Like the Mission but without gentrification ...

Five days into my adventure in Bogota and all I can say is that it has been amazing. The people are incredibly nice and helpful, I'm not sure how we would have gotten everything done these last few days without them. We definitely would have taken longer and spent more money than we have. But enough generalities, where to begin?

Ok, so the first day we didn't do much except get taken around the university by this guy Jaime who would quickly become our guardian angel for the rest of the week. The place is beautiful. It's near the eastern edge of the city, right up against the mountains. All the buildings are brick and behind there are guardians with various types of orchids and whatnot. If you look up a bit further all you see is mountain. Lots of green. I'll have photos soon, I promise.

Around the university is essentially one of the coolest areas in town, called the Candelaria. It's sort of the Mission of Bogota. Yes, it's kind of third world, with lots of potholes and run-down buildings, but very colorful. There are tons of little, cheap bars and restaurants, many of them blaring music. Two really cool places are within 30 feet of my office (yes, I have an office ... that I share with my fellow Sciences Po students). When there are lots of people around it's very festive. I guess if you ignore the university campus at the edge, the area is kinda like the Mission but without gentrification.

So the first day we also explored this area looking for apartments but didn't find anything reasonable. Not reasonable here means a nice, two-level furnished studio, great for one person or a couple, for 750,000 pesos, or $300/month. We were trying to find something for the four of us (Marguerite, Olivier, and Noemie are my compañeros on this trip) but not having much luck. Jaime and his assistant were still helping us get around.

Whoops, gotta go pay for mattresses made to order. $60 each. I love the third world!