From Norte a Sur

New York City, the Big Apple vs Bogotá, Colombia: culture shock much? My mind was put completely at ease before I even touched down, meeting some great people on the plane. Apparently no one else is concerned about flying from NYC on September 11. The first Colombian woman I met was very entertaining and made the flight very bearable, filling me in on the ins and outs of Colombian life. Upon touchdown I was met by Juan and Sante who gave me a tour of La Candalaria including the 2 policemen and 1 bum fixing up the stop sign and the bum taking a bath in the city fountain!!

Alegrias hostel

The first thing I noticed in Bogota was the organised chaos of the traffic, so busy in fact they have a system of keeping half the cars off the roads from Monday to Friday! Based on the last letter of the number plates 50% of the cars must remain off the roads, allegedly keeping traffic under control. Also the busses will cross 4 lanes to pick up or drop off from pretty much anywhere on the side of the street, much like hailing a cab.

Highlights of Bogotá were the Zona Rosa (very well organised and attractive entertainment district), Catedrel de sal (the Salt Cathedral), and of course the MTV series Niñas Mal, on which I was an extra! As well as getting paid I met some really great people that I can't wait to see again, and this is all without saying that I will appear on Colombian TV in October!!

The magnificent grand chamber and the alter
 with Peter, Bruce and Juan