PresentedbyMrs.Haggarty’sP1
Cover page: Mariana Herrera and Natalia Consuegra
Introduction: Irene Fernandez de Soto
Table of Contents: Emma Child
Cover page for Shopping: Nicolas Romero and Penelope Godoy
Cover page for Restaurants: Erika Hegerle and Natalia Consuegra
Cover page for coffee shops: Emma Child
Editing: Thomas Gonzalez
Publishing Check: Thomas Gonzalez
Every day, we notice how our city is changing. Small family businesses and local shops are closing, and huge malls and stores are taking over. This made us wonder: can we still find the parts of Bogotá that celebrate our culture and traditions?
To help explore our fascinating city, we used a book that showed us the hidden gems of Bogotá. We looked beyond the big malls and stores to see if we could find places that still keep our traditions alive. The 7thgrade students took on the mission of discovering and sharing these treasures.
As we explored the city, we visited small markets, local shops, and cultural spots that often get overlooked. Through this experience, we learned not only about Bogotá’s history but also how important it is to preserve these special places as the city continues to grow and change.
Francisco Muriel
TRIP
INTERVIEW
Are you a person who enjoys discovering new places? Are you a person who likes to have fun? Are you a person who likes to eat delicious food? Then you should come to eat a meal in Salvo Patria! My visit to Salvo Patria was amazing for several reasons. The owner, Juan Manuel, warmly welcomed me into the restaurant, where I could smell the delicious food that was being prepared. He shared that he studied business in Melbourne, Australia, where he worked in a restaurant as a dishwasher and dreamed of opening his own. In 2011, he fulfilled that dream, naming it Salvo Patria, and decided to use only Colombian rural ingredients in his dishes. The most representative plates are fish, cubios, chontaduro, and desserts. He showed me the beautiful restaurant and the Colombian decorations it had. All the decorations came from different parts of Colombia. He mentioned that maintaining consistency in his restaurant was a challenge, but he overcame it by regularly updating the menu to keep customers interested. The menu of the restaurant changes every month and new plates are added. Juan Manuel chose Chapinero for its tradition, diversity, and calm, friendly community, which set it apart from other areas in Bogotá. He encourages customers to try new dishes and values their feedback as a way to improve the restaurant. He assured me he is always open to new recommendations and opinions. Furthermore, he also told me that gentrification in Chapinero has positively impacted his business by bringing in more customers and increasing profits, though it has also led to higher rent prices, which has affected some people in the area. This has changed consistently the population of Chapinero, Bogotá.
SalvoPatriaislocatedinChapinero, Bogotá, a lively and diverse neighborhood where the past and present mix uniquely. It is located in the upper part of Chapinero whichisafascinatingandbeautiful place. Salvo Patria is located near some restaurants with a similar aspect. Although, this restaurant has many astonishing things to offer that non-other restaurant doeslike flavors,decorations,and evenexperience.
1918 Chapinero
Chapinero was founded in the late 1800s as a rural area and quickly became a residential neighborhood for Bogotá’s upper class. Over time, itgrewintoavibrantdistrict,known for its cultural activities, historic buildings, and a strong LGBTQ+ community. Chapinero is named afterAntónHeroCesenadeCádiz,a shoemaker who made chapines, wooden footwear with straps. This makes Chapinero a very unique neighborhood.
Zona G is a popular area for food lovers in Chapinero, with some of Bogotá’s best restaurants offering many local and international dishes. A hidden gem in Chapinero is "El Parque de los Hippies", a small, animated park where locals gather to relax, make art, and enjoy music. There are also many cultural places to explore. Chapinero is well-known for its coffee culture, with many cafés serving Colombia’s famous coffee.
2025 Chapinero
With every bite of Endulza tu Paseo’s handcrafted Colombian desserts, you’re transported straight to the hearts of Colombian culture, where sweet aromas and rich traditions come together in every treat. Endulza tu Paseo is a delicious restaurant with multiple locations throughout Bogotá focused on spreading Colombian treats and deserts, so many people experience the magic of Colombia’s special culture. They thrive because of their goal to remind people of Colombia's beautiful traditions and customs, and they plan to transmit that message through delicious desserts.
Once you walk through the door of their main location in Torca you get to see a beautiful garden with a stone wall painted white and inside a gorgeous dining room and a diner-like setup with one delicious-looking dessert after another. You can order from the counter or your table and it will come out fresh. There are solid and liquid deserts, some solids are the miloja which also happens to be their most popular dish, and the quajada (custard), while some liquid deserts are: islas flotantes, dulce de mora (blackberry sweet), and postre de natas (cream deserts).
The location located in Bogotá has been a little affected by gentrification, especially regarding factors like taxes and inflation, but the magic of the place never faded according to the employees working in different locations. The owner says that he chose to work there because when they offered him to work on a project that would help others understand the joy of Colombian sweets. He was ecstatic to participate since the food industry has always fascinated him. When asked how the restaurant reflects Colombian and Bogotá’s culture, he mentioned how it's not only shown by the amazing and traditional preparation of the dessert but also by the consumers and how traditional Colombian sweets can brighten their day.
The restaurant is particularly incredible because of the scents. As a new smell, Endulza tu Paseo is a beautiful combination of various traditional desserts that will give you an idea of the taste as soon as you walk in, and trust me it is a breathtaking smell. If you have already smelt it before, you get a whiff of nostalgia and potentially childhood treats that remind you of home.
Chapinero is one of Bogotá’s most traditional and iconic neighborhoods, known for its cultural diversity, economic significance, and vibrant nightlife. Its history dates back to the 19th century. The name Chapinero comes from chapines a type of shoes made by the artisans that used to live in the area. During the 19th century, chapinero was a rural area with many farms and dirt roads connecting Bogotá to different towns, and it was used as the main connection for important cities at the time.
By the end of the 19th century, wealthy families had moved in to seek a quieter environment than the rest of Bogotá. Since then this part of the city has opened major banks, offices, and department stores, strengthening its economic strength and symbolizing social and cultural diversity. this was beneficial to many but was kind of hard for long term residents that could’t afford a more exclusive life. Chapinero is now considered the most exclusive district in Bogota.
My mouth was already watering as we walked down to the sidewalk and came to the little shop. We pushed the door open and were greeted with a aroma of enticing smells as we gazed at the delicious options. After we ordered we sat down on the soft chairs and they brought us our food. I got a chocolate cookie and a coco, the chocolate cookie was delectable and the coco was also amazing. We ate the savory food the cookie was soft and perfectly baked over all it was a delightful experience.
During the interview
I discovered that they are trying to make gluten free flour out of colombian ingredients there are currently 2 people working there but they are trying to expand and buy more locations. they are connected to columbian culture because they use columbian ingredients from colombian farms.
All images not sourced were taken by mom.
Chapinero Chapinero was founded in the 1900s. Its was named after Anton Hero Cepeda made wooden shoes for ladies that were good for walking in flooded streets they were called chapines. later the name chapines inspired Chapinero.
medium.com
Cl. 30 #5-98.
Instagram: gatosrestaurante
Facebook: GATOS Restaurante - desde 1996
Weekly Hours
Sunday 9-5
Monday 9-5
Tuesday 9-5
Wednesday 9-5
Thursday 9-5
Friday 9-5
Saturday 9-5
4.0
This colorful, creative, twostory restaurant on Cl. 30 #598. It's a coastal Colombian restaurant that focuses on keeping the tradition alive with influence from surrounding countries and areas. It has many seafood dishes like Casuela de Mariscos and el Menu costeño, and a variety of other dishes like Punto de Anca and Conchinita Pibil.
