Hacienda La Margarita del Ocho

For Chepe's mother's birthday today the entire family went to Hacienda La Margarita del Ocho for lunch and entertainment. Does the family name Ochoa sound familiar? Well, the restaurant is owned by the Ochoa family, two sons of which were top  lieutenants in Pablo Escobar's Medellín cartel. The father, Don Fabio, actually used to run the place and, though he has never been in trouble himself, his two sons have been released early from prison (too early for one of them, who, fearing for his life, asked the authorities if he could stay behind bars a little longer).

I know you were waiting to here something about the drug cartels. I insist that so far I have not seen any indication that there is a violent drug related past or a thriving drug trade (which there still is).Today, traffickers operating from Colombia continue to control wholesale-level cocaine distribution in the US.  Instead, I've felt very safe. In fact, I feel safer here than other places I've traveled (for ex. Istanbul and Ho Chi Mihn and Bangkok). Does it make a difference that I'm in the company of a native, sure. But I have yet to experience or observe anything remotely shady in my environs. One reminder that security is a priority, however, is that every apartment complex or house is gated and guarded, including Chepe's family's flat. It's unremarkable after a while.

Would it be possible for me though to squelch your misconceptions about this country? Yes, cocaine production did financially support several Colombian families and increase GDP and the standard of living throughout the end of the 20th century. However, Colombians are not going around with straws up their noses. There aren't semi-automatic armed military on every street corner. If anything the only weird thing about Bogota is that there or no tourists! I've never quite experienced being one of the only tourists in a such a travel worthy place.  Not for long I imagine. This may be one of S. America's best kept secrets.

Back to the Ochoa Hacienda... Well Fabio Ochoa was know to have a huge interest in horses so one of the features of the restaurant is a horse show in the barn during your meal. The horses are trained to walk in a very elegant, controled, tight, small steps. I need to ask what this style was called. It's totally unfamiliar to me. As I enjoyed another authentic meal, this time Bandeja Paiso (large plate of chorizo, pig skin, fried egg, avocado, rice, minced beef, rice stuffed sausage and beans) we were entertained by some traditional dancing and singing. Chepe has now warned me daily that I might gain a few kilos while I'm here. I have yet to eat a single vegetable since being here which really freaks me out. Definitely a huge emphasis on the meat, potatoes, rice and beans, all yummy of course! The extra kilos wouldn't be hard to pack on but I don't plan on it.  I need to be in a bathing suit in a week after all. Chepe tells me "you eat like a pigeon". His random sayings are priceless. In response I promised I would try everything.

At one point one of the horses took a crap right next to a guests feet in the middle of his meal. No big deal. Someone hurried to scoop it up. Later they brought in miniature horses, a llama, and some sheep for an impromptu petting zoo for children. I interestingly observed the laid back Colombian parenting style. Some of the parents plopped their babies on the horses without even worrying about holding on to  them while they took pictures. I realized that all of these things would be pretty unacceptable by American standards. I mean, horses pooping right next to your food, can you say bad Yelp! review?? The Colombians have an easy-goingness about them that I certainly appreciate.