a la orden

[asakiyume]

In Japan, even before you enter a store, an employee will call out "Irasshaimase!" inviting you in. In Bogotá it was "A la orden!" Around lunch time, employees of the eateries would cruise around with menus--at some distance from the eatery, even--and invite you in.

That's what happened to us with El Patron. Leonardo, who looked like a teen and had a brilliant smile, came up to us and ushered us up the street, around the corner, and into El Patron. When my Spanish got us only so far, he introduced us to Laura, who spoke beautiful English and chatted to us about all sorts of things. She had the best way of saying "egg-ZACT-ly" when I guessed what English word she was searching for. The food was delicious and plentiful and very, very inexpensive. We came back several times, and in our conversations we learned that Laura was from Venezuela (many Venezuelans have taken refuge in Colombia because of the economic free fall of present-day Venezuela).

I loved this message at El Patron:



(There is no Wi-Fi; talk among yourselves)

It's a very them type of message. El Patron is not an on-the-map place. (It's not the "El Patron" that comes up if you do a search on that name and Bogotá. I know exactly where it is, and it's not listed on Google maps even at the highest magnification. Sailing underneath the radar.)

Here's a view from where we sat.



And here is Laura (on the right), with Erika--"not just a coworker, we're truly friends," she said.



El Patron was the sit-down place we liked best; otherwise, we liked getting things in the street. Here, arepas:



They are cooked on a charcoal brazier on the front of a very sturdy bicycle.

And here's a mobile coffee vendor:



Fruits deserve an entry of their own....

Comments

[queenoftheskies]

That's cool.

It sounds like you had some really great experiences.

[asakiyume]

We did! More to come... I'm brimming over with them.

[sovay]

Here's a view from where we sat.

This is a wonderful picture, which sounds like it means it's a good representation of the place.

[asakiyume]

It is good--it's what I have to hang my memories on, so it has to be.

[khiemtran]

Funnily enough, I saw a similar no wifi sign in Sydney last week. Perhaps there's a global movement?

[asakiyume]

I've definitely heard of similar messages here too, so maybe so. I'm all for it--although, pragmatically speaking, it's definitely handy to have Wi-Fi available in places. I guess what I hope for is a varied ecosystem, some places providing Wi-Fi and some places like El Patron.

[khiemtran]

I have to say having mobile internet while travelling really is a game-changer. We noticed it especially when we were in Taiwan last year. That's not to say the travel is now better or worse, only different, and I guess that's what's exciting. What's the point in travelling if you're not interested in change?

[asakiyume]

Change is a tricky one for me: I love experiencing new things, but when I find things I like, I cling like mad and don't want them to change. (It's fine if things I don't like change, of course.) But gradually gradually--and recognizing that all things **do** change--I'm getting over that clinginess :-)

[mallorys_camera]

Loving your descriptions and travel photos.

[asakiyume]

Thank you! I'm happy to have indulgent readers ;-)

[amaebi]

I'm so very glad that your trip was so filled with joy. It's one of those things that's giving me a sense of some reassurance when I need it. "Yes! Some things really are still proceeding with sanity, decency, and grace! Hablen entire ustedes!"

[asakiyume]

I'm so glad these posts *are* that for you. (I'm wondering about your UK trip--will you be posting about that?)

[amaebi]

I'll try, since you're interested.

Right now everything seems extremely hard.

[asakiyume]

I'm so sorry to hear it. Well--please only as and when it will bring you some pleasure to do it. The last thing I want is to add another burden to your back.

[gale_storm]

Oh, wow, that all sounds incredibly good! Would that there were a sort of wifi to transmit tastes or scents!

[asakiyume]

I think what we need is transporter beams--so you could go there, just for a meal.

[st_martin_a]

My kind of place.
Que bueno!

[asakiyume]

De verdad!

[randomdreams]

That looks amazing. I'm envious of your travels. We got waylayed into a place that only served beef tongue, when we were in Sendai, precisely because of an Iraisshimase!

[asakiyume]

This is what's so charming/dangerous about places that have a practice of calling out to potential customers--at least for those of us that come from places that don't do it.

[rimturse]

Wonderful!
I like the no Wi-Fi. :)

[asakiyume]

Hee, I'm glad!