Week 19: Bogota

Day 127: May 7th 

The next morning after sleeping in a little, we went with my parents to a local and famous bakery my dad found on tripadvisor. We tried hot chocolate with cheese and some other Colombian breakfast foods. We saw an anti-abortion parade in the street we walked down. Then we headed to the mountainous edge of Bogota and sampled some local snacks before heading up the mountain. We took a very steep train to the top of Mount Monserrate where we had an incredible view of the city. There was a beautiful church as well as 12 stations of the cross. We ate a traditional lunch of tamales cooked in banana leaves and soup containing corn, potatoes, and chicken. After enjoying the afternoon on the mountain we took a cable car down to the bottom. We walked back toward our apartment and ate some mangoes we bought on the way. It started to rain lightly and after a short rest we walked to the gold museum nearby. This museum is famous and contains countless indigenous artifacts, most of which are gold. After this we attempted to visit a traditional restaurant which was closed but the restaurant next door convinced us to eat there instead. The food was good and after dinner we chatted a bit in the apartment before bed. 

Day 128: On Sunday morning we attempted to ride the steam train to Zipaquira to visit the salt cathedral but upon arrival we found that it was sold out. Luckily the next day was a holiday in Colombia so the train would be operating and we bought tickets for the following day. My dad found a cool local flea market that was only open on Sunday mornings. We walked back down a main pedestrian street and sampled some juices and local snacks. We shopped at the flea market for awhile and saw all sorts of things ranging from old and cool to junk. Then we walked a bit further up the street to a beautiful park nearby. We ate some delicious and shockingly cheap empanadas for lunch. It started to rain as we walked back and we took a nap at the apartment. Next we walked a couple of blocks through the historic streets of La Candelaria district and visited the Botero museum. Botero is a famous Colombian artist who specializes in portraying everything as “plumper” than life. This museum is huge and despite two visits we didn’t see everything but we enjoyed the works of art by Dali and Picasso as well as the coin minting section of the museum. We left as the museum closed and decided to eat Thai food for dinner. We took a taxi through the rain and had a very nice dinner. Upon returning to our apartment we all went to bed before long. 

Day 129: We woke up early to return to the train station. After a short wait we boarded the steam train which goes from the south end of Bogota through the city to a small town to the north. The train ride was smooth and we enjoyed some live music and the wonderful views. After a few hours we arrived in Zipaquira and took a short bus ride up the hill to the salt mines. We ate some snacks of empanadas before descending into the salt mines. We had an English speaking tour guide and walked through the twelve or so stations of the cross, which were crosses of different designs carved into the walls of the cavern. Eventually we came to two larger chambers which served as the cathedrals. It was beautiful inside but hard to capture in pictures. We kept walking and couldn’t believe how big the underground area was. We watched a light show but decided not to enjoy the movie theater, coffee shop, or gift shops in the mine. We returned to the top of the mine and sampled some local fruit. We ate empanadas, stuffed arepas, soup, and popsicles for lunch. The train had already left so we hurried to find a taxi to take us to the train a couple towns away. We made it just in time and enjoyed our ride back to Bogota. We decided to visit a Peruvian restaurant which was closed. Instead we found an Italian restaurant across the street with incredible food. Shortly after dinner we sadly said goodbye to my parents who flew back home that night. We had a great time and wished the party could have continued. 

Day 130 – Day 133:

We liked our apartment so much that we decided to stay there for a few more days. We didn’t do a whole lot besides catch up on a few responsibilities, cook great food in the kitchen, and watch tv. We needed a little time to relax before my best friend Spencer arrived the following week. We spent some time walking around the city but for the most part we just relaxed in our great apartment and enjoyed a home away from home. 

Week 18: Bogota, Medellin
Day 120: May 1st 

We woke up in Bogota and after breakfast we packed our bags and headed to the airport. We took a short flight to Medellin and landed by early afternoon. We met a nice guy from England who we shared a cab with and learned a few things about Colombia. We were dropped off at our hostel called Pit Stop. This was a huge hostel with many rooms holding at least 80 people. There was also a bar and pool on site with five friendly dogs running around. We spent the afternoon watching tv with other guests and waiting for William to arrive. He had a double room in the hostel that we planned to share but he was away with the key. He arrived by night and we caught up with travel stories. That night we decided to find out what the Medellin nightlife is all about. It was our only Saturday in the city so we decided to stay out late even though we were a little tired from traveling. We went with William and some other friends from the hostel to another hostel with a large bar. Then we headed to the club and danced with many tourists as well as some locals. Eventually the club closed and we headed back to our hostel as the sun was coming up. As we passed the tv room, we caught a sermon with a preacher and a singing man in a chipmunk suit which Sarahi found hilarious. We then crashed.
Day 121: 

We slept in fairly late after staying up all night. The three of us set out for breakfast but the place we chose was already closed. So we walked much further without much luck as it was Sunday and many restaurants were closed. Eventually we returned to the hostel for directions to a great empanada place. They were less than $.40 apiece and so delicious. After eating a few we returned to the hostel and relaxed. There was a group from another hostel going to a soccer game that night. We attempted to go with them but the tour was sold out. We weren’t sure what to expect if we just showed up at the stadium and bought tickets. So we decided to return to the hostel, order McDonald’s delivery, and watch movies until bed. It was a nice relaxing night for the two of us. 
*Day 122: 

After breakfast, the three of us attempted to visit the planetarium and aquarium in Medellin. Unfortunately, because it was Monday both were closed. Instead, we visited the nearby botanical gardens which were amazing! We spent a lot of time there, I somehow got separated from the guys and saw the butterfly garden, and then we all wandered about, talked, took pictures, and then left. Then, Luke wanted to grill out since our hostel had a grill next to the pool! The three of us went to the grocery store and picked out enough food for the entire hostel. Just kidding, but we did pick up some ribs, hamburger meat, hot dogs, vegetables, and pretty much anything that went with it. That night, Luke made some amazing – and I mean amazing – honey BBQ ribs with grilled zucchini. We made a few new friends that night from Europe and enjoyed the atmosphere at our hostel. We ended up hanging out a little bit longer before we went to bed.

