I had the opportunity to spend eleven days in Colombia during June. I was supposed to go down for a wedding, however the wedding was called off. So instead I got to backpack around the country with two of my good friends, Scarlett and Scott, who are also former grad school classmates of mine. We had a really great time and having a Colombian with us (Scarlett), we were really able to experience the best of the country!
As Scott and I sat in the airport in SLC, we kept saying, "who goes to Colombia!?!?" Despite our excitement, we were a bit nervous to venture into a country that is known as the kidnapping capital of the world and genius here booked Scarlett's ticket for the wrong day! Up until a few days before we left, I thought we were all on the same flight. Unfortunately, I got dates mixed up and booked Scarlett for the day after us. Arriving in the country a full 24 hours before the one that knew everything about what we were doing, made both me and Scott a tad bit uneasy.
After arriving in Bogota and snagging a cab into the city, our uneasiness quickly came to rest. It was late...but our cab driver was AWESOME and made us feel at ease about being there. His Spanish was really easy to understand, but I was grateful to have Scott, who is fluent.
We got to our hostel, which might I add, was $5/night (which Scarlett's dad had more than enough to say about) and spectacular! We literally did not hear the end of the $5/night though from ANY of her family the rest of our trip! In fact, when we came back to Bogota, they wouldn't let us stay in that same hostel. We of course were welcome to stay with them, but Scarlett really wanted to experience the different side of Colombia that she doesn't regularly get to while she is there, so she insisted we not stay with them and we stay at the cheap place we'd found. Her family down there are all very well-to-do and treated us wonderfully. We eventually decided to stay with them that last night (something that was finally decided into the wee hours of the night haha)! I must note that Colombians are probably the most AMAZING hosts!! At the drop of a hat, they have everything PERFECT for their unexpected guests. We wined and dined on their tab that night, had an amazing breakfast the next morning, a ride to the airport...and the the best part? Scarlett's aunt is a Goddess! She gave me some cream for my sun spots/melasma, and they are gone! Wow. What an amazing country, amazing people, and above all amazing friend that I was able to share the experience with!
And of course...my pics from Bogota (which I do believe is my new favorite city), with more Colombia photos to come in the next few posts!
BOTERO MUSEUM - How can you not LOVE the work of Botero?!? Isn't it great?? Yes, he is an abstract artist that uses all obese people in his work.
Can you imagine having her hang in your dining room!?!
As Scott and I sat in the airport in SLC, we kept saying, "who goes to Colombia!?!?" Despite our excitement, we were a bit nervous to venture into a country that is known as the kidnapping capital of the world and genius here booked Scarlett's ticket for the wrong day! Up until a few days before we left, I thought we were all on the same flight. Unfortunately, I got dates mixed up and booked Scarlett for the day after us. Arriving in the country a full 24 hours before the one that knew everything about what we were doing, made both me and Scott a tad bit uneasy.
After arriving in Bogota and snagging a cab into the city, our uneasiness quickly came to rest. It was late...but our cab driver was AWESOME and made us feel at ease about being there. His Spanish was really easy to understand, but I was grateful to have Scott, who is fluent.
We got to our hostel, which might I add, was $5/night (which Scarlett's dad had more than enough to say about) and spectacular! We literally did not hear the end of the $5/night though from ANY of her family the rest of our trip! In fact, when we came back to Bogota, they wouldn't let us stay in that same hostel. We of course were welcome to stay with them, but Scarlett really wanted to experience the different side of Colombia that she doesn't regularly get to while she is there, so she insisted we not stay with them and we stay at the cheap place we'd found. Her family down there are all very well-to-do and treated us wonderfully. We eventually decided to stay with them that last night (something that was finally decided into the wee hours of the night haha)! I must note that Colombians are probably the most AMAZING hosts!! At the drop of a hat, they have everything PERFECT for their unexpected guests. We wined and dined on their tab that night, had an amazing breakfast the next morning, a ride to the airport...and the the best part? Scarlett's aunt is a Goddess! She gave me some cream for my sun spots/melasma, and they are gone! Wow. What an amazing country, amazing people, and above all amazing friend that I was able to share the experience with!
And of course...my pics from Bogota (which I do believe is my new favorite city), with more Colombia photos to come in the next few posts!
BOTERO MUSEUM - How can you not LOVE the work of Botero?!? Isn't it great?? Yes, he is an abstract artist that uses all obese people in his work.
Can you imagine having her hang in your dining room!?!
Monserrate rises to 3,152 metres (10,341 ft) above the sea level, where there is a church (built in the 17th century) with a shrine, devoted to "El Señor Caído" (Fallen Lord). The hill is a pilgrim destination, as well as a tourist attraction. In addition to the church, the summit contains a restaurant and many smaller tourist facilities. Above all, it gave us a beautiful view of Bogota!
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS SCARLETT!
Scarlett's birthday was the day after she got into Bogota, so Scott and I had a little surprise birthday party waiting for her at the hotel after we picked her up from the airport. The best part of the gift we got her...the bracelet that said "Francy" on it. We abused her taxi driver's services before she arrived and enjoyed every time he called her Francee, so we thought the bracelet to be appropriate.
2 comments:
What an amazing trip! Gorgeous pictures, too. We still need to get together!
Um, I'm pretty sure I miss you like crazy. You are such an adventurer! When we went to Venice we went to a Botero exhibit. I loved it.
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