We Out: Bogota, Colombia
Curious about the culture, the views, and its connection to my people, I knew I needed to visit Colombia. While I received recommendations for my trip, I was l also met with warnings. The corruption of the past and its coverage in the media still had people shook decades later. I wanted to see it all for myself, I just felt there had to be real beauty behind those ugly stories.
The first thing many locals suggested was the view from the top of the mountain, Monserrate. There is a single trolley that takes you to the top of this huge mountain. The wait to get both on and off this trolley can exceed the time you spend enjoying this landmark, but the views are more than worth it. From Monserrate’s peak, you can see lesser known ranges in the distance and all of downtown. Below, you can see nearly a large part of Bogota. Skyscrapers, highways, and fields are all visible even on a cloudy day.
El Museo Del Oro, or the Gold Museum was an amazing museum that harkens back to Colombia’s indigenous roots. As the name indicates, it is truly the museum of gold. There are several floors of artifacts made from the material. They include masks, armor, weapons, tools, and much more. These tickets, much like Monserrate, are cheap. It will only cost you a few Colombian pesos (COP) to have access to all of the exhibits.
We found this the Bogota Graffiti Tour free online at bogotagraffiti.com. As we walked through downtown Bogota, We learned that what looks like simple graffiti, is often more than that. The city is making an effort to work with their local artists in painting the town. The varied pieces you see around town are often political in nature, highlighting victories of the past and injustices of the present to help improve the situation in Colombia. Whether graffiti is your thing or not, this tour is a good way to explore important parts of the city by foot.
Located in La Candelaria, Bogota's Old Town, Plaza Bolivar has a history that dates back to the 1500’s. This is a large open space between the Palace of Justice, the National Capitol, the Primary Cathedral, and Llevano Palace where dozens of vendors, locals, and tourists gather to appreciate the history. In the center stands a tall statue of military leader, Simon Bolivar. There is no specific event that takes place here, but you will find a mixed crowd of dancers, onlookers, photographers, even a few locals arrived taking their llamas for a walk.
I really enjoyed my time in Bogota, finding that it was every bit as developed as any downtown in the US. I owe the city another visit, if for nothing else than to go off the beaten path and see what the city has to offer outside of tourist attractions.
