Mixing culture with shopping—what could be better than that?—is the mindboggling Expoartesanias every December. This famous handicraft fair brings artisans from every corner of Colombia to Bogota for two weeks to show and sell their wares. Modern jewelry, woven goods, ceramics, toys, and so much more wow thousands in five enormous pavilions. It is the perfect place to pick up beautiful holiday gifts.
Speaking of shopping, Bogota has got to be the shopping center capital of the world. I suspect that it gives California’s “Valley” a real run for its money as far as shopping malls go. The glitz of the shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels never ceases to surprise me.
All those negative stereotypes about Bogota being a war-torn, no-go zone perpetuated by Hollywood, which I admit that I also shared before I arrived six years ago, I can unequivocally say are not true. Bogota is a city that moves—one that is looking towards the future and it truly surprises.
