Bogota, Colombia: Where the Air Smells Like Arepas and Regret (Maybe)
okay, so. bogota. i’m still processing. i just got back, and my brain feels like a tangled mess of cables and stale coffee. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? I’m used to chaos, but this… this was different.
I was supposed to be laying down tracks for a band from, like, Iceland, but the gig fell through. So, on a whim (and a slightly concerning amount of airline miles), i booked a flight to bogota. i’d heard whispers, you know? Rumors of incredible music, vibrant street art, and… well, let’s just say the nightlife is… intense.
The weather? i just checked and it’s… a humid hug right now. like, the kind where you’re not sure if it’s comforting or suffocating. the temperature is hovering around 29.11 degrees, feels like 30.61, and the pressure is 1012. humidity is 56%. i’m not a meteorologist, but i think that means bring a towel. seriously.
I spent most of my time wandering around La Candelaria, the historic district. it’s a visual overload. cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, graffiti everywhere. seriously, everywhere. i’m talking murals that tell stories, political statements, just… art exploding from the walls. i’m trying to get some gigs busking, but it’s tough. there’s a lot of competition.
“Don’t trust the pigeons,” a very drunk man told me outside a bar. “They’re spies for the government.”
I’m not sure what to make of that. but hey, it’s bogota.
I did find a fantastic little cafe called Abasto. Seriously, go. Get the arepas. They’re life-changing. I overheard someone raving about their empanadas too. Check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/abasto-bogota.
Speaking of food, i’m obsessed with the street food scene. Empanadas, arepas, ajiaco… i’m eating my way through the city. I’m trying to learn some basic spanish, but it’s slow going. i mostly just point and smile.
I’m staying in a hostel in Teusaquillo. it’s… lively. the neighbors are a mix of students, backpackers, and people who seem to have been traveling for a very long time. if you get bored, Tunja and Zipaquirá are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of checking out the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá - apparently, it’s incredible. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g606247-d192373-Reviews-Salt_Cathedral_Zipaquir_Boyaca_Department.html
Someone told me that the TransMilenio bus system is… an experience. Apparently, it’s chaotic and crowded, but the only way to get around efficiently. i haven’t braved it yet. i’m sticking to taxis for now.
I’ve been sketching a lot, trying to capture the vibe of the city. i’m thinking of doing a series of illustrations based on my trip. i’ll post them on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_illustrator_handle/.
“Watch out for the scams in the tourist areas,” a local warned me. “They’re getting bolder.”
Good to know. i’ll keep my wits about me.
I’m also trying to find some decent coffee. i’m a bit of a snob, i admit. i need my caffeine fix. i heard that Pergamino Cafe is supposed to be amazing. https://pergaminocafe.com/.
Okay, i think that’s all for now. i’m exhausted. jet lag is a real thing. and i think i’m starting to hallucinate arepas. i’ll keep you posted. check out some other travel blogs for more inspiration: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/ and https://www.theblondeabroad.com/.
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