My friend Carlos, before moving to Australia, introduced me to Zoltan Bokor. Zoltan owns Bokor’s Sandwich & Coffee Cafe at Calle 47 #14-23 in Bogotá, Colombia with his partner Diana Rodriguez. This is a great little coffee shop because it offers something few businesses here in Bogotá offer – customer service! It is only 2 blocks from my apartment so even on days my MS is active, I can can still make it there for a coffee. The original goal of the visits was to just get out of the apartment a few minutes of the day, but now Zoltan and I have become really good friends. He is originally from Hungary but lived in England for a while. He and I enjoy that we can speak in English and understand each other in the new Spanish-speaking culture we find ourselves living. His partner does speak English, but she is still an “insider” in Bogotá. Zoltan and I share the experience of adjusting to this new culture which is a unique bond. So add a great new friends Zoltan and Diana with coffee (and some times beers) and sandwiches, it is a welcomed oasis for me. I am kind of like Norm from the tv show “Cheers” because everyone knows my name there. The regulars and I sometimes exchange quick English/Spanish lessons. The coffee, sandwiches and beers are much less expensive than any coffee shop in the U.S. also adds to the charm for my poor ass! It is rare in my experience to find a place here in Bogotá like Bokor’s Sandwich & Coffee Cafe. Borkor’s does not rest on having good food, but stresses customer service and a friendly atmosphere. It is typical here in Bogotá to have one, maybe two of the experiences but to have all three and to be owned by someone who makes friends with his customers and tries to get to know them is very rare.
Zaltan Bokor & Diana Rodriguez at the Sandwich Shop
The café is close to the Universidad Católica de Bogotá (the Catholic University of Bogotá) and has a steady flow of students, professors, school administrators as well as folks living in the neighborhood. But like any place that severs beers, Bokor’s has become quite busy “After Class”!! Some students skip the beers and just have a coffee and/or sandwich visiting with other students about their day. Some discussion even appears deep and intellectual as if they are solving the issues of the world. In the back of the café are a few computers for public use that for a small fee are used to surf the internet and WiFi is also available for the “real” American coffee shop experience so that I can pretend to be writing the next bestseller!! lol.
For 2,200 Pesos ($1.10) Gets Anyone the Small Sandwich Combo
Even With Good Food, Good Friends, Mixed With Good Times.... I Have Been Able To Lose 25 Pounds (13kgs) In 2 Months
Thomas Johnston 