There are many associations that you can join:
- http://www.acdac.co/#!notas-a-los-asociados
- http://www.amsocbogota.org/join/index.html
Saludos,
Avila
Monday, February 10, 2014
Diplomatic Assocation
Dear Bogota Expats,
There are many associations that you can join:
There are many associations that you can join:
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Transforming the Bogota Bus System - TRANSMILENIO
Dear Bogota Expats!
The first thing that anyone mentioned to us about moving here is that the traffic is terrible. It's true. In the less than 20 times I've been in a car during the first two month, we have often been at a standstill - especially if you head out of town.
Enrique Penalosa, mayor of Bogota from 1998-2001, gets the credit for creating hundreds of km of bike lanes and bus lanes all over the city and for strongly improving the city and its Ciclovia. He has a philosophy that pedestrians have the same rights as cars, so that a bus filled with 80 people deserves the space of 80 cars, and large sidewalks. He created the Transmilenio bus system (dual bus lanes in both directions) that gives buses a private lane. He wanted to transform the idea of bus - that the people never use the word "bus" - he changed the color, design and name of these massive system.
Problems that existed in Bogota:
- there were very few sidewalks
- people parked their cars all over
- too many cars (idea to put more money into the highway system - built for cars - is immoral)
- few recreational spaces for the poor
- high crime rate (more killed from cars and motos than from the guerrilla warfare)
Good videos on Bogota's transportation transformation:
The first thing that anyone mentioned to us about moving here is that the traffic is terrible. It's true. In the less than 20 times I've been in a car during the first two month, we have often been at a standstill - especially if you head out of town.
Enrique Penalosa, mayor of Bogota from 1998-2001, gets the credit for creating hundreds of km of bike lanes and bus lanes all over the city and for strongly improving the city and its Ciclovia. He has a philosophy that pedestrians have the same rights as cars, so that a bus filled with 80 people deserves the space of 80 cars, and large sidewalks. He created the Transmilenio bus system (dual bus lanes in both directions) that gives buses a private lane. He wanted to transform the idea of bus - that the people never use the word "bus" - he changed the color, design and name of these massive system.
Problems that existed in Bogota:
- there were very few sidewalks
- people parked their cars all over
- too many cars (idea to put more money into the highway system - built for cars - is immoral)
- few recreational spaces for the poor
- high crime rate (more killed from cars and motos than from the guerrilla warfare)
Good videos on Bogota's transportation transformation:
- PBS E2 (squared)'s program: Bogota: Building a Sustainable City
- TED talk by Enrique Penalosa
Think about how to make better community where you can live...
Saludos,
Saludos,
Avila
Friday, November 22, 2013
Nanny Conundrums...
Dear Bogota Expats!
Wow, as most of will have at least one person or more helping us in our home, this can be a frustrating and bewildering process of learning, on both parts - both for the empleada/ninera and for you!
Some tips as we've been through a number of nannies even within our first 40+ days already:
Wow, as most of will have at least one person or more helping us in our home, this can be a frustrating and bewildering process of learning, on both parts - both for the empleada/ninera and for you!
Some tips as we've been through a number of nannies even within our first 40+ days already:
- Make sure the person is someone you will be comfortable with in your home, has a good attitude, not too exigente (demanding)
- If the person is young with children (or even older with young children), consider that her children will get sick often and 1) make her sick, and 2) possibly not be available for work
- If the person is young and single, be aware if they do not go out late at night and do not have the energy to come to work
- Have a talk about all of your expectations:
- Feeding/sleeping schedule
- Arrival/departure time
- Payment schedule
- Vacation, sick leave, etc (if you are paying a salary)
- If they wear perfume, have long nails, what they wear (sandals, non-street shoes)
- If they are going to use/open anything in the house, they should ask; speak specifically about what machines/appliances they are allowed to use
- Lunchtime meals
- Cooking expectations
- Developmental preparation for the children -
- If they are sick, they should not come
- Extra hours
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Baking at high altitude... 8,261 ft!
Dear Bogota Expats,
Anyone bake at high altitude? Denverites? Yesterday I tried my first baking experience of chocolate chip cookies (The famous New York Times recipe!)... yes, a total flop (though still edible). Then I consulted King Arthur's webpage... increase the temp, decrease baking time, increase liquid, increase flour... I can see how all these would definitely help!
[Update Dec 8. 2013 - we had some Colombian friends over and they said something sort of simple... go buy some cookbooks for Colombia? But what am I 1) to do with my recipes from the US which are excellent, and 2) what do I do when I leave with these Colombian recipes? Maddening???
I did see amazon has a few recommended books, like Pie in the Sky... I might have to download or order those!]
