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leoinjapan · 3 months

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A week in Colombia

Day 1

i arrived at El Dorado Airport at 4am, having slept not that great on a six-hour overnight flight from Toronto. my friend had booked me a taxi straight from the airport to her apartment; taxis here are really cheap, around 4 pounds to get across the entire city. Uber is also widely used here, although you should sit in the front seat as they are not actually allowed in Bogotá. apartments in Bogotá are really well protected, with different security measures to keep you safe. first i napped for a few hours and then had a delicious vegan bowl made by my friend's lovely mom. then my friend showed me around her neighbourhood, Chapinero, a historically queer district in north Bogotá. i learned how Colombia is a really queer and trans-friendly country, where gay marriage is legal and trans people have complete right of self-determination to change their documents, even with non-binary options, as well as gender-affirming healthcare!

for lunch my friend treated me to patacones, a mashed plantain baked to a crisp and topped with delicious toppings. she also showed me some awesome bookstores, such as Nada and Tornamesa. i tried delicious local chocolate from Fruto de Cacao. the weather was amazing at around 23 degrees celcius, not too sunny but pleasantly warm with no wind. luckily i did not suffer immediately from the altitude sickness that many tourists get when they arrive, as Bogotá is the highest capital city above sea level in the world.

we went back to watch a documentary about Lemebel, a queer icon in latin america (my friend was scandalized i had not heard of him). then i napped a bit more, which was a mistake; i woke up feeling so sick that i couldn't eat!

then we went to Theatron, latin america's biggest queer club. the streets that were empty before came alive with music and thousands of people. we had hotdogs from Nomáda Bogotá which were lovely, but sadly i was too sick to eat. Theatron has over 15 rooms with different types of music and live shows, and a capacity of over 6000. entry is less than £10 on saturdays (cheaper on other days) and includes a drink (gatorade for me)! my friend tells me more and more straight people come to the club now, but it was still very queer-friendly and one of the coolest club experiences i have ever had.

Day 2

for lunch my friend took me to a delicious vegan restaurant that does all traditional Colombian food, called Maria Candela. i tried ajiaco, a Bogotán dish of a herbal soup made with different kinds of local potatoes and chicken. it was so yummy, cheap and super filling!

i then went on a general tour of Bogotá hosted by Beyond Colombia. the guide was super enthusiastic and taught me so many things i didn't know about Colombia. we walked around important sights in its history, tasted the local traditional alcohol called chicha (fermented corn and sugar), and walked around the iconic La Candelária district. it was so colourful, full of street art and intricate crafts.

we then went to see Past Lives (again) at the cinema. the cinema quality was amazing, and the popcorn tasted really good! during Oscars season, you can get a pass to all the Oscars movies in february.

Day 3

in the morning i took an Uber to the bottom of the Monserrate, a mountain in Bogotá. it costs about £6 for a return journey on the cable car up the mountain to its peak, where you will find a church, a tourist market, and some restaurants. you can hike up the mountain yourself, but it takes around 2 hours. on the holy week, people walk up barefoot or on their knees on a sacrificial pilgrimage up the mountain to the church. in the church is the Black Madonna, based on the same iconic statue on the Montserrat mountain in Catalonia.

(this is also when i found out i got into the university of tokyo starting in april!)

it was super foggy on the 3000 metre high mountain and we could barely see the city. it started to pour with rain and my umbrella was not enough. unfortunately i got cold and wet without a coat, and was also exposed to high levels of UV up on the mountain, which led me to develop a fever later that evening...

i tried a bit of coca tea on the mountain. in Colombia and other countries in the Andes mountain range, people have been consuming coca leaves for centuries. coca tea contains a small amount of cocaine with mild stimulant effects, much like caffeine in coffee, and is completely harmless. Colombians use it to cure altitude sickness, nausea, and other stomach upsets.

i took my friends i made on the tour to Maria Candela again and i tried frijolada, which is a wholesome bean soup that i really loved. after that, i went to the Botero Museum/MAMU which has some really unique art from international artists, paintings by the iconic Colombian painter Botero, and a current exhibition highlighting indigenous culture and art (all in Spanish). it's free to visit so i definitely recommend going!

