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Artesenia, market places and craft shopping in Bogota - Where should I go?

Lovely PBH family, greetings!

I am in Bogota and have to say it is a FANTASTIC city. Real artsy and the folks at Universidad Nacional de Colombia (where I am involved in an encuentro/conference/performance series) are super chevere, as is Mapa Teatro where we have late night performances.
I have managed to sneak in Montserrate but want to SEE MORE.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?

And where oh where can I go to a big market (if there is one lol) that sells crafts, leather, weavings, mochilas, etc?

I am staying in downtown Bogota.

Love to you all xo and thank you for any help you can offer, it is appreciated.

By island girl on Aug 23, 2009, 17:05 in Friendly Talkzone.

CakeDesigner-wannabe says on Aug 23, 2009, 18:14:

I am fan of Handicrafts / Artsenia. You can find many of them in the South of Bogota - Plaza - famous square area.

You can always ask the taxi driver to take you there,

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johnny2009 says on Aug 23, 2009, 18:26:

I think cake boy means the centre of Bogotá when he says the south, and when he says Plaza he means Plaza Santander.
If that is indeed what he means then he would be right, in the corner opposite the gold museum you will find the nicest artisan market. Great prices for precolombina jewellery, but expect to take it up the shorts if you want emeralds or ceramics

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Noelito40 says on Aug 23, 2009, 19:33:

If you are still her next Sunday head for the market de los pulgas (flea market) in Usaquen (alongside Hacienda Santa Barbera shopping centre), Its Carera 7 con 116 (I think??, but Hacienda is well known) Usaquen is also a lovely place to walk around... does have a few tourist trap restaurants but a few good value ones too...

Noelito

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webmanco says on Aug 23, 2009, 19:40:

San Pelayo is the name of the fleet market behind Hacienda Santabarbara, nice place whith cuenteros in the afternoons.

In el centro there is a place called Pasaje Rivas on carrera 10 and 10 more or less. also there are many temporary tents of crafts in different shoppin mallls.

On Avenida 15 and 74 more or less ask for artesanias el Balay.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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miamimike says on Aug 23, 2009, 20:04:

Be sure to try Bogota's San Andresito Flea Market, ,,Any Taxi driver knows where its at

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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CakeDesigner-wannabe says on Aug 24, 2009, 11:15:

Gracias Johnny2009 .. yes, that one :)

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shazam (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 24, 2009, 15:23:

The best I've found so far for authentic Colombian artesanias (not the artsy fairs in Usaquen) is Paseo Rivas on calle 10 with cra. 10. It's actually two different corridors filled with little shops of typical stools and tables, hammocks, ruanas, instruments, souvenirs, costumes, lampshades, art, chivas, etc. you name it, they've got it! And if you want soccer uniforms for kids...San Victorino is just around the corner!

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island girl says on Aug 25, 2009, 18:17:

gracias a ustedes, muy amable xo

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