In Our Backyard

Stan could not have chosen a better apartment of location for our stay here. We have two bedrooms, an updated kitchen with Bosch appliances, two baths plus a study. The furnishings are very nice but appear to belong to a wealthy elder lady. . . Queen Anne chairs and a big inlaid walnut dining table in the living area. There is not a speck of dust in the whole place. We are very comfortable here.

Here is what makes this location great, however. Our apartment complex, Paulo VI must be one of the world’s first mixed-use communities. There are 60 five-story buildings here containing a total of 3000 apartments, separated by plenty of green space, trees and sidewalks leading here and there, 24-hour security, tennis courts, a soccer field, a church, playgrounds, and a dog park. The commercial area has several pharmacies, medical clinics, a preschool, a hardware store, several butcher and cheese shops, hairdressers, nail salons, dry cleaners, banks and laundry, at least 20 small restaurants, several fresh fruit and vegetable markets, and a major supermercado; all the essentials.

Research tells me the construction of this place began in 1966 to provide accommodations for 12,000 people coming to witness Pope Paul VI presiding over International Eucharistic Congress in 1966. It now is one of the most sought-after residences in all of Bogota.

The stop for the bus that takes us to the city center for just 2.490 COP or about USD $.60 is just outside the complex. The crème de la creme of living here is the entrance to the largest park in Bogota, Parque Simon Bolivar, is just across the street. This huge park and its system of green spaces cover 970 acres. There is a 27-acre lake, over 11 miles of pedestrian pathways, deligated bike paths, dedicated running paths, music venues, snack bars, restaurants, and an outdoor chapel where mass is held each Sunday and music venues. Major concerts and festivals mainly take place in summer. Summer? What is summer here?
To the right of the main green space is the Magic Salitre Amusement Park which includes a giant Ferris wheel, rollercoasters, and a covered waterpark with pools and water slides.

To the left but still, a part of the park is the huge sports venue, El Salitre Park. When I say huge, I mean it is huge. It has soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts and it also features a small coliseum for small events. Included are a Children’s Museum, and a grand Aquatic Complex. I’ll add here that people are very fitness-minded here. The streets and highways – even on mountain roads — are filled with cyclers
To top it all, The Botanical Gardens of Bogota are on the far side of Parque Bolivar.

We walked through the park today, heading toward the Botanical Garden. But oh what a nice walk it was. This park rivals Central Park in New York City and Phoenix Park in Dublin. And the Botanical Gardens are magnificent—maybe one of the world’s best! The grounds were immaculate. The beds were well-tended, the walks were wide and winding, and the collection of Columbian flora was a credit to the country and the park’s curator. The various climates of Columbia were represented in five tall glass green-house structures.

Then the next day we discovered another grand walking/running/biking park just to the right of our complex, Parque Virgilio Barco. We are simply surrounded by grand green parks — this one also hosts one of Bogota’s largest public ultra-modern libraries.

It has been an unexpected pleasure for us to live right here at this address in Bogota . . . all the necessary conveniences and incredible parks within the residents’ mere footsteps. I hope to share our experience through today’s photos.

We have been in Colombia for five weeks so far and until today have not tried the Colombian coffee so often touted. We bought ourselves cups to enjoy as we strolled through the park. Oh boy!!! It’s good,! It is at least as good as Starbucks and maybe better but it costs mucho less here!