when my friend heard i felt sick, she took me to get aguapanela. panela is unrefined sugar, which you put in hot water for a nice soothing beverage. the Bogotá tradition is to put pieces of cheese in it, let them melt and then eat them! since i'm vegan i had it with bread. it was very delicious

Day 4

i had a restless night with my fever and decided to stay at home for the day. my tour guide even cancelled, so it felt like a sign not to go anywhere.

my friend's mom was an absolute angel and made me delicious vegan food and hot drinks and before long i felt a lot better

Day 5

in the morning i went on a war and peace-themed walking tour, also operated by Beyond Colombia. our guide was super knowledgeable, condensing centuries' worth of history into three hours. i learned so much about Colombia's recent history and controversies and i highly recommend this tour.

after that, i went to the Gold Museum (or Museo del Oro), which houses pre-Hispanic golden artefacts. in the indigenous culture, gold represented the sun and did not have monetary value; it was used in crafting and often offered back to nature. El Dorado is not a place, but an ancient ritual in which gold is thrown into the water, particularly a large lake near Bogotá; the Spanish dug up a lot of it and melted it into gold bars, but this museum still holds a large collection of 35,000, which is still only about 1% of the original artifacts that have been sacrificed in the ritual over the millennia.

at the end of the day my friend invited me to a collage-making workshop, which was really fun and therapeutic!

Day 6

at 8am in the morning, i took an Uber to the Paloquemao fruit market, where i was to have an AirBnB Experiences tour with my friend's brother, Victor. i was stunned by the amount of fruit i had never seen before. i tried different avocados, guavas, berries, cactus fruit, melons, and more. my favourite was the guanabana, or custard apple, which tastes exactly like custard!

the market is also full of beautiful flowers, vegetables, souvenirs and all sorts. i recommend visiting, though take an Uber as apparently it is not in the safest of neighborhoods.

in the evening i went to the National Museum, which houses an impressive amount of information about Colombian history. there are currently a few exhibitions about indigenous cultural revival. i was most excited to see a small exhibition about Las Traviesas, a collective of displaced indigenous trans women in Colombia, which was a beautiful and inspiring display of art.

towards the end of my visit, i developed a migraine. i got a tasty dinner at Wok and then went home to recover. thank you again to my friend and her mom for taking care of me!

on the day there was a big protest in the city centre in support of the current president. it's better to try and avoid the city centre when there are big protests.

Day 7

me and my friend went on a day trip to Villa de Leyva, a town north of Bogotá in the beautiful Boyacá region, famous for its emeralds. the bus trip took between 4 and 5 hours each way.

the town is absolutely gorgeous, full of cobbled streets and old colonial architecture. it was more touristy than Bogotá, with lots of tourist shops and some tasty food options. i got gelato made with tamarind and tajín (chilli flakes). for lunch, we went to La Maria Bistro which had an incredible brocolli dish that was the best thing i've eaten in a long while.

we went to Casa Terracota, the world's largest ceramic structure. it took 15 years for the architect to bake the house, during which it fell down three times. the construction was incredible and it was a very unique experience. usually the tour is only in spanish, but the guide did a great job translating it to english for me. the crazy thing was that he did his study abroad in Paignton, which is the town next to my hometown!

Day 8

on the last day, my friend and i went into the city to buy souvenirs for my family. there are tons of tourist shops and stalls in La Candelária, and we did our best research to find out which crafts were authentic. for lunch we want to Maria Candela again as the whole city was having a vegan burger festival with several restaurants participating.

in the afternoon we went to see Perfect Days, a really beautiful japanese movie. the cinema in Bogotá was really nice, with great quality screens and tasty snacks.

in the evening we went to my friend's favourite taco place, Insurgentes. the vibe was great and the tacos were delicious (mostly meat but some vegan).

for our final stop, we went to Chiquita. much smaller than Theatron but with a majority queer crowd, the music was on point and the atmosphere was great. there were even a couple of drag performances which apparently happen every night. i really loved this bar, which had a mixture of 90s/2000s pop and latin pop. i could have stayed there much longer but i had to get home to sleep before my flight at 9am.

i am the first to admit i knew nothing about Colombia (or even South America in general) before coming to Bogotá. i was eager to learn, and yet i learned far more than i ever imagined. Colombia exceeded my expectations 100 times over.

