seen.
(The main square)
(Tom thought it was hilarious that he found a book called ‘Hailey Overload’. I don’t think such a thing is possible!)
(Tom sampling the fruits at the local market)
(At the cemetery all the graves have a painting of the traditional way to carry the dead, slung between two men)
(The memorial to all those lost in the Colombian wars)
(The bull fighting ring. Closed down not long ago but there is such an outcry about it that it may be reopened soon.)
It was in Bogota that I was lucky enough to meet Tom’s friend Camilo, meaning we had a local tour guide! We also took a gondola to the top of the hill overlooking city and I have to say it was possibly the scariest gondola (and then the funicular down) that I have taken in South America. Not for safety (it was fine) but it was incredibly steep! Tom thought this was quite hilarious….
(Brace yourselves?? This can’t be good…)
We also spent a couple of hours in the gold museum viewing golden pre-Colombian artifacts. While I can’t say it was enthralling I did enjoy taking cool photos.
Finally it was time to celebrate. We spent a couple of nights visiting the night spots of Bogota and trying to stay warm. The highlight was having the waiters sing a Colimbian version of a Happy Birthday to Tom complete with clapping…much to his embarrassment.
(Cake and coffee for breakfast)
(The singing waiters)
And then it was time to say goodbye to South America. I have love love loved it here, but it’s time for a break. Time to stay in one place for longer than 3 nights. To be with my people. To recharge.
Canada, here I come!
