Bogota's Buzz: A Street Artist's Scribbles & Sweat
okay, so bogota. where do i even begin? i’m elara, by the way, and i mostly sling paint on walls, occasionally get paid for it, and definitely live on instant noodles. this trip wasn’t exactly planned. a commission fell through, my landlord decided to “renovate” (read: make my life hell), and suddenly i was staring at a plane ticket to colombia.
I just checked and it’s…a humid hug right now. like, the kind where you’re not sure if you’re sweating or being gently steamed. the kind that makes your spray paint cans feel heavier than they should. i’m not complaining, though. it’s good for the murals, keeps the colors vibrant, you know?
Bogota itself…it’s a beast. a beautiful, chaotic, slightly terrifying beast. the graffiti scene is insane. seriously, every corner you turn, there’s something new, something bold, something that makes you stop and stare. i spent a good hour just watching this one collective working on a piece near La Candelaria - it was a massive portrait of a woman with these incredible eyes. pure magic. you can check out some of the local art collectives here: https://www.bogotagraffiti.com/
I’ve been crashing at this tiny hostel in Teusaquillo. it’s…rustic. let’s just say the shower pressure is an adventure. but the people are amazing. i met this old guy, raul, who runs the place. he’s got stories for days. he told me something a local warned me about - apparently, the TransMilenio bus system is a battle. like, seriously, don’t make eye contact and hold on for dear life. i tried it once. once. i’m sticking to Ubers.
Food-wise, arepas are my new obsession. seriously, i’ve eaten, like, seven today. and the fruit! the fruit is unreal. i found this little market where they had mangoes the size of my head. i’m pretty sure they were genetically engineered.
“Don’t trust anyone who offers you ‘authentic’ arepas on the street corner near the Zona Rosa. They’re probably just overpriced and bland.” - overheard from a very dramatic tourist at the hostel.
I’ve been scoping out potential walls for my own work. there’s this one spot in Chapinero that’s calling my name - a huge, blank canvas just begging for some color. i’m thinking something with a lot of blues and greens, maybe some abstract shapes. still brainstorming.
If you get bored, Tunja and Zipaquirá are just a short drive away. Apparently, Zipaquirá has a whole church built inside a salt mine. that sounds…intense. I’m checking it out tomorrow.
*Pro-Tip #1: Learn a few basic Spanish phrases. seriously. it’ll make your life so much easier.
Pro-Tip #2: Be aware of your surroundings. pickpocketing is a thing. keep your valuables close.
Pro-Tip #3:* Embrace the chaos. bogota isn’t a place for rigid itineraries and perfectly planned days. just go with the flow, get lost, and see what happens.
I’m thinking of hitting up some of the local art galleries. I found a few listed on https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297478-Activities-Bogota_Cundinamarca_Department.html. Also, Yelp has some decent reviews of the street food vendors: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=street+food&find_loc=Bogotá,+Cundinamarca,+Colombia.
Someone told me that the nightlife in Usaquén is pretty good, but it’s also super touristy. i’m not sure if i’m ready for that yet. maybe later in the week. for now, i’m happy just wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere, and trying not to get lost.
okay, gotta go. a stray dog just stole my empanada. wish me luck.
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