Happy Baking,
Avila
Anyone bake at high altitude? Denverites? Yesterday I tried my first baking experience of chocolate chip cookies (The famous New York Times recipe!)... yes, a total flop (though still edible). Then I consulted King Arthur's webpage... increase the temp, decrease baking time, increase liquid, increase flour... I can see how all these would definitely help!
[Update Dec 8. 2013 - we had some Colombian friends over and they said something sort of simple... go buy some cookbooks for Colombia? But what am I 1) to do with my recipes from the US which are excellent, and 2) what do I do when I leave with these Colombian recipes? Maddening???
I did see amazon has a few recommended books, like Pie in the Sky... I might have to download or order those!]
Happy Baking,
Avila
high-altitude baking
The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure. While this is an excellent environment for training athletes, it is a difficult one for baking recipes. Baking depends on the specific interactions of several kinds of ingredients: flour, leavening, fats, liquid. To complicate things further, individual microclimates vary greatly in the mountains, so the adjustment that works for you may not work for your neighbor down (or up) the road.
These charts are meant as a starting point, to help you convert recipes. Different types of baked goods need different adjustments, and we offer suggestions about where to start further on including adjusting chemical leavens according to altitude and baking cookies at high-altitude. It may take a few tries to get results you’re happy with; if possible, try to adjust only one ingredient at a time, so you can isolate the effect it has. Be sure to keep notes on what you’ve done, and try the smaller adjustments first when a range is given.
For more information…
Because high-altitude baking is a complex subject, we recommend a set of publications that cover all aspects of baking at 3,500 feet and up, from the Colorado State University Extension Resource Center. For questions, call toll free at 877.692.9358, refer, to their website, or at e-mail them.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
VAT Tax Reimbursement - IVA-free shopping!
Dear Bogota Expats,
One of the great benefits of my husband's "diplomatic" status is that we exempt from paying IVA taxes. In Colombia, there are different taxes - 5%, 8% and most common and worst of all, 16% tax for most non-food items and non-service items. (Unfortunately if you go to a restaurant, it is counted as service and you cannot be reimbursed for any of those costs!) Every quarter they collect taxes and after about 4 months, we will receive the reimbursement of each prior VAT tax submission.
So what information do you need? Please see below the process and procedures to this:
Happy reimbursements!
Avila
One of the great benefits of my husband's "diplomatic" status is that we exempt from paying IVA taxes. In Colombia, there are different taxes - 5%, 8% and most common and worst of all, 16% tax for most non-food items and non-service items. (Unfortunately if you go to a restaurant, it is counted as service and you cannot be reimbursed for any of those costs!) Every quarter they collect taxes and after about 4 months, we will receive the reimbursement of each prior VAT tax submission.
So what information do you need? Please see below the process and procedures to this:
- Keep all receipts that have IVA on them
- No need to keep the small credit card slips (ditafono)
- On each receipt, you will have find the following:
- Name of the company "sociedad anonima (S.A.S.)" which is often different than the name of the store/restaurant
- The company's NIT number
- Invoice number
- Address of the store
- Total amount of the receipt
- Total amount of the IVA
1. If it says "impuesto consumo" or "impuestos" on the receipts (mostly from restaurant receipts), do we include these?
- Please include the impuesto al consumo
2. On McDonald's receipt, for example, it doesn't explicitly say IVA, but it says "subtotal" then "Total aqui con IVA" - should I calculate the IVA amount myself?
- One of the requirements of DIAN is that the receipt should explicitly say IVA however please include those invoices, we will check if we can include it.
3. What is the date from which you are able to claim VAT reimbursement from?
- Ask your office administrator when you were issued your diplomatic number (though the physical card may not be in your hands just yet)
4. Just to confirm, should any of the ditafono (credit card machine) receipts be submitted? Should we keep them for our records?
- Credit card machine receipts are not necesary,
5. How should the receipts be organized, with a paperclip in order alphabetically?
- The receipts should be organized just as you said alphabetically with a paperclipHappy reimbursements!
Avila
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Private Clubs, Part II - First Invitation
Dear Bogota Expats!
Today, a lightly rainy afternoon, we were invited to Club Campestre Guaymaral by one of my husband's senior colleagues. The club is located north of Bogota, about 45 minutes out of the city depending on traffic (which of course always exists)! As we drove into the complex, it was extremely impressive, beautiful, verdant and very well kept up. We passed horse stables, an expansive golf course, and saw many tennis courts in the distance and a lovely clubhouse! In some ways, it reminded me of West Virginia's famous The Greenbrier Resort though the feeling is distinctively different. Though also very 'white' there is a different feeling of 'white' in Latin America than the 'whites only' feeling of the American South. (Both of course are a bit unsettling, but for me it seems a bit more pronounced - elitist - in Latin America.)
We had a delicious lunch - the special menu was focused on Mexican cuisine - and we were extremely well attended to, I must admit. There are so many staff people underfoot, and even a dessert cart came out in the end. [Of note, there were tons of young children around, including lots of strollers, and in Latin America they are always welcome and well cared for.]
