No matter how important we say they are, first impressions can be unfair. Depending on the situation, it is very possible you don’t have nearly enough information to assimilate an impression that is just. Upon many of my first impressions of Colombia, I have been delighted- sometimes simply due to the fact that everything is new and intriguing. Later on, …
I just returned from a backpacking trip with my two brothers. It was fabulous that they made the time and effort to come to Colombia to visit me. I’m thrilled to have been able to share a bit of my Colombian life with my immediate family (my parents were here in August)! From a word-of-mouth recommendation, I booked a …
We’re back into rainier months in Bogota. It rains here frequently anyway, but during a couple months twice a year it rains even more. I’ve been through one season so far, April-May, which was pretty darn wet. The reasonably nice days have begun to change just this past week, and heavier rain has occurred in the afternoons and late at …
Let’s call her Whitney. And maybe she’ll grow up to save the world one English lesson at a time….. My parents had no idea of the road I’d take them on over the years on as I’ve grown, changed, made 1000 mistakes, needed help, changed my mind, explored new roads, stayed on some of the same roads, changed my mind …
A neon sign in a bike shop caught my eye during a Sunday Ciclovia ride: Se Vende La Calidad De Vida which means “Quality of Life Sold Here”. It made me laugh. My previous career being a Wellness Director for a wonderful retirement community (Frasier Meadows in Boulder, CO), it would have been really convenient to have “Quality of Life” for …
I teach a variety of levels of English to my business-professional students. Most of them are high-level speakers already, but I have a couple who are closer to a beginner. I have a lot of respect for each of them because they are busy juggling work and life and learning a second language. Language mastery is quite difficult, especially as …
I’ve never lived in a city that covers a huge area of land, or is extremely densely-populated, so Bogota is new to me for this reason as well as all the other reasons that fall under “South America”. But I’m sure some of the challenges and the access/opportunities are similar to what exists in New York City, San Francisco, and …
Sorry to have kept you waiting on more info from me, my dear Readers! I’ve been living in Bogota for 2.5 months now. That paradoxical feeling that describes the passing of time: “wow, it feels like such a long time, but not…” is definitely in play. Every passing day I settle in a little more. I am now not so …
…and on a practical note, Como se dice means “how do you say…?” and is a phrase I’ve been using a lot. Daily. Hourly. I love the Spanish language. I am enamored by learning another way to communicate, plus I really like the Spanish pronunciation and flow of the sentences. Maybe it has something to do with my Mexican …