Streets of... Bogota: La Candelaria

I arrived in Colombia on Friday 11th, to volunteer with a friend of mine's NGO, to practice Spanish, to attend a Summer Course on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and to experience some work period in South America. Gerardo from RGOS was waiting for me at the airport, and he took me to my temporary place in Bogota. This temporary accommodation is a hostel in downtown Bogota, a nice and informal series of flats in a unique compound with all apartments looking to the inner court. Nothing gives you an idea of how europecentric we are, until you realize that the center is not always the best place in town to stay.

La Candelaria is the equivalent to the Old City. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries and museums. Unfortunately, is not suggested to wander around after sunset, because of the high rate of micro-criminality.

Apart from that, it's a pleasure to get lost in its streets, and to enjoy early Sunday morning atmosphere.

The hall of my hostel

Detail of the hall of my hostel

Street of Bogota

House in La Candelaria

Corner in Journalists' Park

Corner of La Candelaria

Detail of a house

Quevedo Brook Plaza (Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo)

Street of La Candelaria (close to Quevedo Brook Plaza)

Street of La Candelaria (close to Quevedo Brook Plaza)

Street of La Candelaria (close to Quevedo Brook Plaza)

Palace close to the Museums area

Roof Statues (by recycled material) by Local Artist Jorge Olave

Detail of a palace

Street of La Candelaria (close to Bolivar Plaza)

Street of La Candelaria (close to Bolivar Plaza)

Houses of La Candelaria

Street furnitures

Houses of La Candelaria

Buildings behind Bolivar Plaza

Primate Cathedral's Tower as seen from behind

House where Simon Bolivar lived for a while (and escaped from a killing attempt)

To be noted: scaffolding are in bamboo... how deliciously folkloric

Maxi screens have been placed in many points of the city, to show World Cup Matches. To be noted, that there's already someone watching the match at 7:00 AM

Bolivar's monument in Bolivar Plaza

Primate Cathedral and Holy Chapel

Wall logo of the Botero Museum

Foggy view of Bogota