the internet is full of scary stories about Colombia, yet i felt safer here than i ever have in the US, for example. the city is so vibrant, colourful, and creative, full of life and soul. it is also the most queer-friendly capital i have been to, with the most amazing clubs you could imagine.

i learned so much about the history of the country, the language, the food, the art, and the gorgeous nature that's around every corner.

but what makes Colombia so, so great is the people. everybody here was so friendly and made such an effort to make me feel welcome, even though i know barely any Spanish. the city feels so alive with passion, hope, and resistance. i am so, so grateful to my friend Estefanía for taking care of me while i was there, looking after me and showing me the real Bogotá, making sure i knew where to go and what to do. she really is the best of us, and i will never forget her kindness 💕

i am so grateful to her incredible mother as well for nursing me back to health when i was sick!

i would come back to Colombia in a heartbeat, but until then, i have to get on the language apps!

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paramedicabroad · 3 months

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Cultural Landscape of Sintra

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Serra de Sintra mountain range lies a place of unparalleled beauty and historical significance: the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Portugal. Join us as we embark on a journey through this enchanting destination, where fairy-tale palaces, ancient ruins, and verdant forests converge to create a truly magical experience.

Sintra is a place where history comes alive, where centuries-old castles and palaces whisper tales of bygone eras. From the imposing Moorish Castle, perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the town, to the opulent National Palace of Sintra, with its distinctive twin chimneys, every corner of this cultural landscape tells a story of Portugal's rich and diverse heritage.

No visit to Sintra would be complete without exploring its magnificent palaces, each more breathtaking than the last. The colorful and whimsical Pena Palace, with its turrets and towers rising above the treetops, is a true architectural marvel. Meanwhile, the romantic and mysterious Quinta da Regaleira beckons visitors to explore its underground tunnels and secret gardens, while the stately Monserrate Palace showcases exquisite Islamic-inspired design.

But Sintra's allure extends far beyond its architectural treasures. The cultural landscape is also home to verdant forests, cascading waterfalls, and lush gardens that provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you're wandering through the leafy pathways of the Pena Park or marveling at the towering trees of the Montserrate Gardens, you'll find yourself immersed in the beauty of nature at every turn.

Sintra has long been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and poets, drawn to its otherworldly beauty and romantic atmosphere. The likes of Lord Byron, Hans Christian Andersen, and even Portuguese royalty have all been captivated by the allure of Sintra, immortalizing its beauty in their works of art and literature.

No visit to Sintra would be complete without indulging in the local culinary delights. From traditional pastries like the famous queijadas and travesseiros to hearty seafood dishes and aromatic wines, the gastronomic offerings of Sintra are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Preserving the cultural landscape of Sintra for future generations is a top priority for Portuguese authorities, who have implemented measures to protect and conserve its historic buildings, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage sites. Through sustainable tourism practices and community engagement initiatives, efforts are underway to ensure that Sintra remains a cherished destination for years to come.

Ready to explore the enchanting cultural landscape of Sintra? Plan your visit today and immerse yourself in a world of fairy-tale castles, ancient ruins, and natural wonders. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply someone seeking a magical escape, Sintra offers something for everyone to discover and enjoy.🏰🇵🇹

#sintra #cultural #culture #landscape #unesco #world heritage #portugal #europe #palace

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aeoneri · 2 months

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[Tacones Rojos] Chapter 16: A Little Hot Mess

Summary:

ACT II: GABRIELA – Feeling conflicted and guilty, Gabriela decides to pay a visit to someone who (probably) has all the answers.

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The room was still dark when Gabriela finally opened her eyes. Every part of her felt sore, and she strangely felt the chill in the air. For a moment, she forgot where she was, wondering why the room seemed so different.

It was only the soft snoring next to her that made Gabriela realize how her night had ended up.

Oh. Oh no.

Panic, then guilt, swept her up, and she instinctively clutched the blanket closer to her. “What have I done?” She whispered to no one in particular, her eyes glancing next to the person sleeping soundly across the bed. “What did we do?”

