Chapter VII
Before We Meet
A few final notes.
- Money
- The currency is the Colombian peso. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Bogotá and at the hotel, but carry some cash for markets, taxis, and tips. Withdraw from bank ATMs rather than street machines.
- Weather
- Bogotá is cool and changeable, so bring a jacket. Girardot is hot and humid, around 32°C in December. Linen is your friend. So is sunscreen.
- Language
- Spanish, mostly. English is common in Bogotá hotels and less so in Girardot. A translation app and a willingness to gesture will carry you a long way.
- Safety
- Use app-based taxis rather than hailing on the street, keep your phone out of sight while walking, and stick to the neighbourhoods we've suggested. Colombia is warm and welcoming; a little ordinary caution is all that's needed.
- Health
- No vaccinations are required. Drink bottled water in Girardot, take the altitude slowly in Bogotá, and bring insect repellent for the evenings.
- Gifts
- Your presence is genuinely the gift; several of you are crossing an ocean for us. If you would still like to give something, there will be a small box at the reception, and nothing more is expected.
- Children
- Loved, and welcome. Tell us in your RSVP so we can seat and feed them properly.
- Photographs
- Please keep phones away during the ceremony; we have someone wonderful for that. Afterwards, photograph everything.
If something goes wrong
Write to the hotel on WhatsApp at +57 321 2146820, or find any of our families on the day. Someone will always know what to do.