Surprised in Bogota

While apprehensive on learning of my need to travel to Colombia, I was excited for the new experience.

Even the book I read on the plane "Freakenomics" referred to the hazards associated with foreigners to this South American country. Strangely enough the book also references the theory of what makes "Common Knowledge." It explains that common knowledge is the perceived truth with a given subject or action. It does not have to be true, just believed to be true by the general population.

While I was only in Colombia for 4 days, I found my impression of Bogota to be no more dangerous than my other Central and South American destinations.

I was shocked to see the modern buildings of downtown and the well laid out and maintained transportation infrastructure. The town also had a clean appearance.

People were beautiful, kind, and helpful. Within hours I was walking to local markets with local resident, taking pictures all along the way.

I plan on returning soon!

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To be honest it was a nice hotel. The problem I had is that I didn't feel like I had left the United States. I had no problem checking in, ordering meals, or checking out. All the staff seemed to speak English.

Nice, safe, just not what I expected to be Colombian. Maybe there isn't such a thing? I mean this was my first trip. Maybe Colombian looks just like American? I doubt it.

This restaurant is in what appears to be a church, complete with bell and steeple.

The interior is local in flavor and crafts. The staff wear traditional Colombian uniforms.

It was suggested that I order the popular local dish called Sobrebarriga. This monstrous plate includes fine chopped beef, beans, rice, a fried plantain, a sausage, a fried egg, and piece of chicharrones. A chicharon is a piece of pork still attached to the skin that has been deep fried.

I have to say I loved the meal. I also have to say I didn't want to eat for two days. I am not saying the food was bad. I am saying that the serving was so large and filling that I felt full for the next two days.

Of course the three empanadas I had as an appetizer didn’t help either.

This experience starts as you enter the driveway of Club Colombia. A Koi pond and a mature tree with lit baskets make you feel as though you were just invited to visit a dignitary at his/her exquisite residence.

It must have been a grand home at one time, but now it is a grand restaurant! There are seating areas that invite conversation and sharing throughout the lower floor. There is also outside seating with fabric covered patios that reminded me of what I expect a Sheik might have if living in this green and lush valley.

Club Colombia the restaurant also shares this name with a locally produced beer. I expect they are managed by the same company or person.

The atmosphere set with rich wall coverings and the dark wood casings, ceilings, features I have come to expect in this part of the world. These just seem to be a notch higher in quality.

To be honest I was so impressed with the restaurant structure and grounds I hardly remember eating. I got a beef dish of some sort and was happy with the taste, but it merely distracted me from my primary interest of investigating this incredible retreat.

Driving through the city and seeing this beautiful structure stopped me in my tracks. After a business meeting my friend and guide talked the security guard into allowing us into the bullring. It doesn't seem to be too hard to be granted this privilege. The matadors had just finished practicing and we had the opportunity to explore and take pictures.

The bullfighting season doesn't start until the December/January time frame, but for a moment I was Pepe Caceres, (the only bullfighter name I know due to a statue in near the entrance). I would like to think my guide got us the special privilege of this tour, but immediately afterwards an entire preschool was offered the same opportunity. I think I acted more like an excited school boy than the 4 year olds.

We debated the age of the structure and came to a round estimate of something over 100 years. I have found the inauguration date of 1931 making the plaza 75 years old. There seemed to be a Moorish influence on the architecture and the building carried it beautifully. Located next to the planetarium there is plenty to see, even if tours are not available at that time of day.