Tunja is a university town with the center of town high on the hill. Our hotel here is very nice, Casa Real. Conveniently located near the main square the hotel is housed in a colonial building with a garden in the center. Our room is large with two giant windows. The beds are more comfy than some and covered with down comforters atop thick wool blankets which is important for this high mountain location. Breakfast is included as well~ fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee, fruit, bread and eggs (we had omelets this morning). We are living it up for less than $35.00 US a day! Viva Colombia!!
We arrived yesterday, Sunday, and treated ourselves to a lasagna / pizza dinner after we settled in.
This morning we toured the Museum of the Fundador, the oldest colonial home in Latin America housed in the building on the left of the cathedral in the picture above.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and a great story teller, luckily his Spanish was clearly spoken so we understood quite a bit. We toured with two other Colombian couples who were very kind to us making sure we understood what we were seeing. One most interesting artifact was a concave copper dish, about 3 feet in diameter, which was filled with fire to heat the large rooms back in the time. How the people survived the smoke they inhaled is a wonder!
This picture was taken from second floor of the museum overlooking the main square of Tunja.
We also took a day trip to Paipa, about 30 minutes away by bus. There we soaked in a thermal pool, ahhh, it felt great, though I still feel salty and covered with other minerals because I refused to jump into a cold shower after soaking. Our bus ride home was a bit exciting because the minibus had every seat filled (18 in all) when the driver stopped to pick up seven more who stood nearly 30 minutes. Buses are never really full here!
We stepped inside this church after the bus dropped up off at the top of the hill.
I had to snap a picture of our late lunch/dinner today because it was so delicious though starchy. The menu always includes a bowl of soup to start and today I had chicken breast, Keith chose Carne Asada (beef), sides included rice, beans, potatoes, coleslaw, and a yummy sweet bread with shredded carrots. Including our lemonade, $5.00 US for the both. How can you go wrong?! Oh yeah, heavy calorie count!!
Jodi, it took me awhile to get thru your posts--I had alot of catching up to do of your trip. The murals are so beautiful and the music. But I don't know if I would have done well in the Salt Mine Cathedral, tho. Irish Chieftains and Columbian music competing--time for earplugs. The quiet rainstorm. So many varied physical and sensory experiences must be stimulating and at times exhausting? Love the videos very much too. Keep safe and all my love to you!
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