We were told that as we hold diplomatic status, we would be exempt from paying the initiation fee, but would have yearly fees of about $5000USD - around $500USD per month.
We are considering joining a private club as a social outlet though I'm not sure if 1) this would the style in which we would like to live, and 2) if this would be worth it for us if we just went 1-2 times per month. It seems the money could be spent in other ways in a more productive way for us. We would like to see some other clubs, but I certainly did enjoy our time though I'm not sure about the elite feeling of a private club.
[Update Dec 11 - I wonder if the "invitation" to a club in Colombia is the equivalent of being "invited to an asado" in Argentina... words that are thrown around but never "cumplidas"? I was recently chatting with someone from our new daycare (jardin infantil) and the person, who is actually fro Spain and married to an Argentine put forth this invite. Thoughts anyone?]
Love and equality,
Avila
Today, a lightly rainy afternoon, we were invited to Club Campestre Guaymaral by one of my husband's senior colleagues. The club is located north of Bogota, about 45 minutes out of the city depending on traffic (which of course always exists)! As we drove into the complex, it was extremely impressive, beautiful, verdant and very well kept up. We passed horse stables, an expansive golf course, and saw many tennis courts in the distance and a lovely clubhouse! In some ways, it reminded me of West Virginia's famous The Greenbrier Resort though the feeling is distinctively different. Though also very 'white' there is a different feeling of 'white' in Latin America than the 'whites only' feeling of the American South. (Both of course are a bit unsettling, but for me it seems a bit more pronounced - elitist - in Latin America.)
We had a delicious lunch - the special menu was focused on Mexican cuisine - and we were extremely well attended to, I must admit. There are so many staff people underfoot, and even a dessert cart came out in the end. [Of note, there were tons of young children around, including lots of strollers, and in Latin America they are always welcome and well cared for.]
We were told that as we hold diplomatic status, we would be exempt from paying the initiation fee, but would have yearly fees of about $5000USD - around $500USD per month.
We are considering joining a private club as a social outlet though I'm not sure if 1) this would the style in which we would like to live, and 2) if this would be worth it for us if we just went 1-2 times per month. It seems the money could be spent in other ways in a more productive way for us. We would like to see some other clubs, but I certainly did enjoy our time though I'm not sure about the elite feeling of a private club.
[Update Dec 11 - I wonder if the "invitation" to a club in Colombia is the equivalent of being "invited to an asado" in Argentina... words that are thrown around but never "cumplidas"? I was recently chatting with someone from our new daycare (jardin infantil) and the person, who is actually fro Spain and married to an Argentine put forth this invite. Thoughts anyone?]
Love and equality,
Avila
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Language Classes - Perfecting your Spanish
Dear Bogota Expats
I've taken so many years of Spanish class, it's shocking that I still want to (and need to) brush up on my skillz. I have been introduced to a number of locations in and our the Cabrera-Rosales area in which to take classes. I took the test at Berlitz and tested at a lower-middle intermediate level - that pluscaum perfecto still kills me!
Anyways, ahem, I present a short list of places where you can take different types of classes (private, business-oriented, etc.)
I've taken so many years of Spanish class, it's shocking that I still want to (and need to) brush up on my skillz. I have been introduced to a number of locations in and our the Cabrera-Rosales area in which to take classes. I took the test at Berlitz and tested at a lower-middle intermediate level - that pluscaum perfecto still kills me!
Anyways, ahem, I present a short list of places where you can take different types of classes (private, business-oriented, etc.)
- Berlitz
- Universidad de EAN
- Universidad de Sergio Arboleda
Happy learning,
Avila
Monday, November 4, 2013
Store Recommendations - U.S. Equivalents here in Bogota
Dear Bogota Expats,
Yes, as we live in a consumer society and we often need (or want) things that we are used to, it is great when you move to another country that you can find almost exactly everything that you want there - including down to the same brands. In Seattle, the city where I grew up and where we just moved from (after living in Washington DC and Boston), there are some store-markers that I always want a reference point to - "What is the Whole Foods?" "Where the best cheese shop?" "What is the Target vs. What is the Walmart?" You get what I mean? Having lived around the world in various countries and having traveled significantly to others, I really know what I like and am very specific about it, especially as we all have the internet (and amazon.com) at our fingertips to read all the product reviews virtually on any product we may want to buy.
So below, as of a month+ into living in Bogota, I give you my list of U.S. to Bogota equivalents:
There are many grocery stores here but Jumbo and Exito seem like the most comprehensive selections and are the biggest ones. They are multi-story complexes with moving walkway escalators.
As far as fast food, almost everything is here. I did eat out on Halloween lunch at Taco Bell, yes, there is a Taco Bell here (as well as Burger King, McDonald's, KFC, etc.)
