Before we left Bogota, we knew we had to visit Andres, D.C. Every Colombian we encountered told us about this "crazy" restaurant that was truly Colombian. We were told to come hungry. I can eat quite a lot so I wasn't worried.
Maybe I should have been- the portions were HUGE! The menu was 60 pages long: every cut of beef, cooked every which way, chicken, fish, pork, about 100 appetizers, dozens of desserts, pages of liquor, beer, cocktails, etc. What you see before me is a 440 gram steak, herbed butter, and a tomato stuffed with mashed potatoes.
Dessert could not be avoided.
We opted for two: rice pudding and a tres leches cake. I ordered coffee which is served uniquely in Colombia. Apparently, Colombians like their coffee weak so they bring you strong coffee (but not espresso), along with a cup of hot water to dilute it with.
Today, we had a leisurely morning roaming our Bogota neighborhood as we waited to leave for our 2pm flight to Medellin. We called a cab just before noon because we know how bad traffic in the city is and we are conscientious travelers. Always better to be early, right? (Ahem, to the men in our lives who like to cut it close, pay attention here).
We get to the airport and our driver pulls up to the international departures lane. We say "no no no! Vamos a vuela domestica! Vamos a Medellin!" And he has no idea what we're saying. Finally we try it like we've heard some locals say "Meda-jeeeen?"
"Oh, oh, oh! Meda-jeeeen!" It's too late for the correct level of the airport but we realize we can figure it out once we are inside. Our pigeon Spanish gets us to the right place and we breeze through security! Perfecto!
We have time before we board (they board a full hour early here because then you sit on the runway waiting for your plane's turn to fly) so Alexis gets a sandwich at the only place available after security, Dunkin Donuts. Note to travelers: Pavo y queso (turkey and cheese) looks just like jamon y queso (ham and cheese). Alexis took one look and was like "ummmm...no. Pavo?" "Si, si! Pavo!" Alexis starts flapping her wings like a turkey and says again "Pavo???" And the Colombian DD employee says "si! Pavo de jamon!" Apparently, ham flavored turkey is a thing here.
Anyway, we make it to our gate only to have the screen read, in teeny tiny letters, "cancelado." Since that looks a lot like "cancelled," we investigate. We find some non-English speaking Copa Air staff who confirm that yes, your flight is cancelled. No, it's not being rescheduled. Yes, you will need to take a different airline to Medellin. I try not to panic while thinking of my stuffed, checked luggage that may already be on its way to Meda-jeeeen (especially my hot Bogota leggings!) and my sad, worn-twice outfit I'm currently sporting.
Ill spare you all the details but our miracle trip went something like this: after searching her online database for what seemed like forever, and finding nothing, our Copa lady motions for us to follow her. Every other Medellin straggler trails behind us, hoping she'll work magic for them, too.
She disappears into the Copa Club room and emerges with two tickets. She hands them to Copa Lady #2 who motions for us to follow her, rapido!
We have no idea what's going on but follow her. We are literally running through the airport, weaving in and out of people. We run outside the airport. She cuts to the front of the long taxi line and tells the guard something in Spanish. Everyone is giving us the evil eye but we just look apologetic and gringo-ish and smile sheepishly.
Copa Lady #2 gets us a cab and jumps in with us; still no clue what's going on. She directs the driver to take us to another airport, nearby but it's becoming clear that we needed to take a cab since we are very short on time.
When we arrive at airport number 2, Copa2 pays the driver, hops out with us, and motions for us to keep following her, quickly! We go through security again, as does she, along with us. We all run to another gate, make it through, and she's still with us!
There's a maze of routes to take once we're through the gate so she navigates us to the correct one and literally does not leave until we're boarding the plane!
Much to our amusement, we were seated in first class. As frequent but budget travelers, we never fly first class. Like ever. Much to our chagrin, the flight was only 45 minutes. Still, it sure was nice to live like a king, if even for a little bit.
Medellin is amazing and beautiful and green and mountainous; I'm sure we will have more to report tomorrow. For now, I leave you with views from the roof of our kick-ass hotel, the Art Hotel.
Xoxo, kdubsisters
I love you Kdubsisters! Thank you for your fantastic blog. I look forward to reading it each day and seeing all the awesome photos of you both and a country I will most likely not visit. Better than House Hunters International! : > )
ReplyDeleteThat is a super crazy and also amazing story. Just have to point out that never in the US would you get that level of customer service!
ReplyDeleteI have to know -- did your pants - and the rest of the luggage - arrive with you??