I looked at the surrounding brick, concrete, and steel buildings, the narrow street stood out. I walked down the brightly colored street, admiring the people eating delicious food, I turned and walked up the two front stairs on the bright magenta building. I glanced around and saw a small window that looked into the kitchen. We were asked where we would like to sit, and we chose a side room on the first story of the building. The small side room had a window on the right wall where you could see the front room. We sat as the waitress brought us the menus, I quickly read through them and decided to get my go-to meal, mojarra frita. The food came to our table quickly and the heavenly aroma filled the small room. I took a bite, the flavorful taste made me finish it fast. Once we finished, I asked to do my interview and after a few questions i got “We try to exalt the local cuisine with the help of Colombian ingredients. We support the Colombian countryside. We bring dishes and preparations from different locations in our country. Dishes from the west coast of Colombia, from the south and center, from the Pacific and the Atlantic, and we make a "fusion" of these dishes to "exalt" our gastronomic culture.” as my answer.This really showed how they celebrate Colombian culture from everywhere in the country and not just one specific place.
for Chapinero is one of the most important economic and commercial zones in Bogota. With many banks and financial centers, which are also near some major shopping areas in the city.
Chapinero was settled in 1812, it was a key route to connect Bogota to the north of Colombia. Later, in the 19th century, it became a residential area with mansions and many large homes, this introduced mule-drawn trams in 1875 and electrical lines in 1910. It underwent another change in the 1960s that changed it into a diverse place that attracted students and other young people.
: info@selvanevada.co
: (571) 6138778
: selvanevada.co
: @selva_nevada
: Selva Nevada
: @SelvaNevadaCo
Tv. 4 Bis #57-69 a 57-1,
Below Mini-Mal Restaurant 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
Next to Parque Portugal
Selva Nevada collects unique fruits from the Amazon and makes it into pulp. Here you can experience the exquisite flavors in ice creams, smoothies, and sodas.
My hidden treasure is located in the neighborhood of Chapinero Alto, in the Carrera 4A between calles 58 and 59
Vogue
The City Paper Bogota
Alcaldia Local de Chapinero
Alamy (For all the fotos)
Chapinero Alto is known for its small cafés and international cuisine restaurants. Additionally, it’s tolerance of different groups is well known. Its calm and cultural environment with bookstores, parks, art galleries, and cultural spaces makes it unique. And its residential appeal is interesting, combining modern apartment buildings and traditional Bogotá brick buildings. Its distance from commercial hubs is significant to business districts, making it a residential beacon for them.
Casa Lėlytė is a bed-and-breakfast cultural house. Where you eat vegetarian dishes dipped in traditional ways, while experiencing various art galleries from Colombian artists, live music, and presentations reflecting their magnificent ways from our home. Statua Rota is a remodeled building where you can make traditional beer while enjoying live music and art exhibitions. Here you can reflect on the neighborhood’s nightlife, soaked in the Colombian ways. Centro Felicidad Chapinero is a beautiful building where workshops are held to strengthen the community. These free workshops have activities to make people experience the beauty of Colombian culture, where you learn Colombian folk dances as well as art classes and culinary exploration.
More than 500 years ago, the Muisca tribespeople called this wonderful place home. Until the Spanish took over. For a while, the Dominicans (a religious and educational group) had control of these lands. In the late 18th century the neighborhood was named (most think it was named after a wooden shoemaker). Now the neighborhood was an elite residential area being urbanized with churches and roads. From here on, the first shop called Maniqui opened, marking the start of commerce, and the Gimnacio Moderno opened the possibility of education and the impulse of modernization. In the 21st century, it became a beacon for its resources, and the Hospital Militar was founded. Now it is a residential area with a great environment of restaurants and calm spaces.
Poorly maintained, medium-sized buildings were around the area where my hidden treasure was located. However, a nearby bakery called Mistral opened, sparking inspiration for the nearby buildings to change their ways into successful and exceptional establishments. This street has enhanced its reputation, holding an excellent atmosphere with a display of bars and restaurants, attracting many new residents and visitors to the neighborhood. The new flow of people has made the area much safer. I believe that this gentrification movement has significantly improved the neighborhood's lifestyle and overall identity. The only downside is that this effect has extended to residential areas, which disturbs families who prefer a quieter environment. However, this is a minor inconvenience compared to the overall benefits it has brought to the people of Chapinero Alto. CHANGES?
MON-SAT
12:30-11:00
PAJARES IS ONE OF THE MOST HISTORICAL RESTAURANTS IN CHICÓ (RESERVADO), KNOWN FOR BEING MORE OF A RESTAURANT WHERE SPECIFIC FAMILIES HAVE GONE FOR GENERATIONS AND THATS HOW THE WORD OF THE RESTAURANT GOES AROUND. ITS HAD 2 LOCATIONS SINCE 1950 AND STILL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESTAURANTS TO BOGOTA HISTORY SINCE.
When I arrived at pajares, the first thing that came to my attention was how the restaurant looked. It was a small entrance in a pretty empty area of chicó. Most people wouldn't expect there to be such a culinary wonder behind those doors. As I approached the entrance I felt the salty aroma of the freshly cooked meat envelop me. I had come with a mission, I hoped they would give me an interview about the deep history of the restaurant. As soon as I stepped inside I relished in the beauty of the paintings depicting a past bogota. It was so different from what it looks like now, I thought it was from a different place. The soft music, taking my ears to a new atmosphere lead me to the host table, where I politely asked if there was anyone who could help teach me about the history of the local, and what made it so special. After a few questions, the host explained how saturnino Pajares, owner of the local, moved to colombia when he was 24 in 1956 to cook for the president. Saturnino then spent the rest of his life entranced by colombia, trying to combine the cultures to make an amazing restaurant. The host kindly took some time off her work and helped us to a room which held a suitcase and a note from saturnino himself. She narrated how saturnino traveled with only that suitcase to prepare for the trip of his life. After the quick tour the host sat us down to our table, and while we were eating our mouthwatering meal, she handed us a book which had inside the entire story of pajares with pictures ranging from 1950-2023, filled with countless stories about an old bogota and how the restaurant evolved alongside it, taking it to what it was today. As I ate the food i felt the salty and flavorful taste of the meat fill my taste buds, truly one of the best meals i’ve had. After eating plentiful, I had to say goodbye and head home.
EL CHICÓ IS A NEIGHBORHOOD IN BOGOTA FOUNDED IN THE 1950’S. IN THE COLONIAL TIMES, IT WAS A RURAL AREA WHERE CROPS LIKE WHEAT PROSPERED AND HIGH STATUS FAMILIES WENT TO REST. EVEN BEFORE COLONIAL TIMES IT WAS OWNED BY THE GREAT CACIQUE OF SUBA. EL CHICÓ COMES FROM THE MUISCA WORD “CHICÚ” WHICH TRANSLATES TO "OUR ALLY" IN ENGLISH.
