Altitude Sickness and the Bogota Climate.
[QUOTE=Xpartan;2192511]Am I understanding correctly that Saturday and Sunday are going to be dead in Santa Fe and elsewhere due to the dry law?
Arrived in Bogota yesterday. Guys, soroche hit hard.
BTW, no one here knows what "soroche" is. Must be a Peruvian thing. Here they call it mal de altura, if I'm not confusing anything.
It hit me differently than Cuzco. In Cuzco I had a severe shortness of breath and headaches for the first day, but the next day I was fine. In Bogota, I didn't feel anything at first. Then I had a beer. My heart began pounding.[/QUOTE]Sorry to hear about your problem with altitude sickness. I might be going to Bogota as early as Labor Day, and I am naturally concerned how altitude sickness can mess up my trip. However, I am thinking some of us might not have an issue with it. I spent a few nights in Mexico City with no problems. I just found out its up at 7300 feet, something I had not known before. I have also been to Taos, NM (7000 feet) numerous times without an issue other than a shortness of breath when walking up some steep stairs. I wonder what that extra 1500 feet in Bogota will do to me.
One source I found online states that "in Bogota only a small number of people suffer from altitude sickness after their ascent into the city the likelihood is increased with a rapid ascent to a high altitude. Many people don't suffer, especially when arriving by plane as they land from a higher altitude. " Hmmm, arriving by plane. Apparently diet can be an issue, too - "Eating leafy greens can help to prevent altitude sickness due to their high levels of salicylic acid. These acids act as an anti-inflammatory and can help thin the blood, allowing the oxygenated blood to travel to all corners of the body. Taking on carbohydrates can prevent altitude sickness as their digestion helps to generate glycolysis (carbohydrate storage), which releases energy at a faster rate. " So eat your salad! Though as I recall from my visit to Medellin, avoiding carbs when eating out is the real problem in Colombia. A veteran traveler and tour guide had this to say "A better cure is a sweet herbal infusions or aromatica as it is called locally. Some swear by coca tea, but actually any warm sugary fluid will pick you up as it is the glucose which alleviates the symptoms. I found Coca Cola, long recognized as the best hangover cure, is almost miraculous for altitude with its rich mix of caffeine and sugar. " Note to self, indulge in Coca Cola. The whole article is here:
[URL]https://thecitypaperbogota.com/bogota/why-bogota-might-be-your-altitude-problem/12962[/URL]
Now would someone try and clarify the climate in Bogota? What I read are a lot of contradictions. I keep seeing Bogota referred to as "cold" or chilly" (including the article above), with highs in the mid-60's and lows in the upper 40's year around. Though I come from a warm climate with a hot summer, I don't find that to be "cold". In fact, by Labor Day, 50 degrees Fahrenheit will sound great. I also understand that Bogota can be damp or foggy, and we know how humidity enhances the cold. Yet other travel related sources refer to it as being dry due to its altitude, admonishing the visitor to hydrate by drinking more water. I visualize wearing a light jacket or a blazer, long sleeve shirt with jeans and regular leather shoes. But, when I look around Bogota using Google Street View, I see a lot of guys in their shirtsleeves. I curious what those who have visited have to say about that.