Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
Adventures

First Impressions // Bogota, Colombia

July 6, 2016August 31, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 18 comments
First Impressions // Bogota, Colombia

My first impressions when visiting Bogota, Colombia. // dreams-etc.com

Colombia as a travel destination has been on my radar for years, ever since I saw a tweet from someone sharing her excitement about an upcoming trip to Bogota. A conversation with someone else ensued, during which she shared that it was her third or fourth time visiting, she loved it that much. So I was excited when relatives of mine moved to Bogota a couple of years ago and the very real possibility of traveling to Bogota in the near future opened up.

I arrived late at night, but during the drive from the airport to the apartment I took in my surroundings as much as I could. When I was settling into my room I asked myself, “With this first impression, is Colombia what you imagined it would be?”

And that’s when I realized… after years of thinking about the possibility of traveling to Colombia and after a period of time planning for this trip, I had no idea what to expect. That’s so unusual for me. Typically, once I start planning a trip I start to dream about my destination… and the place I visit is almost always so much better than I imagined. But with Colombia, I had no idea what it would be like.

After a good nights sleep I ventured out into Bogota the next day with Nestor, my tour guide, and this is what I discovered:

>> Mountains without snowy peaks are just as breathtaking as those with them.

>> If you like potatoes (and I do), Colombia is the place to be. They have 18 or 19 different varieties of potatoes (insert all the heart eye emojis here) and they were used in a couple of the traditional soups that I tried.

>> Traffic in Bogota makes me anxious.

>> Bogota is huge.

>> The weather is perfect. Dress in layers and expect rain in the afternoon.

>> Everyone I met was so welcoming.

>> Colombians are proud of their country and passionate about the things that make them proud—like the Salt Cathedral (more on that later) and soccer. “You guys are playing us… I’m sorry,” Nestor told me with a grin as he showed off the jersey he was wearing in honor of the first soccer game of the season that night. At 1pm the radio hosts were already discussing the game and everywhere you looked people we were wearing jerseys. A man walked down the street selling small Colombian flags. And three minutes after the game started that night I heard cheers and honking when the first goal was made. The cheering lasted throughout the game.

>> I never would have been able to imagine what Bogota is like. We drove through neighborhoods that were so different as we made our way through Bogota that first day. Some buildings appeared to be more modern, some appeared to be much older. Some neighborhoods were pretty upscale, some were not. There were little shops mixed in with a couple of chains that I recognized from the U.S. There were streets with homeless dogs roaming the sidewalks and streets with dog walkers taking the pet dogs out.

>> Bogota captured my heart on that very first day.

I’m excited to share more about what I did while I was in Colombia and I’m also planning to share what I’d like to do when I go back… because I am planning to go back. One week only brushes the surface of what there is to do and see in Colombia and I’m excited to explore the country some more in the future.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO COLOMBIA? IS IT ON YOUR TRAVEL WISH-LIST?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

Post navigation

Stone Arch Bridge Festival // Minneapolis
Monserrate // Bogota, Colombia

18 comments

  1. Emily says:
    July 6, 2016 at 8:04 am

    I’d love to get to Bogota one day! It seems like there are a lot of similarities to Ecuador and Peru (I know, obvious!), and I loved both of those countries. Looking forward to reading more about your trip!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:30 pm

      I always had an interest in traveling through Central and South America, but for awhile I transferred that interest to other parts of the world. This trip really brought out that love again and now I’m looking at all the other places I’d like to go!

      Reply
  2. Rebekah says:
    July 6, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Columbian food is one of my favorite types of foods! I can only imagine how good it was getting to eat in Columbia!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      I need to find a good Colombian restaurant in Minneapolis. Everything was so delicious!

      Reply
  3. Mia says:
    July 6, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    I’ve never been to Colombia, but one of my former bosses lived/worked there for a few years and always raved about it. So glad that you had a great trip!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:28 pm

      It’s so cool to hear about your former boss! I enjoy hearing about people who have also been to Colombia. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Christine says:
    July 6, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    It sounds like such a lovely place! I’m so glad you’re enjoying yourself.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      It is! Thank you! I had a really great trip and am looking forward to sharing more.

      Reply
  5. Brittany Bertuzzi says:
    July 6, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Columbia is definitely on my list of “places to visit”! I can’t wait to see more of your trip and more pics please!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:26 pm

      I’ll definitely be sharing more photos from Colombia! I took a lot. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Carmen Baguio says:
    July 6, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    I haven’t been to Colombia, but I’ve heard it is beautiful. My next big trip will be to Rio next spring for my 50th birthday.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:25 pm

      It’s so beautiful! Enjoy Rio! That’s a city that has always been on my travel list too.

      Reply
  7. Melissa says:
    July 6, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    This sounds beautiful. I would love to visit here one day.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:24 pm

      It is beautiful! I really enjoyed my time there. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Heather with WELLFITandFED says:
    July 6, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    I love looking through the eyes of a traveller and no detail is too much! It looks very very crowded there!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed this! Yes, the city is really big! Lots of buildings and people. It was amazing to look out over the city from here.

      Reply
  9. Charlotte says:
    July 7, 2016 at 8:15 am

    Oh, wow… I’ll be honest.. I never thought much of Colombia as a travel destination. Not for any particular reason; it just never comes to mind when vacation planning. But everything in your post makes it infinitely mysterious and fascinating to me. Thank you so much for sharing your review. Also LOVE soccer, and any country that prides itself on their team — how fun to take this in on your trip!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 9, 2016 at 1:21 pm

      I’m not a big soccer fan, but I’ve definitely been taking note of the games after being in Colombia. 🙂 I’m glad my post made Colombia a little more fascinating to you. I have more posts coming!

      Reply

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Come with me to Cafe Ceres in downtown Minneapolis Come with me to Cafe Ceres in downtown Minneapolis.
A low key Sunday: church, pizza with mom, phone ca A low key Sunday: church, pizza with mom, phone call with niece, dogs. What was your Sunday like?
Summer has never been my favorite season so I inte Summer has never been my favorite season so I intentionally try to find those moments that I enjoy. Here’s one from summer 2023: sitting outside and watching this bird couple care for their babies.
It’s true. Okay, Mina. Your human needs a hug. It’s true.

Okay, Mina. Your human needs a hug. And maybe we should consider taking more flattering videos of the two of us. 😂

.
.
.
#dogstagram #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogstagram #dogslife #dogsofinstaworld #dogscorner #dogsdaily #dogs_of_instagram #girlsbestfriend #ckcs #doglove #dogsdaily #dogslover #dogsandpals #dogsworld #dogsrule #dogsoninstagram #dogsarefamily
August. August.
July is over and I’m glad. I’m ready for summe July is over and I’m glad. I’m ready for summer to come to an end. I’m thankful that you can see Mina throughout the entire video…there were a few days in July that I wasn’t sure she would be around much longer. Hold your pups tight. 💙 #onesecondeveryday #onesecond #1secondeveryday #1se #monthinreview #videodiary
A rainy day is a special gift to readers. [Amy Mil A rainy day is a special gift to readers. [Amy Miles] 🌧️

What’s your rainy day (or night) read?
Saturday morning. Mim’s Cafe. Saturday morning. Mim’s Cafe.
June 2023. June 2023.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • The Summer Day by Mary Oliver
  • A Week in Idaho
  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (53)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (58)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (225)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | © 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.