Bogota the Capital of color

Few hours of sleep and here we go. The place we stay is at the old centre a cute apartment chosen because is not far from the places we want to see

Many tourists stay north of here to more trendy neighborhoods but for a 2 days stay that would have been a bad choice. From here we can walk to all the places we want to see.

Early in the morning jet lag in place

and we walk along Cr7 one of the longest streets in Bogota mostly pedestrian and at 8 am well deserted. But here is the pit stop for coffee and breakfast at Pasteleria Florida. We skipped the massive and filling chocolate santafereno (bread, butter, cheese to go in your chocolate drink) and we got nice croissants instead one with almond and one with chocolate and frutos rojos (berries). The middle was more like Greek bougatsa and the coffee and the chocolate great

Old world place where time doesn't matter. As somebody said if you are in a rush go to a chain.

And then we went for gold. No dear readers we have not lost it because of the jet lag neither we are fool like the Spanish conquistadores who emptied a lake to find El Dorado. We simply went to the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum). An exhibition of techniques to make gold and beautiful representative objects of gold and copper from the history of precolombian populations in different parts of the country.

Did we say we booked a tour. The free (donations) 'beyond Colombia' tour was supposed to be passing the main sights in the centre. A good load of info about Bogota was given but by stopping in places that could have been anywhere. The information felt sterile as you would read it sitting in your house. We kept going for an hour with them but we both thought that it wasn't for us and left them as the sun came out after some light rain. First stop the Botero museum will all his paintings and sculptures having this cute plumbness that was his special feature. It is a must in Bogota and we look forward to see the open square with his works in Medelin in few days.

Bogota is famous for its street art and every corner in the old preserved area of Candelaria is a new discovery

But as we wandered around Candelaria we passed by the Casa Mama Luz small restaurant. We saw her story on street food Latin America on Netflix and half an hour later after walking some appetite we had to go back. We leave you here but we ll be back soon

Written after the break: the food was great two hearty soups: Ajiaco santafereno with shredded chicken two types of potatoes, guasca, and corns with condensed milk, capers and a massive slice of avocado on side. And costilla de ternera, a soup with a short rib potatoes, plantain, corn and herbs. And remember as the wall of the place says: The first rule of the house is that mama is always right and the 2nd rule says if there is doubt simply refer to the 1st rule.

On the way back we passed from Plaza Bolivar. A square with grandiose buildings, built and rebuilt after fires, earthquakes, struggles. They stand proud all around. The parliament, the city hall, the courts and the cathedral. On the way back the whole 7 street was lined with people selling different junk but some representatives were in genuine. Many pet dogs in Colombia are quite small so the harnesses were made to fit and because rain can come any time the plastic flexible shoe to cover your own is ready for you.

A bit of....rest was in the program to recoup some strength but a neighbour had different ideas with hammering non stop for 2 hours.

A drink to the BBC with some basic wings filled the evening. The beers were different and the atmosphere good. Oh sorry BBC is not what you imagine but the Bogota Brewing Company with multiple outlets around the city.

And that how Montserrat looks in the night from out balcony. The hill above Bogota is a popular destination for tourists but today was covered by cloud and tomorrow might be also. Sunday also sees long queues for the cable car. But bye for now!