The man shifted a little in his sleep, his mess of curls framing his peaceful face. His hand was outstretched towards her, and it made Gabriela’s stomach drop. She buried her face in between her knees, contemplating on what to do.

She wanted fun, and she got it. Their encounter led itself into a one night stand that was filled with passion that burned her insides. He built her up and watched her fall apart in his arms multiple times throughout the night, and if given the choice, she would gladly let him do it all over again.

But there was something that Gabriela couldn’t quite piece together. Somehow, the way it felt was the same, yet so different. The sex with him was intense, and she loved it, but the way he worshiped her, cared for her needs, and even went as far as wrapping her in his arms while they drifted off to sleep — worried her.

Gabriela quietly repositioned herself off the bed, and froze when he suddenly murmured.

Stay.

Tears suddenly sprung to her eyes. They barely knew each other, and she hadn’t thought to ask his name, but she was certain he had irrevocably fallen head over heels for her. “I can’t.” She choked, resisting the urge to caress his cheek. It felt all too personal too soon.

She had to get out of there, away from this unfamiliar room. Gabriela knew that she would break his heart by leaving, effectively cementing their night together as nothing more than a memory, but she needed to pull herself out before she even got too deep.

The sky was starting to color with streaks of beautiful oranges, reds and yellows, peeking behind the mountains of Monserrate when she exited the building, pulling the thin coat she thankfully thought to bring with her last night for warmth.

She had fallen for his charms, even just for a little bit, and she feared she’d make the same mistake again if she stayed.

…

There was a heavy pit sitting at the pool of her stomach, threatening to churn the waves of emotions she battled over. Gabriela sat quietly on the bus going to the other side of the city. She didn’t have a reason to feel guilty, though part of her wanted to mourn for what could have been.

She had initially contemplated going home, but dismissed it, dreading the possible questions her friends would throw at her. She was grateful that the streets were thankfully still empty, save for a few night owls and graveyard shift workers making their way home.

Without a second thought, her fingers hovered slightly over her phone screen, carefully typing out the words to a message.

>Can we talk?<

She didn’t even bother to check if it would be well received when she managed to find her ride. As she looked out the windows, watching the outline of the mountains recede and replace itself with towering buildings, she tried to keep herself together. There was still a long way to go, but it was more than enough time to get her thoughts in order.

…

“I didn’t expect you to drop by suddenly. I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”

Gabriela cautiously entered her brother’s apartment even as he motioned for her to come in. She felt glad that her brother didn’t take her sudden intrusion into his space as a nuisance, though she could not avoid the awkwardness that made her so guarded. She had only been in his apartment a handful of times since they reconnected, and while they were on good terms, most of the time they met outside at a restaurant or café to catch up.

Not today, though.

“No, not at all. I just arrived myself.” Gabriela murmured, shaking her head when Julián reached out a hand to take her coat. “Sorry, I know it’s such short notice and I’m not sure if today is a bad time, but I really needed someone to talk to, and…”

Julián didn’t hesitate while calmly leading his sister to his couch and prompted her to sit. “Woah there, manita. There’s never a bad time for my baby sister. Wait right here while I get you something to drink.”

While Julián was busy in the kitchen, Gabriela tried to take in her surroundings, realizing she had not taken in much of the details of her older brother’s living space. The living room did not have the typical layout of a bachelor living on his own — unlike the usual neutrals and leather, Julián’s was warm and inviting. Sure, he had a few musical instruments laying about, and a huge TV in the center of the room, but there were plenty of knick knacks on the shelves and color in the room that reminded Gabriela so much of their childhood. His couch was a nice, deep blue, and the accent walls popped out at her. While Julián was a few years older, it never stopped them from essentially gaining the same interests and tastes, especially since they came from a creative family. Gabriela couldn’t help but eye his records piled neatly in the corner next to his model figures.

It felt familiar to her, like she was seventeen again and all was right in the world. They haven’t been living at their family home for a number of years now, but it reminded her of it.

“What are you looking at?” Julián asked his sister when he returned with a mug of chocolate santafereño, handing the hot drink to Gabriela who took it gratefully. “Careful. It’s hot.”

