Travel, Bogotá – Colombia
An Unexpected Turning Point: Düsseldorf, July 2019
Düsseldorf, July 2019 – Welcome back to life! Strange beeping sounds reach my ears. I try to open my eyes and see a flood of blinking, annoying machinery. Somehow, I’m wired up, and my sleep shirt feels alien. This must be a bad dream; it’s better to close my eyes again. Then I hear a voice asking, “Do you know what happened?”
Cautiously, I look around the room. I recognize monitors I’m connected to, infusions, catheters, doctors, and nurses. Only one thought flashes through my mind: “SHIT, I’m in intensive care, a heart attack!” I had crossed the line and only survived due to many fortunate circumstances.
The Realization: A Life for Myself
At this point, you review your entire life. It had primarily been a life for others, marked by many highs and lows. I had functioned, but thought too little about myself. The end was foreseeable.
When, after such an event, you don’t know how much time you have left, it’s profoundly natural to listen to your inner voice and do exactly what you’ve always wanted to do. My childhood dream was always to visit South America someday.
The Call of Colombia
By a stroke of luck, at the beginning of the year, through shared interests, I had made contact with a graphic designer from Bogotá. She passionately told me a lot about her country, the vibrant city of Bogotá, the warmth of its people, their joy of life, the captivating music, the fascinating street art, and the incomparable Colombian cuisine. During our chats, I had once hinted that I would love to get to know Bogotá and Colombia. Now the decision was made: The journey began on December 15, 2019.
Welcome to Bogotá/Colombia
Frankly, I didn’t know much about Colombia and Bogotá. A quick look at Wikipedia’s information was truly eye-opening; I was very positively surprised by what I found. Here are the facts:
Colombia is one of the world’s seventeen megadiverse countries; it has the second-highest level of biodiversity in the world. Its territory encompasses Amazon rainforest, highlands, grasslands, and deserts. It is the only country in South America with coastlines and islands along both Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Population 50 Millions. (Source: Wikipedia)
Bogotá: A City of Contrasts and Coexistence
Bogotá, Distrito Capital, is the vibrant capital of Colombia. Over 8 million people live in this metropolitan region, nestled on an Andean high plateau at over 2,600 meters (8,860 ft) above sea level. It’s a place where people from all corners of the country converge, making Bogotá diverse and multicultural. In this city, the past and present beautifully intertwine.
The approach to El Dorado Airport is truly impressive. From above, I immediately grasp the sheer scale of this urban sprawl, bordered to the east by the majestic Andes mountains, with their highest peaks, Monserrate and Guadalupe. Even at the airport, I experience the incredible friendliness and helpfulness of Colombians. Juan helps me navigate through immigration and customs. My initial belief that English would get me everywhere was, unfortunately, a misconception.
First Impressions and New Beginnings
The 30-minute drive from the airport to my hotel in the city center fills me with excitement. My first impressions are captivating. It’s a city of striking contrasts: vibrant street art everywhere, a pulsating life on the streets, a core defined by its modern skyline yet surrounded by ancient buildings, all framed by the imposing Andes.
I am fascinated. I have truly arrived at the right place, and I am on my path. And the best part is my Colombian connection. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was absolutely positively surprised. Our initial communication hurdles – “Can you speak English?” followed by “No” – were quickly overcome with translation apps. VAMOS – the adventure begins!
Through this blog, we invite you on a special journey. A journey through the metropolis of Bogotá. We’ll pass by well-known sights, but also venture into many hidden corners and neighborhoods that the average Bogotá visitor might not find, or perhaps should avoid. Every day in this city is an adventure. Every day offers something new to discover. There are so many details we often overlook in our daily lives. It’s an extraordinary urban region that truly offers everything and confirms a Colombian maxim: ¡En Colombia todo es posible!
