travel diary

Today, I want to share a fun little story of a travel day.

I first should note that public transport in Colombia is very spontaneous. Bus timetables are often not available online, and you just have to try your luck at the bus station. So, this is what I did today for going to Manizales.

I hopped in a taxi for a short lift to the bus station. At the station, the taxi driver even offered to walk me to the ticket counter to make sure I got the right ticket. But when we got there, the vendor told us the bus had just left. So, I was prepared to have to wait for the next bus.

However, my taxi driver had a different idea. He asked the vendor to immediately call the bus driver and tell him to hold the bus at the next possible stopping location. To my surprise, the vendor was fine with this. I paid for the ticket and the taxi driver quickly wrote down the bus number on his palm. Then, we proceeded to chase the bus in the taxi.

And guess what? It actually worked! I’m on my way to Manizales.

Today, I am leaving Bogotá. While I feel that there is so much left to explore in the city, I do crave some nature. These past days I have been debating where to go next. In the end, I decided to head towards Manizales in the coffee triangle of Colombia. However, I don’t feel like a 10 hour bus ride. So, I decide to split up the trip.

I thus decided to stop in Honda, a small but beautiful village roughly half way. The bus ride itself is already quite scenic as we traverse the Andes.

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After I exit the bus, I am suddenly greeted by 30 degree heat. It’s sunny and humid here! The village itself is really cute. It is built around the Rio Magdalena, Colombia’s most important river.

Today, I hiked up to Montserrat, a church towering a six hundred meters above Bogotá. At the top I even found a yellow arrow St. James sign, indicating the distance to Santiago de Compostela. Of course, I couldn’t resist taking a picture.

The hike itself was quite exhausting for me. I think I am not yet fully used to being 3km above sea level and I still feel jet lagged. It made me even more happy to reach the top and enjoy the magnificent views.

It is also amazing to see how many Colombians are hiking up this relatively steep trail. It was packed!

I went on a free graffiti tour in Bogotá today! The guide, Andrea, is a street artist herself, so she knows all about the history and politics of street art. I really enjoyed listening to her talk about the pieces and her thoughts on street art. I wanted to share a few of my favorite artworks with you below.

Today, I just want to share what my first day in Bogotá was like.

I wake up early. I wish I could sleep longer than until 6 am, but the jet lag is strong. Nevertheless, I am excited for today! My first program point of the day is already decided: breakfast at Orígenes, my favorite coffee place in Bogotá.

Then, I just stroll around and enjoy the calm morning. I end up in front of the national museum and decide to enter.

In the afternoon, I feel a bit tired. I decide to engage in a relaxing activity. Coincidentally, I discovered earlier today that the French cinema festival is currently taking place in Colombia. That sounded like a perfect opportunity. So, I went to see L’histoire de Souleymane (IMDB), a deeply touching movie that shows the harsh reality of African migrants in France. Highly recommended!

I am finally sitting in the aircraft, destination Bogotá. It is a long flight and I am excited about arriving.

After three movies and a long flight later, I arrive happy but tired at my hostel in Bogotá. I am probably going to sleep soon, but first things first: I have to enjoy a Cola&Pola (a mix of beer and cola)!