We arrived in Bogotá at night. But immediately I noticed the creativity of this city. From the graffiti and social commentary drawn on the walls to the esthetic of the architecture. But what has impressed me the most is the commitment to public works. Everywhere we go we learn about some program that is integrated into the culture of the city that is entirely not for profit but for the engagement and empowerment of the people of the community. We arrived on a Saturday night, but on Sunday as we were making our way through the town we were greeted by many bikers and walkers. They were going to Ciclovia. Every Sunday in Bogotá, and many other cities, some of the main streets close to cars and pedestrians and bikers take over. People reclaim this roads as public meeting spaces. There is music and food and lost of activities. In Portland, just a few years ago, we started having Sunday Parkways. This was directly based and influenced by Ciclovia in Colombia.

We walked around the Candelaria area.

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Then we headed to the Gold Museum. We saw many cool exhibits. The design of this museum was very interesting as well. THey had many interactive exhibits where you were walking into archeological sights or looking over huge landmasses.

But the coolest area of the museum was the “offering”. Doors closed around you in complete blackness. Chants and music are gradually getting louder as a light is slowly getting brighter. THen you see the offerings as the chants get louder.

The presidential palace.