May you enjoy all your shopping adventures in Bogota!
Avila
Yes, as we live in a consumer society and we often need (or want) things that we are used to, it is great when you move to another country that you can find almost exactly everything that you want there - including down to the same brands. In Seattle, the city where I grew up and where we just moved from (after living in Washington DC and Boston), there are some store-markers that I always want a reference point to - "What is the Whole Foods?" "Where the best cheese shop?" "What is the Target vs. What is the Walmart?" You get what I mean? Having lived around the world in various countries and having traveled significantly to others, I really know what I like and am very specific about it, especially as we all have the internet (and amazon.com) at our fingertips to read all the product reviews virtually on any product we may want to buy.
So below, as of a month+ into living in Bogota, I give you my list of U.S. to Bogota equivalents:
- BED BATH AND BEYOND - Home Sentry
- HOME DEPOT/LOWE'S - Home Center
- DESIGN WITHIN REACH - Elemental Store, Mesas Y Sillas (there are also many design and antique shops on Carrera 9 too)
- SAFEWAY-QFC-FRED MEYER - Jumbo and Exito sell everything, Surtifruver de la Sabana just has vegetables, meat, bread and dairy products
- TARGET - Jumbo, Exito for their home selection
- WALMART - not sure yet
- MACY'S - Falabella
- WHOLE FOODS - haven't really found it yet but the closest big and little market that is every few blocks here (in the north) is Carulla though it doesn't have a big organic-bent to it selection or offerings.
- PASTA & CO. - Pastaio (there is even one embedded within Exito)
- ICE CREAM SHOPS - We haven't been blown away yet, but we have tried the Popsy stands a few times, and it's ok, and there is a paleteria place near our house that is good, and we did try Crepes and Waffles that everyone raves about - but we've found their service quite poor and others have commented the same (more on that C&W later as it's an interesting business model that employs only single mothers...)
- EINSTEIN BROS./NOAH'S BAGELS - Central Bagels, though they only have 3-4 bagels available at any time and if you want other types, you have to special order them; they also have a general promotion of 5 bagels and a schmear for 15,000 COP but then strangely charge 10,000 COP for a single schmear - so you know what you have to do! We have also been told Surtifruver de la Sabana has bagels too (only three types - plain, french toast, cinnamon raisin)
- Apple Stores - Mac Center
- STARBUCKS - Juan Valdez, Oma Cafe
- MICHAEL'S / JOANNE FABRICS - not sure yet
- UTRECHT ART SUPPLIES / BLICK ART MATERIALS - not sure yet
- DEAN AND DELUCA?
- REI - They do have North Face stores here
- TRADER JOES?
- BEST BUY?
- MORE BAGEL SHOPS?
- HAIR SALON?
- ALTERATIONS?
- DRY CLEANERS?
There are many grocery stores here but Jumbo and Exito seem like the most comprehensive selections and are the biggest ones. They are multi-story complexes with moving walkway escalators.
As far as fast food, almost everything is here. I did eat out on Halloween lunch at Taco Bell, yes, there is a Taco Bell here (as well as Burger King, McDonald's, KFC, etc.)
May you enjoy all your shopping adventures in Bogota!
Avila
Colombianismos heard en la calle!
Dear Bogota Expats!
We have a lot of friends from Colombia, but I think we've never noticed all the sayings that they say more often in other countries where we've lived - or it could be the way in which they say it that makes it all the more interesting. We have spent an incredible amount of time with our relocation specialist Yolanda and we always laugh when she says the following things - she is a crack up! I will continue adding to the list as we hear more "colombianismos!"
Avila
We have a lot of friends from Colombia, but I think we've never noticed all the sayings that they say more often in other countries where we've lived - or it could be the way in which they say it that makes it all the more interesting. We have spent an incredible amount of time with our relocation specialist Yolanda and we always laugh when she says the following things - she is a crack up! I will continue adding to the list as we hear more "colombianismos!"
- "Que pena!"
- "Que rabia!"
- "Ella es muy juiciosa."
- "Que rico!"
- "Esta muy harto" or "Comio harto" - our nanny says this all the time which means "A lot of that!"
- Todo dicho en diminutiva - jugito, cochecito, callecito, etc...
- chulear - to mark off, to check off (a list)
Avila
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
News, Blog and Event Online Sources!
Dear Bogota Expats,
I tried to do some research regarding some newspaper, magazine and blogs before I arrived in Colombia. I have only found them now after being here a month - soon I will be looking to book tickets for different events and to keep up on the ongoing peace process. Does anyone know when Juanes or Shakira plan to show up and give a concert? The following are websites that can be useful for knowing what is going on in the city and the country itself!