IT 'S MOSTLY KNOWN FOR LOTS OF COMMERCIAL AREAS LIKE THE PARQUE DE LA 93, EL MUSEO DEL CHICÓ, AND MULTIPLE SHOPPING CENTERS LIKE EL ANDINO OR ATLANTIS. EL MUSEO DEL CHICÓ BECAME AN ASSET OF CULTURAL INTEREST IN THE DISTRICT IN 1992, SHOWING PEOPLE HOW THEY USED TO LIVE BACK IN THE DAY, AS THE MUSEUM IS HELD IN AN OLD COLONIAL HOUSE WHERE ANYONE CAN SEE THE HISTORY OF CHICÓ AND DISPLAYS ALL THE OLD ROOMS IN WHICH THE OWNERS LIVED IN. THE AREA HAS GONE THROUGH DRASTIC MODERNIZATION IN WHICH MOST OF THE HOUSES HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED BY BUILDINGS TO MAKE OFFICES, APARTMENTS, AND MORE. ALTHOUGH YOU CAN STILL FIND OLD COLONIAL HOUSES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, OR HOUSES FROM THE 70’S- 90’S WHICH SHINE WITH NOSTALGIA TO GIVE A SPECIAL LOOK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD OF STRATUS 6, WHICH MEANS MOST OF THE AREA IS OCCUPIED BY HIGH CLASS.
My Review and favourite Dish: Vibrant and happy atmosphere with just the right touch of calmness.
My favourite dish was the octupus that you can see in that foto.
As I got closer to the restaurant I could see those traditional cartagena doors and in the air I could almost feel the pacific in it’s entirety with the smells. As I went through the door it was even better with the rich sound of salsa filling my ears and the smells more vibrant than ever. The food was delicious with the rich smells of the sea coming in through my nose. Around the restaurant you could feel the colombian spirit with plants pictures and a hat all native to Colombia. The restaurant experience was five stars not only because of the food but also because of the friendly atmosphere and the hospitality of the people.
The Colombian atmosphere was emphasized by the soothing salsa and the great variety of colombian plants filling the resataurant. Also the roof is made from a traditional colombian techniques wich adds to the atmosphere while the waiters bring you almost evry fish you could imagine that is native to the colombian part of the colombian sea
Salon Tropical, a restaurant that gets everything so very right,
Section of ceviches and tiraditos and tatar type dishes are bursting with freshness and flavour. The grill dishes are rich and caramelised and oozing with umami goodness.
Hand on heart I loved absolutely everything I put in my mouth
Favourites, the plates that come to mind are the shrimp tostones, the tangy crudo, the calamari and morcilla croquetas, the wagyu short rib, the pork chuleton, the caldereta of seafood (it's huge and made to share).
Chapinero has had a great deal of gentrification throughout the years that has completely reformed the neighborhood into a rich in diverse cultural place. This gentrification has brought more tourists than ever before but they still conserve they cultural heritage in many places in chapinero like in the restaurant I went to, Salon Tropical. Gentrification has helped them massively in the income of the neighborhood. According to the city paper Chapinero is 7 million pesos per square meter making it the third most costly to live in Bogota (but also the best place to live in) and all because of it’s mix of diverse, modern, and historical heritage. Also according to bymyself.com a trustworthy travel guide chapinero is also known for it’s nice and vibrant colours and atmosphere.
Francisco Muriel
Francisco Muriel
Francisco
Francisco
The ‘G’ in zona G stands for ‘gourmet’, which represents its foodie culture.
Zona G is located between Carreras 4 and 9 and Streets 64 to 72 and is a very popular street for both tourists and locals.
These streets are known for its diverse culture and small Colombian shops.
Zona G is a lot safer than it was a few years ago, and has many more expensive, modern-like buildings, but still maintains Colombian culture through older buildings, like the one Libertario is in.
When I spoke to the owners, they said the neighborhood had barely changed, due to protection laws around certain buildings. Surprisingly, most buildings have Victorian-style architecture and red brick buildings.
In Calle 70A #5 - 37, Libertario was established in a cute, little two-story building which is slightly hard to find. They sell premium coffees and cafe foods.
They work from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday and festivos (long weekends) they open at 8:00 am and close at 6:00 pm.
We got these little pan de bono bites that were amazing.
Their chai is delicious, but they are based on their coffee. Libertario is a coffee shop known for their quality drinks.
Libertario’s mission is to produce amazing Colombian coffee for everyone to enjoy.
I definitely give this place 5/5 stars, and we have to go again soon.
The street the café was on was filthy, smeared with small specks of dirt and grime. I was bracing myself for a coffee shop with dirty, peeling walls and windows accumulating dust. But no, Libertario was a small, golden haven in a dense concrete jungle.
We sat at a small table in the sun, our heads turned towards the warm rays. A waiter walked over to us, handing us our menus. They were so excited to pet our puppy, who was even more excited to see them. Our food was brought quickly.
I bit into my soft, gooey cookie, the chocolate coating my teeth. The bitter smell of coffee filled the air. Hungrily, we reached for our drinks. I took a deep breath, letting the smell embrace me like a warm hug.
They had a variety of popular café foods, like croissants and cookies, but they also had typical Colombian snacks, like some pan de bono bites. They sell mainly Colombian coffee along with typical Colombian foods made with local ingredients. The owners told us that most of their coffee comes from small scale farms from southern Colombia, including Huila, Nariño, and Cauca. Their foods, however, come from other small businesses and bakeries around Bogotá.
@TripAdvisor
Known For Usaquén is known for their Flea Market.
Central Usaquén celebrates Colombian culture because the flea market, where people share their culture by selling items they made or owned.
The Spanish stayed in Usaquén, when the Spanish left it was repopulated from people in Bogotá. In 1984 Usaquén was annexed into the city, Bogotá. Wikipedia
Usaquén used to be a very small neighborhood at first, but business people arrived and turned Usaquén into a rustling city.
Catación Pública is located in a place called Usaquén.
Cl. 120a #3A-47, Bogotá
Catación Pública is a little coffee shop in Usaquén. You can go and coffee taste there. You can buy other things than coffee, like French Presses.
HOURS:
Monday:
Coffee Beans
You can either get the coffee roasted or french pressed to drink.
Tuesday: 9 am–6 pm
Wednesday: 9 am–6 pm
Thursday: 9 am–6 pm
Friday: 9 am–6 pm
Saturday: 9 am–6 pm
Sunday: 9 am–6 pm
Catación Pública is at Cl. 120a
#3A-47, Bogotá. To get there, you have to go past the parking lot, then turn left at the next turn.
Have you ever dreamt of drinking such a savory coffee, different from others but still keeping true to Colombian culture? Well, then you’re in luck because Catación Pública has that kind of coffee.
When I was in Catación Pública, I was entranced with the beautiful yet small coffee shop with how much they had to offer us. The one thing that caught my interest the most was how we can witness them roasting coffee beans, to make coffee. The scent of the rich coffee while roasting gave a calm warmth over me, as well as the feel of the steamy cup of coffee.
You must be wondering, how does this coffee shop keep true to Colombian culture. If so, I am telling you this now. As you know, for most families here, they have a connection with coffee. When these families come to Catación Pública and try their appetizing coffee, they do notice, however, that the coffee is different from the rest. After knowing how they get and make their coffee, they not only love their coffee, but also how they share the authentic coffee experience. I got this information from my interviewee working there, Miguel Angel Ilonard.
Now I will be telling you how the neighborhood has impacted Catación Pública. From what Miguel Angel Ilonard, my interviewee said, the changes in Usaquén has impacted them positively because it is bringing more people closer to their coffee shop. Resulting in more people trying their coffee.
Chapinero was founded in 1812 by the many industries that were responsible for providing Bogotá with its daily necessities. Chapinero was named after chapines, chapines are special shoes designed to help people with pigeon toe syndrome. They decided to name this area after these specialized shoes, because they wanted to show the shoemakers' craftsmanship and the presence of suffering the peoplewiththisconditionhavetoface.
