TE QUIERO COLOMBIA!

After relishing in five days of sunshine, we were disappointed to be greeted by an overcast and rainy Bogota. The disappointment was shortlived however, as we ditched our thongs and set about discovering Colombia's quirky capital.

Packed with museums, offices and cafes, central Bogota is a bustling place with sidewalks full of peddlers and pedestrians. Unlike more typically backpacker cities in Europe, it's easy to blend in with the locals and be swept along the busy streets.

Whilst the city does not have the cosmopolitan feel of Santiago nor does it seem particularly affluent, the economy is certainly in full swing and there is a happy vibe between traders and customers.

We took time to visit the National Arts Museum, which was hosting a photographic exhibition titled Los Niños Perdidos (The Lost Children). The images and accompanying blurbs told stories of countless children who had been left parentless, either by the lack of local empl0yment forcing their parents to seek work in neighbouring countries - never to be seen again. The second half showed horrific injuries sustained by local children from landmines or bombings.

It was extremely confronting and reinforced a feeling that Kim and I had both noticed after an earlier visit to the Museo de Policia. That whilst Colomiba is now much safer and more stable than years gone by, the scars on this country and many of its inhabitants are still fresh.

The Museo de Policia was fascinating as our guide took us through Colombia's history, with particular focus on the drug wars of the past 30 years. So infamous is Pablo Escobar (aka 'El Doctor' and leader of the most powerful drug cartel), that a lifesize replica of his dead body, complete with the same watch, mobile phone and cigarette packet is displayed prominently in the museum. From all written and verbal accounts provided to us the late 80s and early 90s was an extremely scary, uncertain time in Colombia, and certainly worlds away from the friendly place we walk freely around today.
A visit to the Montserrat Cathedral brought home to us just how enormous and populated Bogota is, with the urban sprawl as far as you can see. So with Saturday night festivities kicking off we left our backpacker haven at the Cranky Croc, to meet semi-local, ex-Sydneysider Julian for dinner in the happening hood of Zona Rosa. Renound for restaurants and nightlife, Zona Rosa was loaded with people, outside tables and festive lights... definitely the right place for a fiesta!

Again the local drinking customs get us into small amounts of trouble, with the 'why have one vodka when you can buy a bottle' theory rife in bars and clubs. And again, our pathetic attempts at salsa leave us sweating and embarassed - in fairness, the extremely glamorous Dunlop vollies on our feet didn't help - but we were impressed with our hosts moves! Smart decision to go through with the dancing lessons Jules.

For those of you who actually read the first post, a certain very crucial item was lost, leaving Kim and I with limited access to funds. Well... lets just say that Saturday night fiestas are all fun and games until someone - lets call her 'Seasoned Traveller Number 2' - leaves her wallet in a taxi...

What will these two get up to next??