Build a Bullring of Peaks in the highlands of a Country which was the biggest drug producer in the entire world, throw in an immense amount of people so it becomes the highest city in the world with a population of more than 3 million (2005: 7.8 Million) and you get Bogotá! I had some positive and some negative expectations before I came here. But I have to tell you that my negative expectations were proven mostly wrong and my positive ones proofed to be set to low. I originally planned to stay 2 or maximum 3 nights, but ended up staying 4 with the promise to come back. I´ve seen quite a few magical cities so far. Each one is special in his own way and Bogotá is special in a few different ways.

Monte Monserrate, 3150 meters closer to the stars.

During the day you wander around in a vibrant old town with tons of street food, small bars and coffee`s, locals who sell their hand crafted jewelery just to end up at a massive street flea market with live music. I have to admit that I didn`t know that it’s a thing to bet on which house out of 20 a Winnipeg would choose when placed on the floor in a circle of screaming Colombians. In Bogotá it seems to be a big thing though.

On a Sunday you are lucky if you name a bicycle your own. Then Bogotá closes 75 miles of its streets for traffic and bikes dominate the city. If you are more into hiking than biking, no problem! You could either take a hike on top of mont Monserrate and enjoy a breath-taking view over the entire city or take a local train for one hour out of Bogotá and find Colombians biggest rock climbing spot just close by a nice lake. Or maybe you prefer a good nightlife over day activities? No problema mi amigo! At least this would Mauco the Argentinian volunteer from my hostel say. To be honest, for me it was this hostel and the people who stayed there the reason I stuck longer in Bogotá than planned. Going out 3 nights straight with always at least a crowd of 8 + some local friends, we had a blast in this wonderland for party people. There seems to be an unlimited amount of small unique bars accompanied by a bunch of nice parks with live music and lots of students. This already great mix was crowned by a mix of clubs from small drug hole to the biggest gay club in the world! (and we all know that’s where the girls like to go) It`s just insane! 13 different areas including rooftop bonfire, open-air concerts and a whole cinema!

Huge Hangover included! One of the things you could do against those is to walk up to mont Monserrate. Lots of blood, sweat and, yes maybe some tears. But being out in the nature while enjoying how the city slowly unfolds before you till it`s ended by green peaks at the horizon which are slighty touched by the small clouds passing by is really helping with the after effects of a too long party night.

For another hangover cure I can totally recommend the graffiti tour! Bogotá is an absolute unique place for street artists. The current mayor is an ex member of a militant guerrilla group who feels like it’s a waste of money to chase street artists. As a result you get a colorful city with an amazing scene of around 5000 street artists including lots of police who is rather going after drug dealers than artists who express the problems of their country in crazy detailed Graffiti. homeowners pay the artists to do great murals on their walls. Manly it looks great, but it also stops the tag`s on the walls because all street artists respect a well done big mural. And for locals and tourists it’s a very big plus in sights of ambient.

Sure, there is some criminality and some corruption and some drugs in this city, but you get this in every bigger city. And considering that this country is technically at civil war since 50 years plus used to be the biggest cocaine producing country until 2013 it`s save as fuck here. Bogotá has a lesser Homicide rate than Chicago!

Yes, you are right. Considering all together this is a truly incredible place. I will defiantly come back and would you as well recommend to come visit this gem as soon as possible.

But now, for me it`s time to get out of the city and into the countryside. Enjoy some nature and recharge the batteries. I`ve heard great things about the rest of Colombia. Time to explore.