In the 20th century as Bogotá expanded so did Chapinero. This neighborhood began to evolve into the city’s urban development, and became more commercial and social. People were attracted to Chapinero because of its location on the edge of Bogotá and because of its calm environment. In the early 2000s Chapinero endured major gentrification because many of the older houses were replaced by modern buildings. The location made it significantly desirable for businesses and upper-middle class leading to increased prices. Today, Chapinero is a wonderful neighborhood to spend time in, as it has a wide social group and has a variety of diverse cultures that represent the old and new of Bogota. It is a very social place with its many restaurants and cafesaswellasmultitudeofdifferentshops.
Chapinero is recognized in many ways; its diverse culture that contains food, art and people, its many restaurants, shops and cafes, also because it is a very social place where family and friends can spend time together. In addition, it has some green spaces and parks, alongside the new modern buildings. Chapinero celebrates lots of culture specifically in Chapinero alto with its countless art galleries, cultural spaces, diverse restaurants, as well as festivalsandperformingarts.
Cafe Cultor is known for its exceptional coffee, as well as the coffee lands where the coffee beans for this business grow. These coffee beans are grown to perfection, demonstrating Colombianculturethroughexquisite,refinedcoffee.
“The target audience is people who like and want to learn more about coffee. The customer can have a new unique experience everytime.”
The coffee lemonade Lavender Chai tea
Apple custard
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sundays and holidays 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Address: Cl. 70a #9-44.
Imagine a coffee shop with rich, well-balanced, exquisite coffee! Now imagine that coffee and alongside sweet and salty treats, as well as refreshments and other beverages. Well I have good news for you, you have to imagine no more because Café Cultor is at your service to provide all this and more than you can imagine.
My heart gave a little jump as we approached Café Cultor. The old-fashioned style on the inside made me feel cozy and the simple but well-organized decorations made the dimly lighted coffee shop full of history and color. We sat outside, and there was a little bridge among flowers and the soft trickling of water that led to some plush outdoor sofas. My eyes scanned the menu, trying to decide what to order out of the infinite options. My eye catches on the chai tea section, specifically on the lavender chai tea just thinking about it makes my mouth water. We ordered one apple custard, one lavender chai tea, one coffee lemonade, one coffee, and two empanadas. The barista busy, was making a variety of different coffees with specially designed tools and machines. While we waited for our food I made up my mind to start my interview with the barista himself.
He told me, “The inspiration was to support different coffee-growing areas and regions that are not recognized by the national coffee federation and Café Cultor helps their illicit crops become coffee crops…It was founded in 2001 in 5ta Camacho, Rosales…Café Cultor is part of the exporter that obtains a wide variety of coffee from different regions of Colombia…We plan to expand the business to create new stores in different cities such as Medellín, Cali and Santa Marta to generate more movement and knowledge for Café Cultor…The founder's name is Adriana VillaNueva, she is the one who started the coffee exporter and brought with her her knowledge about coffee, and her contact with the coffee-growing regions…The target audience is those people who like it and want to learn more about coffee. That is why there is so much variety of coffee so that the customer has a unique experience each time.”
I was really intrigued by their dedication to the customers, making different varieties of coffee but additionally providing non coffee options as well as accompaniments to go perfectly with their star product; Coffee. The waiter appeared with our food. My chai had such beautiful design on top of the baby blue liquid that I didn’t want to drink it as I was afraid of ruining it. My mouth watered so I took a sip of my lavender chai and the soft aromaticflavorsexceededallmyexpectations.Theflavorswereexceptional,itwaslightand not to sweet, the lavender smell was strong and wafted up to my nose, giving me the sensation of tasting it all over again. My coffee lemonade was refreshing but slightly bitter withadriedlemonontopasdecoration.Next,Ibitintomycheese,tomato,basilempanada, themeltedcheesestretchesasIpullaway,thetomatojuicedrippedontomyplate.Mymom and I dove into the apple custard. The sweet apple sprinkled with cinnamon melted in my mouth and the crust was cooked to perfection not to soft and not too hard just perfect. My mom payed the bill, and we thanked the workers for their amazing service. Then we walked outourtastebudsoverjoyed.
This visit taught me so much about how the flow of customers affected their business as more coffee shops were made, but also as more restaurants opened it helped people learn about Café Cultor and become future customers. I hope you too can enjoy this wonderful cafe.
By: Maximiliano Galvis Nicholls
Bogotá is a very big city full of rich culture and fun neighborhoods. Lourdes is one of those fun traditional neighborhoods. The cathedral is immense and incredible, and I don’t think any local would disagree. Lourdes has been one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Bogotá for many years. That has changed a lot. Lourdes is not so prestigious anymore. The culture of the people there has changed a lot as well. My aunt, Ursula Nicholls, has known the area and lived there for a long period in her life. I interviewed her for this project and learned how people used to be very close in that neighborhood, and that now, people barely even say hello to whoever is crossing the road. The center of Lourdes, the cathedral, is very crowded and busy, while the other streets of Lourdes are lonely and silent. The main attention of the neighborhood is in the cathedral, which brings me to the culture of the neighborhood. My grandma lived in Lourdes when she was about seven years or so. She told me stories of how she used to play in the plaza and walk in the streets, living a happy childhood. That has changed a lot as well. The happy childhood part, I guess that it has probably not change, but I wouldn’t know. What I do know is that Lourdes is not as safe as it was long ago. Lourdes is now a nocturnal illegal drug selling spot, specifically outside the cathedral. This doesn’t mean that walking around the neighborhood in daylight is dangerous, it just means that you need to be cautious. Summing everything up, Lourdes is a neighborhood where going is totally worth it, and its necessary cautions don’t take away the tradition and meaning of the neighborhood.
By: Maximiliano Galvis Nicholls
By: Maximiliano
GalvisNicholls
The smell of coffee, pan de yuca, and smoke is the smell of the streets of Lourdes. Traditional and modern buildings all around the streets. In the center of this incredible neighborhood, is the majestic Basilica Menor Nuestra Señora de Lourdes. This is a neighborhood full of excitement and happiness, and where I discovered Eccora. My mom and I were walking down one of the less crowded streets in Lourdes, when she started scratching her arm, and we saw that she had an allergy. We stopped in a pharmacy to see if there was any cream for that, and they did have one. We bought the cream, but we were wondering if there was something to prevent that allergy from coming back. Likewise, we were looking for a natural cream, that prevented allergies. We kept walking down the street and I noticed a small store with a wooden facade and a big logo that said “Eccora: Del Vientre de la Tierra”. “Look at that store,” I told my mom while I pointed at the facade. “That looks like a really nice store,” my mom realized. We entered the store and saw a short, white skinned woman with long black hair. As she saw us enter the store, she turned around to welcome us. “Hi! Welcome to Eccora. My name is Ursula Nicholls, and I am the owner of this shop,” We shook her hand and told her why we were here. “Perfect!” she exclaims. “This is perfect because all the products you will see in this store are 100% natural and made out of local extracts like uchuva, maracuya, and other local extracts”. My mom and I looked at each other relieved. “Okay then,” my mom says, “Just tell me which cream to buy, the price, and we’re set!”. Ursula left through a door for a moment. She came back with a small container. “This is the Mascarilla Doble Limpieza, which will help you keep your skin in good condition. It is worth 104,000 pesos.” My mom looked at me in surprise. “That is a great price!” My mom bought the cream and thanked Ursula, and we continued our peaceful walk through Lourdes.
