There’s nothing I enjoy more than Usaquen on a Sunday. Especially a sunny Sunday. Today was such a day.
Every Sunday, the old colonial ‘village’ in the North of the city, opens up with the flea market. Think a Colombian version of Spitalfields market, where you can find lots of vendors selling arts and crafts…some traditional, some quite bizarre.
To make the most of the quiet city, me and my companion walked along the ciclovia on the septima (a main road, usually jammed with traffic and honking horns). This is quite possibly the best time to enjoy a usually bustling city. It’s similar to The City of London or Canary Wharf at the weekend i.e. emptied of the usual office workers and the stress they bring. Until 2pm, all classes of Bogotanos make the most of the liberty by cycling, running, skating or walking along the massive stretch of road.
After a delicious lunch in Amarti, we strolled the markets and finished with a cup of the best Colombian coffee in Juan Valdez. I definitely recommend spending the day here as it suits all budgets. A previous time, I simply ate empanadas sold in someone’s house for $2mil pesos each, and ate them in the sunshine whilst watching the people go by.
For me, a Sunday in Usaquen is simply perfection; food, sun, shopping, culture and beauty.
Colombia, te quiero.
Ciclovia along the septima. A hub of activity for the Bogotanos.
Beautiful Usaquen square with the standard statue of Simon Bolivar.
The beautiful colonial buildings of Usaquen can be seen in background. Now are trendy (and delicious) restaurants.
Enjoying lunch at Amarti. Part of the restaurant is in a old colonial house, with a surprisingly large and airy end, with open air and a green wall. Kind of like eating in a museum. A place to see and be seen.
Enjoying coffee in Juan Valdez, Santa Barbara.
Locals open up their houses on a Sunday and sell homemade empanadas and arepas. The cheaper and equally delicious way to enjoy lunch. Arepa con huevo (arepa with egg) is seen here.
Vendors selling arts and crafts line the streets of Usaquen.
Greetings,
Sounds great! Quito, Ecuador also has an Ecovia on Sundays when they block vehicular traffic
along Avenida Rio Amazonas for bicycling. I´m only aware right now about the strip directly
adjacent to Parque de la Carolina that also has a lot to offer with jogging trails, picnic areas,
botanical garden, several shopping centers at the perimeter, etc.
One day I´ll get my blog going to share much more of the things Ecuador has to offer.
Cheers!