While I’m here in Bogota I won’t be able to write the long, detailed blogs, but I will try to return periodically and let everyone know what’s going on with your favorite storyteller.
I just wanted to take a second and share an experience I had in a restaurant in the barrio of Candalaria. The restaurant is called “Pimienta y Cafe” (Pepper and Coffee). The owners name is Myriam and she is one of the sweetest women. We spent time talking after the most amazing meal of traditional Colombian dishes. There was one dish of mushrooms sauteed in white wine, garlic, a hint of pepper and some kind of sweet, creamy cheese that I’ve never heard of before. It was delicioso!
While we were talking her grandson, Juan Felipe, entered the room and grabbed his grandmother around the waste as though he were returning from an extended journey. After I pulled it together realizing that this woman was a grandmother (she looks like she could be in her mid to late 30’s), I conversed with Juan Felipe. He was so much fun. Myriam disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a slice of cheese cake prepared by her husband. I began to see that this trip was going to be one long violation of my gastro-intestinal fortitude.
Myriam doted on her husband, Francisco. He is a merchant marine who is constantly traveling the world. While traveling in Europe he took cooking courses and learned the art of French Pastry. It was his cheese cake that I was voraciously devouring. No cake is supposed to be that good! I don’t even eat cheese cake. Well, I guess I do now.
She brought her husband in to meet me and before I knew it, I had a new best friend. Francisco invited me onto the roof of the restaurant, which doubles as their home. From their rooftop is an breath taking view of the entire city of Bogota. Francisco and I talked for quite some time and he even had his grandson Juan Felipe play piano for me.
I live such an enchanted existence and I never want to take it for granted. This is only my second day in Bogota and the magic seems incessant.
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