I am walking through a narrow lane with bright graffiti on the walls and cobblestone bricks on the floor. The warmth of the sun draws me to a square, where people are enjoying the rays of light, reggae music and each other. I sit down in front of a hipster cafe and look around me. At the tree in bloom in the middle of the square, a guy playing the guitar, a couple kissing passionately and a group of friends holding a discussion while sitting comfortably on the ground. Although this place is completely different from my home, I experience the same sensation here. This is my place. La Candelaria, you artistic little gem!
It’s so sunny today, which is such a relieve after two days of rain in the capital of Colombia and one in its outer areas Zipaquirá and Guatavita! Because I went to the top of the mountain of Monserrate this morning, I am wearing a jacket and scarf, but it’s so much warmer here that I immediately lose them. We park our car and continue by foot to downtown Bogotá to pay a visit to its old city centre. Because I have to catch my plane in the afternoon, it will be a quick visit. But so worth it!
Old downtown Bogotá
Descending further into downtown Bogotá, we reach the free Museum Botero. This is one of the several museums situated in this area and is actually the old house of the famous Colombian sculpture and painter Botero. A house I would gladly own, with its inner courtyard with fountain and lush greens, many balconies, bright yellow and white paint and old wooden, always open, doors. I can imagine me here: writing a novel on the inner patio, taking a bite from a papaya, hearing rhythmic music and people mumbling in the background while the sun is setting..
We walk down the car-free hippie lane to finally reach the main square, the last destination of my trip to Colombia. Here, you can find the large church and state hall. La Candelaria seems to exist of artistic people, and reggae- and jazz music is just all around us. Apart from the many street artists, we even find musicians inside of the church, that play authentic and happy music. People are even clapping and dancing to the rhythm!
Artistic Candelaria
La Candelaria was the perfect last impression of Colombia. This country really begins to feel like another home away from home and its special vibe will certainly stay with me forever.
In the afternoon I take the plane back to Madrid and then to Schiphol. I wake up the next morning almost thinking that my little escape was actually a Gabriel García Márquez imagination. Or maybe it was, a reality of wild imagination..
