Intelligent, knowledgeable, open minded, all different types of people who want to be no one but themselves are here in bogota.
It is a heart of Colombia.
People here are proud of bogota and happy to be living here. They enjoy cool breeze, rain and clouds. As any other Colombians, they like to measure social rank based on education and wealth. It is one of the first question people ask.
1. Where are you from?
2. What do you do/ what did you do for work
3. What did you study
Any people who want to advance in their life in this materialistic, capitalist world money is an important subject. Because of this I know that this country is advancing fast.
Colombian women are beautiful in comparison other parts of the world I have traveled.
Generally speaking in Colombia people pay respect by saying buenas noches,, como esta, como te fuiste, que tal, que mas, etc
People outside of bogota like to talk shit about bogota that it is cold, also people are cold, busy working, not kind, robbery, traffic typical and normal impression of big city.
People in bogota like to talk shit about outsiders that cost people talk funny, fast and mumble. They say Girls in Medellin are plastics and dumb, people in Medellin sing Spanish rather than talk Spanish. They say people in bogota are more intelligent. But recognize that outside of bogota people are generally nicer and kind.
In my experience some of them are bullshit. Some of them
I agree. However my opinion
Is also biased because I met some of the most cool and unique people through couchsurfing. Yes City people think fast and act fast. I had to grow a patience in barranquilla. However I met nice kind people everywhere I went. Sometimes I wonder if it is because I am Asian.
I have been in bogota for ten days now. I like it here because of the people. For me, place is only as good as people in it.
Coming from salento, I saw dramatic temperature and climate change as well as some of the incredible views of the mountains and valleys.
I visited casa de narino equivalent to White House. Immense security. I had to make a reservation five days advance. Inside was decorated with beautiful paintings and antique furnitures. Tour guide was smart, fast, joke and spoke ok pronunciation and correct grammar. My bag was taken away along with my phone but I was able sneak in my iPhone pretending to be a music player and managed to get some photos.
There are many touristic areas but having seen many incredible touristic sites and activities. Not many things excites me nor quite memorable.
I went to the top of the mountain to see the view of the entire city. There I met two police officers. We shared cigarets, talked about marijuana and cocaine. They confessed that they smoke cocaine. I told them
About ayahuasca. They asked many questions about corea, my travel, motorcycle. I told them my experience of corrupt cops in Venezuela and cool cops on Colombia.
I saw the biggest CS gathering that I have seen, partied with them and non CS people until 3am on tuesday night.
Done some of really stupid things that I just don't want to mention and forget about.
Became a better motorcycle rider here. Dropped my bike again. It's my fourth. This time I made a scratch on muffler and bent front brake bar of the handle. Still nothing broken. One hand I'm glad to buy a smallest bike, on the other hand regret for not buying a used one.
My gear shifting is smooth and by staying in higher rpm, minimized jerking. Also I turn better and do a uturn while having someone on the bike.
So far I have given ride to six people.
I went to outside of the city to visit tabio. It was colonial and beautiful. Brick building and brick road. Colorful painting, quiet, big houses.
Did not meet see or suspected any person of a danger. Many polices and militaries makes it even more safer.
Met few really cool people through CS.
Finally got myself a part time job that I can work and travel at the same time.
Went to electronic music club and danced till a sun rise. However music that I exactly want is still hard to find.
More people tell me that I am a good dancer. I want to post it on YouTube to show my parents and friends.
Still on touch with close friends from
Seattle.
Saw Lindsey and Emily in Medellin and stayed in same hostel in salento for three days and had awahuaska with them. It was so strange and cool to suddenly run into them One by one.
Seeing Lindsey was like old time but this time without any tension and vindictiveness only with affection and friendship. I understood why I like her through our arguments. I understood her independence because now I am
Always alone and in my head a lot. I have a feeling we may see each other again once Emily goes back to states.
I really like culture of USA. Not all of them but there are type of people I like. It's harder to find them in Latin America but there is animal like instinctive behavior in Latin America that is low key, shallow but also real and natural.
I really want to taste other developed world to see if there are a country better than US.
I got piercing in bogota. Black and dark blue each ear. 14s this time.
Found a hostel that is new, clean and EMPTY. My perfect choice. Don't like hostel full of backpackers anymore.
Loving my motorcycle everyday. Seeing taxi and bus prices. My premium gas price and occasional parking fee is sexy and more than reasonable.
Few people I don't want to forget. Angelica, Tatiana and posada family.
Went to national university. The best public school. It was big an dirty. Walls were filled with political messages, ads, graffiti, el Che and art.
One student told me that these students like to fight, they divide themselves based on political party that they support also not supporting government for a new change. Reminded me of a corea 20 years ago.
Went to the two of the most expensive university in Colombia. Los Andes is a private school. I met with a graduate student who is working there. Also my CS host went to that school. Nice facility. Little over $10,000 USD a year.
Standard of living here is higher than I expected.
Most important are people here.
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