Blogs :: the tourist train
Last weekend, we took a day trip on an old steam train from Bogota to a few surrounding towns and also paid a visit to the Catedral de Sal in Zipaquirá. A popular weekend outing for locals and tourists alike, the "Turistren" consists of a trip through several small towns outside of Bogota on either an old restored steam or diesel locomotive, depending on the day you go.
We opted for Sunday and the steam locomotive, which looked a great deal like the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter.
The train ride itself began in the city, but gradually we made our way to the outskirts of Bogota. I could not tell, however, where Bogota ended and the next little town began, as one faded into the other with no distinct space between. Bands walked through the train cars along the way, serenading the passengers with lively Latin music. There were a few stops along the way, but after a few hours we reached Zipaquirá, home of the eponymous Salt Cathedral.
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is "an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres underground". It had a distinct tourist feel, with a gift shop inside, and a playground, rock climbing wall, and mini food court outside. Shortly after entering the mines, we broke away from our tour group to explore at our own leisure. There was certainly a sense of grandeur in the towering tunnels above, and an eerie resemblance to the Mines of Moria in Lord of the Rings (Yes, two geek references. What of it?)
We had hoped to explore the salt mines themselves, but that was a separate tour, and with the train's schedule there just wasn't enough time. So next we stopped in Cajicá, where we had lunch, walked around the central park, and killed time wandering around the train.
And so, tired from a fairly long day, we boarded our train for the trip home and tried to get some sleep. The band returned and Mr. Accordion Man felt the need to play inches from my ear.
So much for sleep, but Brendon was knocked out the entire ride home. He does that.
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tours, Bogota, trains, Colombia
Posted By:
David
11/30/2009