Meeting The President's Son

Toured the historic center of Bogota on day 2, visiting the neighborhood known as "Candelaria." It is a vast area that includes some of the most impressive colonial buildings lining Plaza de Bolivar. Within the maze of streets is the Botero museum--Botero is a favorite son-- and checked out a really pretty boutique hotel called the Opera, right next to the historic Opera house which is under renovation for the next three years. Ran into a U.S embassy official from Texas who said that this area is safe by day but considered a "Red Zone" at night, muy peligroso!

It seems the whole city takes on a whole new undercurrent at night--but we found a pocket of partying and safety known as the T-Zone, a pedestrian area shaped like a T with restaurants and bars lining both of the streets. We noticed extra tight security and learned that Jeronimo Uribe, son of the president was
at the very same bar as our group.

Our very connected guides managed to introduce me to him and I told him that I respected the strides his father has made in cleaning up the country in his
administration. Later on, in an Irish bar, we saw a woman who was held hostage for five years by the FARC rebels. She was released just three months ago.

So far, not a dull moment in Bogota.

Val chats up Jeronimo Uribe, President's Son.