2geonomads

Bogota

13th May 2016

Wake up early after a night when our sleep was first of all interrupted by some guests arriving round about midnight , shouting and slamming doors in the adjoining rooms. They then gave a repeat performance between 2.30 and 3.00 am when they seemingly needed to check out early. They spoke neither Spanish nor English and sounded Chinese although my knowledge of Mandarin hovers between negligible and nil.

The breakfast in the hotel is superb and in spite of the sleep deprivation we are ready to venture out and Mr Punctuality Angel arrives at 9.00am.

With the weather rather drab we set off to the north of the city and we are soon out into some very green, fertile land.

Angel draws our attention to some very fine large houses and explains that these are in fact used for events, presumably functions such as weddings , but also for films and soapies.

Our main destination today is the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira. This is a church built in a salt mine which is still functioning. After the original mine/ cathedral was closed down when there were safety issues due to water getting in to the mine this new deeper version was opened 20 years ago.

When we first arrive to buy tickets for the mine we are advised that we can tour the cathedral but as we are over 60 we cannot follow the miners’ route during which one can experience the everyday work of a miner. This rejection takes place just as a bus load of seriously obese young American tourists are sent on their merry way to risk cardiac arrest!

Whilst the cathedral is obviously more meaningful for the many Catholics who see this as something of a pilgrimage it is nevertheless an awesome sight even for the less devout among the hordes of visitors.

Apart from the cathedral the town of Zipaquira is a delightful town with a beautiful main square surrounded by some fine old buildings with balconies overlooking the area.

A number of travel guides and our new-found Colombian friends had stressed that we should absolutely visit Andres Carne de Res Restaurant. When we first mention to Angel that we could perhaps give this a miss he was very insistent that this would be a mistake. We, therefore , duly arrived at the spot and for the next hour and a half we enjoy an experience which is quite unique. The food, ambience, music and the cacophony of noise which assaults the senses make for a surreal lunchtime meal.

Gail ordered a mojita which came in a bowl the size of a soup dish and we left ourselves to the tender mercies of two female waiters as they selected the dishes on our behalf.

Angel and the others had been absolutely right and a visit to this unique establishment is a must.

It’s now time to head back to Bogota but first we have to call into a shopping centre to sort out a problem with Gail’s computer. Before leaving the hotel earlier today Gail had discovered an issue with the charger on the MacBook.

Fearing the worst we find an IShop and to our relief the young manager quickly identifies the problem, namely some sand grains in the connection. Any offer to pay the young man is met with the comment that ” your gratitude is all the reward I need”. Would that the commercial world was always like this.

It’s long,slow trip back due to the very heavy traffic we are sure that Angel is one very tired driver at the end of the day.

Gail catches up on sorting out some photographs for the blog and I spend some time writing a couple more blog entries.

Our impression of Colombia becomes more positive by the day and it has been great to get out of the city into the rural areas.

No need for dinner after such a lunch so we are both off to bed at a reasonable hour.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret