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adrimm has written 146 posts

Camping in Colombia

What is camping in Colombia like? Can you find real bush-camping sorts of places with lots of forest & private, well treed camp spots with outhouses & river-bathing.... or does it tend to be more manicured & landscaped "wilderness" sites scattered on fields, with bath-house showers and flush toilets nearby? ...

Feel-good Colombian artesanias

During my last trip to Colombia I spent a few days with my aunt in Barichara. One of the shops they have there is called "Luz y Vida" and it is the storefront for an organization called the Asociacion de Mujeres Artesabas de Bucaramanga, which has a huge training program for displaced women. I bought a leather purse from there. The quality of what they make is exceptional.. and prices are comprable to what you'd see in the high end malls, but with the added bonus of defintely helping some of ...

TransMilenio on YouTube

...

Fleshing out the wikis

Hey all, I don't know how many of the regulars have spent much time doing this, but it is nice way to add to the site, and store valuable info about our favourite places in Colombia. http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/travel/ ...

Metrolinea of Bucaramanga

Or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6zyzj98VbM ...

Bogota 1880s to 1950s

My hometown was only just starting to build proper buildings... but check out the lovely Bogota of yester-year: Images from: http://www.tramz.com/co/bg/t/te.html 1883 Plaza de Bolivar. 1937 looking north up Cra 7 from Plaza de Bolivar. 1946 Cra 7 near downtown 1930s/1940s Plaza de Bolivar By adrimm on 2008-04-02 19:27:39. 24 comments.

Red Brick Building post?

Was this one of those phantom deletions or did it go sour?

Dia Sin Carros - Day Without Cars - Car Free Day TODAY!

Bravo to Bogota. If you are in Bogota, and have a chance, please film or photograph some of this and post it online. Alot of cities in the world talk about sustainability, but that is all it is. Bogota *does*. Bogota has good reason to be proud - 10 years ago people voted to do something incredibly progressive.. and to date is the largest city in the world that has a city-wide "day without cars". I can't think of many cities where politicians would be brave enough to put this one to the ...

Bogota's TransMilenio spotlighted on Streetfilms (NYC)

This is essentially one of the world's best BRT systems (far superior to any in North Amercia) - the stations take it from just being the bus to being *something*.. and people are *finally* walking up to it. Great little video: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/bus-rapid-transit-bogota/ And an even shorter YouTube snap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA4IR7PvO6I ...

"So, what do you know about Bogota?" Y tu, Que sabes de Bogota?

I applaud whoever came up with Bogota's newer tourism slogan, it's brilliant.

Trip Wrap Up

Thoughts: 1) Only climb/walk up Monserrate *after* you are used to being at Bogota's elevation. One thing to be able to go up a few flights of stairs.. another to climb up another 500 metres (Monserrate is 3200m above sea-level). 2) Expect to be surprised by unwritten rules. I went to Leticia Amazonas from Bogota, and upon my return to Bogota was nearly denied access to the flight (along with a pair of Brits) becuase I was a foreigner and DAS hadn't stamped my boarding pass. To their cred ...

Where oh where is GIB?

I'm travelling very very soon to Bogota, and need to touch base with GIB! ~ Adrimm

Kudos to the mods

Great to stepping up when stepping up is needed

;)

~ A

Test your knowledge of Bogota: Do you spy with your little eye

Luis Arangel Library?
Can you find places that you have been to?

http://mapas.idu.gov.co/internet/

To see the layers available (once you have the mapguide viewer installed), click on the "Ver" and then the icon that is the the right of the "X", then zoom in using the "+", zoom in until the orthophoto appears and then pan around the city.. It's very cool. ...

Test your knowledge of Bogota: Do you spy with your little eye

Bogota Video Request

I know that there are a few of you in Bogota, and I was wondering if someone might be able to do the world of transportation a favour..

The Transmilenio in Bogota is possibly the world's best example of a high capacity heavily used Bus Rapid Transit system. It truly sets the bar for what many other cities in the world aim to achieve. However in North America things tend to happen on the cheap and rapid bus systems don't get stations - the get glorified bus stops.

M ...

Explaining Retirement and Care Homes

North America has many old folks homes, it is often expected that elderly couples or singles will eventually buy in or be put into to one of these at some point after retirement and before death.

Many Colombians and Latin Americans (and people of other cultures) find the idea difficult to digest. That one would entrust the care of one's dearest relatives to absolute strangers and not reciprocate the care that one recived from parents growing up.

How would and do yo ...

Cultural Differences - Being more social while online in Colombia

I'd be lying if I said that I don't appreciate being able to jump online from the privacy of my home at any hour I like... but all too often I find myself parked at the computer surfing the web when I should probably be out of the house doing some better. It's easier to be antisocial when I can have the illusion of community with far off people, most of whom I likely will not ever meet.

I contrast my own behaviour to that of most Colombians.. internet isn't as widely available at ...

Platypus pages updated

Some great resources to be had for the travelling folks:

www.platypusbogota.com/index.php

9th Annual Dia Sin Carros Bogota / Car free Day

February 1st, is Dia de Movilidad in Bogota, the 9th celebration of Bogota's Day Without Cars (Dia Sin Carros). It is expected there will be *more than 1 million fewer* vehicles on the road.

Bogota is the largest and longest participating city (at full scale - many cities participate on Sept 22, but usually onnly portions of a city, or in far smaller cities). Dia Sin Carros was part of what won Bogota the prestigious Stockholm Challenge in 2000 (out of 600 applicants) for demon ...

Flickr Colombia Pages

I just found this extensive list of Colombia photo pages:
(themes range from regions to mountain biking to tourism)

http://www.flickr.com/people/fotocolombia/

Lots of the photo pages have discussions going, very interesting. ...

Flickr Colombia Pages

Colombia on U-Tube (PBH Discussion)

The link is over here(sorry didn't realise there was a video forum when I made the post!

Colombia on U-Tube

I highly reccomend searching U-Tube with Colombia, you'll find all sorts of things.

I'm starting this thread to post links to Colombia-related U-Tube videos.

Here's a great one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn3vM_5kIgM ...

Reconciling with Colombian Nicknames

I have observed that many Colombian nicknames for close relative relying on exaggertions of physical traits don't translate well into English-speaking culture Ie. gordo, flaco, negro, blanco, etc.

I admit that I have difficulty reffering to many of my cousins by their nicknames becuase to me they aren't nice things to say.

I know it is becuase I have been conditioned to react differently to these words (yet I had no problem calling and reffering to my father as "Gr ...

Bogota Maporama

regional maps - brain candy

'Mapa callejero' is the street map, they have ortho imagery tied in at some scales as well as an address finder.

This is a link to the official district cadastral office they also have a few other online mapping things:
district cadastral office

It's slow to load but it's there. quite ...

Colombian Bus Blog

Perfect for the traveller who has not yet taken an Inter City bus in Colombia (and those of us that like to surf random Colombia websites).

bus blog

As someone pointed out, many of them look faar better then tired old buses that companies like greyhound run. ...

Ideas for next trip

So I'm considering a 3 week trip in spring 2007. WOOHOOO!!

the plan:
about 1 week in the Amazon
1 week in Bogota and surrounds.
3 days in Bucaramanga
3 days in the Eje Cafetero.

Fave daytime haunts to share in Bogota? I hope to escape the family clutch for a few days. (Not the malls or museums, that's too easy). Innovative creative places? Any neat things at the universities that I should check out?

And yes I will be peppe ...

Fires in Colombia

BBC - The Colombian government has asked for international help to tackle a huge forest fire that has been burning since the weekend in a national park.
Environmentalists say the destruction in the park, in Colombia's centre-west region, is disastrous.

