The R&R Big Adventure

Goodbye Bogota

Friday night, new capital city, and R&R were… having an early night, after watching a couple of episodes of the new Heartstopper (R’s choice). We were pretty tired after dinner, and a busy day, and actually didn’t mind not being two tipsy tourists trying to find a cab in downtown Bogota at 2am.

A word on last night’s dinner – the meal was fine, but creative direction for a ‘destination’ Asian restaurant all over the place. The waiters wore ill-fitting leopard print shirts, the busboys in boiler suits (Salvage-d?) whilst there were some random female employees in gold sequin showgirl costumes. We were trying to get the bill when suddenly the music ramped up, and two of the busboys and our waiter appeared wearing cheap chimpanzee masks (chimps in Asia?), and started prancing (best word to describe it) round the tables, with said sequined showgirls, whilst holding flashing bicycle lamps. What was perhaps more surprising was when this routine finished they actually all looked very pleased with themselves. We paid the bill and left.

The advantage of an early Friday night was an early start this morning – we made the most of the sunshine and went on a lovely long walk in the area. What has surprised us about Bogota is that whilst of course there are neglected, poor areas (like every city), there are a lot of very nice parts to it too – with apartment buildings, restaurants, shops, bars and cafés on a par with any major capital. I’m not a coffee drinker, but have tried it a few times here (when in Colombia!) and it definitely tastes better than anything at home – not bitter at all.

We are now packed up, about to head off to the airport, and ready for part two of Colombia – Pereira, the coffee region, and what looks like some stunning countryside.