get there in the morning for special chocolate tasting! If you don’t want, you can get there from 9 am to 3 pm
milk coverage the famous saying my sister helped me (credits for her)
“At last!” I said as I saw the beautiful Casa Luker logo on the front of the brick wall. As I entered, I noticed packs of cacao piled, ready to be proceeded. As we enter, we were greeted by a magnificent person called Diana. The smell of chocolate filled my nose like a blanket. She first took us to a presentation showing Luker’s story around Colombia. It showed how Luker allowed cacao farmers around Colombia to export to their factories so that cacao beans could be created for the most famous “chocolate caliente” of Colombia, Chocolate Sol. This chocolate has sold more than 250,000 tons of chocolates throughout its history. After that, Diana showed us how cacao is made into 5 different coverages. Each coverage is stored in a different container, that is very heated. But first, they extract a type of grease from the cacao used in shampoos and lotions. When I touched one of the chocolates, and immediately it melted in my hands. They were so soft and silky, that my mouth started to water. at last I took a bite out of it and it tasted as the most delicious thing ever. Then, Diana took us to where they do the packages and where they pack each chocolate. Everything was hand-wrapped! This experience was great and I recommend it 101%
luker sign on the wall
My HT is located in Cl. 81a #8-13, Bogotá. This is in the neighborhood of Chapinero, one of the most known neighborhoods in Bogotá, following Chico in second. Chapinero has a total of 3,899 hectares, in the east side of the city, right next to the mountains. Its geographical location makes it one of the least polluted parts of the city. Chapinero used to be the home of the Muiscas an indigenous t ribe that used to live in our city. The first school to be built in the neighborhood was the Gimnasio Moderno,a boys only school.
The neighborhood has evolved from being farming grounds to the safest and most enjoyable neighborhood in the city. As you can see from the pictures, Chapinero has changed significantly over the years, facing a lot of gentrification specifically after the pandemic which was when my hidden treasure opened along with many other businesses in the area. Although Chapinero has gone through gentrification manytimes,itstillcelebrateswhatColombianvaluesare, with new businesses helping artisans from all over Colombia and making sure they can share their products with the diversity of Chapinero. That is the Colombian valueofhelpingourcommunitynomatterwhat.
After living in the same neighborhood for 13 years of your life, you would think that you know it like the back of your hand. That's not true. Not long ago I found a new place, that was built after the pandemic, and I was in shock. How had I never heard of this before? It just stood out to me how, as a local, I could even find new things out. On the car ride to the way to Pistilo y Gracia I was thinking to myself, about the questions I would ask, about how the place would be and about how much I would end up learning. As soon as we parked in front of the building, my mind paralyzed. This building looked so new and modern, and what I expected was the exact opposite. As I went up the stairs in between small business looking for the one who I was going to learn about, I took a deep breath, ready for what was coming. This shop was amazing. Every single piece in the collection, so priceless, beautiful, and one of a kind. This art feeding dozens of families and reaching hundreds of people. The plants in the pots creating a jungle like feeling, while the earthy colors bring you to the corners of Colombia where the pieces are made. If someone were to ask me to describe the business in one word, I would say inspiring. My visit was 15 minutes, but it felt like a lifetime. The owner, Natalia, telling me about what made this be and how she wants to create an impact. They have brought these artifacts to all over the world, London, Paris and Milan, showing our Colombian culture. Although this business was created because of gentrification, it represents Colombia in all of its essence. Helping the artisans to create professional environments, and most importantly, feed their families. This is all part of the Colombian value to help, and I am glad that I visited a business that brings out this value into the world.
the CasaLuker factory is located in the zona industrial in Bogotá
100 libros libres
All started in 1834, where there were efforts to urbanize Bogotá, creating in the process the zona industrial
The Bogotá free trade zone was established in 1944, expanding the industrial zone. the industrial making since that has been growing exponentially, doing the same to the zona industrial. Healy Consultants
Now this neighborhood is known to have the majority of factories in Bogotá, also having an enormous trading zone
This town originally started as an indigenous community that remained independent of the nearby city for a long time. It was known for its busy roads and constant movement of travelers. Many people passed through the town as they traveled between the city and the northeastern part of the country. Because of this, the town became an important stop for travelers, which helped shape its culture, economy, and way of life over the years. Usaquen is the largest town in Bogotá.
Calle119ConCarrera6a,Bogotá,Cundinamarca
Daniella Gaviria
Itisafamilytraditionthat started60yearsago, theycreatedittorepresent Colombiapastandculture.
Nariguera Calima largavida
Nariguera Sinu
Calle 119 con Carrera 6a Saturday: 11am-7:30pm Sunday: 9am-7pm
Interview QR code
Aluminousshineglowedintheblacknessoftheday,that'swhenasecrettreasurewasdiscovered.Throughthenebulousstreet ofUsaquen’sfleamarket,youcanfindthismarvelousstand.Assoonasyouspotthisplace,you’llgetattractedbyitswarm sensationandgentleowner.That'swhenImetFanny,ahardworkingwomanwiththemissiontocontinuetheirfamilyjewelry shop.Butwhatdoesthisjewelryshophavedifferentfromtherest?Theyallhaveattractivecolors,theyallaremadeofgood materials,but,doalljewelryshopsrepresentColombianculturethispowerfully?ThisisthereasonwhyPrecolombinosBaron Varonstandsoutfromtherest.Thisjewelryisbasedonthepre-Colombianjewelstheindigenouspeopledidbackintheday. TheoriginalpiecesarefoundedattheMuseodeOroinBogotá,Colombia. Itrepresentsourcultureandthefirsttraditions whilemakingthesejewels.Fanny’sfamilywantedtorememberColombianswheretheycomefrom,theirroots,andtheirpast. Everypieceismadebyhandinafabricandtransportedtoherstand.ThesejewelsconnectevenmorewithUsaquenbecause before,Usaquenwasanindigenouscommunity,thenitgotgentrification,anditbecomespartofBogotá.Thisactuallyhelped thebusinessbecausemoretouristswouldstartvisitingandthatmadethebusinessmorestable.Attheendofmyvisit,Fanny borrowedsomebraceletsandringsformetotry,itwasalovelyexperiencebecauseIwasabletotouchandputthejewelson, withoutneedingtobuyone.ThiswasmyshortvisitinPrecolombinosBaronVaron,but,itwilldefinitelynotbethelastone!
Chapinerohasshifted frommud-roofed housestotall buildings,withhigher costsandmoretraffic, movingfromstratum 3tostratum5.
Chapineroiskeyto Bogotá’seconomy, withbusinesses, restaurants,and servicesthatattract localsandtourists, creatingjobsand boostinggrowth.
Chapinero Alto is a cultural hub with old buildings, art galleries, and shops showcasing Colombian traditions.
Anantiqueshopthatfocusesonreturningold classicfurnituretotheiroldglory.
Thoneth´ s recognitionforthe furniture
At17,TheodoluDueñasdiscovered hispassionforwoodwork,leading himtostarthisowncarpentry business.Thisearlyexperience helpedhimdeveloptheskills necessarytobuildasuccessful familybusinessinfurniturecreation andrestoration.
