Today is our free day in Bogota and as it happens to be Sunday it coincides with flea market day. Jaimes who owns the cafe i go to before work every day suggested we go to Parque Usaquen. The hotel suggested we walk to a market in the city which in their words was bigger but had the same stuff – note to self bigger yes same stuff no.
The walk was really interesting in that a number of streets were closed off and there was a huge police presence. We would later find out that Sundays they close streets around Bogota to encourage people to go out and run/walk/bike/roller blade and just get out and do stuff. This is a brilliant idea parts of roads are closed between 7am and 2pm creating a totally safe space for people to get out and exercise.
The markets are called San Alejo and would be the love child Rocklea and MtGravatt markets if they ever got together. The stuff there was a very eclectic collection of items from antiques to junk. This was a flea market in the true sense and would be the one that locals would go to to buy stuff (or fence if they were relocating it from someone else’s possession). One of the stall holders advised us to carry our packs in front as the market wasn’t overly safe.
As it was still early we grabbed an uber over to Parque Usaquen to visit the markets there. These markets are definitely aimed at tourists and those with money. I will say (as i did after Peru) before travelling to South America again i need to learn Spanish. The locals are very patient but there is only so much you can communicate when all you know is Hola, Buenos Dias and Gracias.
We did try a locally produced coffee which was really nice and i bought a piece of chocolate cake which was made with dark chocolate and i would say is aptly described as bittersweet.
After the markets we decided to walk to the Museo el Chico which was about 3km away. On the way we walked past the Bogota seminary.
This is set in the house of the daughter of one of the richest spanish colonist landholders. There is a big collection of furniture and clothes and an amazing bathroom (lonely planets words too) set amongst beautiful gardens.
Channeling Stu face 
I will never sleep at this museum – evil possessed doll
I must remember to take Beyonce out – i keep forgetting in the moment and she remains in the backpack. Below are a couple of pictures from yesterday – the first has Juan our guide and the second is me in the main square.
davstuholidays 