PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

HERE'S MY REPORT OF BOGOTA/GIRARDOT/ARMENIA

I arrived in Bogota with my U.S. passport and an expired (expired about 10 years ago) passport. At inmigration the DAS agent asked if I had my Colombian passport as I handed the U.S. one. I said yes but it's expired. He said it didn't matter, may I see it? I handed it and he stamped it. The following Monday I renewed the Colombian passport at 25th street and 7th Avenue (more or less) two hours later I walked out with a new passport. The first restaurant I visited was Andres Carne de Res. Strange and interesting at the same time, that place is huge, there's a lot going on, from magicians to vikings. I liked it but it is expensive by Colombian standards. I liked Bogota but the neighborhood sidewalks could use a lot of work as well as it's streets. Traffic wasn't bad. I actually drove on a Sunday and I felt like I was driving in California (civilized, believe it or not). Customer service in stores and restaurants is superior to that of California, employees are humble not cocky. Shopping centers are very modern as well as the cinemas. I went to the cinemas in Gran Estacion and found it peculiar that when you buy your ticket you get a choice of seats and you could be the last person to go in and the usher will show you to your seats, that was cool. Popcorn butckets and sodas are very cheap compared cinemas in California. I finally had the chance to try Hamburguesas del Corral and compared them to In-N-Out, there's no comparison (in my opinion) Corral is a lot better, hands down. I had the 3/4 pounder al carbon. My 12 year old son felt the same about them and he loves In-N-Out, he fell in love with del Corral. Also took a drive to Sopo to the Alpina plant after having lunch at Entre Pues. Alpina was great and the desserts were delicious, it feels like you are somewhere in Germany, it's clean, well organized and they handled the huge lines very efficiently. We were going to go and do some Parapente (hang-gliding) but it was rainy and changed our minds. Taxis were cheap and every taxi driver has the formula to fix the country, they should all have been politicians. I got them going just to hear what they'd say, I'd ask soooo, what do you think of the political situation? LOL. I also went to Juan Valdez and tried the frapuccino with arequipe. It's cheaper than Starbucks and just as good. I then flew to Armenia. Loved Armenia and found it very relaxing. We did CANOPING. Where you go up to the height of tree-tops and travel a distance by cable suspended by a harness. You have to break by squeezing the cable with a leather gloved hand. There were 10 stages to this. It was great. Avianca had a promotion where it offered a national round trip ticket within the country when you buy your round trip ticket from Los Angeles. So while I was in Armenia and a day before I was to fly back to Bogota a family member said why would you want to fly back when we are all going to Girardot? It wouldn't make sense to fly to Bogota and then drive back to Girardot. He convinced us and we drove but I didn't think it was important to cancel the flight from Armenia to Bogota. Well, surprise, surprise, if you don't cancel that flight, they (Avianca) considers a No show the rest of your itinerary which means they also cancelled my flight back to Los Angeles. Missed two days off work and ended up paying penalties to the airline. One positive thing about the flight back, Avianca fed us twice during the flight. Over all, I had a great time. Loved the country, the people and the food.

By mrgizmo on Jul 7, 2008, 11:17 in Friendly Talkzone.

quantum says on Jul 7, 2008, 11:52:

Would appreciate hearing more about Armenia if u can offer more insights.........

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 7, 2008, 11:55:

Good to see you had a good time Mr. G. I would suggest that you put some returns in your post so it is easier to read.

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mrgizmo says on Jul 7, 2008, 12:54:

ColombianoGringo. I'm sorry, you're absolutely right, there's nothing more boring than a block of copy to read I just kept on writing and writing before I lost my train of thought. I'll keep it in mind.
Quantum, I loved Armenia, I stayed at a finca/hotel called SANTANA about 1 kilometer from the Parque del Cafe.
The weather was nice even though we had some rain. There are many family-oriented activities including but not limited to Canoeing, Balsaje (where you go downstream on the river on an old-fashioned "Balsa'') just like the old days.
There's also Panaca a park with animals and animal shows for the whole family. I didn't go to Parque del Cafe because I've seen it many times but it's a great theme park, with lots to see and do.
Armenia has also good shopping centers and restaurants and the people are very friendly everywhere.
La linea (road to Bogota) is not one of my favorites but I survived it.

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

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lampltr says on Jul 7, 2008, 18:19:

Great writing...thanks for sharing!!
Hamburguesas del Corral, hmm better than In & Out, will definitely look for this one as I too had been hooked on the later living in Phoenix during my past!!

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 7, 2008, 19:42:

Ah Mr. Giz. I see that you got La Corralisima. Their regular fried burgers are OK, but the "al carbon" is much better. Strangely, when I was in Bogota a few weeks ago, the burger I got at the one on Calle 116 wasn't very good.

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Monpirri says on Jul 9, 2008, 09:16:

Corral
Mrgizmo, very nice article thank you. You speak works of a savvy traveler.
Thumbs up el Corral!

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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