The Siete de agosto neighborhood in Bogotá has its main shopping drag along Avenida Carrera 24 in the upper 60 blocks. Central to the barrio is the bustling Plaza de mercado 7 de agosto, the flower, fruit, meat, vegetable and artesanía market at Calle 66 # 23-30. I go to this market for many reasons, among them R 12 potatoes (not available in Carulla), freshly shucked peas, calendula flowers and handmade ceramic flowerpots. This past weekend I found wonderful red painted artesanía Pinocchio pull figures for 10,000 pesos (about $3) each.
Vendors lined up along Carrera 24 selling farolitos and candles for the upcoming December 7th night of velitas, one of Bogotá’s very special and traditional nights of the year. On the evening and night of December 7th, and officially introducing the upcoming Christmas celebrations, restaurants, stores and just plain ole folks line up small candles on the sidewalks outside their businesses or residences.
The Siete de agosto district radiates out from the Plaza de mercado onto neighboring streets in a wonderful jumble of stores selling paper products (green or red festive shopping bags for the season’s gifts?), kitchenware (enamel plates?), baskets, hand hewn wooden spoons ……. the list goes on.
Spending time in Siete de agosto is a super way, for a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon, to get to know what makes Bogotá Bogotá.
christopher burke colombia 