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Colombia

Stories and Photos from my travels to Bogotá, Colombia.

Destination 》South America 》Colombia

Year Visited: 2000 – October

During October 2000, I got an opportunity to visit Bogotá, Colombia for a business trip. Back in those days threat of getting kidnapped was very real. At every 50 meters, you could see a soldier with machine gun.

Colombia is a transcontinental country spanning South America and an insular region in North America. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, Ecuador and Peru to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Panama to the northwest.

The country was named in honor of Christopher Columbus, following the Italian version of his name (Cristoforo Colombo). Although Columbus never actually set foot on the current Colombian territory, in his fourth voyage he visited Panama, which was part of Colombia until 1903.

As this was a business trip I didn’t have much time to explore the country. Though I did make some time to explore Bogotá, formerly known as Santa Fe de Bogotá, the capital city, in the evening after work.

Bogotá is the capital and largest city of Colombia, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial center. Bogotá occupies a sloping plain at the base of two mountains, Guadalupe and Monserrate, upon whose crests stand two imposing churches. The city is laid out in a grid pattern and has a number of plazas, or squares.

Bogotá is a very large city, to understand the sheer size of the city, consider that Mexico City and New York City are the only North American cities larger than Bogotá.

Pictures below are from a very basic film Camera. The pictures are not of a great quality but I want to be honest to myself and use those picture.

Plaza Bolívar, the main square of Bogotá, located in the heart of the historical area of the city. It has an area of ​​approximately 13,903 square meters and a maximum capacity for 55,600 people. This historic square, which is now the meeting point for protesters, was also the scene of executions hundreds of years ago, since several heroes of the country were shot there. During the Spanish colonial period, Bolívar Square was the stage for circus acts, public markets and bullfights.
The Cathedral Metropolitan Basilica of Bogotá, a Roman Catholic cathedral located at the Bolívar Square. The Cathedral was built four-times at the same place. The first construction took place between 1556-1565 to replace the original thatched chapel. The fourth and final construction occurred between 1807 and 1823. The cathedral holds the remains of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, founder of Bogotá. The cathedral, with area 5,300 square meters, is the biggest in Colombia and one of the biggest in South America.
La Candelaria, a historic neighborhood in Bogotá, has Spanish Colonial, Baroque and art deco styles old houses, churches and buildings.
Chorro de Quevedo, located in the neighborhood of La Candelaria, signifies the purported location were Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, a Spanish conquistador, first established the foundations of Bogotá in 1538.
Spanish Colonial old houses in La Candelaria.
Exploring La Candelaria neighborhood.
View of La Candelaria, with central Bogotá in the background
Exploring La Candelaria neighborhood.
Exploring La Candelaria neighborhood.
Exploring La Candelaria neighborhood.
City of Bogotá from Cerro de Monserrate, over 10,000 feet high mountain, that dominates the city center of Bogotá.
Enjoying Club Colombia, one of the most popular beer produced by Cervecería Bavaria SA.
Poker, a Lager beer produced by Cervecería Bavaria SA.
Coloma, the best tasting liqueur made from Colombian Coffee. This picture is downloaded from Google as I didn’t took picture of the bottle I brought home.

Colombia, with a diversity of landscapes and cultures, has lot to offer. Just one week in the capital city does not justify, I would definitely like to go back and explore more.

After a weeklong business trip to Bogotá, I flew back to Dallas, Texas, my home at that tine.

Window on The World's avatar

By Window on The World

In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...

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