Bogotá Scenes, Young and Old

These kids were scavenging metal from a bombed building in the Santa Fe neighborhood, now being demolished. 

Over the last few days I've come upon these scenes in central Bogotá, mostly involving young people, but a few old as well.

The kids had a fire going, probably to burn the plastic off of wiring, to sell the metal. 

The neighborhood contains the city's main red light district, and lots of delinquency. What  might these kids' families be like?

In La Candelaria, the police had patted down a bunch of youths and arrested two of them. This kid pleaded not to be arrested, but the cop insisted: 'I'll bring more police' he insisted. 'And more police. And even my mother!' 

The youth's friends pleaded he be let go. 

I couldn't find out what he was arrested for. Most likely, drug possession. 

These kids turned a street in La Candelaria that's being repaved. 

The neighbors never thot this street was particularly bad.  But, of course, there's money in street work.

This older man participated in a senior citizens' demonstration (here called members of the 'Third Age', demanding more government support. 

Looks like a guy with lots of determination!

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Children's Tombs

The Bodmer sisters, who are now called saints.

Bogotá's 180-year-old Central Cemetery is a city in itself, much of it crumbling, but full of beauty, history and traditions.

The cemetery contains many of the nation's ex-presidents, important families and other luminaries, as well as thousands of common Colombians. And amongst these common people are interred many infants, generally in tombs rented for only four years.

A Bodmer sister, with a believer's flower.

The tragic stories behind these children's deaths are only hinted at by the poignant messages written on the tombs.

One Bodmer sister died in infancy in the 1894; nine years later, two more sisters died in either a house fire or an epidemic, according to different traditions. The grief-stricken family built this tomb for their daughters, one sister pointing the way to heaven for her sibling. Today, they have become two of the cemetery's main popular 'saints.' People leave them offerings of flowers, toys and candies and believe that the girls can perform miracles.

This infant, who apparently died at birth, never even had a name. 

Happy Birthday Dayana

My little son: You went to heaven because God needed a precious angel at His side. 

I love you and miss you!

Many of the children's tombs do not have headstones, perhaps because they are only temporary, anyway.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Bogotá's Children's Day Parade

A few scenes from today's children's parade.

However, along the way, thes indigenous woman and infant were sitting on the sidewalk, begging. In Colombia, 5,000 children die each year from problems caused by malnutrition. 12 percent of Colombian children suffer from chronic malnutrition. And many of those children will suffer reduced lifetime mental development, all according to a recent UNICEF report.

Written by Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours