I reached bogota earlier than I should have. It is 3:00am and I have no place to stay. Everyone said watch out in the city it’s not safe.

Taking a taxi I go to the hostel I booked for the next day only to find out there is no space there for tonight. I am not going to lie, I did feel a little scared. I felt weird and I felt like I was about to just give up on everything. This was the sleepy me talking. I need a bed-I’m exhausted and I can’t function. I finally found one down the road at another hostel and slept so well in it.

That morning, I checked into my new place and met a friend of a friend, Edna. She had been to Kenya a couple of times and we had lots of friends in common. She entertained my friend and I and took us to Andres DC. That is the place everyone goes. Super good food super nice environment and it was good conversation. We had loads to talk about and she told us about Colombia- the contrast from Kenya and it was refreshing. Unfortunately I fell I’ll that night and that was my last meeting with her.

The next day again, a friend of a friend who I had never met Juan, came to pick me and my friend up and took us cycling around the city. It was raining but I loved it. I felt like a little child. I didn’t care if my clothes got wet and dirty it was fun. ‘The best way to get to know a city is cycling through it’. He couldn’t have been more right!

So in Bogota, before 2:00pm roads are shut so people can cycle and do recreational stuff. They have this massive park where many fitness  freaks and instructors get everyone together and ZUMBA YES AND AEROBIC(S) in the park!! Its so lively, people from all ages were dancing and doing aerobics and super cool. I knew if mum lived in Bogota she would be up there with chams!!

Everyone is super healthy. The rain doesn’t stop their fitness or their comfortable lives. In london, the slight cold or rain is a massive demtivator for doing stuff. The phrase ‘Get off your couch’ was so appropriate here. Not once did I feel unsafe during the day, Cycling through the parks, rough routes, calmer friendlier places I loved it. I don’t think there is a better way to learn about the city other than getting lost with a cycle.

I was exhausted that evening and called it a night.

The next day I went to walk around with my friend and went to a couple of artesian stores, the gold museum and had crepe and waffles twice. Loads of people told me about this place. I have to introduce it in Kenya. The concept is brilliant.

Eating, walking, enjoying the city and getting rasta people rubbing their dreads in my face, I was sad to leave my friends behind. I had this warm feeling that South America was done and my trip was coming to an end.

I wasn’t even excited for Mexico. South America held a special place in my heart, I started reminiscing about the cities I lived didn’t like, adventures, down days, lonely days all….

The feeling was that similar to when you leave something you love behind. The heart aches but the future looks promising. I’m meeting an old friend and I have to stay positive.

Time for me to bitter my mouth with mezcal.

Mehiiiiccccooooo I’m commiiinnngggggggg