It's Christmas Time in the City

“Strings of street lights

Even stop lights

Blink a bright read and green”

I have never been in a city that does Christmas lights like Bogota does. Maybe it's because there is no snow so the feeling of Christmas, as portrayed in the West, is lacking. Maybe it's because it's a Catholic country so they pull-out all stops to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Zona T 

A few blocks from our house in Zona T, plastic lit trees lined the sidewalks. I know, it sounds a bit tacky, but actually the plastic trees added a lot of ambiance. Large angles with tiny white lights lined the street. Little machines mounted above spit-out foam that the city claimed was snow. I saw little kids on their hands and knees scooping the foam up in their hands. When the foam fell on the plastic trees it truly did look like an enchanted forest. And just like home we had to be careful not to slip on the pavement.

We headed over to Usaquan one evening for dinner and found the square full of plastic trees, street artists, music and food. With lights strung overhead and more foam on the sidewalk we enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

Just before Christmas we took the tram up the mountain to see the lights on Monserrate. Looking down on the city we could see large Christmas trees in parks and the city buildings covered in light. On Monserrate 3 wise men with their camels were lit up as well as many other light displays.

Elena, Karina & Maddie on Monserrate

The evening after Christmas we joined some friends 

to explore farther some of the city lights. Our first stop was Parque Bolivar. Again the festive atmosphere of lights, food, street performers, hawkers and musicians boosted the holiday feelings.

We then headed over to the Simon Bolivar Plaza where the government buildings were covered in lights. The square was alive with people. We wandered down the light covered Septima to the church across from the Gold museum. People were selling Christmas wrapping paper, corn on the cob and herbal teas.

Simon Bolivar Square

Some friends Chad picked up along the way

Herbal tea for sale on the street corner

An evening with friends enjoying the lights was a good way to wrap up the Christmas season before putting my own tree back in the box.

- Kris