“Nothing in particular.” Gabriela blew away the steam before taking a small sip. “I was just thinking how I never realized your place felt so much like…”

“Our house? That’s because it kind of is.” Julián shrugged, taking a seat opposite his sister. “Mamá usually changes some of the decorations when she visits to match the seasons.”

“Oh.”

An uneasy silence fell and Gabriela had to fight the urge to jiggle her knee.

“They asked about you, you know. If you’re doing okay.”

“What?”

Julián gave her a meaningful look. “They’ve never stopped asking, every time they visit here it’s the first thing they want to know. Even yesterday…”

“Did…did you just come from Chía?” Gabriela’s eyes turned wide like saucers. “Is that why you asked me to wait for you because you’re driving?”

Julián didn’t say anything else, making the emotions and her carefully crafted questions thrown out the window as the world blurred around her. “You were visiting them! I can’t believe I made you cut it short because of me…”

Gabriela didn’t realize she had started crying until Julián gently took the shaking mug out of her hands. “Hey. Hey.” Julián quickly wrapped a comforting arm around his sister. “No, no. It’s fine. The moment I received your text, I was already preparing to head back here. I guess it was timely enough, but I should’ve gotten home sooner.”

“I’m pretty sure Mamá and Papá hate me even more now.”

“What makes you say that?”

“They’ve been asking you about me, and…Marco…my ex…has been over the news lately. They told me…I was a fool when they first kicked me out…”

“Papá has told me multiple times how he regrets that night you left home. It’s the one thing he’d like to do if he could turn back time. He was angry that you fell for someone who…you know, attracted trouble, but he hoped that you were happy, at least. After the scandal broke and spread over there…if anything, the tabloids are fueling his anger towards your ex. Not you.”

“Then why haven’t they reached out to me all these years if they regret so much…? It was easy for you to do so.”

Minutes passed. Or maybe an eternity had before Julián managed to get the words out. “They don’t know how to start a conversation with you, manita. You weren’t on such good terms with the family when you had left.”

Much had been said, and Gabriela pondered over it all as the last of her tears ran empty, shivering up her spine in noiseless sobs. “I don’t think I can face them still, Julián.”

“Why?” Julián took a good look at her, confusion scrunching up his brow. “Did something else happen?” Her brother’s face grew dark which made her flinch. “Did he do something to you, Ella?”

“No, it’s not him, Julián.” Gabriela trembled. She contemplated telling her brother what had happened the night before and decided it was in her best conscience to confess. “It’s me. I did something…that I shouldn’t have done at all. And what’s worse…I think it’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.”

…

Ávila was close to ripping their door open and tackling Gabriela to the floor when the latter came home hours later. “Where the hell have you been?!” Ávila half-screamed, arms flailing around while chewing Gabriela out. “I thought something terrible had happened to you!”

“I was at my brother’s house and my phone went dead.” Gabriela winced under Ávila’s glare. “We hadn’t seen each other in a while and I lost track of time. Sorry, Ávi.”

“Can you imagine the panic when José told me this morning that he lost track of you last night? I had half a mind to call the policía and report you as missing.”

“But I’m here now, though.” Gabriela padded herself to the kitchen where José was trying to keep himself distracted by obsessively cleaning the stove, with Ávila following close behind her. “And why would you even call the police?”

José stiffened when Ávila cleared their throat. “Because someone thought it would be a good idea to place a bet.”

“It was in good faith, amor!” He protested before a look from his beloved cut him short.

“And as I was saying,” Ávila continued. “What kind of person wouldn’t be worried if they found out their best friend had been having drinks with a complete and total stranger? Like, I know everyone at the bar is well-equipped to handle any problem customers that might try to take advantage of those vulnerable, but you disappeared for hours without telling any of us where you were going. What if your ex suddenly showed up and kidnapped you by force? What if the secret admirer you were drinking with turned out to be a serial killer and my BOYFRIEND had inevitably led you to your doom?”

“He’s not like that though…” Gabriela started to say before she could stop herself, and the room immediately fell deathly silent. “Ay Dios mío, forget I said anything.”

“Oh no, no, no. Sit. Down.” Ávila hissed when the initial shock passed, pulling a chair for themselves and Gabriela. “Spill.”

Gabriela crossed her arms across her chest, as she attempted to avoid meeting Ávila and José’s eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“You’re avoiding my eyes. It’s definitely something.”

