BEHIND THE LENS
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA BY PABLO MAYORGA
From your perspective, what attracts you to a city and captures your attention?
The everyday life of each place. I love being a “tourist” and seeing with fascination the things that are ordinary to the locals.
What does Bogotá smell like?
It depends on where you are, but generally it’s a mix of freshly baked bread, eucalyptus, coffee, and pollution.
What does Bogotá taste like?
Like Don Chucho’s chicken, canelazo on the Séptima, and, in general, it smells like Chinese, Lebanese, and American food. Like its people, its charm lies in its variety.
What was your first impression of Bogotá?
I spent my entire childhood and adolescence in Soacha. Going to Bogotá was always an exciting trip to connect with my passions: from feeding pigeons with my grandfather in Plaza de Bolívar to eating at a McDonald’s. Hanging out at friends’ houses, visiting museums, enjoying the food I love… It was all always about an hour and a half away. Since I’ve been living in the city, I observe it more starkly, but without losing the romanticism. And, of course, always grateful for it being the land of everyone (and, at the same time, of no one).
If you had to choose your favorite thing about Bogotá, what would it be?
San Andresito. Since I was a child, my mom would go there to buy jewelry, and all that time wandering around taught me to see the streets with attentive eyes; there’s chaos, color, sparkle, darkness, and adrenaline in every corner and warehouse.
A local food or drink?
Definitely lechona, accompanied by a cold Cola y Pola.
If Bogotá had a song, what song would it be?
Cortes de Minora by my friend Relikario. It’s a song about how hard, yet beautiful and necessary, growing up is. If there’s anyone who could sing to Bogotá the way I see it, it’s Nicolás.
If Bogotá had a visual graphic, what would it be?
Yin and yang: contrast, balance and imbalance, peace and chaos, light and darkness in constant rotation.
When you travel to Bogotá, you can’t miss…
Simón Bolívar Park, the events happening every weekend, and the best bread in the country.
Something everyone should know before visiting Bogotá?
The city’s bipolarity: from the sunniest day, you can be in a downpour in no time.
What is the most special and unique thing about Bogotá, something you haven’t seen anywhere else?
The truth is, I feel like I’ve seen it all here, and that’s the charm of the city. You never know what to expect, for better or worse, and it prepares you to go anywhere in the world with an open mind.
A word or slang?
Parchese.
What does beauty mean to you?
Seeing. Opening your eyes and seeing: my parents proud of my journey, my friends happy doing what they love, my dog wagging its tail when I get home, and the lab’s email letting me know my film rolls have been developed.
