Zipa! Zipa! Zipa!

I decided to go to the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira. It's about an hour north of Bogota. Getting there was half the journey because we didn't really go with a tour. Just got on the TransMilenio to the northernmost station and got on a bus with a guy outside yelling, "Zipa! Zipa! Zipa!" (zeepa)

BBQ

The ride up showcased some of Bogota's lovely landscapes. Bogota is a city set between two mountain ranges, so there are some picturesque shots. We got off of the bus a little early in Zipaquira and wandered around the town. The bus we got on didn't go straight to the Cathedral because it's meant for locals, not tourists. During the stroll, I saw some delicious meats (below). And ended up getting some chicken. SLowly rotating over the coal ember made the chicken juicy and tender and made the skin super crispy. They put some spices on it that make it taste that much better! It was delicious.

 

After asking for directions once again, I finally made it to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira. This is an old salt mine that was converted into a church. At first the walk in is underwhelming as you look around and all you see is long shafts with crosses at the end. But the further you go, the better it gets culminating in the beautiful sanctuary and sculptures everywhere.  

After exiting the caves, you are greeted with this sight of Zipaquira. Little known fact, Zipaquira is one of the oldest settlements in the Americas being inhabitated by Natives, then Europeans and finally Colombians.

Colombian money is the Colombian Peso. The current exchange rate is about 1800 pesos = $1CAD. At the exchange houses they give you 1700 pesos. There's some coins below. Bills will follow in a later post.