NEWSPAPERS
BLOGS ABOUT LIFE IN COLOMBIA
I tried to do some research regarding some newspaper, magazine and blogs before I arrived in Colombia. I have only found them now after being here a month - soon I will be looking to book tickets for different events and to keep up on the ongoing peace process. Does anyone know when Juanes or Shakira plan to show up and give a concert? The following are websites that can be useful for knowing what is going on in the city and the country itself!
NEWSPAPERS
BLOGS ABOUT LIFE IN COLOMBIA
- http://bananaskinflipflops.com/
- http://uncovercolombia.wordpress.com/
- Mine of course...
- http://bogota.vive.in/bogota/index.html
- http://www.hg2bogota.com/
- http://www.bogota-dc.com/eventos/eventos.html
TICKETS
Besos, y que disfruten de la vida bogotana (when it's not raining)!
Avila
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Almost a Month-in to our Lives in Bogota!
Dear Bogota Expats!
It has been almost a month that we have been living here in Bogota, the grand capital of Colombia! Within the confines of the 25+ blocks that we normally live (from block 69 to 95, the living is easy, expensive, and quite safe. I can elaborate quite a bit on each of these adjectives. Easy - the city is compact enough that everything you need can be found probably within 4-5 blocks, and surely everything within these 25+ blocks that I referred to. You can have all the help that you want, though you have to get used to dealing with having a "staff" and managing them, which can be a lot of work if you are not used to it or don't have a schedule set up. Expensive - as we are living in the northern part of the city, I would say it is easily the most affluent and expensive area of the city - where the rents are high, utilities are high, and this also includes the groceries and restaurants (we are 4 blocks away from the Zona G, "g" for gastronomy)! It also seems the city is quite safe - I see police cars from time to time, but not in any crazy chase, and have not seen anyone being apprehended or pulled over for anything more than a fender-bender situation. Every other corner has armed guards with serious machinery at the ready, but I have never heard or seen any action so far - thankfully!
My husband studied at one of the best schools in Boston - yes, that one - and he made friends with a Chilean-Colombian who studied at the neighboring other best school in Boston - yes, that one. So on Saturday, they arranged to have brunch together. The plans changed, and we all of a sudden got invited over to his friend Natasha's place, who did her PhD at one of the best schools in northern California, yes, that one - no, the other one. So, everyone is English speaking, but we spoke in Spanish 99.9% of the time. They have a wonderful apt as part of a 4-apt complex in the mountains up beyond the Calera (the long winding drive up over the mountains from Bogota), where the views are stunning and you feel like you're in the countryside, even though you're only 20 or so minutes from Bogota. (This is definitely a wonderful option to live instead of being in the city, though we might save this option for the last year!) We had a great time getting to know each other and having a great chat - really spending the whole day together from 9:30am to 5:30pm! After a French-inspired meal, we walked down to the river behind their house, and then sat outside in this huge sloping backyard that all the neighbors share. I do hope we can get integrated into their lives - they are very interesting, well-traveled and open! (Even after they dropped us off - I forgot to mention, the hostess Natasha so nicely came into the city to pick us up, then drive us back to our apt - they invited us out for the evening!)
Day by day, we are finding the city opening itself up to us... and we are finding, little by little, it is quite nice to be here.
Lots of love, y abrazos,
Avila
It has been almost a month that we have been living here in Bogota, the grand capital of Colombia! Within the confines of the 25+ blocks that we normally live (from block 69 to 95, the living is easy, expensive, and quite safe. I can elaborate quite a bit on each of these adjectives. Easy - the city is compact enough that everything you need can be found probably within 4-5 blocks, and surely everything within these 25+ blocks that I referred to. You can have all the help that you want, though you have to get used to dealing with having a "staff" and managing them, which can be a lot of work if you are not used to it or don't have a schedule set up. Expensive - as we are living in the northern part of the city, I would say it is easily the most affluent and expensive area of the city - where the rents are high, utilities are high, and this also includes the groceries and restaurants (we are 4 blocks away from the Zona G, "g" for gastronomy)! It also seems the city is quite safe - I see police cars from time to time, but not in any crazy chase, and have not seen anyone being apprehended or pulled over for anything more than a fender-bender situation. Every other corner has armed guards with serious machinery at the ready, but I have never heard or seen any action so far - thankfully!
