A touch of aloneness... first 24 hours in Colombia

It's almost 9pm on my first full day here in Bogota. It's been an interesting day. I have some down time so I thought I'd try get a few thoughts and impressions down on paper while it's fresh!

Note - please excuse any typos or spelling errors. I am writing on a small tablet with no spell check

I landed at Bogota airport at 10.30pm last night. I had pre-arrnaged a driver to pick me up because I didn't want the stress of navigating a taxi in Spanish after a 30 hour flight.

Migration and customs was very relaxed. The rules state that tourists must have evidence of leaving the country. I used "onflight" to reserve a flight out of the country for $14USD (it looks like a booked flight but it's not really and is much cheaper) but turns out i didn't even need it. They didn't ask to see that, or my "check mig" an online Colombian form. The customs man asked me something and when I said "I don't speak Spanish" he just waved me through.

Waiting for my driver after 30 hours in transit!

Not having checked in luggage meant I beat the driver! I ended up having to wait about 30 minutes and was even contemplating just grabbing a taxi but eventually they came. He spoke no English but I managed to speak enough Spanish to find out he has friends in Melbourne and wants to go one day.

The first thing I noticed on the drive from the airport, was cars with their lights flickering. It's been something I've noticed a lot and I would love to know about it. I imagine that it's difficult to maintain a car on the wages here perhaps?

Arriving at my Hostel, again, the staff member didn't speak any English. I think I find big numbers the hardest. It just sounds like a big jumble up mess of words. But I sorted the bill and was shown to my room. I booked a private room knowing I would just want to shower and sleep without worrying about anyone else. I am glad I did.

The room is simple but large. There's a window overlooking the street and I hear music blarring from a nearby bar or club. Oh dear I think. How am I going to sleep. Fortunately, the glass doors stop most of the noise and I am tired enough to sleep through amost anything.

I have a decent sleep until 10.30am. I realise I have missed the free breakfast but I am grateful to have had the extra sleep.

Cute dining area in my hostel

Heading outside, I have 3 goals... get cash, get a coffee and buy a SIM card. I eventually succeed on all 3!

ATMs are harder to find than I expected. They seem to blend in somehow. I also have in my head which ones are better for fees but in the end, I just want cash! My first attempts at navigating are pretty bad. I am SO used to using google maps that my sense of direction is really lacking. I read in multiple guides to not use my phone on the street as you are asking for it to be stolen. The phrase they say is "no dar papaya" which means “don’t put yourself in a position where people can easily take advantage of you”. So I stumble across an ATM and withdraw 220,000 Colombian pesos or approx $75 AUD. I don't think I was charged a fee but I also don't think the exchange rate was great.

I find a fancy coffee shop. I really want a flat white or latte, not just a black filter coffee. I order a latte and a chicken pastry. It cost about 10,000 COP or $3 AUD in total. The coffee was nice but tasted like long life milk. Not the same as Melbourne coffee but I was happy!

Lastly, was the SIM card mission. I'd read that Tigo or Claro are best. I looked them both up while using the coffee shop wifi and they are both in the same direction, about 15 minutes walk away.

Outside the first phone store, I see a youngish couple. I decide to ask them which phone company is better. I think he says that he is with Claro and is happy but she is with Tigo and thinks it's better. I say gracias and smile. They seem happy and ask me something as I walk away but as I don't understand, I just smile and keep walking.

I go to the Tigo store and long story short, I didn't have my passport so they couldn't sell me a sim card. I go back to the hostel, get my passport and return later. A very confusing conversation (in Spanish) later and I walk out with a pre-paid sim. I paid 20,000 COP (so $6ish AUD) for 10gb of data but it only lasts 10 days. It'll do for now.

Fast forward to the end of the day. I really want to meet some fellow travellers. I look around the hostel but there's only a couple of people and they all have headphones in watching something on their devices. They do not look like they are up for a chat.

I head out for dinner on my own and feel a touch on loneliness. It's been a long day on my own and struggling with language barriers. Fortunately, I pick a bar for dinner with a really lovely bartender who actually slows right down when he sees me getting stressed about the language barrier (it seems most Colombians only know one speed whentalking, fast!). "Tranquillo" he says and I am able to slow my mind and speak better to him.

Chick wrap and wine for dinner, overlooking the street

There's even a DJ who plays some tracks I know and enjoy!

I walked back to the hostel around 8.30pm and felt a touch of nerves. All the street vendors had cleared out and it was just small groups of people hanging around. But I was fine and I am comfy in my bed now. Ready for another good sleep.

So that's a wrap of day 1. All-in-all a good day! The goal for tomorrow is to meet some travellers which might happen on a walking tour I plan to do :)

P.S. I spent about 135,000 COP (approx $50 AUD) today. That was on breakfast, lunch, hot chocolate, dinner, a cocktail and the sim card. Just to give you an idea of cost of living!