Yesterday we went to Monserrate, a church at the top of the mountain above Bogota. As I have said, Bogota is at a high elevation of around 8000 feet. To get to the church we rode a funicular up and, as a change of pace, we rode the tram (like the buckets at Disneyland except a larger vehicle) down, suspended from the cable. The elevation of the church is at 10,400 feet. As soon as we got off the tram we had to walk UP to the church.

The human body is an amazing wonder. Just one week ago exactly we arrived in town to gasping for air with every exertion at the new altitude. Now walking up hill at an elevation of 2500 feet higher my body had adapted to the point that it was no more exertion than climbing uphill at sea level - an absolutely amazing adaptation.

Needless to say the views over the sprawling city on this plain surrounded by these high mountains was breathtaking (but not literally!!). To the opposite side of the mountain began the high mountain jungle of Colombia. Not the Brazilian rain forest type but actually denser. I can see how the guerrilla and para military have been so difficult to control by the government forces.

A few thoughts on Bogota:

After the mountaintop adventure we went into town for lunch and shopping. Bogota is a vibrant city with modern skyscrapers, tree lined avenues, multi-level shopping centers with upscale shops from around the world. Also, McDonalds, TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut, etc are all here. Security, which was such an issue when we arrived, now seems to be in the background rather than in the forefront of our minds. Sure security is present in the parking lots of shopping centers and at the entrances. It is present at every apartment building, opening the gates into the parking, and on the streets. Visibility is the key here.

Walking down the street I feel as safe as if I were in Rome, Paris, New York City. Of course there are areas where more care is taken and some areas where one should not venture but that is no different than East LA or Compton in Southern California. But it is nothing like Seattle where concern for ones safety or security of ones house is far down on the list of daily concerns.

The rural areas are economically poor, that is for sure. Living conditions there are worse than can be found in the US. Sometimes houses are no more than huts with no amenities at all. The distinction between rich and poor is so much greater than in the US.

Today we are heading to the tropics. This requires only a two hour drive down from this plateau we are on to an elevation where heat and humidity are more reminiscent of an equatorial climate. Yes, golf is on the agenda, this time with the ladies.