2nd Trip to Bogota

[Underwriter]

Fellas,

Got back from my second trip to Bogotá to see Paola. As you may remember, I got Paola's email address from www.sotb.com. See my first trip report for all the additional details.

Had a blast....got a couple of observations for you guys...

First, is it me or do Colombians eat a lot of junk food. Paola is in great shape, but I can not understand how she is as she eats potato chips and drinks Coke all day.....it is amazing how much junk food her family eats.

Second, found a good little hotel that is cheap and clean. Key for me is clean. It is Chico Imperial is is located on Carrera 21 and Calle 92. The website is www.chicoimperialsuites.com.co The fee was 55 a night. Very clean, with turn down service, a nice little restaurant and close to Parque 93.

Went to the Salt Cathedral. Don't tell me there is a curse there as then I am f@cked as we went to Monserrate last trip....good time, did this on Father's day with Paola's father and brother.

A couple of restaurant suggestions....1492 in Zona Rosa is really good. Great atmosphere, outside tables and great food. Four of us ate and had drinks...bill was 80.00 with tip....

Favorite restaurant is Garaje Rumba Bar and Resturant...one of the best steaks I have ever had. Great live music. Don't ask me the location as Paola drove us...but near Calle 93. You guys would love it...

Had to go to the Irish Pub to see all the gringo's in town. It is amazing how we all like to go places that are comfortable....seemed like it was 50% gringo..

The housing boom has hit Bogotá. It reminds me of S. Florida 3 years ago. EVERYWHERE you go, you see signs for new homes, townhouses and apartments. Paola's dad bought the penthouse on the top of a building in N. Bogotá. 15th floor, with a loft bedroom, granite counters, stainless appliances and unreal views of Bogota....for 80,000 usd. Should be worth 250,000 within a couple years...great apartment...

Paola and I are getting along great. But I put a question to the veterans on the board. Am I falling in love with her? Or am I in love with the culture and the excitement of the trip???? It is weird...I am not sure it would be the same if she was here with me in Florida. I love traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new things.

That is it.....trying to go back again in July. I have been talking to a girl from Manizales as well. Might try to sneak a trip in to Manizales in July......Airfare is starting to tick up. Ft Lauderdale to Bogotá is now approx 575.00. Last month it was 475.....which leads me to the other thing I heard on the ride home, I sat next to a cool guy and he mentioned to me that SPIRIT AIR was trying to buy its Colombian license to go to Bogotá and Barranquilla. I have confirmed this and this is HUGE...as they will bring pricing down......

Any questions???? Feel free to email!

[HonkyTonk]

UW, nice report! No, you're not falling in love or I doubt you'd have any interest in a gal from Manizales. I've found that when a man really loves a woman, she's all he thinks about, well almost all

I'm making a note of the restaurant "Garaje Rumba Bar and Resturant". I don't believe I've ever been there. Is the music overly loud? My favorite restaurants have music where you can still have a conversation with a lady without having to shout. Many LAm restaurants play music too loud.

Havn't really noticed the junk food. They sure like chocolate though.

I hope you keep us informed on your progress with P!

[Bueller]

Thanks for the TR and the recommendations, UW, glad you're enjoying the travel.

One thing about the junk food: the difference may be in the use of real sugar in soft drinks down there, as opposed to corn syrup up here. If you bring her up to Florida (getting way ahead of things here), you may have to talk to her about this. I noticed while living in Brazil that they eat a lot of pizza, etc. and drink a lot of Coke and Guaraná down there, yet hardly anyone is fat. Coming back here after five years abroad, it was like stepping onto the set of a sci-fi movie where a virus was going around that caused peoples' bodies to bloat and mutate. Corn syrup isn't the only possible culprit, but it's a strong possible contributing factor because a) it's in everything now and b) it doesn't appear to trigger the same "I'm full" reaction in the body.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Underwriter

Fellas,


Second, found a good little hotel that is cheap and clean. Key for me is clean. It is Chico Imperial is is located on Carrera 21 and Calle 92. The website is www.chicoimperialsuites.com.co The fee was 55 a night. Very clean, with turn down service, a nice little restaurant and close to Parque 93.

Underwriter this is a perfect blurb for the hotel section would you mind posting it there. I have been trying to get more of us just to give a quick blurb in the hotel section.

State location, cost, and service, chica friendly, do they have a safe, intenret access etc... I think it will make it much easier for those of us who travel to easily come to gringos and get what we want without searching archives of trip reports and so on. When I travel personlally, ( I just go, I want quick acces to hotel and airfare info.

Not to take away from hearing about your trip. Thanks for continuing to share your experience with us.

As far as wondering if you are in love or not, only you can decide that. But for me the mystique of travelling and meeting new people adds a little flavor to my life and something more for the relationship.

[Micky10]

UW,

Very good report. Good tips also on the eats and hotels. I agree with Tonk about the love thing, if you have to ask, the answer is most likely no. Glad that you had a nice trip and all went well. Thanks for the report.

Love - Micky

[Secret Agent 001]

"Am I falling in love with her? Or am I in love with the culture and the excitement of the trip????"

I don't know whether or not your falling in love, UW, but I think we all understand your excitement about the trip. Here's a little tidbit from an old married gringo - my wife & daughter are going to Bogota to visit the family for 3 weeks next month, and I'm staying home! I still love to travel in Latin America, when I'm free to do whatever I want whenever I want. That's half the fun. Staying with the family is just not the same as being in Bogota in the good old days. I get along with (and even like) her family, but its not a vacation. Next winter look out Mexico or Isla Providencia or anywhere I don't have family!

[LatinaDreaming]

This post reminded me of my "old days" in Cali. I was excited every trip...until I got a girlfriend. Things slowed down tremendously, but I enjoyed the relationship. The excitement of meeting all the other girls was gone. It was a downer!!!! Enjoyed the girlfriend though.

[Micky10]

LD,

Remember the old days? 55? Happy birthday LD, may the road ahead of you be smooth.

Love - Micky

[LatinaDreaming]

Just saw this message and thank you very much. I had a very nice birthday and still enjoying what left of the vacation.

Yes the old days in Cali??? Hummmm

[Cap'n Jib]

UW,

Enjoyed the trip report. Your insights on hotels and restaurants is much appreciated. Always looking for a different place myself.