Address: Cra.4a #66-19,Chapinero, Bogotá
AssoonasIwalkedin,thecreakofwoodenfloorsandthesightofoldchairsandtablesmademefeellikeI’dwalkedintoaroom fullofsecretswaitingtobetold.Amixofsmellsfilledupmynose,thearomaofoldwoodwithpinefusedintheairandmademe feelathome.AssoonasIenteredtheshop,Sandrawelcomedmewithherfriendlysmile.AsIsatdown,westartedtheinterview. Iaskedmultiplequestions,onebeing,Whoisyourtargetaudience,andhowdoyoumeettheirneeds?Thebusinesshas maintainedaloyalclientbaseovertheyears,withmanyoldercustomerswhohaveaprofoundappreciationforthe craftsmanshipandenduringbeautyofantiquefurniture.Theseclientsdeeplyvaluethehistory,character,andqualityofolder pieces,oftenreturningforrestorationservicesorcustom-madefurniturethathonorstraditionaltechniquesandartistry. AnotherquestionIaskedwas,Whatarethelong-termgoalsorvisionforthebusiness,andhowdoyouplantoachievethem? Sandratoldme,“Thelong-termgoalsofthebusinessarereflectedinitscommitmenttopreservingthecraftsmanshipand traditionofantiquefurniturewhilecontinuingtoprovidehigh-qualityservicesforfuturegenerations.Asthebusinessevolves,it aimstomaintainitsstrongfamilyvalues,buildonitsreputationforexcellence,andadapttothechangingneighborhood dynamics,ensuringthatthetraditionofqualityrestorationanddesignispasseddownandappreciatedbybothcurrentandfuture clientele.”ThebusinessreflectsColombiantraditionthroughitsdedicationtocraftsmanship,usinghandwoventechniquesand valuingthepreservationofantiquefurniture,whichtiesbacktothecountry’srichhistoryinartisanalwork.Additionally,the family’sdevotiontoSaintJoseph,thepatronsaintofcarpenters,highlightstherespectformanuallaborandColombiancultural valuessurroundingcraftsmanshipandheritage.
Theneighborhoodchangehasnegativelyandpositivelyimpactedtheshop.Ithadagreatimpactbecauseasmoreshopsand restaurantsmoveintoChapineroAlto,morepeoplevisittheantiqueshop,makingitamorepopulartouristandlocalzone. However,ithasalsohadanegativeimpactbecause,asamorecontemporarycultureemerges,atraditionofconservingculture andappreciationforolderfurniturestartstovanish,inotherwords,theplace'sclientele.Toendmyvisit,IvisitedTeodulo(the founderoftheshop)andrealizedheislosinghisabilitytohearduetothestrongmachinerynoises.WhileIwasthere,Ilearnedthat cultureisnotonlysomethingstereotypicalofaplace,cultureispassingsomethingthatbringsloveandpassiontoeverybody around,andthisfamilybusinessisaclearexampleofthat.AsIwasleaving,Istoppedsuddenlyandstartedlookingaround,taking inthebreathtakingsightsofTeoDueñasantiqueshop.
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Chapinero
CHAPINERO IS A WONDERFUL CITY THAT STARTED TO BE CLAIMED BY GENTRIFICATION IN THE LATE 1980S AND EARLY 1990S. BEING THE SECOND LARGEST NEIGHBORHOOD IT IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS FRESH PRODUCE. THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS RELATIVELY SAFE.THE ENTIRE AREA OF CHAPINERO IS 38.01 SQUARE KILOMETERS.LIVING THERE FOR 1 1/2 YEARS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NOT THAT MUCH ACTIVITY BUT AT NIGHT IT CAN GET RELLY DANGEROUS.
https://buceoypesca.com/categoriaproducto/pesca/
WHEN I WAS WALKING PAST MONTHS AGO AGO, JUST MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS AND THEN I SAW IT, THE AMAZING SIGN OF BUCEO Y PESCA. BEING A FISHERMAN MY FACE LIT UP WHEN I GOT INTO THE STORE SAW THE FISHING EQUIPMENT. BOTH ME AND MY DAD WERE EAGER TO GO SCUBA DIVING BUT WE NEVER HAD THE TIME OR EQUIPMENT BUT THIS GAVE US A CHANCE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT AND MAYBE WHEN WE HAD TIME BE ABLE TO GO SCUBA DIVING.I STARTED TO TOUCH THE SUITS, THEY FELT FUZZY AND A LITTLE BIT WET EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD NEVER BEEN IN WATER. THIS WAS A WEEK BEFORE A FISHING COMPETITION AND THIS WAS THE PERFECT TIME TO GET EQUIPMENT. I BOUGHT ABOUT 100 DOLLARS OF FISHING GEAR AND I TOLD THE PEOPLE I WOULD COME AGAIN FOR MY FISHING EQUIPMENT. NOW ABOUT A MONTH AGO I CAME BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THIS PROJECT. THIS TIME THE SHOP HAD A SORT OF MUSTY SMELL BUT IT SMELLED LIKE HOME. I GOT AN INTERVIEW FROM THE SHOP OWNER AND SHE TOLD ME MANY THINGS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE STORE. BUT ACTUALLY THE FIRST THING SHE TOLD ME WAS THAT SHE HAS BEEN TRYING FOR 20 YEARS TO PRESERVE THE COLOMBIAN CULTURE OF FISHING BUT THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HARD BECAUSE OF THE DAMAND OF SCUBA GEAR AND NOT OF FISHING GEAR. THE ORIGINAL OWNER DIED 3 MONTHS AGO AND HE HAD BEEN TRAINING HEER TO RUN THE STORE FOR 33 YEARS AND IT STILL DOESN’T FEEL THE SAME WITHOUT HIM. I THANKED HER FOR THE INTERVIEW AND THEN WE LEFT.
Made In Heaven is located in the neighborhood of Unicentro in Calle 109. Although I said that this street is in Unicentro, it is transversal to several neighborhoods including, Santa Barbara and San Patricio. This neighborhood is known for luxury furniture stores, interior design shops, and home decor boutiques. The street is usually named the “Design Street” of Bogotá due to the concentration of high-end home goods stores. Although this might seem very exclusive, you can still find boutique cafés and pastry shops perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
Some brief history of the area: at the beginning of the history of this neighborhood, this street was not important. However, over time, this street became more luxurious and transformed into a significant area for high-end commerce. Now, this street appeal is more preferable by its wide sidewalks adorned with palm trees, creating an inviting atmosphere for shoppers and visitors. As I said, this street was really unreverent, but by the mid-1990s it began to attract new business. By 2010, this street had become an exclusive street. The area between Carrera 15 and 19 became more relevant for shopping.
This area has celebrated culture in many ways. One of them was in October 2023, the Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural (IDPC) organized La Semang de la Cultural Ciudadana in the Santa Bárbara. This week, Colombian culture was celebrated by promoting community engagement and cultural appreciation. This week, the organizers take advantage of the event to promote new buildings and beautification for the neighborhood (gentrification).
“Con amor y perseverancia puedes lograr todo lo que te propongas.”
While being in the area, I really recomend going to Unicentro to get something to eat before going shopping. In Unicentro there is also space for shopping, but also for drinking. I would really recommend T4, a bubble tea shop.
Google maps
Made in Heaven they don't just sell clothes; they offer a personalized experience, ensuring that each piece is an authentic reflection of the wearer. Made in Heaven supports the community by giving an opportunity to designers. If you have a unique vision for your next piece of clothing, want personalized advice, or want to schedule a fitting appointment, they are there to help. They help the designers and models to make their dreams come true by including them in their shop or giving them an impulse for their careers.
Made in Heaven is a boutique where you can make your dreamed outfit from zero while using colorful designs.
Everything you need to know!
Address: Cl. 109 #18B-22, Bogotá
Phone: 318 7844007
Hours: M-S: 10am-7pm
La disciplina te lleva a cumplir tus sueños.