“You’re just imagining things.”

“I’ve known you for years, chica. And I know how you can’t even lie to save your life. So spill.”

“...”

The tips of Gabriela’s ears felt hot and she wished the earth could swallow her whole. At that moment of vulnerability, her brother’s advice came ringing in her ears.

You have nothing to be ashamed of. Life changes at any moment, so what will you do?

What will she do?

For a moment, she caught a glimpse of the future in that room, spending another night tucked in his sheets, smiling up at the man whose eyes held the deep mysteries of the universe. But she would never have the chance again.

Not all of your questions will have the answers.

But what if it does?

So stay.

“I slept with the man at the bar.” Gabriela quickly confessed, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She ignored Ávila and José’s shocked expressions and Gabriela pushed on with what she wanted…NEEDED to say. There was no other way but forward, and while there was a chance for her to connect with him in some way, she needed to figure herself out. “It’s complicated, and if it wasn’t for the bet…I’ll tell you both all you need to know, but first, I need you, José, to swear not to tell him the truth.”

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#fanfiction #encanto #bruno madrigal #original character #young bruno madrigal #tooth rotting fluff #fluff and romance #smut #friends to lovers #mutual pining #modern AU #non-magical #madrigal family #humor #drama #telenovela #ao3fic

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kitaychan · 2 years

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Omg my country was depicted in an anime :o

It's Black rock shooter: Dawn fall - Cap 9

No idea what it is about buuut like !!!

The fact that it's so accurate!

Hollywood eat your heart out because THIS is good depiction! That's really how it looks like from the street! They even put the Monserrate church on top of the mountain!!

This is like the church! Well it looks like it though ours has only one tall tower and is a tad more simple :o I guess it changed because is like the place where the characters are talking and stuff

And the view from there, like yeeees

#my ramblings #Colombia #do I get to be an anime character now? I want to #tho on a better thought maybe not lol

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infinitenthq · 1 year

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already onto the next stop of our new adventure, we’re heading to the metropolitan heart of the country of columbia. the vibrant and lively city of ; BOGOTÁ ! this location is full of energy, fueled with history, entertainment, culture, cuisine and lots more. bogotá is a place to visit for all, including a prominent museum scene, a thriving art community, wild nightlife, and welcoming residents. wander around plaza de bolívar, the main square of the capital, home to the cathedral of bogotá, the mayor’s office, and the capital building. visit parque 93, known for having some of the best restaurants, nightclubs and bars — a place great for soaking up the life of locals. stroll around or have a picnic, see what the ongoing rotation of temporary art exhibitions has to offer ! take tours seeing the magnificent architecture by bicycle, or those catered to your taste buds with brews and food. hang out in the neighborhood of la candelaria or climb the monserrate mountain, standing tall to give you only the best view of basically everything that makes up gorgeous bogotá. and booking the main stadium in the city, we wish you a fun and exciting time, be sure to make the most of it !

where: estadio el campín

when: april 14 - april 28

capacity: 41k

#infinite:psa

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laura-apexart · 9 months

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Day 17 7.24

Monday–light day

Feeling incredibly drained this morning-probably very dehydrated from the copious amounts of sweat and toxins my body released yesterday during the Temazcal ceremony.

Went to Masjid Abou Bakr Alsiddiq Mosque, but it was gated and locked / so I walked around it-one side connects to gas station/ mechanic —and all the doors were closed and there were a pair of sandies outside one of them— so I will have to go back at a time before prayer starts-

It is also across the street from the school of military training -which I started to film and then got admonished by one of the military guards. High security. I like the symmetry and the fact that one of the guards is sitting in what looks like a lifeguard chair–very high up.

The silhouette of the rounded domed mosque meets the mountains -Monserrate and I start thinking about how beautiful and awe inspiring the mountain is and how that in itself is something to pray to and revere and how the Temazcal ceremony was a very humbling way of acknowledging and thanking the mountain and land in such a direct way— offering thanks to each four directions. And how the catholic church that was built on top of Monserrate as a site of holy Pilgrimage existed as such without and before a church was built.

Basics of bitcoin online workshop. Alternative economy removing third party banks. Fascinating that the “Entity” was formed in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto and the person or people behind it were originally anonymous.