*Day 123:

The next day we went back to the restaurant we had heard of and tried going to before and had a pretty great breakfast. Then, we took full advantage of Parque Explora. I can honestly say it was one of the best museums, playground, aquarium, planetarium, etc. I’ve visited. It was a well consolidated, fun filled place for both kids and adults. We ran into a big group of students that attacked us as soon as the found out we were from Europe and the States. Willem set me up and told all the kids I knew Spanish and then ran away as they took pictures of Luke and myself. They were loads of fun and a great bunch of kids! They called out to Luke every time they saw him for the rest of the day! As we were leaving, we were walking down a slippery ramp. Luke was being a gentleman and holding my hand so I wouldn’t fall, but ended up slipping and sliding down the whole way… Right in front of all the kids. Needless to say, I think everyone had a good laugh. 

That night we decided to sign up for paintball at Pablo Escobar’s mansion. We played cards with William and had a good time hanging around the hostel. 

Day 124:

We left pretty early to catch a bus to Guatape. We made it to the hostel that we were leaving from and met some of our paintball group. We had a big and healthy breakfast there before we loaded up on a boat and headed to the mansion. It was a long-ish boat ride, kind of cold, but extremely beautiful. The waters were a pretty green color and the scenery was so green and hilly and beautiful! 

When we made it to Pablo’s mansion, they gave us a few sheets to read about the history of the place, Pablo, and then the after story. It was extremely interesting to see and hear even more details as we toured the surrounding area. I can see why anyone would want to build a house in that area. 

We didn’t play in the actual mansion since it was falling apart (they bombed it so it’s ruined), but we played at the other part of the grounds with other buildings meant for his employees. 

We went back, loaded up, and started playing a few games! 

To say that Luke and our Lebanese friend dominated is an understatement. Luke “killed Pablo” by getting past defense and climbing a building, captured the flag, and outlasted pretty much every other player.

They dominated the field and I was a super proud girlfriend. I got a few people to surrender, but mostly ended up just getting shot a lot. It was a spectacular way to start the day! 

After paintball, we decided to stay and look at La Piedra, which is a super tall rock. We climbed all the way up the hundreds of stairs and were rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding area. We planned to leave right before sunset but got kicked out right before.

We still nabbed some great pictures and actually ran into some of our teammates from paintball. 

We found out the last bus was leaving shortly and decided to go back to catch it.

We did make it and finally headed back to Medellín. We ate another delicious Luke-made dinner of burgers!

It was our final night so we ended up going to a hosted bar crawl with Willem. We met a bunch of really fun people, hung out, saw a lot of the city, and then went to bed.

*Day 125:

It’s was our last day in Medellín! We wanted to take the Metro Cable that everyone kept talking about so after another great breakfast and left over lunch, the three of us went up.

1. The ride was extremely long and very beautiful.

2. There are a few stops along the way.

3. It leaves the city and

4. Ends up in a beautiful national park!

We decided to get some fresh fruit for a snack and wandered around some trails trying to find a waterfall. We never found it but we had some coca tea at a restaurant. It didn’t have an affect because coca leaves need another ingredient to activate the chemicals in the plant. It was very tasty and great after a cold hike. We ended up getting some delicious coffee at the same place and then headed back to the city. We stopped in the middle of the city, had one of the most delicious fruit smoothies ever ($1,000 COP each), then headed back. We were planning on having one last nice dinner together, but found out that our flight was at 8:00pm not 10:00 like we were thinking! 

So, we said goodbye quickly, grabbed a taxi, and hoped that we would make it.

Unfortunately, the ride to the airport is at least 45 minutes on a good day, and we didn’t make it! 

Luke found us a replacement ticket for just a small fee and we flew out 45 minutes later to Bogota. 

We passed out at one of our old hostels.

*Day 126: 

We met our AirB&B host at 9:00 the next morning. He was extremely nice and energetic and the apartment was gorgeous! 

Luke’s parents were flying in that night so we had a day to do whatever.

I wasn’t feeling too hot so I stayed back at the apartment, rested, did laundry, and relaxed.

It wasn’t until later that I started to worry because Luke hadn’t shown up at what I thought was our designated time. After a few hours, I was extremely worried and even more so angry since I thought we had picked a time to meet before his parents came in, turns out he didn’t think it was an official time.

He finally made it a few hours later and after I left and cooled down, we had a discussion (which was mainly me being angry – probably more so out of pent up worry). It didn’t go so well for a few hours but we figured it out after a while.

Then, we finally headed to the airport to pick up his parents! 

After catching up a little, I cooked us some of my coveted Velveeta mac and cheese that they brought us (probably more so for me- it’s an obsession, I know). Then we went to bed!
*written by Sarahí