My Trip to Bogota
After traveling to all the markets for IMAX this year, I wanted to take some time off to recharge my batteries. I absolutely love traveling! The more exotic, the more inspiring to me. Always budget-friendly, I decided to use my frequent flier miles for the trip. Amazingly enough, it used the same amount of miles to go roundtrip to Colombia or roundtrip within the USA. I chose to go to South America! Bogota is a very large city (nearly 7 million people!). At first, I thought it was going to be tropical because looking on a map its on the equator. However, it is in the Andes mountains so the weather is cool all year round - about 60 degrees every day of the year.
After I booked my ticket, I had to find a place to stay. I prefer to stay with local people if possible to make the best out of my travels. I put the word out through my friends that I was searching for a host family. My prayers were answered when one of my best friends introduced me to one of her co-workers who was from Bogota. He was kind enough to make arrangements for me to meet his sister in Bogota and even to stay with his parents in their home. The family was extremely kind. Also their 19-year-old niece lives there while she attends an architecture university. I am very thankful for their niece because the parents did not speak English at all!
I did some sort of interesting activity every day. I took a five-hour bike trip around the city, had a spa day, went to see the Salt Cathedral, visited the Gold and Botero Museums, took the Teleferico up to Monserrate, did lots of shopping, and of course I ate all the time.
Bogota fashion reminds me somewhat of New York City – lots of black clothes, lots of jeans, lots of leather jackets, lots of boots. In the old area of downtown, the walls are covered with very interesting and colorful artwork with stark imagery.
I also found one of IMAX’s Colombian customers that I had worked with at previous markets! Cristina and her husband, Juan, own a very popular boutique on a quaint and almost hidden street named Calle de los Anticuarios (street of antiques). The way that Cristina set up the store is so interesting - almost every item in her 
store is cream or brown colored and has a very natural and calming, almost ethereal, look. The store is well-known throughout the city as the spot for high-end wedding gifts. The day I visited her, she was making sure that her staff had properly packaged all the gifts for a wedding. The store has a signature gift wrap topped with a peacock feather.
The instant you see the gift, you know something great is inside! Interesting fact – Cristina told me that wedding guests shop off a registry list but do not bring gifts to the wedding. Instead the store delivers all the gifts to the bride’s family’s home. I asked another friend from Colombia about this, and she said they do not want to carry a big gift in their nice dresses. And most big weddings are on Friday evening. 
Later that day, Cristina, Juan and I had a very nice dinner at a lively restaurant called Andres Carne de Res. Wow, anyone who has been to this area will have a story to tell you about this place!
The people I met were the kindest, most caring and friendliest people. If I ever have the chance again, I would like to go back to Colombia, and next time I will visit the tropical part of the country – the coastal city of Cartagena.
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Amanda is an IMAX Corporate Account Manager. She enjoys interacting with IMAX customers from all over the world and loves to travel to new, exotic places. |
26 Comments
First of all (as your Dad) I’m very proud of you. It takes real courage to venture outside of the US by yourself. Not many can do it. Each time you experience something/somewhere that is new and different will expand your knowledge and increase your wisdom. Good Luck on your next venture!
Bien Hecho! Don’t forget to visit Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Chile! They speak English in Belize! LOL
I really enjoyed your description of your trip. Sounds like a great place to go with the weather, the food and the culture. I’ll have to put Bogota on my bucket list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Great piece on Bogota, Amanda. On my next trip I will be sure to check out Solero, perhaps a perfect stop for my hosts. Sounds like you had a very rounded Bogota experience, let me know where you travel next!
Amanda, Great article. I hope you have additional adventures so you can write about them.
Very inspiring story!!!
Great blog Amanda! I have never heard much about Columbia and your description is wonderful. It sounds like a beautiful place with warm people & delicious food. I hope you get to go again sometime soon
Janel
Nice to read about a shop I’ll go to on my next trip to Columbia. Writer is a great travel writer.
Amanda,
I enjoyed reading your blog and visualizing Bogota through your words and photos. Thanks!
Great article Amanda, I love the pictures and write ups, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the trip and my country
I’m impressed. What a trip. I’d love to see more pictures, are you going to be at the Halloween- Thanksgiving dinner???
It looks interesting. How brave to travel to Colombia. Your job sounds like it would be interesting and certainly allows you to network with interesting people. Good Luck on you next adventure. Jessica
Experiencing new cultures adds so much to a well rounded life. And you even found time to get some business in as well… What an awesome trip - congratulations, Amanda!
I love the way you described the country and the people. You make me want to visit there. You have given a great description of the area. Thank you.
This story makes me want to visit Columbia!
I am in Venezuela now! All Latin cultures are very friendly! I was born in the states but have lived in both AmericasB Try some of the other countries! Great story!
What a wonderful trip! It’s a beautiful city, and how nice to stay with locals.
Amanda, great blog, did a wonderful job whether a first or not. You have peeked my interest and now would consider a trip to Colombia. Know Sara would enjoy it too, she is talking of a major leisure trip in the not too distant future. Hope all is well.
Your adventuresome nature reminds me very much of a good friend who has traveled alone to many different countries and she started out doing it much the same as you. I doubt she’s ever been on a “tour” and has just gone off by herself to explore the culture, the food and the people in each place she’s visited. I greatly admire you, Amanda!
Amanda, what a fascinating article. I think you may have found another career as a travel writer. Really enjoyed it.
Mel
Great commentary! Great pictures!
Bogota is an amazing city. I think sometime Americans really underestimate it sometime. I was there 8 years ago, went to a friend’s wedding. I had the most wonderful time. The people are *muy simpatico*, i love the food, the art, the architecture, etc. Everytime i think about that trip, it brings me great memories.
Your job sound like it’s a wonderful job to have!
I am glad you were able to experience a great time there by the looks of your looks of your pictures. You look like you belong there
Sounds like a great trip, Amanda! I’d really like to know whats on that plate…
Sounds so interesting a trip to Colombia! I am so envy your courage and interest.
I wish I can view all beautiful places someday.
Wish your next station is China.
Thanks for all the comments!! I appreciate your feedback! Buenos Dias!!
um….amazing!!! Can’t wait to travel again! Pretty sure I would love Columbia!
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