Plaza de Bolivar, the center of the old historic section of Bogota.

Here is what a $18 hotel room looks like in Bogota. Not bad, but a bit too musty.

I see this car that is completely covered in bamboo, so I go over to see what is inside...

It's Juan Valdez himself, selling coffee from a bamboo van! In Colombia, they call a black coffee "tinto."

I stayed in "La Candelaria," which is the old historic part of Bogota. There is a small river running through the main street, Avenida Jimenez.

Street graffiti is very common in Bogota, often covering entire blocks with murals. Here, a woman sells "Lulo," a fruit exclusive to this part of South America. A little like a kiwi, only more tart, most commonly served as a refreshing smoothi

Pose for a photo on a llama, or eat an ice cream -- neither of which sounds like a likely offering in the chilly Plaza de Bolivar.

Buildings surrounding Plaza de Bolivar. Bogota is the third highest capital in South America, behind La Paz and Quito. The elevation of over 8,500 ft keeps the climate on the cool side.

Incoming military -- I expected to see lots of armed guards in Colombia, but the only guns I saw were on the Brinks Security guards.

Feed the birds, pesos a bag...

The Catedral Primera is the main landmark on the Plaza de Bolivar. Some form of church has been here since the 1500's, but damaged due to fire or earthquake. This building was built in 1807.

Sweets in the window of La Puerta Falsa, a famous Bogota snack shop doing business since 1816. I sampled the "Breva," which is fig stuffed with "Arequipe," Colombia's brand of dulce de leche.