Jesus presides over the little minibus for the hour ride to the nearby town of Zipaquira, where I took a day trip. Cost for bus rides in Colombia averages $1-$2.

Zipaquira is a cute little historic town about 35 miles outside of Bogota, known for its salt mines which still produce 40% of Colombia's salt.

The little town of Zipaquira centers around this plaza containing this beautiful colonial church.

This is a cute little town where even the banks are decorative.

The beautiful Palacio Municipal, or city hall on the main plaza of Zipaquira, built in French classical style.

I took a city tour on this open-air toy train that goes around the city, while playing typical Colombian music.

This is the scenic train that makes day trips out of Bogota to Zipaquira on the weekends to tour the Salt Cathedral. Unfortunately, I didn't discover it until I got to Zipaquira by two subway transfers and a bus!

Typical street of Zipaquira.

Zipaquira has an entire street lined with these Asadero Restaurantes, roasting all types of meat over an open fire. (I made note on my way to tour the Salt Cathedral!)

The little city tour bus takes us up the hill to the Parque de Sal, or Salt Park to tour the salt mines, stopping along the way for a beautiful overlook, or mirador, of the city of Zipaquira.

One of Bogota's main tourist attractions is the "Catedral de Sal," or Salt Cathedral. It was an old salt mine that was converted to a cathedral.

The tunnel at the entrance to the salt mines was lined with logs of eucalyptus, held in place by iron rungs. The wood helps absorb the salt and stop the iron rungs from rusting.