The cold wakes me up way to early. At 5:12 am to be exact... And today was supposed to be my late morning... I try hiding under the blankets, but that doesn´t help. So I decide to continue my blog instead and read the newspaper on my ipad. When my fingers finally are numb (and I´m not exaggerating here) it´s time for some hot water drops in the shower. I leave the hostel without breakfast today and stroll to Cerro Monserrate, Bogota´s emblematic mountain. Cerro Monserrate is 3152 meters high and thus towers some 350 meters above the city. On the top of the mountain they built a church that´s very popular with Colombian pilgrims.
To work off some of the many calories of yesterday´s sumptuous meals I decide to hike up the mountain. It´s only 2350 m after all... Doesn´t sound much, my sentiments exactly. It doesn´t take me long to see that numbers don´t reveal everything. The trail is all steep, rocky steps and within minutes I´m drenched in sweat and panting. For the first time in Bogotá I really take notice of the altitude. I take frequent short breaks, usually to converse with the many police officers guarding the trail, making sure that the only danger is one´s lack of shape...
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| Doesn´t look too bad, does it?! |
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| Half time... |
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| There´s police everywhere |
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| This gives an idea |
After about 1 1/4 hrs I finally reach the summit and head for a place where two years ago I saw many hummingbirds. It requires some patience, but then some of the flying gems appear. What a sight. The other impressive sight is that of the gigantic city deep below spreading as far as I can see. I decide not to walk the same trail down as I´m sure my knees wouldn´t appreciate it. I much rather get onboard the cable car down - and it only takes minutes.
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| The church - made it to the top |
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| hummingbird |
Back in the city I return to the hostel, put on dry clothes and then it´s time to catch a bus and meet with Fran. The wild bus ride reminds me a lot of the chaotic bus trips back in Santiago de Chile. Sweet memories. Fran and go to a vegetarian restaurant - which leaves me without lunch but the lulo juice I have is delicious. After lunch we take the tame Transmilenio bus and a rikshaw to Fran´s apartment, talk and have a coffee. A short taxi ride takes me to the huge bus station, where I buy a ticket for tomorrow´s trip to Neiva, and another taxi ride gets me to the gorgeous Museo Botero in the heart of the old town.
I just love this museum - first of all because of the terrific colonial building it´s in, secondly because the views of the mountains just behind Bogota´s La Candelaria district are stunning and last but not least because I quite like Botero´s art. All in all this is one of my favourite places in Bogotá.
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| La Candelaria church just outside the Museo Botero |
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| Museo Botero |
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| Typical - Botero´s characters are no Schwarzeneggers |
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| Popayán after the earthquake |
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| Guerrillero |
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| emerald seekers |
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| My favourite Botero painting |
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| Cerro Monserrate seen from Museo Botero |
After the museum I just have to go to the central Plaza de Bolívar once more. I never get tired of watching all the action.
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| Typical patio in the colonial part of Bogotá |
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| Panoramic picture of the Plaza de Bolívar |
Back in the hostel I try to find out why my mobile internet isn´t working when it should. Calling the help line didn´t really solve the problem... Somewhat unnerved I decide to treat myself to a fancy dinner in a nearby restaurant - Spaghetti a la Boef Stroganoff. Nice!
Dessert is writing blog, packing bag and having a quick shower. And then it´s time to hit the sack. Buenas noches desde Bogotá
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