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Fontibón

The day starts very early for us. Thanks to the jet lag, we wake up around 5 a.m., but there’s already light in Bogotá, and the streets of Fontibón are buzzing with traffic and bikers commuting to work. Alexa’s mother rises early as well and begins preparing some coffee—here they call it “tinto.”

Fontibón is one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in Bogotá, located very close to El Dorado Airport. I quickly notice the unique style of the houses here; they are beautiful, with large windows and rooftops overflowing with plants and flowers (though some have dangerously low railings or none at all). Fontibón is primarily a neighbourhood of stratums 3 and 4, corresponding to the middle class, with some residents belonging to stratum 2.

This morning, we’re heading to the hospital to visit Alexa’s niece, Ariana, and bring her some clothes and soap. She’s currently dealing with a strong infection. We’ll be biking there.

The ride through the streets of Fontibón turns out to be an amazing experience: chaos reigns everywhere. Cars, bikes, and people walking in unexpected directions create quite a scene. There is a lot of noise. I see vibrant colors, delicious food, and interesting shops everywhere, but I need to stay focused on the road to avoid running into something. I follow the crowded bike lane, which is definitely a bumpy ride—literally!

The next morning, Alexa, her mother Nubia, and I enjoy some chocolate, arepas, and eggs with mushrooms for breakfast before heading out to buy groceries on foot. We stroll along Carrera 100, popping into a few clothing shops along the way.

We also treat ourselves to a sweet snack: milhoja with masato de arroz at Pastelería Toledo.

Another highlight of Fontibón is the busy market square. Inside the market hall, there are all kinds of fruits I’ve never seen before. As we explore the shops, señora Nubia picks up some huevos criollos and onions.

Even though this is a completely different world, I’m loving everything I’ve seen of Fontibón so far!