I stopped in to a couple of churches on the way, both of which were mid-mass. It is a bit like Portugal here in that every time i go into a cathedral there seems to be a mass underway. Seldom are they dormant.
The flea market was full of things that were not quite antiques, but junk that was fun to browse through. Lots of military accoutrment, old telephones, books, and toys. A man had a bucket of giant snails and was selling their snail slime as a skin care remedy. There i had a glass of lulo juice - lulo being a fruit native to the area. It is quite tart, but refreshing.
fruit vendor, Bogota |
After the museum i walked for a ways up hill past vendors of grilled meats, blood sausage, corn and religious artifacts to the cable car station to go up to the top of the mountain to visit Monserrat, mountain with a white church perched atop. The church is visible from everywhere in the city and accessible by cable car, funicular, or a steep hike. The church, although very sacred is not that special, and wuite plain. What was great was the view of the city and mountains and the stroll through the market, which was selling various crafts and souveniers. (Nothing that i wanted to buy, mind you.) At that point it started to rain, so i ducked into a hall of food sellers, all cooking up the same dishes, rice and potatos or soup with chicken, blood sausage, pig intestines, and other identifiable mean bits. I was looking to see if there was anything vegetarian i could have when i was approached by the waitress who said something incomprhensible to me in spanish. I do not know what she said but i blurted out two phrases i know, liked togther: I am a vegetarian and i am hungry. She understood and made me a plate of rice, fired plantains, avocado slices, potatoes, beans, and hot peppers. It was huge and delicious and about $3.
my $3 lunch |
view of mountains from Montserrat |
graffiti in the Macarena area, Bogota |
And let me take this opportunity too dispell another stupid warning i received from people and books before coming here. I was told to only take taxis after dark (which i have established as nonsense, as walking is fine), AND i was told never to hail them on the street but only to call for them. This posed a problem as i do not have a phone. But as it turns out everyone hails taxis on the street. They are yellow and licensed and use meters and have gps and are quite safe. So there, fear mongerers!
Ok, i am off for another day of exploring. Thanks for checking on me.
d
View from my Anandamayi Hostel, Candelaria, Bogota |
3 comments:
Such diversity in the city: "From feces to Ferragamo" could have been the title of this post. As usual, when you are traveling, I wait with an ti ci pation for your next post. Love, Mum
that would have been a better title. your blogging assistance is missed. xo
You sure love adventures! and I love reading about them. You should write a book about your travels! ~norma c.
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