My first July 4th away from Home

Mononoke28 says on Mar 20, 2008, 14:47:

They do have them in Medellín... but I don't know how you can like them. =D

Diana

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 20, 2008, 15:57:

eywed says on Mar 20, 2008, 19:42:

The 20th Is much better.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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adrimm says on Mar 20, 2008, 20:22:

I remember you had so many many questions..including one of the quirkiest on PBH (unibrow).
So how did you find Bogota?

Congrats on your internship!

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Piatt says on Mar 21, 2008, 00:06:

yes...i remember that question. It still perplexes me how guys in Bogota can dress so fashionable (like europeans) yet rock the unibrow and never make issue of it lol different culture. Well Bogota was awesome! I loved every single minute of living there and would strongly recommend it to anyone considering studying at a university in the city. I was fortunate enough to meet other american students (same age or close) that were staying and studying in Colombia for almost the same amount of time. That made things a whole lot easier for me especially when it came to adjusting to big city life in a foreign country.

I lived in the artsy barrio of Alto Chapinero and loved it. All my neighbors were friendly and I remember this lady who would try and set me up on dates with the neighborhood girls lol she was to funny. Went to Uni Monday-Friday usually twice a week me and my friends would have a chill bite to eat and drink at Bogota Beer Company. Fridays was definitely a discotek night and there wasn't like a favorite club but we went to La Candaleria and Zona Rosa the most (parque 93 was saved mainly for having a drink in the park or special occasions). Every saturday I would play soccer with my fellow costeno's (even though they never accepted me as one) at the local park and on Sundays I would go jogging for ciclovia (spelling). When I felt out of shape though rarely because I did a lot of walking in the city I would go to Bodytek (lifted a few weights did some aerobic classes ect). Sometimes I would take day trips and visit either nearby tourist attractions or once inawhile a weekend excursion to say Melgar. Life was chill.

Bogota is a huge city and there's always something to do.

My one piece of advice (for any foreigners reading) is if you go out and decide to come back home from partying very late at night don't take a taxi by yourself. Be safe and ride together with friends even if it means you have to go out of your way a bit. See each other home. LoL I remember on more than one occasion the taxi drivers would reprimand me about how its naive for me to travel alone at the wee hrs of the night as a foreigner. Luckily nothing happened but I don't want to encourage a bad habit to others.

Lastly, Transmillenio was fun to ride. It was almost like musical chairs except most of the time I never won and had to stand for the rest of the way to my destination.

gordo

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lpdiver says on Mar 21, 2008, 05:05:

I wouldn't go out of my way to advertise that I was an American on the 4'th of July in Colombia; but hey, thats just me.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Simon says on Mar 21, 2008, 09:43:

But are you a Colombian or a foreigner?

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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lpdiver says on Mar 21, 2008, 09:48:

I am a US citizen as one would reasonable deduce the OP is.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Simon says on Mar 21, 2008, 09:50:

Yeah, I meant the OP.

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 21, 2008, 13:29:

Well if he's asking whether the 4th of July is celebrated in Colombia it's obvious that 1. He's not from Colombia or otherwise he would've known that it is not celebrated there. And 2. If he's asking about the 4th of July it's safe to say that he's from the US.

Diana

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azunoman says on Mar 21, 2008, 13:45:

"I was wondering if there were any other Americans celebrating in either Armenia, Medellin this summer?"

Heck..on July 4th, just open the windows put on some good Colombian music and people within earshot will show up...else you could get drawn into a bunch of lonely morose ex pats pinning for home on July 4th. :)))))))))

Ready, Fire, Aim

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adrimm says on Mar 21, 2008, 13:54:

Hey Gord... great trip/time-in-Colombia report.Sounds like you had a blast in Bogota ;) I love the Chapinero area, ciclovia & TransMilenio.

you might enjoy these videos

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/bus-rapid-transit-bogota/

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/

And for friends trying to understand TransMilenio this 12 second pan of one of the stations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA4IR7PvO6I

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Simon says on Mar 21, 2008, 14:52:

"Well if he's asking whether the 4th of July is celebrated in Colombia it's obvious that 1. He's not from Colombia or otherwise he would've known that it is not celebrated there. And 2. If he's asking about the 4th of July it's safe to say that he's from the US."


Yeah, but he also referred to costeños as "my fellow costeños":

"Every saturday I would play soccer with my fellow costeno's"

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 21, 2008, 16:18:

Does this not imply he is American-Colombian?

La vida es una rutina

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Simon says on Mar 21, 2008, 19:08:

Y eso qué es? Qué él es de ascendencia Estadounidense viviendo en Colombia?

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 21, 2008, 19:19:

jaja Simon! Estas jugando conmigo?. Si! como un American-Irlandes de ascendencia Estadounidense viviendo en Eire. Prefieres el frase: American-American?

La vida es una rutina

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Simon says on Mar 21, 2008, 20:32:

Es que se me hace que este es un Colombianito dándosela de gringo.

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 21, 2008, 20:50:

Ahh! Que dices Piatt?

La vida es una rutina

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Simon says on Mar 21, 2008, 20:54:

Sí, me refiero al OP.

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Piatt says on Mar 21, 2008, 23:30:

I am an American with Colombian heritage (3rd generation). Sorry for the delayed response but with spring break been a little busy with a few friends. Yeah Ipdiver I maybe a little naive posting here but my experience in Colombia suggests not to be afraid. I talked english all the time with my friends down there, never was afraid to tell others when asked that my nationality was American....people could guess anyways that I wasn't a native by the way I dressed, or how I walked, and definately when I tried to communicate in spanish so trying to be inconspicuous wouldn't work anyways.

gordo

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lpdiver says on Mar 22, 2008, 03:44:

Piatt,

There is a difference in being afraid and being cautious. I travel and frequent places that I have been advised not to; but, I am always cautious and courteous.

And yes; you are correct, they will know you aren't from around there. My wife is native born Paisa and yet when she goes to Sonson she is recognised as a stranger. She lacks the accent of the Paisas.

Since you are in Colombia why not celebrate their independence day?

t

"cook some rice!"

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Simon says on Mar 22, 2008, 09:39:

"Since you are in Colombia why not celebrate their independence day?"

Because he probably prefers to celebrate when "his forefathers" fought for independence from England back in 1776.

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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MaFe says on Mar 22, 2008, 09:49:

Simon, como te gusta peliar! I like that!! Hisforefathers are Colombian no?
Therefore, Piatt- you should enjoy el 20 de Julio en Colombia...since you are back in your ancestors land- on their independence?

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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Simon says on Mar 22, 2008, 10:45:

Ese es mi punti Mafe. Tú lo dices, sus ancestros fueron Colombianos, así que no venga aquí a este foro Colombiano dándoselas del sobrino del Tio Sam!!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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MaFe says on Mar 22, 2008, 10:50:

Simon...ja! Tienes razon!! Tio Simon no?
But since he is born in the U.S., can he feel love towards both countries and want to celebrate both? je!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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Piatt says on Mar 22, 2008, 11:13:

I would love to celebrate Colombian independence day but I will not be around for that. I leave slightly before the 20th...Simon you are a funny guy...

gordo

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Simon says on Mar 22, 2008, 11:59:

I was just busting your chops Piatt, he he... saludos!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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