10 Things To Eat in Bogota
SUMMARY: Profile and description of my ten favorite things to eat in Bogota: bandeja paisa, ajiaco, black folks’ fish, chiguiro, arequipe, changua, ensalada de frutas, Andres Carne de Res, and Tramonti. Just for fun, I included three things you don’t have to eat in Bogota as well.
Arepas in Colombia
SUMMARY: This is my definitive post on arepas in Colombia. Arepas are a starchy biscuit / pancake and everyday food in the northern Andes.
Arepas are a staple food in Colombia. Arepas are to Colombia as tortillas are to Mexico. Arepas are basically cornmeal biscuits. There are many different kinds, but they all derive from corn and they’re all shaped in a patty. They taste almost like a biscuit but with less moisture. Most don’t have much flavor. They’re featured in my 3 Things You Don’t Have to Eat in Bogota. However, it’s pretty hard to visit Colombia and not eat these things. They’re everywhere. They’re served with street-food. Arepa with chorizo, or arepa with egg and chicharrón. … Read more
3 Colombian Pueblos in 3 Weeks
SUMMARY: I’ve spontaneously, almost accidentally, visited three unique pueblos outside Bogota in three weeks. Sections include La Calera with Alcoholics and Addicts, Guatavita with Gringos, and Fell Off the Wagon in Girardot.
La Calera with Alcoholics and Addicts
I met Alejandro and Winston in AA. They’re both alcoholics and drug addicts – clean and sober for 9 years.
We hung out Friday night and they mentioned the possibility of going to La Calera. Alejandro and Winston grew up in Bogota – and got in all their trouble in Bogota – so their favorite recreational activity is leaving the city to visit small pueblos.
La Calera is a nice little town on the other side of the mountains. Most people go by bus but Alejandro and Winston walk. Friday night, we made tentative plans for them to call me Saturday. We couldn’t decide Friday night because they wanted to borrow some dogs. Dogs? – I asked. They wanted to borrow a pitbull or rottweiler for the day in case we ran into any thieves on the trail. Oh, OK. Alejandro called me around midnight Saturday and told me to be at his place at 6am. Sounds good – I said – did he round up a dog? No, but he has a machete we can bring. Oh, OK. … Read more
Buenos Aires, Argentina = Italy Meets South America
SUMMARY: I spend a 4-day weekend in Buenos Aires. Sections include BA European City, Argentine Women, BA’s Nocturnal Culture, Food: BA for Carnivores, Language: Argentine Spanish, Tango!, and Conclusion: Buenos Aires Doesn’t Suck.
The Colombian government won’t issue work visas inside Colombia. I had to pick the actual visa up at a Colombian consulate in a different country. So I scoured the internet for flights to anywhere. Surprisingly, Buenos Aires was the cheapest ticket. So I spent a 4-day weekend in BA to pick up my Colombian work visa.
European City
While I certainly planned to see BA someday, I was never eager to see it. I had heard that they consider themselves more European, they’re snobs, etc. I’ll say that the Argentine people were much more friendly than I thought.
The city has a noticeable European feel. There are people walking around with blond hair and blue eyes… Read more
Colombian Food: 1st Impressions
SUMMARY: Descriptions of three of my favorite Colombian plates: bandeja paisa, changua, and fruit salads. With pictures.
Colombian food is not as good as Peruvian. Peru has spoiled me. I met a Peruvian here in Bogota who says that Colombian food is good if you are willing to spend. That’s my problem (I’m broke). In Peru, you don’t have to spend a lot to eat well.
Most of the Colombian lunches include a piece of meat, rice and fries. Colombian arroz con pollo is yellow, and its nice of them to cut the chicken off the bone, but it’s not as flavorful as Peruvian arroz con pollo. I miss Peruvian food.
It’s worth mentioning the obvious: Colombian coffee kicks ass. Even in a company office where I teach a class, they serve (office) coffee in tiny three-ounce cups because it’s so strong.
These are three awesome Colombian plates: Bandeja Paisa, Changua, and Fruit Salad. … Read more
Contributed Story: Pooping and Machu Picchu
SUMMARY: Stephen Loase, lead singer of Lonely Mattress Salesman, goes to Machu Picchu and poops his brains out. With pics.
Special undies
Before the trip, I went to REI for camping equipment. I bought a fleece, backpack, and a very special item: a $25 pair of special underwear you can wear for 4-5 days that doesn’t absorb odor/moisture. Happiness Level: A+
Cocoa Tea
We arrive in Peru. Upon arrival I notice the slight elevation sickness that everyone talks about so I drink the forbidden Cocoa Tea (made from pre-Cocaine leaves), which is supposed to dull the pain. Instead of the euphoric, drug-leaf-ridden tizzy I was hoping it would put me in, it made my stomach do jumping jacks while my upper intestine fell asleep with the door shut. Happiness Level: A- … Read more
