BoldspiritTravels on a budget: Bogota & my XIX century colonial experience aka how I met another strong woman! [Solo backpacking on a budget in Latin America]

The airport in Panama City, “the Tocumen International”, was modern and big. I already knew that people were allowed to enter even in the night, which is not always the case. It was 5 am in the early morning, and I was one of the very few people inside.

I felt like a zombie, without sleeping for two nights in a row. I knew I would need a shower ;) but that was not possible, so I just locked myself in a bathroom for handicapped people and did what I could to start looking like a human again. I managed to wash my long hair in the sink, but I already had a well-established technique because I already have been washing them in much more Spartan conditions. ;)

I had a flight departure at 11:00 am, and arrival at 12:30 in the airport called “Eldorado” in Bogota, in Colombia. All went smoothly and we landed safely and without delay.

In Bogota, I took a local bus in order to get to my host’s house. I did not know what to expect as I haven’t met Ramses before. He was a friend of a friend, my age, spending some years of his studies in Paris, France. The most important to me was the fact that I could totally trust him and that he would be respectful.

I did not notice that before when I was checking how to get by bus to his house, but apparently, I was heading business/residential area. So here I was, accidentally spending my time in Bogota in one of the fanciest (and secure!) areas of the city. ;)

When I finally arrived I was exhausted. But hey, you only get one opportunity to make a good first impression. So I stayed awake (while trying to squeeze the most out of my low energy reserves) as we were having a really nice and interesting conversation about our experiences of living abroad. And I must admit, I use every occasion to speak French because I adore this language :)

Later on, Ramses’s father came home and replaced him as a host (Ramses needed to go back to work). The father is one of the most adorable people I have ever met! An older man, full of class and good manners. He is well-educated practicing judge, speaking several languages, intelligent but most of all kind. He also speaks French perfectly but wanted to refresh his English and decided that my presence would be a great opportunity. I am so “oh, ah” about him, I am fully aware. But you just don’t meet frequently, especially nowadays, those kinds of traditional intellectual people. Soon after him, we were joined by his two daughters. During the time I stayed in Bogota I felt like his third daughter, which was truly comforting, as my real family was so far away.

When I finally got to bed I was sleeping till noon the next day! I was welcomed by yet another member of the family, their housemaid. Yes, they had a housemaid, who were coming each day to cook and clean for them. I felt like I somehow moved in time to nineteenth-century colonial Colombia, where (white) descendants of Spanish conquistadors had their plantations and immense haciendas with native (dark skinned) people working for them. She welcomed me and asked what I would like to eat for my breakfast. I immediately said that I will prepare myself something that she doesn’t have to worry about me. But she insisted and had some stuff already made. We started to talk and those mornings when we were alone, therefore could talk more freely, was one of my favourite moments in Bogota. Sadly, at that point, my Spanish was not too good, therefore I could ensure a proper discussion on a higher level :( What I knew was that she grew up in the Caribbean side of Colombia, but had to move to Bogota in order to find a “well-paid” job. But whole her family stayed so she were missing them a lot. Maybe this is why we were feeling so good together? Two strong woman who are fighting for a better live.

When I arrived at the Caribbean 20 days later I understood what she meant by saying that this was a beautiful and unique place to be. I also saw ladies her age all dressed up in the traditional, colourful outfit in order to attract tourists. They were selling fruits and, most importantly, their “image” as their appearance was much more attractive in photos than the fruits.

Cartagena (Colombia). This photo shows exactly what I saw looking at those women, "living touristic attraction". A mixture of disappointment, fatigue and sadness. I didn’t ask those women to pose for me, I just felt too embarrassed. On the other hand this is how they earn their money. This definitely isn’t an easy topic, at least to me. source

Thank you for being here with me. I hope until the next time!
Pura Vida and enjoy your journey! ❤

• More about me here: You can travel without being wealthy aka a girl from a "struggling" family chasing her dreams!

• Some of my recent stories from South America:
  Boldspirit and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 1)
  BoldspiritTravels on a budget: Reaching Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. Solo backpacking on a budget in Latin America