Life Elevated

We are now in Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, about nine million people at an altitude of 2’600 meters (7’800 feet). So far, we have no problems with altitude, except for the cold. Icy winds are  sometimes blowing from the surrounding mountains, piercing the bones to the core. We sleep soundly with three blankets at night and drink a lot of water during the day. It never snows in Bogota as temperature does not go below zero. Unfortunately, the city is very polluted and is, let’s say, architecturally challenged…but it has nice museums. The tourist office organises free tours of the city twice a day; we spent a pleasant time strolling the old town listening to the guide. Today we took a cable car up the mountain to 3’200 meters and enjoyed a gorgeous view of the city; it is big, indeed and beautiful when seen from above.

We have found a workshop specialised in fibber glass to repair the damages on the van. We will retrieve it tomorrow morning. In a way, we made the most of this unfortunate encounter with the iron rod: at least we did not have to worry about parking the camper… parking is a real headache in Bogota. 

Posos Azules

Tomorrow, we are heading to the Amazon, almost at sea level, and tropical weather; going from one extreme to another, as Colombia is actually. This country is a melting pot in everything: geography, population, culture, standards of living, animals, birds, flowers and fruits, some or them truly unique. Internet connections are excellent, but some roads are not yet paved… We saw a wedding in Villa de Leyva, a display of genuine elegance, but we saw abject poverty as well. Colombia has one foot on the 21st century and the other  in the 1950s. Let’s hope the second foot will catch up soon!!!