How can a piece of clothing represent you? Fashion can tell a lot about a person, like the colors you wear. How can Made In Heaven represent you in a way you feel like yourself?
When I opened the door of a small store, I could see it was a special store. I was overwhelmed with all the pieces of clothing there were. Prom dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, blouses and much more. The Colombian heritage and influence was noticeable with all the flowers and colors in the pieces of clothing. Karen, one of the co-funders of Made In Heaven, greeted me with a smile and a hug. She explained that “We draw inspiration from Colombian culture to create versatile pieces that adapt to different lifestyles. We want every garment to tell a story and for those who wear them to feel that connectionwiththeiridentity.”
Karen then explained the textiles. Each textile have a unique color, texture, and pattern reflecting different cultures. In addition, these textiles can be re-used and are usually recycled. She explained the color theory and the motto they go by. She explained that basically the color theory was based on the color of your veins, green veins people should wear warm colors and blue vein people should wear cool colors. However, she contradicted herself by saying how Made In Heaven does not live by those “rules”. She clarified by saying she had green veins, but would always wear cool colors. She said that in Made In Heaven she designed clothes for people to feel like themselves, not to livebysomecolortheory.
Karen led me to where they store their silks, where she introduced me to her mom while she was doing some designing of her own. Then she led me to their “factory” where they create all of their pieces of clothing. She introduced me to their designer: Alberto, which was creating an elegant flowy green dress. Finally, she led me to her office where she showed me her sketchbook where many of her top clients dresses were sketched. She said goodbye, giving me a small present of a small textile, a calendar of their store and a photo of my favorite dress.
Karen told the story of how the store started with empathy and excitement. The legacy of fashion started with her great grandma. Her great grandma lived in Cúcuta and had 13 kids, in her free time she would help the poor. She in total would sew 80 dresses for little girls for their first communion. She would ask “How do you imagine your dream dress?” and then she would create these pieces. The runway show for her was to see the little girls walk into the church to receive their first communion.
The story of Karen started in Bogotá since a child, she learned how to sew and immediately loved it. She studied in Europe for fashion, and she got inspired by Colombian culture to start to design her own clothes. She started to sell them to her neighbors, gym friends, and even people from other countries began buying them. Then she asked my mom, aunt, and grandma to help me with, organizing and finance. They started to sell online and it was a big success. After that, they realized we needed a physical store. They opened a small shop in Colombia and started manufacturing and distributing from there. Later, with the pandemic, they had to adapt. They decided to focus on online sales also they created clothing for girls. That’s how their children's line was born, and it has been very well received. Today, we have just one physical store, but we sell in several countries: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Germany,andSwitzerland.
I stepped out of the store with an inspiration of using my own identity and my creativity to create a shop of my own.
My hidden treasure is located in Chapinero, specifically at Cll. 79b #8-10. This neighborhood is rich in history for many reasons.
First, it was formerly a family estate, with its history linked to the Colombian Republic and important surnames. This street is significant because it was the home of Carlos Holguín, who served as president from 1888 to 1892. His brother-in-law and wife contributed to the construction of the iconic Capilla de San Juan de Dios.
At the peak of the street's activity, there were up to 20 antique shops that specialized in restorations, collections, and sales. One notable shop, Antiquario Novecento, has been a part of this vibrant area since its inception. Chapinero is not just a place; it tells a story of Colombia’s past and its cultural richness, making it a fascinating area to explore.
Joyeria Schumacher as the name states is a jewelry store located in la Calle de los Anticuarios roughly a quarter way up. This jewelry store offers different services but mainly focuses on Colombian made jewelry, displaying it at the front of the store. All of their items are handcrafted. It is also a family owned business and is related to the other businesses on that street.
Cll. 79b #8-10
Monday-Friday- 10am to 6pm
Saturday- 10am to 5pm
Sunday- Closed
“Nuestros productos estan hechos por 4 joyeros colombianos que trabajan en la parte de atras y an estado aqui desde casi que 20 años.”
A quote from the owner explaining how their products are made by 4 jewelers who have been there for more than 20 years.
As soon as I walked into Joyeria Schumacher, I could hear the sounds of drills, rocks tumbling, and sparks flying from the back. But in front, it was a modern paradise. How can a few rocks combined with some beautiful metal create such stunning masterpieces? The main purpose of my visit was to conduct an interview, but browsing couldn’t hurt, right?
I took a look around at the beautiful glass cases filled with precious, glittery stones of different shapes and sizes. The interview was amazing with Andres Schumacher, the friendly host. He explained how the evolution of the neighborhood has benefited the business, with the specific street maintaining its antique charm. I learned a lot about the history of his company, which has moved three times before settling in its current location. Originally owned by his grandfather, Hermann Schumacher, the business has been passed down through four generations, each adding their own touch. One of the most interesting things he shared was how their methods have changed over time. He talked about how they have modified their techniques to improve their craft. After our conversation, he led us to the back, where all the magic happens. Although some of the craftsmen were out at the time, we still got a thorough overview of the process. “The jewels and gemstones go through this tumbler to get their shine before being polished by our amazing workers,” Mr. Schumacher explained. The back looked like a treasure trove, filled with breathtaking rocks and incredible tools. The best part was that everything was authentically Colombian handcrafted! The jewelers, the tools, and even most of the gems come from this beautiful country. It was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the art of jewelry making and the rich culture behind it.
This scale was brought from Germany during the Second World War by Andres Schumacher’s greatgrandparent becoming the beginning of their legacy.
A couple of years ago, all four generations worked at the shop at the same time. This was a memorable moment for everyone included.
What is La Calera known for? La Calera is known for several things. First of all, many residents of Bogota, Colombia, like to go there since it is approximately close and gives you a break from the city's bustle. La Calera is also known for its natural beauty, with its hiking trails and tall mountains, and its cultural heritage, including traditional festivals, crafts, and cuisines.
The History of La Calera: The neighborhood of La Calera began as an area habited by The Muiscas, Then taken away in the Spanish invasion. But La Calera, as we know it today, was founded on the 16th of December of 1772 by Pedro de Tovar.
One area that celebrates culture in la Calera is the Centro Centro Cultural. This place often has festivals and artistic events showing the art from la Calera. Another Cultural zone in La Calera is its Church, La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario. The residents of La Calera visit this church religiously. It is also a historical site and plays an essential role during cultural celebrations.
Over time, La Calera has changed in many different ways. It has become more residential and less agricultural, and with more people starting to live here, more employment is needed. Familia Real only hires people from La Calera and Sopo to help with this issue. Even though La Calera has evolved, it remains a rural zone surrounded by nature and an enormous amount of fauna that is hopefully never drowned in cement. We also see many new businesses being brought to this place. For example, a Dollar City has recently been implemented, something that you would never see before. Furthermore, la Calera has faced gentrification, but in La Calera's case, this money has helped the community by bringing businesses and options. Of course, with gentrification comes an increase in prices, which is one of the more negative impacts, but overall, in La Calera, gentrification has had more positive than negative impacts.
