Bogota- Fashion and Culture
Colombia really has an image problem. Murders and kidnappings just make better news stories than progress and promise. We arrived with some apprehension about what was waiting for us, but have found the place to be exciting, enchanting and so far, safe. Bogota certainly has an edge to it though. It is a vast city of 8 million sitting at an altitude of 8,800 ft. and is a city of chaos, energy, insecurity, violence and creativity. 50% of the population are under 18 years of age. In fact to us, as we walked around it seemed that about 85% were under the age of 35!
Security is in your face. Our hotel is in the Zona Rosa which is a very chic neighbourhood to the north. We came past armed guards into our hotel and our room key (which is like a credit card) had 027 on it. This was a code for room 702! At the entrance to the shopping mall there was a bag search, and all buildings have private security (with dogs). There are armed police on all street corners. If fact we feel perfectly safe. The local people walk about their business, carefree and happy. They are obviously used to and feel comfortable with the security.
This area Zona Rosa is wonderful. It is a shopping mecca and the shops here are as good as the best in Milan, Paris or New York. This place is SO sophisticated and stylish. The young people are very well dressed and the girls wear tailored jeans and high heeled boots and carry handbags that look as if they cost the price of an airline ticket to London! Clothing(Fashion) is one of Colombia's major exports, along with oil, flowers and bananas.
We hired a guide to take us on a tour of the old part of the city known as La Candelaria which dates from well over 300 years ago. It is really a living monument for everyone to enjoy and some of the best restaurants and coffee shops are located in the area. It has fantastic architecture, a certain squalid charm and a vibrant bar scene thanks to the number of students and artists living and working there. There are eight universities in quite a small area. It is also home to some wonderful old churches with wood carving and sumptuous gold altars. The squares are very pretty and artefacts are sold in small markets under the trees while entertainers play music or mime. We visited the Botero Gallery. He is Colombia`s most famous artist and recently one of his paintings sold at Sotherbys for US $3million.
The Gold Museum is one of the top attractions in the city and houses over 8000 gold pieces pertaining to the different indiegous cultures. Thank goodness the Spaniards didn`t find all the burial sites. On the third floor of the museum you enter through thick doors into pitch black, and the room gradually comes to life with all the gold. It is an amazing sight which makes you gasp.
Tonight we are eating at a typical Colombian restaurant. Another adventure. We will take our Spanish Dictionary because there is very little English spoken.
Security is in your face. Our hotel is in the Zona Rosa which is a very chic neighbourhood to the north. We came past armed guards into our hotel and our room key (which is like a credit card) had 027 on it. This was a code for room 702! At the entrance to the shopping mall there was a bag search, and all buildings have private security (with dogs). There are armed police on all street corners. If fact we feel perfectly safe. The local people walk about their business, carefree and happy. They are obviously used to and feel comfortable with the security.
This area Zona Rosa is wonderful. It is a shopping mecca and the shops here are as good as the best in Milan, Paris or New York. This place is SO sophisticated and stylish. The young people are very well dressed and the girls wear tailored jeans and high heeled boots and carry handbags that look as if they cost the price of an airline ticket to London! Clothing(Fashion) is one of Colombia's major exports, along with oil, flowers and bananas.
We hired a guide to take us on a tour of the old part of the city known as La Candelaria which dates from well over 300 years ago. It is really a living monument for everyone to enjoy and some of the best restaurants and coffee shops are located in the area. It has fantastic architecture, a certain squalid charm and a vibrant bar scene thanks to the number of students and artists living and working there. There are eight universities in quite a small area. It is also home to some wonderful old churches with wood carving and sumptuous gold altars. The squares are very pretty and artefacts are sold in small markets under the trees while entertainers play music or mime. We visited the Botero Gallery. He is Colombia`s most famous artist and recently one of his paintings sold at Sotherbys for US $3million.
The Gold Museum is one of the top attractions in the city and houses over 8000 gold pieces pertaining to the different indiegous cultures. Thank goodness the Spaniards didn`t find all the burial sites. On the third floor of the museum you enter through thick doors into pitch black, and the room gradually comes to life with all the gold. It is an amazing sight which makes you gasp.
Tonight we are eating at a typical Colombian restaurant. Another adventure. We will take our Spanish Dictionary because there is very little English spoken.
posted by Margaret & Barry Fisher | Sunday, May 14, 2006
1 Comments:
oops - Dan remembered, and I forgot! Happy Mother's Day Mum. You would think I would remember, considering I too am a Mum!
Sarah
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