Bogata, Colombia

Two and a half hours from Tunja is Bogota, capital of Colombia and about Ten Million souls.  Like many big cities in the developing world it has overgrown it´s infrastructure (roads etc) but it is the economic powerhouse of Colombia.  We are in another 4th floor apartment (AIRbnb) with semi'hot water, cable TV and good Internet from the Cable TV provider.  What a choice!!! SuperBowl in English or Spanish!

Bogota, Colombia – Tourist Destinations

Among Bogota pluses are the recent emphasis on cycling.  Sundays major street are closed off for biking, walking, rumming, roller skating etc. 7AM to 2PM.  And many miles of bikelanes which are either separate from the roadway or part of expanded sidewalks.  When walking...keep off the bike path!

We plan to spend 8 nights here....

Well, after 5 days in Bogota I have the following to report.  There is a garbage strike. Not that they quit making garbage...just quit picking it up.  TV has reports on it everyday with locals burning it sometimes in the street....but where we are it just piles up.



Like many South American cities, businesses of similar nature tend to live together so there is a section for auto repair, aquarium fish stores, pupplies (sadly, yes) and flowers.  Anyone want a bucket of roses for Valentine´s day?



And most South American plazas have plenty of pidgeons because one livlihood is selling corn to tourists to feed the pidgeons.  This pidgeon on Simon Boulivar plaza has figured out the game.  As soon as someone buys a packet of corn he hears dinner bells....and doesn´t plan to miss it.



Also common down here are McDonald´s stand alone kiosks for just ice cream servings.  This one is in an upscale mall.  Even the regular McDonald´s  tend to have a separate street side window that only does ice cream.



And of course we can´t avoid politics back in the USA.  This book was on display at a prominent book store/stationary store.






For a big city, Bogota is OK...but I´m ready for a little more green countryside.


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