FINDING NEW FRIENDS
I find more and more that I am in another period of my life, where after having moved as many times as I have years (I am hitting my fourth decade in a few hours!), it is much more to find and make new friends. We also don't got out to bars or nightclubs anymore - we haven't for the last 9 years of our lives! And you find that you are who you are, and it is a lot of work to once again introduce yourself, build trust, and find a good network of good friends to have over on a Friday night, or for Sunday brunch, or just for heated up leftovers on a Tuesday night.My husband studied at one of the best schools in Boston - yes, that one - and he made friends with a Chilean-Colombian who studied at the neighboring other best school in Boston - yes, that one. So on Saturday, they arranged to have brunch together. The plans changed, and we all of a sudden got invited over to his friend Natasha's place, who did her PhD at one of the best schools in northern California, yes, that one - no, the other one. So, everyone is English speaking, but we spoke in Spanish 99.9% of the time. They have a wonderful apt as part of a 4-apt complex in the mountains up beyond the Calera (the long winding drive up over the mountains from Bogota), where the views are stunning and you feel like you're in the countryside, even though you're only 20 or so minutes from Bogota. (This is definitely a wonderful option to live instead of being in the city, though we might save this option for the last year!) We had a great time getting to know each other and having a great chat - really spending the whole day together from 9:30am to 5:30pm! After a French-inspired meal, we walked down to the river behind their house, and then sat outside in this huge sloping backyard that all the neighbors share. I do hope we can get integrated into their lives - they are very interesting, well-traveled and open! (Even after they dropped us off - I forgot to mention, the hostess Natasha so nicely came into the city to pick us up, then drive us back to our apt - they invited us out for the evening!)
CITY IS OPENING ITSELF UP!
We will live 4-5 blocks from Parque 93, and have found this is an incredible center of northern Bogota life. Last week JEEP set up a huge exhibition/test drive track in the block that is always open for such events, like a blank stage that comes to life every week. This weekend, there was a huge Book Fair and also a few car brands took over the block to show off their new cars (Land Rover, Mercedes, KIA, Audi, etc. - even Frank, our VOLVO salesperson was there). I imagine there must be many spaces like this in the city where there is much to do and see, and experience.Day by day, we are finding the city opening itself up to us... and we are finding, little by little, it is quite nice to be here.
Lots of love, y abrazos,
Avila
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Recommended "Jardines Infantiles" in Bogota!
Dear Bogota Expats,
Here is a list of day cares ("jardines infantiles") in the northern part of Bogota that you might be interested to check out for your children. We are particularly interested in Sesamo Kids - located in two beautiful "finca" type buildings with a Reggio Emilia approach - and a new place that we just toured (opened last Monday, and they plan to open about 12 different places in Colombia) called Advenio, a chain from Mexico and the United States (built of the Bright Horizons model and constructivism). It is the concept of a corporate daycare center that is targeted to working mothers and fathers that is open from 7:00am-8:00pm. You are able to purchase cards that have 100 or 150 hours that must be used within 2 months, or a month-month membership! It's an incredible place also!
Saludos,
Ann-Marie
Jardines Infantiles:
1) Magic Years
Tel: 601-14-05
Directoras: Susy Abadi Martha
2) Sesamo Kids
Tel: 310-16-58
Directora: Alexandra Felstsman
Note: beautiful buildings, seem very professional, very clean - this is our top choice! This is located in El Nogal.
3) Periquito
Tel: 213-30-24
215-26-98
Directora: Juanita Schlesinger
4) Prisma
Tel: 621-50-48
Directora: Tulia Gómez
Cra 8 # 91-08
5) Hojalata
Tel: 600-31-91
Cra 16 #100-60
Directora: Margarita Sanabria
6) Malaquita
Tel: 214-78-52
Directora: Carmenza Botero
7) Aeiotu
Tel: 2125098
Directora:
Note: We went to visit and it feels like a really creative space in Rosales (on the street where there are many antique shops). It just seemed like there was too much stuff, like in a crazy child forest. Lots of embassy kids, etc.
8) Huellas
Tel: 619-61-60
619-61-59
Directora: Juanita Boada
9) Nueces y Pistachos
Tel: 213-70-85
Directora: Esther Katan
10) Abaco
Tel: 611-16-81
Directora: Anai Duran
11) Abracadabra
Tel: 218-22-22
Directora: Ángela Spataro
12) Winnie de Pooh
Tel: 236-11-38
Directora: Helga López
Note: from 2 years and up; the spaces are already taken up
13) Vueltacanela
Tel: 258-30-12
520-31-61
Directora: Cecilia Zuleta
14) Casca nueces
Tel: 623-0588
Directora: Alicia Dávila
Dirección: Carrera 18 # 94a - 44
15) Babidibu
Tel: 618-44-37
618-44-27
Directora: Silvia López
Note: Our relocation specialist suggested we see this place, but another of our friends went there and said it was a bit crowded and not as clean as they would like. It has also been extremely difficult to even get a response from the jardin so in the end we never really did see it.
Love,
Avila
Here is a list of day cares ("jardines infantiles") in the northern part of Bogota that you might be interested to check out for your children. We are particularly interested in Sesamo Kids - located in two beautiful "finca" type buildings with a Reggio Emilia approach - and a new place that we just toured (opened last Monday, and they plan to open about 12 different places in Colombia) called Advenio, a chain from Mexico and the United States (built of the Bright Horizons model and constructivism). It is the concept of a corporate daycare center that is targeted to working mothers and fathers that is open from 7:00am-8:00pm. You are able to purchase cards that have 100 or 150 hours that must be used within 2 months, or a month-month membership! It's an incredible place also!
