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Here in Bogota

First, for the good news. Today, Catherine had her interview at the Embassy, she was approved after three minutes of questions!

I got here on May 1st. We have been really lucky because Catherine´s cousin lives here and both she and her boyfriend have been great hosts.

Highly recommend Monserrat. The view from the cable car is just incredible, and there are some very nice looking restaurants up on the mountain top. Very romantic, but expensive (we did not eat there, just sat for a beer. Entrees were around 31.000 pesos).

Went La Candalaria several times. Tried Chicha at a bar full of students called La Finca. I liked the drink and the bar a lot. After, we had a fantastic meal at Cafe Merlin. Tiny place that specializes in dishes with mushrooms. They also had great empanadas. Entrees were less than 17.000 pesos. With the Aguardiente, the bill was more.

Saw the Museo de Oro, which was worthwhile, but did not blow my socks off (they are doing some construction there, which may mean it will be expanded in the near future). In the same area, though are some great churches with incredible workmanship (Temple de San Francisco and I am not sure of the right name, but the Cathedral in the square that makes up the Senate, the Mayor´s Office, and the Fiscal General´s office). We also walked past the President´s residence, saw the Presidential Guard, and a company of young soldiers (looked like recruits) marching and calling cadences.

On Friday, we went to La Calera outside of Bogota. There was a great open air restuarant called El Tambor. We got a huge plate of mixto from the grill that served 5 people for less than 35.000 pesos. You sit outside at benches around giant rocks that serve as your table. The food was delicious. After, we visted the Alpina factory in Sopo. Had some delicious postres (I can´t remember their names) and then stopped for coffee in the town.

Anyway, I am beat from today. We have three more days here, so I will post more later. Off to celebrate.

By jay1234 on May 7, 2007, 15:23 in Friendly Talkzone.

Miguel_Clavo says on May 7, 2007, 15:28:

Congrats on the Embassy approval! Sounds like you are having a great time...glad to hear it!

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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Robert Jorge says on May 7, 2007, 17:05:

Congrats Jay1234. Great feeling, huh!?

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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rca_rodrigo says on May 7, 2007, 17:18:

You havent taste even the 10% of our food Try
pipitoria, caldo de costilla, tamal, arepa de chocolo, buñuelo, chocolate, aguapanela, bandeja paisa, sopa de mondongo, ternera a la llanera, ajiaco, mute, hormigas culonas, sancocho de gallina, patacón, morcilla, rellena, abojarrado, arepa e huevo, achiras, almohabanas, mantecada, lechona, mojarra, viudo, papas chorriadas, quesadillas, and CALENTAO!!!!!.

mmm im hundry now...

c u later

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Cockney Colombian says on May 7, 2007, 17:31:

Sounds like your having a nice time Jay, great to read.

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webmanco says on May 7, 2007, 17:53:

La Finca I will try to post a pic soon, that is where they got lots of writings on the wall, as per example

"Las mujeres son muy distraídas, lo miran a uno y se lo dan a otro"

just a joke not offense.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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jay1234 says on May 20, 2007, 11:25:

Thanks... MC, RJ, Cockney Colombian! We've been back in Texas (how depressing compared to Colombia) for a little more than a week now. I really enjoyed Bogota (only thing I would change is the weather). I saw some really great places, tried some great food and drink, and met some great people. rca, I didn't get to try all of your suggestions (though I have had patacon before, love that). I did have some soup that Catherine's cousin called corazon de pollo (but from what she explained it was not chicken heart, but rather throat). I loved the broth, the meat was so-so. Had some great ceviche de corvino (though, I suppose that is peruvian and not Colombian, still great). Also had some fabulous steak at a restaurant called Morrilo.
Anyway, just checking back in. I haven't posted any since our return because we have been settling in and I have been showing Catherine around San Antonio. We have also hosted a few dinners and she made arroz con pollo, arroz con coco, guacamole, y otro picadas, which stunned my friends (my contribution was bbq ribs and deviled eggs). Yesterday, we floated down the Guadalupe River in innertubes. So far, it has been great. The main impressions she has of the US is surprise at the way people drive, the fact that in Colombia the discos will play a few American songs but the reverse is not true in the US, and that the supermarkets here don't have a large variety of fruits and vegetables.
Ok, this pasty gringo is off to get ready for the Spurs game.

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