PBH / colombia (active forums more▼ | travelguide | pictures) / post

Trip to Bogota

Just returned from a week long trip to Bogota and surrounding towns, including Guatavita, Zipaquira, and Villa de Levya. I had a great trip, and appreciate the helpful advice provided by fellow PBHers. : )

Though Colombia may not be high (yet) on most people's travel wish list, I think the visit was definitely worth it. Anyway, there was no way not to stick out (I'm too blonde), but most people I met were very polite and friendly.

Those mountain roads were something else. Absolutely amazing views, but a bit unnerving to see so many signs warning of head on collisions (road signs depicting a head on collision!), and signs warning that lots of accidents had happened in certain areas. Whew! Not to mention all the passing going on despite signs and road stripes saying don't pass, including the driver I was with. Yikes!

Traffic came to a total standstill and started really backing up on one mountain road. Then all these people jumped out of the buses, and trucks and headed up the road to find out what was going on. I could just imagine some grisly accident scene up ahead, and no telling how long it would take an ambulance to get there especially since there were only two lanes and they were both packed with vehicles (some trying to turn around). Then I remembered all the stories I'd heard about guerillas setting up roadblocks so they could rob and kidnap people...but it didn't seem very likely to me that such a thing would happen on a road that busy (and during daylight hours). Would it??

Turns out there was an accident - several days before. Traffic was interrupted so that an accident invistigation could be conducted.

The crazy rides on the mountain roads were the wildest part of my trip.

So how do you post photos here?

By Portena on Sep 9, 2007, 14:11 in Friendly Talkzone.

Simon says on Sep 9, 2007, 15:16:

Glad you had a nice trip, but could you please tell us more about it besides the intense traffic?

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

alezzz says on Sep 9, 2007, 15:46:

you can post photos on flickr.com and then post the link here.

---Music is the strongest form of magic.---

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Portena says on Sep 9, 2007, 15:58:

Thanks, Simon. My head is still spinning from the intense traffic. I'll add some info down the road. ; )

Thanks, Alezzz.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Monpirri says on Sep 9, 2007, 17:35:

I know how you felt when the traffic came to standstill up in the mountains of Colombia, "Damn, I did not want to end my vacation like this, in the hands of ugly guerrilleros"

On my way to Medellin from Bogotá I traveled at night via Bolivariano bus, so I slept during the night. Your mind is less worry about what could happen.
We arrived in Medellin in the early morning hours; it's a great feeling to arrive real early!

On my way back to Bogotá, I traveled in the same bus line, left Medallo at 2:30 p.m. and arrived in Bogotá around 11:00 p.m. Along the way, when it was daytime, I saw several army soldiers posted several miles apart throughout the road.
We watched a movie during the trip, so there is no time to think ugly things, even though we watched “ Soñar no cuesta nada"
You can also upload you photos using photobucket

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Portena says on Sep 9, 2007, 18:38:

Yes, Monpirri, that was one of my thoughts, especially since I had quite a few friends and relatives trying to talk me out of this trip. But some things in life are very worth seeing and experiencing even though there is a certain level of risk. My friend and guide on this trip asked me if I had seen Europe (I guess assuming I would go there before choosing South America). I said "No - everyone goes to Europe. When I think of Europe I think of stuffy museums and boring World History classes. South America is so much more exciting - there is so much undeveloped potential both in terms of natural resources and human resources. I hope that the people of South America are able to actualize this potential, and choose a path that leads to peace and prosperity." (Of course, I would still like to see Europe someday...)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Sep 10, 2007, 23:37:

Portena, just go to www.tinypic.com Then, go to upload. Then browse. Then, pick the pic you want to upload and upload it. Then, copy the "stuff" that allows you to use it on a blog. Then, when you post, just right click and hit paste. That will allow you to post a picture. I assume it is the same procedure for the other sites also.

Now hurry up and post some pics. I am looking forward to seeing them!

BEWARE of gold diggers.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Bill Turley says on Sep 11, 2007, 12:04:

Portena If you want another locale to visit I invite you to my finca. A safe 3 hour drive or flota from Bogota

Mr. Bill Somondoco

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Man Tequila says on Sep 11, 2007, 14:04:

Glad you had a great trip, Portena!

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Portena says on Sep 11, 2007, 15:10:

Thanks, everyone! : ) It may take me awhile to get the photos posted because I was using one of those one time Kodak cameras and just turned the camera in for processing and getting a CD.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Monpirri says on Sep 11, 2007, 15:19:

Ok, hurry up!!!

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.