Kristin and I joined Gate 1 Travel's tour program in Colombia. This tour was the fourth with Gate 1 after Vietnam, Greece and China. It started in Bogota, flew to Pereira to visit the coffee region, drove to Medellin and flew again to Cartagena to end the program.
General
Colombia is a country in South America with its land mass of 1.1 million square km, which is bigger than France and Germany combined. It has several regions, including Andes, Amazon, Caribbean coast and Pacific coast. Its population was reported at 49 million in 2017.
The capital and the largest city of Colombia is Bogota. Its altitude is at 2640 meter or 8660 feet high.
As we arrived one day early, we walked around the neighborhood.
The breakfast at the hotel was full of fresh and colorful fruits. Wow...!
We had a briefing in the morning and we went off as part of a group of 30 people. One couple originally from Azerbaijan has taken 24 tours with Gate 1. Wow!!!
Our tour manager was Alejandra, a young Colombiana of 32 years of age. The local guide in Bogota was Byron, a very pleasant and knowledgeable guy.
The name Bogota was originated from Bacata, meaning "planted fields" by Muiscas.
The tallest building in Bogota is a 76 story with its height of 200 meter, but its construction remains incomplete with 75% completed and only 50% occupied. Byron said it is due to corruption. The same old story...
Why was Bogota chosen to be the capital city of Colombia? It has no access to river or ocean. The reasons explained made sense:
1. Colombian native people were Muiscas. Approximately 600 thousands of them out of 2 million in total were living in this area when Simon Bolivar was leading the Colombia Republic. (More to come later.)
2. The area was suitable for growing Frayer.... that absorbs moisture from the air. which supplies 70% of....??? of the water demand...
3. There is a wide high plain area despite the altitude...
4. There are no mosquitoes because of the altitude...
5. The mountains surrounding the city provided natural fortresses. That is why Simon Bolivar chose Bogota as the capital city of The Colombian Republic that encompassed the current Venezuela, Colombia (the Granada Nueva in old name), Ecuador and Peru.
The primary religion in Colombia is Roman Catholic due to the Spanish influence. There is only one mosque for the Muslims.
Bogota has 7.5 million inhabitants, but in reality its population reaches 10 million in light of the population living a couple of satellite cities around Bogota.
Despite the sizable population, Bogota has no metro. Instead, it has the rapid bus system, called Trans Millenio, long red buses running on exclusive designated lanes...
Colombia adopts six different socio economic tiers with 1 being the poorest and 6 being the richest. In a nutshell, the rich subsidize the poor in utility and tax payments.
Colombia's exports include 1. oil, 2. coal, 3. gold, 4. flowers (roses and carnations), 5. coffee. In illegal trade, Colombia exports 1. drug, primarily cocaine, 2. weapons and 3. ancient artifacts.
Paloquemao Market
After breakfast, visit the colorful Paloquemao market. Your knowledgeable Tour Manager will provide insight into the delicious and often overlooked Colombian cuisine. Hot tamales are a favorite staple here, stuffed with chicken and corn in a banana leaf. You may have a chance to sip freshly pressed tropical fruit juice or try other Colombian specialties.
Colombia is exporting flowers to Europe, primarily roses, and the U.S., primarily carnations The flower market was full of fragrance of many colorful and beautiful flowers.
Also, the fruits were many and colorful.
Blackberries and rasberries were abundant.
Colombia is known for the gooseberries also. It is one of the export items.
One of Colombia's specialty fruits is Lulu, a sour tasted fruit.
Colombian corns were big and plentiful.
Colombian dragon fruit, called Pitaya, was very sweet and tasty.
Fruits all over the places. Very colorful and well displayed.
There were a lot of other meat and fish shops where a whole pig cooked was exhibited from which Lechona was served. Also big fish was sliced and displayed.
Museum of Gold or Museo de Oro
Bogota is proud to have the Gold Museum that is supposed to have the largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts.
This is the famous gold artifact that represents the Colombia's pre-Hispanic gold artworks.
The chaptain of Muiscas was inaugurated at a sacred lake with many gold ornaments were used.
At the basement of the museum was San Alberto Cafe that is supposed to sell one of the most delicious coffee in Bogota. The line was far too long for me to taste it.
Outside the museum there were many vendors who were soliciting clients. One of them was llamas primarily to take a photo and a few vendors who were selling "big ass ants" to eat. I tried else where and it tasted just like roasted locust.
La Candelaria
Candelaria is Bogota's downtown neighborhood within Santa Fe District. It has many alleys of colonial architecture, historical buildings and merchants that solicit tourists.
Plaza de Bolivar is the most notable venue in the Candelaria. This plaza was built in memory of Simon Boliva, the first president of Colombia Republic that included the current Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. He was a great hero revered by all people in four countries. Unfortunately, he died of tuberculosis at the age of 47 and the Republic broke down into four nations. The plaza was surrounded by four greatest powers of Colombia: i.e Judicial power, represented by the Supreme Court, Executive power, Presidential Palace, Religious power, the Cathedral El Sagrario and Legislative power, the Palace of Congress all at one place.
Downtown Museums
There were three museums right next to each other. We were encouraged to check them out during our lunch time. We checked out Botero Museum and a few other international artists. Fernando Botero is a painter and a sculptor from Medellin, Colombia. He studied in France and Italy. His artwork is famous for voluminous figures of every object he paints or sculpts. He is still alive and active wit his art work. We were supposed to visit the Botero Museum in Medellin, his home town, so we briefly perused the place.
Botero's version of Mona Lisa...
A few other artists were exhibited, including Picasso.
Alejandra explained that the Bogota's turn around was thanks significantly to the contribution of Antanas Civicus who became the City's Mayor without any political connections. He employed a lot of unique and creative methods to "teach" the citizens of Bogota to enhance their awareness as good citizens.
Tejo Game
Tejo is Colombia's national sport game and also an energetic local pass time. People throw metal disk, called Tejo, towards the target that has explosives placed on clay surface. Depending on where Tejo lands, different points are scored. People drink and play this game. Each neighborhood has at least one Tejo playing place. Any minor of under 18 years of age is not allowed to be present at the Tejo place. It was an interesting experience.
We had a lunch at a Colombian traditional Almuerzo Restaurant, called Desayunario de 42. It gained the fame from serving Desayuno so they still keep the name although they are now serving more Almuerzos than Desayunos. A lady was passionately explaining about the ingredients that are used to cook their meals. Can you see her passion...?
Bogota is a cosmopolitan city full of cultures and history. More to come. - Jeffrey
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