Bogota
14th May 2016
Pleased to wake up to a fairly clear day which will be perfect for our tour of Bogota. As usual Angelo is at the hotel at 9.00 am and we head off to our first destination planned for the day, the Museo Nacional. Unfortunately, this doesn’t open until 10.00 so it’s off to the famous Museo del Oro (gold museum).
This is free for anyone over 60 and Gail duly presents her Passport as proof. When I go to take out my Senior’s card the young girl behind the counter waves me through, incredulous that I could believe that there was any doubt as to my qualification. The youth of today just don’t have any respect for their elders these days.
The museum has an amazing array of gold objects going back over many centuries and it certainly justifies its reputation as the leading museum in Bogota. We spend close to 90 minutes following the history of gold in various parts of the world but can’t help but note that Oceania’s place in this history is relatively insignificant.
After leaving the museum Angel drives us back towards the historic centre where he drops us off at the Botero Museum. Fernando Botero’s style of painting is quirky to say the least but has a certain appeal even to an art philistine such as myself. The gallery also contains paintings by Picasso, Monet, Pizarro and Henry Moore.
Angel collects us from the museum and we drive closer to the Plaza Bolivar, park the car again and start our city tour on foot.
After a quick coffee at a Juan Valdez coffee bar we head off down to the magnificent Plaza which is teeming with both people and pigeons. Overlooking the square are several magnificent buildings including the Palace of Justice, House of Congress, Bogota Town Hall, Cathedral and Presidential Palace ( otherwise known as the Palacio de Narino).
Our walking tour next takes us to the Iglesia Museo de Santa Clara which, with its opulence is reminiscent of the Compania de Jesus in Quito and then we are able take a stroll to view the ‘modest’ abode of the President.
After a quick chat to Angel we decide to forgo the visit to the Museo Nacional and instead visit some of the more Bohemian, older parts of the city in the area called Candelaria. It’s fairly apt when we view a street called Calle de Agonia and another called Calle de Pena. (agony and sorry ) especially as we have just struggled in the thin air to make it up a very steep rise.
We finally reach the Plaza Chorro de Quevedo where the first house in Bogota is to be found and crowds of university students sit around smoking joints with impunity. Drug-taking in this area seems to be rife and the authorities seemingly turn a blind eye to these activities.
Angel is very protective of his foreign visitors and continually guides us away from the less salubrious areas.
Whilst Colombia is far less dangerous than previously ultra caution needs to be taken and more than one local reminded us not to be too obvious with our cameras.
As we have a very early start again the next day we head back to the carpark and our hotel for a quick drink and dinner in the hotel restaurant.
The short stay in Bogota has been an absolute delight and this country is clearly on the move compared with Ecuador. However, Angel explains that whether the development will be sustained is very much dependant on the ability of the government to sign a peace accord in the near future with the still powerful guerrilla forces.
Cuba awaits tomorrow so watch this space.
Cheers
The Obese Ferret
2geonomads 
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