This hidden treasure is an amazing place to go to buy Many of the farm products you use in youre house daily like eggs, cheese and a new addition kefir. You not only get to buy delicious newproductsbuttherearemanyother things to do for example you can and see the camazing mountains from there while you get a wiff of the fresh mountainair
Address:Km26VíaLaCalera,CentroComercialPotosí, Social media
KefirFamiliaReal(@kefirfamiliareal)
KefirFamiliaReal
Overview of the business: Familia Real is a farm produce business based in La Calera. They sell all organic and natural farm produce, including many things, such as eggs and honey, but their main focus is Kefir; Kefir is fermented goat milk, which is like yogurt but with many more probiotics. Familia Real’s Kefir is unique and like no other because, first of all, their animals live in vast open space farms and aren't imprisoned like many others. When I went to look at this place, I found a beautiful small shop in the Potosi mall. As soon as I entered, the smell of liquid sweetness instantly filled my nose. I later saw the fantastic food and the office whereawhiteboardstoodwiththatday'sorders. This business is owned and managed by Estefania Godoy and Variel Alvares. They make all their products from their farm in La Calera. Their inspiration for Familia Real came with COVID-19. It all started when orphanages needed to find temporary families to take care of the children since they couldn’t keep them all together in this period of time. Estefania and Variel, along with their two kids, Valentin and Ramon, decided to adopt one of them temporarily, called Maia. This girl had many digestion problems and was diagnosed with deep depression, So they started doing everything they could to make her better. As time went on, Maia startedgettingbetter,butitseemedlikenothingworkedtocureherdigestionproblems,soEstefaniastartedreadingandinvestigating,tryingtofindeverypossible cure when she stumbled upon Kefir, which was supposedly gonna cure her so she told this to Variel, and he went out and instead of coming back with a bottle of kefir, came back with two goats. They made kefir and gave it to Maia, and after a very short amount of time, this substance changed her life. Estefania and Variel were shocked by this extreme improvement, so naturally, they started drinking it along with their children and got the idea that everybody should get a chance to try it. Their business started growing not only because everybody wanted to try this but because it started improving everyone's life and tasted wonderful; later, they began adding vanilla-flavored kefir, eggs honey and cheese, quickly expanding more and more in the near future, and with the help of there team they will start to sell their products in different places. They have a new upcoming collaboration with ghee for a new morning cereal. Over time, their business has only gottenbigger,andbusinesshasbeenrunningfor4yearsandwillcontinueformanymore.
My feature neighborhood is Usaquen. There's a lot of history in Usaquen, The area of was abandoned by Spanish decree in 1777. However, it was later repopulated by the people from Bogotá. Usaquen used to be a municipality for a long time, but later in 1954 it became an extension for the city of Bogotá (Wikipedia). Usaquen has changed very gradually over the years , it has started to become more commercial based, and has become more focused on shopping than it used to be.
Usaquen has many different attractions that it's known for. It has some pretty popular shopping malls like: Santa Ana Centro Comercial and Unicentro Centro Comercial that have been around since the midseventies. Other than the shopping malls, it's also known for the weekly Mercado de Las Pulgas (Flea Market) where vendors sell traditional Colombian things.
The representation of Colombian culture in Usaquen is shown in many ways, for example specifically in the central area where they set up the weekly Mercado de las Pulgas, and it's the most popular place people think of when they think of Usaquen. Since the center is the most popular it also shows and celebrates a lot of culture. Most of the things people sell represent Colombian culture in some way, for example they sell a lot of handmade crafts and artisans like bags, pottery and so much more. These products are very traditional and Colombian. Selling products like these celebrate a lot of culture surrounding Colombia.
Enchapinero.com
Cra. 16 #108-22 in Usaquen.
Website
Hours:
Sunday: 10:30AM - 12AM
Monday: 12AM - 7PM
Tuesday: 11AM - 7PM
Wednesday: 11AM - 7PM
Thursday: 11AM - 7PM
Friday: 11AM - 7PM
Saturday: 11AM - 7PM
Ciento Ocho
It's easy to get there if you park nearby because there really isn't any parking, so I would suggest to park and then walk.
Casa Ciento Ocho is a house/ store where a bunch of Colombian artists and business owners can show and exhibit their products for people to buy, in total there are more than 180 brands. I would recommend spending a while at each different business so you can check out what makes them so unique and different and how they represent Colombian culture through their products because every single business has something new. There is also a bakery at the front so you can get yourself a nice snack as well, I would recommend their chocolate pudding.
How can a small hidden house in Usaquen change the way I look at small Colombian businesses? I'll tell you how. Once I walked into Casa Ciento Ocho my eyes were blasted with color, I could smell the fresh aroma of new clothes ready for sale, I could hear the murmured conversations people were having and the calm music that was playing in the background. I was thrilled to start my experience. When you walk in, there are many paths you can take, they will all take you through a bunch of different and cool businesses. To the left there is a small bakery with tons of delicious baked goods like empanadas, cakes, cookies and a lot more. I decided to have a slice of chocolate cake. Outside there was a small eating area where you could sit to have a snack, the area was so classy and peaceful, it made my slice of chocolate cake taste 10 times more scrumptious. The flavor of rich chocolate exploded in my mouth. After I had my cake, I went back inside and started looking around. I was flabbergasted by all the cool and different things I saw, there were so many things like jewelry, dresses, jackets, decorations and even baby clothes and toys! Everything I saw was more appealing than the last, all the textures were different, waxy, fluffy, silky, ridged. Everything had a different shape, square, triangular, circular, all the products made me more curious to want to learn more. While I was there I noticed that every single one of the businesses that were there has their own way of expressing Colombian Culture through their products, for example a lot of the jewelry businesses used Colombian techniques and beads to make it. Another example is that a lot of people use traditional Colombian patterns to create their products. Also, the store in its whole is run by Colombians and when I was doing my interview I was told that there are only Colombians in the artist collective, and they are super proud of their culture and their store inspiring other people to start a Colombian business of their own. During the interview I was also told that since the area over the years has been gentrified with a lot of restaurants, people mainly go out in the area to eat, not to buy, so it is hard getting people to walk in and explore for themselves. However, it has also impacted the business in a good way because, since this area has been affected by gentrification a lot, it has also drawn more attention to their business.
WrittenbyThomas E.Gonzalez
Usaquen is a popular tourist destination and because of this gentrification had and will affected long time residents. This also caused less modern buisnesses to leave forcefully.
Credit:DevasahayamChandraDhas
In Usaquen Market you can find all sorts of artesenal crafts like candles knitted dolls and other unique crafts. Most stand owners are friendly and will answer most questions.
Credit:MelissaD.Gonzalez
Tip Top Trompos is a buisness in Usaquen Market owned by Sol Castro and his partner Ana Maria Gomez. At Tip Top Trompos they sell as the name implies, trompos or tops in English. They normally have a stand in Usaquen Market but if not there, they also have a shop in Artesano cafe.
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When we first approached the stand I had a burning question in the back of my mind. “Why are spinning tops made?” Luckily I got all my questions answered. When we initially arrived we were surrounded by options, there were so many possibilities. The food stand smelled heavenly on that hot day, which made me even anxious. That’s when we saw our hidden treasure, it was a puny stand compared to other stands I’ve seen. It was called Tip Top Trompos. We were greeted happily by Sol Castro, one of the owners of the business, who told us his partner Ana Maria Gomez would be glad to interview. They said in the interview they made this business because they wanted to mix Colombian culture with nostalgia. What better way to embody these traits than the simple top?
You might be thinking “Tops can be bought anywhere and they aren’t part of colombian culture!” Actually most Colombian families are from fairly low income than the rest of the world, meaning it isn’t easy to buy toys for their kids. Tops however, are cheap and can be used for days upon days. We bought a few of the tops and to my surprise they were glossy to the touch. Sol and Ana sell several types of tops with mutiple different colors, even some with Colombian flags! Overall my experience there was amazing and if you get the chance to go, try checking out their products.
Credit: Melissa D. Gonzalez
Penélope
Rebecca Ghiretti
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