TIPS
- Make sure you make contact as soon as possible to take a tour of the jardin and speak with the director as the spots ("cupos") are filled at the best ones
- At this point in October, we want two spots for January 2014, and our first choice jardin told us that they are now interviewing for August 2014
- Ask about the child philosophies, what type of pricing (discount for siblings?), food served, how many children per group, other activities (swimming, pony clubs), profile of the parents
Saludos,
Ann-Marie
Jardines Infantiles:
1) Magic Years
Tel: 601-14-05
Directoras: Susy Abadi Martha
2) Sesamo Kids
Tel: 310-16-58
Directora: Alexandra Felstsman
Note: beautiful buildings, seem very professional, very clean - this is our top choice! This is located in El Nogal.
3) Periquito
Tel: 213-30-24
215-26-98
Directora: Juanita Schlesinger
4) Prisma
Tel: 621-50-48
Directora: Tulia Gómez
Cra 8 # 91-08
5) Hojalata
Tel: 600-31-91
Cra 16 #100-60
Directora: Margarita Sanabria
6) Malaquita
Tel: 214-78-52
Directora: Carmenza Botero
7) Aeiotu
Tel: 2125098
Directora:
Note: We went to visit and it feels like a really creative space in Rosales (on the street where there are many antique shops). It just seemed like there was too much stuff, like in a crazy child forest. Lots of embassy kids, etc.
8) Huellas
Tel: 619-61-60
619-61-59
Directora: Juanita Boada
9) Nueces y Pistachos
Tel: 213-70-85
Directora: Esther Katan
10) Abaco
Tel: 611-16-81
Directora: Anai Duran
11) Abracadabra
Tel: 218-22-22
Directora: Ángela Spataro
12) Winnie de Pooh
Tel: 236-11-38
Directora: Helga López
Note: from 2 years and up; the spaces are already taken up
13) Vueltacanela
Tel: 258-30-12
520-31-61
Directora: Cecilia Zuleta
14) Casca nueces
Tel: 623-0588
Directora: Alicia Dávila
Dirección: Carrera 18 # 94a - 44
15) Babidibu
Tel: 618-44-37
618-44-27
Directora: Silvia López
Note: Our relocation specialist suggested we see this place, but another of our friends went there and said it was a bit crowded and not as clean as they would like. It has also been extremely difficult to even get a response from the jardin so in the end we never really did see it.
Love,
Avila
Alarm System Companies for your Home
Dear Bogota Expats!
As our new apt has a terrace and a small thin balcony that can be easily accessed by the other apts on our floor, it was recommended that we look into alarm systems. Below is a short list of providers than can give us quotations on alarm systems - Telesentinel is the one used by my husband's organization:
As our new apt has a terrace and a small thin balcony that can be easily accessed by the other apts on our floor, it was recommended that we look into alarm systems. Below is a short list of providers than can give us quotations on alarm systems - Telesentinel is the one used by my husband's organization:
- Telesentinel LTDA 288 8788
- G4S Technology 691 9191
- Omnitempus 611 0529
Suerte y saludos,
Avila
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Our New Home... Making Sure It's Perfect and SAFE!
Dear Bogota Expats!
We found a new home and crazy enough, we had canceled the appointment to see it initially because it was more than one floor (yes, sounds crazy to do so but we saw a loft and another penthouse that was not at all suitable! Y'know when you have small babies, you are always cautious about such things.) At the last minute, with the feeling we should see as many places as possible and as we were at the end of our search about to make an offer on another apt, I said to our relocation specialist "Why not, let's see it!" So off we went and even at the first glance of the design of the garage (still under construction), I was sold... after seeing the apartment itself, a penthouse of a newly constructed building right near Parque Virrey, I was "flippada!" 160 sq m apt with 3 carpeted bedrooms, 2 full baths and 2 1/2 baths and an 80 sq m private terrace?!! Did I mention the gym, squash court and pool downstairs? Woweeee... I knew we found our home.
Things that are different than renting in the US:
- there is no background or credit check (though I'm sure they feel comfortable with our family profile and professional backgrounds)
- we had to request the "linea blanca" (washer-dryer, refrigerator) to be put in (which normally would already be in place in the US)
- as we are foreigners and we can't have an account with the television, cable or internet companies, the accounts would have to be in the name of the owners and we would have to pay them directly
- the owners, who were vacationing in Miami want to meet us next week so that they can answer any questions that we have
As my husband works for an international organization, the security of the UN had to be sent to check out the apartment also. Below are the following recommendations made (most would be accommodated by the owners):
[Update: we met with the wife only as the husband works for a pharmaceutical company and is traveling all over the world - from South Korea to India. She was very cordial and professional, and understood all of our needs in regard to having small children. I believe and hope we'll have good communication and a good professional owner-renter relationship.]
