3 Firsts and a lovely surprise repeat

 

1) Today I met up with a friend of a friend and climbed Monserrate pictured from below here.

The steep climb had been recommended by family and friends so I felt like I couldn't wimp out and take the cablecar...   Normally it takes about 50 mins to 1.5 hours to walk up but because we were having a lovely conversation and I was completely out of breath every 50 feet or so it took us a little longer to climb the 1500 or so steps.

The view from the top was incredible - the cameras just can't do it justice.

That is part of bogota.  The city is a massive that it takes up the whole view from one side if the mountain.  That tiny dark skyscraper in the center is about 50 stories tall.

At the top of the mountain is a church - which is the reason that some people do the steps as a pilgrimage - including barefoot or on their knees.  I was having trouble walking normally so you can imagine it's be pretty difficult.

It is Sunday so of course the church was full of people.

We ate lunch and continued chatting then went to see the view from the other side.

On this side they also had stations of the cross por exemplo 

The walk down was a lot easier but really hard on the leg muscles. 

2) After the mountain I was determined to  find something that would be a bit more chill.  As I was walking through La Candelaria (the older part of town where all the tourist stuff is) I passed the cultural center and noticed they had a Dali exhibition of the drawings/paintings of dali's interpretation of Dante's Divine Comedy and Inferno.  As I was walking through the awe inspiring images I started feeling like I had seen them before somewhere on a previous trip. I am not certain but I am pretty sure I saw this same exhibition years ago in the Czech Republic. Anyway I encourage you to look up the full series but here are a few: 

3) As I approaches Plaza Bolivar I was thinking about my experience yesterday of feeling not included... The whole country partied yesterday while wearing Yellow jersies and crazy hats... But as I got closer to the square I heard drums and saw lots of police (usually that means something interesting is happening).  

Turns out Colombia was celebrating PRIDE today along with many other cities in the world. 

The most amazing part for me was the recognition that like the day before the square was packed and the streets were crowded with parade goers/bystanders. 

It seemed to me that the numbers were easily as massive as the day before for the futbol game.  

Only now all colors and people were celebrated. 

Colombia has had civil unions and common law marriage rights for several years. The crowd all ages, races, classes, sexualities  was a beautiful mix of humanity. 

4) on Sundays in Bogota some of the main avenues are shut off to traffic and opened to pedestrians and bikers. It's called ciclovia and it is pretty awesome because along with the pride parade there was also just a ton of people out enjoying the city.  One of the avenues I took to get  back to the hostel  was shut off, and it was kind of like a carnival. People selling food and goods, street performers, games(gambling and chess), skate boarders, bikers and all sorts of fun.  I got some cotton candy for 50 cents.  And of course GUINEA PIG RACES!    You heard me right. I can't tell you the translation but the line up the guinea pigs and let people (mostly kids) bet on which home the guinea pig will run to. It's really about the hype and the wait and the eventual cuteness that makes it so fantastic.

And yes I did get one on video but you will have to wait for that treasure or just look it up on youtubes.  

And with that I am going to get my sunburned face some refreshment.

Leave a comment on which guinea pig you'd choose.