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Nov. 28, 2005 Ah yes! It was much more than what I had expected, Bogotá, especially after a number of people had told me not to go to Bogotá, Colombia, concerned for my security, but I did and I’m happy I did; I found (or so it seemed) it no less safe than any other city in the world with eight million people, and a lot safer than Cairo, or Pham Pen, Paris, London and a few other cities; and the people a ting more sparkling, warm and willing to accommodate than a few of the other South American Countries, and most of Europe. Bogotá is an embraced big city in the Andes, with a lot of old traditions, customs (way of life) that I like, but some folks are saying, these may be gone in the near future; I hope not, it still has the old magic, a regal charm, with a layer of ancient traditions still intact; even a little bucolic look from the grand times of yesteryear. Having said that, I want to look at a few mores I enjoyed along with a few places I’ve seen in my visit this last part of October and the first part of November: 1) The Cathedral Del Sal, about fifty miles outside of Bogotá; it has to be considered one of the modern marvels of the world today. It has fifteen sections to it, and a long tunnel leading down underground, and I swear you could put the Vatican in it. A hundred or so feet below the ground, the Cathedral holds some 8000-people. It took four years to build, 250-miners, $8-million dollars (one section), for this small country of 40-million. I can’t imagine what it would cost if it was build in America, perhaps ten times that much. Trying to find information about this Cathedral was hard, most people either didn’t hear about it, or thought it a myth. 2) The Donkey Men of Bogotá, or so I call them; they gather up scraps from cafes and hotels, restaurants, etc., and bring the remnants home to feed their farm animals. 3) Bogotá’s cowhide folks, whom sell cowhides on the bridges, among other places throughout the city, during the working week. As friendly as can be and like most South American countries, will negotiate the price; my cup of tea I suppose. 4) Holidays and Sundays: the people of the city gather up their families and go biking up and down the cities streets; certain ones are blocked off throughout the city, and many, many people take advantage of this—I would think—a contemporary custom that may last, again I say—I hope. 5) The National Museum has a lot to offer, with all its pottery and art, especially Botero’s collection. 6) The white church on the mountain called: “Monserrate,” within the city, in which you have to take a cable car to reach it, is unique in itself; but to be truthful, I liked the white colonial restaurant, ‘Santa Clara,’ much better, which is but a short distance from it, down a slope a bit; it has a astounding view of the city. For the most part, I enjoyed the city immensely, can’t think of a thing I didn’t like. The people were willing to help, and their warmness to unfamiliar face as mine was even more of an attraction for them to help—or so it seemed. My hotel, ‘Los Heroes,’ was a great three star hotel; they acted more like a five star to be frank. I will have a lot of first-rate recollections from this city; plus, I got to unwind for once. —incidentally, your dollar is about two times its value, than in the states. ------------ About the author: Mr. Siluk is a world traveler, a lover of the mysteries around the world, and has visit many World Heritage Sites, his most recent being Easter Island, the Galapagos and Mesa Verde. His books can be seen on/at Barns and Noble.com, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Abe.com Alibis, Boarders and several other sites and book stores. Many of his books can be purchased through the English Bookdealers. He spends his time between Lima, Peru and St. Paul, Minnesota, and has just finished working on two new books: "The Macabre Poems,” and “Perhaps it’s Love,” and continues to work on "Curse of the Abyss Worm,” a suspenseful mystery, and “Cold Kindness,” a tragic love affair. Visit http://dennissiluk.tripod.com Email: dlsiluk@msn.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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