Bogota - Gold Museum, Presidents Palace and downtown

This is the view of the city from our hotel room at the Marriott near the airport.  It is overcast today so the picture is somewhat hazy, but, as you can see there are mountains around.

Bogota is the capital city of Colombia.  Gographically it is situated on a high plateau in the Andes in the west central part of the country, a little over 200 miles from the pacific coast.  Almost 9 million people live in the Bogota metropoltan area and it is the third highest capital city in the world at 2,625 meters (8,612 feet) above sea level.  The air is thin here, and any exertion can make you feel slightly noxious until you get used to the rarified atmosphere.  The Muiscas had a settlement in the area long before the Spanish founded the European settlement in 1536. The city became one of the lynchpins of the Spanish empire in South America and a major cultural area.  In 1810 the citizens revolted against Spanish rule, but it was not until 1819 that the country was finally liberated by Simon Bolivar. 

Bogota is the center of the Colombia Government, is an amazing cultural and arts center.  There are, according to Wikepedia, 58 museums, 62 art galleries, 33 library networks, 45 stage theatres, 75 sports and attraction parks, and over 150 national monuments in the city as well as dozens of churches and cathedrals and cafe's and restaurants galore.  Today we spent our time getting acclimatised by walking around the parliament buildings, the president's palace and exploring the gold museum.

Outside the Parliament Building.  A Christmas tree has already been erected.  The police and the army are on constant watch in this area and throughout the city.

Architectural detail inside the Cathedral Primada de Colombia, built 400 years ago in 1610.

Outside (of course) the Presidential Palace

This shot was really to show the architectural details on the church behind me.  We are still trying to find out the name of this church, but I thought the colors were wonderful.

Inside the Gold Museum.  This gold ceremonial icon was the first piece in the musuem when it was founded in 1936 by the Central Bank of Colombia. 

A break for a strong cup of Tinto - a strong Colombian coffee served in a cup slightly bigger than an espresso cup. This is an old Citroen 2CV with the frame removed and replaced entirely with bamboo.

Last stop before heading back to the Marriott.  A thunderstorm was drenching the city and the gods were playing bouls in the sky, so we stopped for a renowned Bogota delicacy, hot chocolate with cheese at the Pasteleria Florida, where this afternoon snack has been served since 1936.