Bogota is changing...
by elsadran
In 1998 the Mayor of Bogota decided to transform the city. Until then the city had been suffering from traffic congestion, crime, and corruption. The problem were getting worse every year as more than 140,000 Colombian moved from the countryside or other cities to Bogota. Crime had become uncontrollable. The Mayor built schools, repaired parks, pedestrianised streets, extended domestic services to poor neighbourhoods and decided to restrict the use of private cars. So he built bicycle lanes, improved transportation and finally introduced the TransMilenio. He was more successful than he could ever hoped. Pollution dropped dramatically, crime was reduced by 50% and commuters saved a lot of time. Today it is no more dangerous than any other big city in the world! It was a miraculous change and other developing cities are considering Bogota as a model.
Another Mayor helped in the transformation focusing on educating the citizens. People learned about the problems and understood they should have to change their personal behaviour in the urban setting. He used effective ways to convince them, with symbolic and humorous actions that were more effective to people. He also managed to reduce corruption .
Understandably, there is a lot more to be done. The city is not yet free from crime and violence but the difference is obvious and admirable.
Click on photo for more of Bogota...
Stencil Graffiti
by morgr
Graffiti can be found in every large city in every corner of the earth. While most graffiti is just meaningless sh*t drawn by teenage wannabes...much of it is also quite good, artistic and/or portraying a deeper meaning. Head to the national university to see some good ones.
Also around town, particularily in La Candelaria, you will see 'NO TLC' painted on every street corner. This TLC (Tratado de Libre Comercio) refers to a proposed free trade agreement between Colombia and the USA.
Zipiquira
by richiecdisc
Zipaquira is an unassuming small town about 50 kilometers north of Bogota and would most likely not be visited by anyone aside from its star attraction, a salt mine of all things. But this is no ordinary salt mine, this one has a series of carvings depicting the last days of Christ. This should come as no surprise in very Catholic Colombia and in fact as interesting as many of the depictions are, the Colombian tourists are the true attraction. They love this place and if you want to see Colombians enjoying themselves, this is a great place to do it. Would I go again, probably not but if you have time it is worth the effort to get here and a half a day of your valuable vacation time.
More details on how to reach Zipaquira in my upcoming page.
La Calera
by Ossi.P
To avoid "hora zanahoria" there are many discos on the road to "La Calera" just outside Bogotá.
(Up to this summer for security reasons every bar and club in Bogotá had to close at 1 am. Since this Agust they changed the law to 3 am.)
The view from La Calera over Bogotá is in incredible.
Bogota, has an international...
by viajeromaga
Bogota, has an international airport called EL DORADO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Go to my Colombia page to see the airlines serving Colombia (national and international). There are two terminals: El Dorado and Avianca Terminal. All the international flight are in El Dorado and Avianca terminal is only for national flight of Avianca.
Also Bogota is conected to the main roads which are in very good shaped.
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Church on top f a church
an endless array of artifacts awaits
a tasty roast pork sandwich
roof statue by Jorge Olave
