Driving through the neighbourhoods of Bogota we noticed how the city was on the move. Lots of construction and revivals of old neighbourhoods. Our first stop was in the old part of the city
We wandered around admiring the beautiful old buildings and enjoyed the spirit of the neighbourhood. Dogs resting in the shade, Old people quietly chatting, young children playing contently.
The next place on our agenda was the Fernando Botero Gallery. One of Colombia's finest artists and a national Icon. Boteros work celebrates an exaggeration or “fattening” of people. His works salute those on the chubby side of life with dignity and humour. He predominantly used two mediums, painting and sculpture. Some of the sculptures reminded us of friends back home.
Next stop for the day was the Plaza de Bolivar which houses the presidents house, The Mayors house and the most famous of Colombian Churches the Catedral Primada(you know the one you see in every tour brochure of Colombia.
We marvelled at the shear size of these structures as we avoided the flying pigeon's and machine guns through the main square. Security in Bogota is extremely tight with the Presidents house in such close proximity, the zone we were in had an even higher level of military presence than we had become accustomed to on the streets of Bogota.
The President is one of the few political leaders in South America that lean to the right of the political agenda. He has a no nonsense approach to security and the eradication of lawlessness is high on his agenda. Colombia now rebuilds, democratically, after years of tyranny, corruption and a bitter civil war.
The Gold Museum was the next place for us to visit. We entered and very soon realized this was not a place for us. Hundreds of people peering into glass museum cases. We could not see anything. We exited so fast that we would have left “Miss Speedy” in a wind tunnel( It was outside after our rapid exit that we started to feel our hearts beat fast, and a weird breathlessness. My head began to throb and Michael was feeling more queasy than ever. Yes we were feeling the effects of Altitude.
Sitting on a seat in a square outside the Museum we rested and watched people going about their daily business( I just love to People watch).
Feeling a little better from our “workout” at the Gold Museum we ventured back to the car for a trip to “Monserrate” A mountain that dominates the city centre of Bogota. On top of this mountain is a Church and monastery accessible only by cable Car(for tourists).
The Queue for the cable car was long but soon we were on our way to the top. At the top we were greeted by a sandstone path that was to lead us to the church and the monastery. We were now well aware to avoid another “workout” so we tottered up to the church like two old pensioners. We were spellbound by the beautiful view. Bogota lay outstretched before us.
We inspected the church and the Monastery and marvelled in their majesty. It was at this point at the highest altitude that either of us had ever been to. That we really fell under it affects.
My head began to throb, Michael was now feeling a lot more that just a little queasy and both of us were feeling dizzy,(but both us have been referred to as dizzy queens before). We made a slow snail like retreat to the cable car and descended to a lower level and a quick return to the hotel.
At the hotel Michael became more ill. He lay in bed sleeping as if he had some sort of weird drug. I did some writing after taking another panadols and decided to tint my beard. It was at this point ( as I was trying to trying to turn back time and halt some of the years of ageing) that Michael zoomed past me giving me an almighty bump on the way. As he had to make it quickly to the toilet.
In nearly 30 years of togetherness I have never seen him so sick( Its usually me with the expertise in vomit and diarrhea) He was desperately ill. I decided to call a doctor.
The doctors arrived promptly and within minutes Michael was being diagnosed. The conclusion was that he had a virus. Nothing to do with Altitude.
Wilson, one of the staff at the hotel went and got Michael's prescription medicine. What outstanding service. He promptly returned and Michael began the treatment.
Michael had been given a needle by the the doctor and lay fast asleep. I laid there wondering if Michael would be well enough to make our early morning flight to Cartagena. Being the eternal Optimist I thought everything would be OK.