NFT’s non-fungible–meaning they are one of a kind–and thus can have crazy amounts of value. Who determines the value? Thinking about how everything is a construct–some are just more elaborate than others.

Dinner with B and T

T who is from here and lives here talks about how she doesn’t feel safe, I’ve gotten this from other young women here. Does my being a foreigner give me a passport of protection-a reputation to uphold (both ends).

#Laura Bernstein

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whatsjenniupto · 9 months

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Reconfiguring Sintra

Have you ever arrived anywhere with a loose plan, gotten a run down from a local, and completely changed everything? I don't know if I have ever 180ed as hard as I did in Sintra.

"Do you have your plans? Do you have your tickets purchased?"

I looked at the owner of the guesthouse I was staying in. "Well, I have ideas, but no tickets yet."

She gave me a bit of a once over as she opened the map. "Ok. Here is what I think. First, go nowhere without a ticket. It is silly. Long line. No good.

"You will start walking, turn left from here, go to the big road, left again, stay right as you see the train station, and then you will find the first of the palaces. It has two big chimneys. It is nice, but... you have two days. It is not that nice.

"Quinta da Regaleira, this is my favorite. I love it. It is very good. You must have two-three hours at least.

"This is Moorish Castle – if you go to Óbidos, I think it is better. Óbidos is city inside the walls. This castle is nothing. Nothing. Who wants to, no too much money and time.

"Pena Palace – yes, it is biggest and most popular. But I think...it is too many people. But it is what everyone wants to see, so. Just, you must have ticket before you go. But it is very busy. Very, very busy.

"Now, if you want a better option, I think Monserrate. It is Arabic inspired. Very few people. Lovely. This is better.

"But you go research, buy your tickets, and have fun. WhatsApp me if you have problems!"

My brain had already started zapping through options as I followed the owner up to my room. I immediately dumped everything, pulled out my laptop, and hopped on the internet. My original plan was Quinta tonight because I had two hours exactly before it closed – if I booked it there now rather than running through options online like I was currently doing. I quickly bought a ticket and switched modes to tomorrow, watching the clock.

I had thought to do Pena and Moorish Castle in the morning before going out to Ericeira. I hopped on the booking calendar for Pena and found I wouldn't have a ticket option until late morning, thereby knocking out my side trip to Ericeira. My next stop was Óbidos. But as an unofficial Czech, I now climb to the tops of mountains for ruins. For fun. (My 2010 self would never have believed it.) Ahhhh! I shut the laptop, put my camera bag together, filled up my water bottle, and started speed walking up to Quinta da Regaleira.

Huffing, puffing, legs on fire, I kept striding forward, barreling by anyone in my way. I had a deadline. This was the number one thing I wanted to see in Sintra. I wanted my recommended two hours of Quinta. In an attempt to distract me from the agony in my legs, I tried to sort out my thoughts for the following morning. What did I want to see at Pena? Honestly, the colorful outside of the palace. The Moorish architecture as well was a draw, but if Monserrate has similar architecture and no people, that's where I should be. I hate people – as I plowed by a family of five walking at what was probably a very normal pace. And if Óbidos is my next stop, it's true that Moorish Castle is a very similar option that I likely don't want to pay for. OK. Let's see if I can get close to the outskirts of Pena and research Monserrate later because finally, Quinta was in front of me. I stormed up the "online ticket" left side and whipped out my QR-code.

And then I realized how very large Sintra Palace grounds are and just how many people were going to be filling them.

#europe #portugal #sintra

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mitmama · 1 year

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Bogota, Colombia

Cartagena | Rosario Islands | Bogota | Food & Travel Tips

Bogota is a busy vibrant city of 8 million people. At 8,600 feet high, it’s the third highest capital in the world (after two other Andean capitals), and there’s no city higher up that has a bigger population. (By the way, did you know the Andes is the largest mountain range in the world, covering the west side of almost all of South America? I only just learned.) We were only in Bogota for 1.5 days, so thankfully not much worries about altitude sickness.

