{"id":9904,"date":"2024-07-15T13:50:28","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T13:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetruecolombianexperience.com\/?p=9904"},"modified":"2025-08-05T16:05:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T16:05:14","slug":"first-tour-in-bogota-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetruecolombianexperience.com\/es\/first-tour-in-bogota-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Tour in Bogot\u00e1"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Joffrey Martic carried about twenty kilos in his backpack, including random kitchen items for camping and his laptop for his freelance web programming gig. He was a small, robust man with an inquisitive gaze. Although he had been globetrotting for over three years, this was his first time visiting Colombia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had long wanted to go, yet fear had kept him away. In fact, during one of his trips through Central America, he chose to fly over Colombia entirely. However, once he arrived in South America, every traveler he met\u2014whether on excursions or in hostel bars\u2014spoke wonders about Bogot\u00e1\u2019s mountains or Santa Marta\u2019s crystalline beaches. Eventually, these stories convinced him to visit the city of changing moods: cold and warm Bogot\u00e1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His plane landed at 4 a.m.\u2014the cheapest flight he could find. He had booked only one night at a hostel he found online: The Cranky Croc. Upon leaving the airport, he took a taxi to the historic center. Several streets were blocked due to the arrival of a foreign politician at Plaza de Bol\u00edvar. Consequently, Martic had to get out five blocks away and walk alone at dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nervous but determined, he paid 40,000 pesos, grabbed his backpack, and programmed the route to the hostel on his phone. He also memorized it, just in case. His battery was low, and he didn\u2019t want to risk having it out on the street\u2014one of the first recommendations other travelers had given him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He estimated a 10-minute walk if he moved quickly. He followed 19th Street, crossed the Transmilenio Las Aguas station, and headed toward the Journalist\u2019s Park. While the streets were still dark and empty, he saw a group of cyclists heading toward the mountain. The city looked stunning in the dark, especially the white building illuminated atop the mountain, casting a romantic glow. He reached for his phone to take a photo, only to realize the battery had died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now in the middle of the park, next to the Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar Temple\u2014the last landmark he had memorized\u2014he considered asking a cyclist for help. He noticed a water channel separating the park from a row of houses that reminded him of old Europe. Sitting in front of a convenience store, he waited to see if anyone passed by. After a few minutes, he noticed a hunched man with long hair and a thick beard approaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man gave him a glance and walked toward him. Martic stood up, unsure but with no other option. When the man was close, he asked in Spanish:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Yes, we\u2019re very close\u2014only three blocks, \u2014the man replied\u2014. I can show you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Martic accepted. They walked together into the heart of the historic center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014My name is Claudio, \u2014said the man\u2014. I\u2019m a painter. I use old CDs as my canvas. I recycle and live off the tips tourists give me for my art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014The houses on your right are colonial-style from the Spanish era. You\u2019re lucky to walk here at this hour; I\u2019ve always thought La Candelaria looks more beautiful in Bogot\u00e1\u2019s cold, dark dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They walked three blocks, turned right, then continued on the left side of the sidewalk. Afterwards, they crossed Carrera 3 on Calle 12D. Then, as Claudio had said, halfway down the block, a white and red sign with a smiling crocodile appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Friend, \u2014said Claudio\u2014, here is the hostel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joffrey smiled, pulled out a 50,000 pesos bill, and handed it to Claudio, who replied:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014I\u2019ll take the money, but in exchange for a little painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pulled out an old CD, a brush, and small jars of paint. In less than two minutes, he created a memory: yellow and black circles, a line here, a shape there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014This represents Colombia, \u2014he said\u2014. A sombrero vueltiao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Thank you, my friend, \u2014said Joffrey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He took the painting, handed over the bill, and rang the doorbell. Claudio, seeing him enter, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Take the walking tour at the hostel. I recommend it. A friend of mine is one of the guides. He supports street workers like me and shows both the beauty and the reality of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Fredy Calder\u00f3n<\/em> Edited in English by D\u2019ette Marceaux<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bogot\u00e1](\"https:\/\/thetruecolombianexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/\u00b71-en-ingles-1024x768.jpg\" "\\"Bogot\u00e1")
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