About 400 firefighters have brought parts of the fire under control but they have been hampered by winds.

Los Nevados Park spans some 58,000 hectares (143,300 acres), including some of Colombia's highest mou ...

Soda Water & Sangia in Colombia

So I'm looking at a Sangria recipe online from a US website and it refers to Soda Water.. what exactly is "soda water?"

It is plain carbonated water? Flavoured carbonated water, or is it a specific type of soft drink/pop?

Ahh and um, does anyone know if there are any typically Colombian varieties of Sangria (I don't have any Aguardiente). ...

Peñalosa Bogota Talk - UN Conference

I was privileged to have an opportunity to hear former Bogota Mayor Enrique Peñalosa speak at UN Habitat's Third World Urban Forum, and what a *great* talk. (For those not in know, Peñalosa was the one who spearheaded the Transmilenio and other reforms of the transportation system in Bogota - he is now based at the University of New York).

What an experience!!!!!!!!! After nearly a week of droning, early-morning plenary speakers, Peñalosa's passionate delivery was postively ene ...

online video - Esto si es Colombia

Worth sharing... the parts of Colombia that most folks don't hear about so much. In English. A good one to share.

Esto si es Colombia ...

online video - Esto si es Colombia

Worth sharing... the parts of Colombia that most folks don't hear about so much. In English. A good one to share.

Esto si es Colombia ...

Páramo - UK company with Colombian-made outdoor gear

I stumbled across the website for this UK-based company that produces what seems to be great outdoor gear (designed for mountaineering). Looks like they are mostly avail in the UK but are branching into the US.

They have production in Colombia and are partnered with a social concern foundation that runs the factory as a part of skills training, runs a kindergarden, and helps provide housing for staff (mostly impovrished women).

By adrimm on 2006-05-22 10:06:24. 1 comments.

Tipico Restaurante Near Bogota (great atmosphere)

Well I finally stumbled onto it, still don't know what it is called but with a map all is easy.

For those of you living in or visiting Bogota who want an experience a slightly more old-fashioned country-Colombian experience for a meal I reccomend the place that is directly across the road from Kurnik, see the mapa .

You go up out of the city through an area with lots of little roadside snack stops, through a toll booth ...

Tipico Restaurante Near Bogota (great atmosphere)

Well I finally stumbled onto it, still don't know what it is called but with a map all is easy. For those of you living in or visiting Bogota who want an experience a slightly more old-fashioned country experience for a meal I reccomend the place that is directly across the road from Kurnik mapa.

You go up out of the city through an area with lots of little roadside snack stop, past a toll booth, along a beautiful vista to the east, a ...

Translated El Tiempo's Platypus Article - "The Tequendama" for Backpackers.

A hostel in Bogota’s Candelaria is “The Tequendama�? for backpackers.

The place stirs feelings among the young foreigners who go travelling throughout the world and arrive at the capital. It is recommended by Lonely Planet.

Lorraine Caputo defines herself as a wandering poet. Since 1988, along with her backpack, la rocinante, and a pretext of writing her verses, she began a trip that has taken her through 19 countries, from Alaska to Patagonia.

...

New Colombia Documentary on now 10 pm EST

Attn Canadians Passionate Eye Documentary "Who shot my brother" is now airing on CBC Newsworld, 10 pm EST, 7 pm PST. ( April 30th).

link http://www.cbc.ca/passionateeyesunday/feature_300406.html ...

Great Colombia travel Blog

Blog by a guy who has been travelling around Colombia awhile.

He's either still there or just leaving. Only a few entries per month(I think he started in Bogota this past Feb), but they are interesting and insightful. Interesing and nice photos too if you look at past entries. ...

Pelota de Letras

You know that you understand at least something about Colombians and Colombia when the funniest thing you've ***ever*** heard ('coz dammit it's all true) is Pelota de Letras.

