I Would Rather Not Have to Write This…

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007
Bogotá, Colombia

Read more about Colombia in International Living Postcards--your daily escape

In many ways, I would rather not have to write this, as I would much prefer to keep my recent experience in Colombia a secret. However, given the many readers who may be misinformed about Colombia, I feel compelled to share my story.

I have been searching for a long time to find a country to enjoy a happy and peaceful retirement. Until recently, the southwest of France appeared to be the winning destination. I had long ago discounted such destinations as New Zealand and Ireland; charming as they may be, I’ve always found them too provincial for my piquant New Yorker ways. Only France met all my requirements: culture, good food, pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes and excellent health care.

Still, Colombia had been gnawing at my mind for many years. I had studied at a private Swiss school in Bogotá when I was about 7 years old for nearly two years, and I had retained the most glorious memories as a child of Bogotá and of Colombia. Sadly, with all the bad press about Colombia, I became hesitant to visit there again...that is, until recently, when I read a travel article in the Italian version of Vanity Fair describing Bogotá as “a hidden paradise.”

My life partner had always wanted to visit Colombia, so we decided to go…

Upon our late arrival at Bogotá’s international airport of El Dorado, we rushed to our hotel to drop our bags and grab a bite to eat. Besides the many enticing Colombian and international restaurants, we found one of the best French brasseries we had ever experienced. It was nearly midnight in Bogotá. We sat admiring the stunningly beautiful, well-healed Bogotanos (dressed better than Parisians) while savoring an extraordinary Bouillabaisse.

Being an architect, I was amazed at Bogotás beautiful buildings. Not only are some of the libraries shockingly beautiful, but they include the most visited and busiest one in the world. The older neighborhoods look like the upscale parts of London, with many Tudor-style townhomes.

Bogotá has often been called the “Athens of the Americas” due to its embrace of democracy and its many learning institutions. It has more universities than perhaps any other city on the planet. It also has the world’s largest theater festival (every two years), in which only the best theater groups are permitted to perform.

Bogotá is surprisingly safe. I am a city boy who thinks twice about going out in my hometown of NYC after midnight, but I purposely went out in Bogotá at 1 a.m. without feeling the slightest threat--something I would not attempt in most cities in Latin America.

Of course Colombia is not perfect, but then again, what democracy is? If, like me, you are searching for paradise on Earth, a nation with hospitable, highly cultured people, then I urge you to visit Colombia.

I lived to tell the tale, and I’m sure you will too.

Tobias de la Rochefaucauld
For International Living

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