Monserrate

From the city, you can see the tall mountains to the west, with a prominent church on top. We found out you can take the Cable Car (called Teleferico) up to the mountain in the afternoons, and the Funicular in the morning, which doesn’t have as good a view. (On Sunday, you can take either.) Unfortunately it was also right around rush hour, and the stop-and-go traffic to and from the ticket office was horrendous.

We went right around sunset, and the view going up the mountain was spectacular. You can see the whole giant city laid out.

From the top of the mountain, you can also see nearby peaks, one with also a church on top.

Botanical Garden

Our kids’ favorite site on the trip was the very cool Bogota Botanical Garden. The domed green houses each presents a different natural environment, such as the rain forest, the dry forest. The kids had fun learning about diverse plants such as the luffa plant. I enjoyed learning about the coca plant, which the indigenous people grew for hundreds of years for a variety of uses, now stigmatized in western world as the source of cocaine.

Plaza de Bolivar

The grand main square in Bogota is well worth a visit. It’s named after Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Colombia, who’s a Venezuelan freedom fighter who also gave his name to Bolivia.

There are impressive buildings all around. Too bad the kids were pretty tired so we didn’t get to stay long enough to check out the historic church to the left. They did enjoy watching the hundreds of pigeons in the square and feeding some.

Gold Museum

The last site we saw was the Gold Museum. It not only has an amazing collection of indigenous people’s gold art and decoration, but also a very helpful explanation about the technical, cultural and spiritual perspectives on gold.

Colorful Street Art

We stayed in the historical district, La Candelaria. It’s a colorful neighborhood with impressive street art.

I chose the location for the closeness to key sites like Plaza de Bolivar and Gold Museum. Note it’s very busy with stop-and-go rush hour traffic, and a bit dirty... not for everyone.

Read on for more about Colombia food and travel tips.

#bogota #colombia #south america #latin america #andes

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kaijumaker · 1 year

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Giraffe kaiju. - spotted in Cerro del Nevado (Mountain of the Snow) is an extinct volcano located at the center of the city of Bogotá, Colombia. It is also known as Cerrito del Monserrate and Pico Mirador due to its observation point. (Colombia).

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beautiful-world-travel · 1 year

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Bogota

Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, is a destination that should not be missed by any traveler. Located in the Andes mountain range, the city offers stunning views, rich cultural experiences, and a vibrant nightlife. Despite its reputation as a city with a troubled past, Bogota has undergone a significant transformation in recent years and is now a safe and welcoming destination for tourists.

Getting There:

The easiest way to get to Bogota is by air. El Dorado International Airport is located about 15 kilometers from the city center and is the busiest airport in Colombia. Flights to Bogota are available from most major cities around the world.

Visa Requirements:

Most visitors to Colombia do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. However, it is always best to check with your embassy or consulate to confirm the entry requirements for your country.

Accommodation:

Bogota offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. The city has everything from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious five-star hotels. It is recommended that visitors stay in one of the central neighborhoods such as La Candelaria, Chapinero or Zona Rosa to be close to the main attractions.

Things to Do:

Bogota has a wealth of attractions to keep visitors busy. Here are some of the top things to do in the city:

Visit the Gold Museum: The Gold Museum is one of Bogota's top attractions, with over 55,000 pieces of pre-Columbian gold artifacts.

Take a Graffiti Tour: Bogota is known for its street art and graffiti, and taking a tour is a great way to see the city's vibrant street art scene.

Explore the Historic Center: The La Candelaria neighborhood is Bogota's historic center, with many colonial-era buildings and narrow cobblestone streets.

Visit the Monserrate Hill: Monserrate Hill is a popular spot for panoramic views of the city. Visitors can take a cable car or hike to the top.

Try Colombian Cuisine: Bogota is known for its delicious food, including empanadas, arepas, and bandeja paisa.

Safety:

Bogota has come a long way in recent years in terms of safety, but visitors should still take precautions. It is best to avoid carrying large sums of cash, not to wear expensive jewelry and to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. It is recommended to use registered taxis, and visitors should avoid wandering into unfamiliar areas alone.

In conclusion, Bogota is a city that should not be missed by any traveler to Colombia. With its rich history, stunning views, delicious food, and vibrant culture, Bogota is a destination that will leave a lasting impression on any visitor.

#Bogota #Columbia #Travel

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