With the annual bookfair going on in Corferias, I decided to tour the bookstores of central Bogotá, where you don't have to pay admission, can hang out as long as you like, and can pick up hours of entertainment or a piece of immortal literature for less than the cost of a beer in La Zona Rosa.

La Recreovia is sort of La Ciclovia's little sister. During La Ciclovia, which happenings almost every Sunday and holiday, hundreds of people swing, jump and shake it up in mass aerobics classes held in the Parque Nacional and other location.

The Pasaje Rivas, a central Bogotá market which offers the essence of Colombianness, commemorated its 120th anniversary this week. The L-shaped pasaje connects Carrera Decima to Calle 10, and is full of souvenirs, furniture, clothing and lots more. Its vendors are proud that the pasaje pioneered the retail trade in Bogotá.

Colombia is known for its coffee, but it plays a much bigger role in the world emerald market, where it produces more than half of the stones - and some of the best ones.