So, since we last gave you any depth here on the blog, we have seen some other parts of the country, but not nearly enough. I took a trip to Ecuador to study Spanish intensively for 2 weeks. Jess and I have been to Bogota, and we’ve travelled a bit in the area outside the city limits. To begin, because I have some pics here, I’ll talk a little about our trip to Bogota.
Our friend Juan Carlos is from Bogota, and was nice enough to invite us to visit Bogota with him over Semana Santa this year. We visited his family and friends, and saw the city. It was a great trip! But first, we had to get there… a 10 to 12 hour drive through two mountain ranges.
As this picture makes clear, my dog had to be drugged for the trip. He gets non-stop carsick, so we had to get him some traveling medicine from the vet. He looked out of it.
Near one of the many towns we past, we spotted some of the local youth who preferred not to walk up the mountain to get to the center of town. watching the mount and dismount was much more stressful than the ride…
Finally, we made it to Bogota, where Juan Carlos and his family took us to see the sights. We went to a beautiful (but cold) spot to look out over the city. It is a big city, with something like 8 million residents. It was a clean, modern city with a good public transport system, and the climate is kind of like fall at home, all the time, except the trees and grass are green. Here we are, not looking over the city with our friend Juan Carlos.
The owner of a restaurant at that overlook took a liking to us, and sent us a free drink inside a pineapple, which you can see Jess enjoying above. There are more convenient vessels, but who am I to complain? Jessie may or may not have eaten the entire pineapple thereafter.
Jessie and I ventured out on our own on one of the holy days (don’t remember which one, sorry) and found the modern art gallery, MAMBO (Museo de Arte Moderno). We had some fun with this exhibit of poster styles through the 20th century. A striking resemblance, don’t you think?
We also saw this shaving chair for siamese twins, or at least that is the only use I could think of for it. Can you spot Jess in the picture?
When we left the museum, we found ourselves in the parade route, which was awash with people, entertainers, vendors, etc. etc. etc. This little clown man would remain completely still until someone gave him a coin, He would then do a happy little mechanical clown dance! There was also a Michael Jackson impersonator, which fit with the spirit of the season, I think.
We were invited to a birthday party for Juan Carlos’s girlfriend and mother. Late in the night, an ominous knock on the door revealed a 9-piece Mariachi band ready to serenade the birthday girls. It was louder than it looks, but what takes a party to the next level like mariachis!
They tried to draft my little Jessiachi, but she was too shy to make the career change. The fashion accessories, however, she can live with.
While in Bogota, I played a show with Juan Carlos and his friend in a small bar. We practiced 3 times and then played a ten-song set. It was a good time, and I was automatically a good singer because I don’t have an accent when singing rock songs!
Aureliano, my dog, played with the band too…
We took a trip out of Bogota to visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá an underground cathedral built in a salt mine. It was a tasty trip. I can honestly say I have never though about salt for such an extended period in my life. There were movies and signs and brochures and free samples. My blood pressure couldn’t handle any more.
Jessica explored many career opportunities in Bogota, including “salt miner.” She liked the fringe salt benefits, but the Lupus was a deal-breaker.
And those are just some of the highpoints of our trip to Bogota. Contemplating careers, playing in shows, supporting local arts; all just another excursion into the great wide world. Until the next…
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