My first experience backpacking

It has been a while since I have been with the feeling of just go elsewhere. Something inside me has been asking to go out of my comfort zone.

By end of 2016 I set a goal that by year 2020 I needed to take my ass somewhere outside my home country. It didn't matter to me where, as long as I was not in Panama.

During 2019 a lot happened that took me on a month trip through Europe, and then it was time. I worked on keeping my own goal of leaving Panama before 2020.
So, on Christmas day I took a flight to Bogota, Colombia. Although the stay there was for over 24 hours I made every minute count.

On day one I walked around La Candelaria looking for a cheap hostel to spend the night, after visiting about five different ones, I arrived to a restaurant called "Ramen House" for my luck it was a hostel too.

I asked for the lowest price and was told 30,000 colombian pesos including breakfast, which was less than 10 euros. Although the price was over by 10,000 COP from the other four;  the way I felt there made me stay.

I met Maria; a very helpful lady that took the time to give me the best advice a new traveler can get. "Trust no one but don't show it". She shared some of her personal experiences of her years traveling and therefore she knew what I was just starting.

Being that December 25th was a holiday the streets were all decorated with colorful lights all over showing some Christmas spirit, not that I am a fan but checking how the streets were looking and how people gather around was something to see. 

I decided to have a walk to Plaza de Bolivar, which is a historic place. Maria offered to ask one of the guest in the hostel to join me.

The guest was a young man 30 years old, someone with whom I shared some interesting conversation. I have to say he has a story which I will write about later because is so extense that I could probably write a book.

I will not mention his real name for now, so,  lets call him Max. The night was getting chilly and called for some hot tea, which colombians called "aromatica" a mix of herbs and fruits in boiled water. I have to say it is delicious!
We walked back to the hostel and we said good night. The weather said it was 10 degrees, I was freezing and covered myself in all the clothes I had in my bag, because the sheets were not enough. I survived the night.
This is all for day 1... more to come soon!