Getting out of the city

After 9 days in Bogota, I began to feel claustrophobic. The overwhelming amount of buildings, concrete and pollution were making my lungs and eyes hurt. I was desperate to get a breath of fresh air (literally). So some friends and I decided to make a day trip to Suesca, a small town an hour from Bogota known for its rock climbing. We took the metro system to the end of the line where we found a small bus that would take us to Suesca. We relaxed in our comfortable reclining seats while we watched more and more people hail the bus and hop on. By the time we were leaving the city limits the aisles of the bus were filled with standing people holding on to seatbacks while the bus lurched forward.

After an hour we turned onto a dirt road and began the bumpy descent into Suesca. Slowly we worked our way to the front of the bus, trying not to fall as we hit pothole after pothole to call for the driver to stop. We hopped off and entered backpackers' bliss. In this tiny town of 100 or less, we surprisingly came across an Asian Fusion restaurant. Despite the size of Bogota, there are not many international restaurants. We jumped at the chance to enjoy veggies and stir fry. I ordered Spring Rolls and Pad Thai that may not have been the same as what I would get in the States, but mmmm mmm it was oh so good.

With full bellies and sunny skies, we stepped behind the restaurant onto the abandoned railroad tracks to start our Suesca hike.

The place was teaming with Colombians. Famous for its rock climbing, there were serious climbers, hippies and backpackers. Also due to its proximity to Bogota, there were families and friends out for picnics and walks. We seemed to be walking through the "backyard" of some farmers and ranchers who take advantage of any vegetation available.

Climbing wouldn't be complete unless you were being watched over by the Virgin Mary.

There were some very serious climbing routes. Can you spot them on this huge rock face?

I'll give you a hint, there is a crevice with a black dot and below that to the right there is another yellow dot.  We continued up the railroad track at a snail's pace. We took in the fresh air, the beautiful vegetation and the rushing sound of the river below. The sun bathed our skin and for the first time in days I was warm and my lungs were filled with clean air.

Eventually we made our way back to Bogota (not before stopping for some gelato). I felt refreshed and ready to start my first week at university.