República de Colombia

Plaza de Bolivar, La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia.

¡Buenos dias desde Bogotá !

It was 5.30 am in the morning when the phone rang, it was our morning call for today. After only sleeping for three hours I have to prepare myself for today's activities with Instituto Caro y Cuervo and the Ministry of Foreign Affair of Colombia. I decided to wear Kebaya and Batik,  traditional Indonesian clothes for today and so did all of the participants from Indonesia. 

When I go down to the lobby I finally met other participants from all over Asia, including China, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam, etc. Then we all went to Instituto Caro y Cuervo by bus and that's for the first time I could see Bogotá. The people, neighborhood, buildings, traffic, and view. It was so alive with people walking down the streets, cars crossing by and stores being opened. Definitely different than I expected and I think it's better than Jakarta. They had a big pedestrian for people walking, good public transportation, and fewer traffic jams. Also, I like the air it was clean and it's cold. 

Soy Ele Focalae in Instituto Caro y Cuervo

 
The first stop was Instituto Caro y Cuervo it is an educative center specializing in Spanish literature and linguistics. It's located in Barrio La Candelaria or La Candelaria Neighborhood a narrow street of colonial buildings, museums, theaters, churches, and a bohemian atmosphere. It was also a charming place with conservation architecture that dates from the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 

We had breakfast at Instituto Caro y Cuervo and also had a chance to try Colombian food and fruit. We also had a chance to greet other participants from other countries, and of course, take pictures because this place was beautiful with Colombian architecture.

Participants from All Over Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affair

 
Then we headed to the Ministry of Foreign Affair located only 500 meters with great architecture that was so vintage and glamorous at the same time. It was actually a palace from the fifteenth century. We all gathered in an aula that was full of round tables where we can enjoy lunch and an opening ceremonial that led by the Director of Cultural Affairs from La Cancilleria. 

After lunch, we had a chance to go sightseeing around La Candelaria and our first stop is Plaza de Bolivar or Bolivar Square. This place is a symbol of the founding of Bogotá. In the center of the square stands the statue of General Simon Bolivar sculpted in bronze by artist Pietro Tenerani, a famous artwork. Surrounding the Plaza de Bolivar are The Catedral Primada, The Palacio de Justicia, The Palacio Lievano, and Capitolo Nacional. It was an amazing feeling to be there, the square was so big and the architecture is so amazing. In the middle of the square, there are lots of birds where we can feed them, it feels like in Italy. We all can't help ourselves from taking tons of pictures. 

Plaza de Bolivar, Bogotá

The Great Architecture of Plaza de Bolivar

Bronze Statue of General Simon Bolivar

As much as I enjoy the view and the historic building I can't be denied that I'm really tired. I was wearing 7 cm heels all the way touring around La Candelaria. My feet hurt and my eyes were so heavy because we only have tiny time for sleep the night before. Finally, after waiting for so long in the bank we're all going back to the hotel and having some rest before preparing ourselves for dinner and another event that was held at the hotel. 

Although I'm too tired to go out of my room I have to go back to the lobby and have dinner. The minister of the foreign affair had prepared an event for us to enjoy, a Colombian dance full of its traditional costumes. The dance was so alive and the music was so loud and very energetic. 

It was late at night and we were all coming back to our hotel to have a good night's sleep because tomorrow morning we were all gonna have to leave Bogota and head to our next city in Bucaramanga. A city that located in the North of Colombia in Santander province around 45 minutes long by plane from Bogotá. 

Buenas noches Bogotá! Fue un placer estar aquí..