Colombia's Treasures

By Jewel (I, Angela, I'm entering this in his behalf in the site)

Bogota, Sunday's Ciclovía

I learned a lot about Colombia during these few years. Most things I had no idea about before. I knew a little bit about the country, its exotic fruits, party scene, Amazon-like vibe, and beaches. What I didn't know was that Colombia is really diverse, and that the Coast is pretty different from cities like Bogota.

Bogota is a real urban city. Great food scene. So many varied restaurants. I heard Wok and Crepes are some of the best ones for casual meals and they do attract lots of visitors every day. I love the Ciclovia, a weekly running event that takes place on Sundays in the Bogota streets. Its one of the city's traditions and one of the things that makes it different from other places.

There are great art galleries in Bogota, even for someone who is not a huge fan of viewing paintings like myself. I enjoy the interactive experiences and the Bogota museums deliver. Parks like the Chico museum provide a natural setting in the middle of a busy city. The Monserrate mountain is the city's centerpiece and a place where locals go for activities such as biking and walking. All in all, Bogota is a big city with many different areas, and each has its own vibe.

But, Bogota is not all there is to Colombian culture. I got to learn a little about some its other regions. Towns still seems like they retain some of their history. It feels like there is no time there. Everything goes slower and this is showcased by its predominant Romanesque Revival architecture style which is so different from the one in Bogota.

I believe Colombia sells itself short. The things I briefly mentioned only touch the tip of the iceberg of what the nation offers, and I look forward to discovering even more of its mysteries.