In the fall of 2010, as I was planning my very first VolunTourism in 2011, my sister's friend Krystle suggested that I couchsurf in Europe to save money. I was immediately very resistant and said "No, thank you but I saved up enough money to pay for cheap hostels in Europe". But one night in October 2010, I decided and now I have been couchsurfing for 4 years.
I would like to share my couchsurfing in Colombia in January 2014. I was hosted by German Garzon, a Colombian peditrician and very active couchsurfer. He is a very nice host - he picked me up at the airport at 2 AM even with my flight being delayed and he also had to work in a few hours. That's when I know that this host is one of the most hospitable that have ever hosted me.
First Impression
I have heard the reputation of Colombia and most of those were negative. However, as we drove down the streets at 2 am in the morning, I saw that the streets are clean, no homeless sleeping on the streets and the streets are empty - very few cars around and no people walking.
Transportation
There are taxis at the airport. I did not take any taxi during my stay but my host, German, said that taxis are relatively cheap and you can even use an app called Tappsi (the taxis on this app are safe and registered).
I get to use Transmilleno bus system. This transportation system is like a subway but instead they use buses. There are 2 lanes assigned specifically for the buses. You get to transfer to different lines to get from north to south, east to west. And even get you to and from the airport to your host's or hotel. You need to have a Transmilleno metro card which you can get for free but you need to put in money in the card. It cost about 1,700 Colombian peso ($0.88) each way. This was really easy to follow. If you are not sure where to go there are uniformed metro staff in each stop and you can ask for directions.
Food
My couchsurfer host, German, is a foodie so he knows Colombian food. These are the unique foods that I had in Colombia that I have not had in any other country.
1. Tamal / Tamales. Colombian tamales are different from the Mexican tamales. Inside is rice and chicken or pork or some kind of meat. It is a whole chicken leg with the bones and rice wrapped in banana leaves. While the mexican tamales is usually with a corn "masa" / flour with shredded piece or meat, or cheese with spicy salsa.
2. Toston - a pizza like with cheese on top but instead of flour as dough , the dough is plantain (banana). It was really yummy and we ate this at Andres D.C.
3. Crema Vena - dessert with a circle shaped thin cracker and they put different fillings like dulce de leche , cheese, fruit jam with different flavors, dried coconut then cover it with another cracker on top. Very delicious sweet dessert.
4. Lulu juice - lulu is a typical fruit in Colombia with seeds that are also sour then they add lime and water to create this Colombian drink.
Places Visited
During my visit during the first week of January, it was still their holiday so it not crowded and German also had the time off to show me around.
1. Museo del Oro - thr museum of gold is beautiful. You get to see different sculptures, jewels, stones, statues, paintings made of gold. The entrance fee is 3,000 Colombian Peso ($1.56) but on Sundays admission is free.
2. Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira - The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira. The admission fee is 23,000 Colombian Pesos ($11.94). The cathedral is under a huge cave. You can see Jesus Christ stations of the cross and the cathedal with a enormous luminated cross. This place is about 30 km from Bogota.
3. Cerro de Monserrate - this is a church on top of the Monserrate mountain. This is a very famous tourist spot when visiting Colombia. The admission fee is 15,800 Colombian Pesos ($8.20) for roundtrip ticket of cable car to get you to /from top of mountain. It is a little cheaper on Sundays 14,500 Colombian Pesos ($7.54). The view of Bogota is beautiful from the top. But it is also beautiful to look Monserrate church from below especially during the christmas holiday because the entire church is decorated with gorgeous lights.
I get to meet another couchsurfer Carolina, as well as another Colombian guy, Tony. The four of us had dinner and went dancing at Andres D.C. On that Sunday night, Carolina and I became honorary Colombians and they gave us a crown and sash. That was a really fun night. We partied until 2 AM - lots of stories, laughters, dancing and yummy foods. What I found very interesting in this restaurant is that the free appetizer they serve in each table is a plate full of fruits - mangoes, grapes, coconuts, and other Colombian fruits. A very healthy and unique appetizer compared to what they serve in other countries.
On our last night at German's house, Carolina and I cooked a meal for German, Tony and Senor Garzon (German's father). Carolina made Chilean empanadas and I cooked pansit (Filipino noodle dish) and jello dessert. Tony brought passion fruit cake and also made Lulu juice. It was a great "despedida" (bon voyage) as well as a "gracias" dinner to our amazing couchsurfing host, German. At dinner, we talked and shared our opinions. We may be from different countries, different genders, different age groups but our hearts felt the same love and connection with each other.
These are my 5 days of couchsurfing in Bogota, Colombia. A fun, happy and memorable experience. Muchas Gracias!!!