For those of you learning Spanish, it is a great way to test your comprehension.

Positively guaranteed to drive anyone who knows the culture into stitches. ...

Juan Valdez Cafes and why I don't think they will fly Internationally.

Hey folks, just a little step back into the forum to get some feedback on something I recently observed in Bogota.

My cousin took me to the cafe Juan Valdez on Calle 73 in Bogota (I also saw the one at El Dorado). Now I had been quite anxious to visit this Cafe - which I thought might be able to giv Starbucks a run for it's money.

Wow, what a dissapointment.

Instead of tapping into the rich cultural heritage of Colombian coffee (and the eje cafetero) ...

Selecting seats on Avianca

So my Avianca seating on an upcoming trip is unnassigned. I've looked briefly at the website and nothing is jumping out at me as a spot where I can choose my seats. Is it possible to do in advance or will I have to wait until I get to the aiport and check-in? ...

One day in Bogota

Well folks, I'll have one precious day of time (dawn to dusk) to do whatever I wish to do in Bogota, it's been awhile since I saw the sights (my sights are normally those of family dining rooms). I won't be used to the elevation yet and am limited in my walking abilities ( I can go about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace before I need to sit for a little while).

I want to get there with some new ideas, and get input aside from that of my stodgy old relatives

Want to see ...

Un dia en Bogota

Bueno mis queridos, tendre solo un precioso dia para hacer lo que se me de la gana en Bogota. A pasado un tiempo desde que hize la ultima vuelta turistica (normlamente hago la vuelta de comedores de mi familia). No voy a estar accustumbrada a la elevacion, y no puedo caminar mucho a un tiempo ( alredor de 1.5 horas seguidas antes de tener que sentarme un ratico).

Querio llegar con ideas nuevas fuera de las que tienen mis tios, ayudame planear mi dia!

Quiero ver:

Pregunta para Bogotanos

Mi familia esta planeando tener una reunion de familia en Bogota para celebrar la despidida de mi mama que va estar alla. Mis tias y tios ya estan envejecidos y quiero que todos (primos, hijos, nietos) se puedan reunir una ultima vez porque tengo miedo que en los proximos annos morriran algunos. Como son tantos (alredor de 100 personas o hasta 120) y quiero mucho que pasa la reunion quiero mandar dinero para ayudar a pagar la reunion. Sera un regalo de mi para todos ellos, y un regalo especial p ...

Artesanias Colombianas - online

I found this website of a Bogota store.. looks like good selection of Colombian stuff

El Balay

Florence - Advice Please?

[Another one that should get it's own thread - Wow, lots of new PBHers!]

Hi im new to pbh and not very sure how it works, im going to bogota fter christmas with my colombian husband, its the first time ive been to south america and i have to say i am nervous. Obviously my husband says dont worry, colombia is a beautiful country and im really excited but can you gve me any other advice, is this problem with night buses-public transport etc everywhere? am i safe to get on a bus in b ...

Olafgypsy - What do I tell my parents?

[This post by Olafgypsy probably deserves its own thread, it is from the safety guide] ~ Adrimm

I'm considering visiting my boyfriend in January. He is native Colombian, and we would stay in Bogota with his parents and have no plans to leave the city. The only problem is that my parents are dead set against the idea of my traveling to this country at all. Are they right to be concerned? Is there anything I can tell them to comfort them? Please help! ...

Olafgypsy - What do I tell my parents ?

This post probably deserves it's own thread, it is from the safety guide.

[I'm considering visiting my boyfriend in January. He is native Colombian, and we would stay in Bogota with his parents and have no plans to leave the city. The only problem is that my parents are dead set against the idea of my traveling to this country at all. Are they right to be concerned? Is there anything I can tell them to comfort them? Please help!] ...

Colombians and .pps attachments

Are my relatives totally unique in the fact that they take great glee in sending me HUGE sappy powerpoint presentation files??!

AURGH!!!!

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