We found a new home and crazy enough, we had canceled the appointment to see it initially because it was more than one floor (yes, sounds crazy to do so but we saw a loft and another penthouse that was not at all suitable! Y'know when you have small babies, you are always cautious about such things.) At the last minute, with the feeling we should see as many places as possible and as we were at the end of our search about to make an offer on another apt, I said to our relocation specialist "Why not, let's see it!" So off we went and even at the first glance of the design of the garage (still under construction), I was sold... after seeing the apartment itself, a penthouse of a newly constructed building right near Parque Virrey, I was "flippada!" 160 sq m apt with 3 carpeted bedrooms, 2 full baths and 2 1/2 baths and an 80 sq m private terrace?!! Did I mention the gym, squash court and pool downstairs? Woweeee... I knew we found our home.
THE QUICK NEGOTIATIONS
Finding a home and finally securing it is another matter. The price was at the upper limit of our budget, unfortunately but is a steal for everything it is! I would never dream of spending so much money in the US but since we were receiving a significant housing subsidy, this should be fine. In any case, the negotiations had to begin. There were a few strategies that we were planning to employ, namely offering to pay 6 months in advance in addition to 2 months of deposit. We heard that a family with the US Embassy were interested, so we felt we had competition also. Despite that we offered this pre-payment for a discount of 500,000 COP per month. They did not accept. I guess they didn't really care about pre-payments and the such. We heard the Embassy also offered about the same amount too, also turned down. Our relocation specialist told us that often realtors ("corredores" de "Finca Raiz") and owners do not like to deal with the embassies directly as there are many restrictions and security concerns that they would have to deal with.Things that are different than renting in the US:
- there is no background or credit check (though I'm sure they feel comfortable with our family profile and professional backgrounds)
- we had to request the "linea blanca" (washer-dryer, refrigerator) to be put in (which normally would already be in place in the US)
- as we are foreigners and we can't have an account with the television, cable or internet companies, the accounts would have to be in the name of the owners and we would have to pay them directly
- the owners, who were vacationing in Miami want to meet us next week so that they can answer any questions that we have
As my husband works for an international organization, the security of the UN had to be sent to check out the apartment also. Below are the following recommendations made (most would be accommodated by the owners):
REQUESTED CHANGES TO THE APARTMENT
Estimad@s,
Quiero informarles que el día de ayer se realizo la inspección del apartamento, el cual es viable para renta aunque abajo encontraran unas recomendaciones adicionales para ajustes dentro del inmueble, es necesaria una segunda visita ya que actualmente el edificio se encuentra en construcción y tanto están pendientes ajustes en el esquema de ingreso al edificio y los protocolos generales de seguridad que se estipularan con la nueva empresa de vigilancia que contrate la administración
Observaciones:
- Solicitar planilla o registro de instalación de las instalaciones de gas
- Todas las ventanas se deben instalar seguros de niños
- Incluir reja de protección para la escalera para niños
- La puerta de Cristal que mira al balcón debe incluir una cerradura con llave o seguro charlie Bar
- El balcón debe protegerse los espacios abiertos de la baranda los cuales son un riesgo para niños o mascotas que circulen por estas áreas privadas comunes
- Se debe incrementar el numero de sensores de detección de incendios para el apartamento
- Se debe contratar un sistema de monitoreo y alarma incluyendo la terraza.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Their reply:
Apreciados
Me gustaría comentarte que estuve hablando con la corredora y me confirma lo siguiente : Los propietarios van a tener en cuenta las recomendaciones de Yulieth y van a organizar mayor seguridad en las ventanas, cerraduras extras, protección de espacio abierto en el balcón que está frente a la cocina, sensores de humo, van a solicitar el registro de la instalación del gas, de manera que puedan estar tranquilos. A ustedes les corresponde hacerse cargo de lo siguiente: -Sistema de Monitoreo y alarma -Puerta o reja de protección para que los niños no suban la escalera Saludos Cordiales,
Hope that gives you a good idea of moving into an apartment in Bogota!
Their reply:
Apreciados
Me gustaría comentarte que estuve hablando con la corredora y me confirma lo siguiente : Los propietarios van a tener en cuenta las recomendaciones de Yulieth y van a organizar mayor seguridad en las ventanas, cerraduras extras, protección de espacio abierto en el balcón que está frente a la cocina, sensores de humo, van a solicitar el registro de la instalación del gas, de manera que puedan estar tranquilos. A ustedes les corresponde hacerse cargo de lo siguiente: -Sistema de Monitoreo y alarma -Puerta o reja de protección para que los niños no suban la escalera Saludos Cordiales,
Hope that gives you a good idea of moving into an apartment in Bogota!
[Update: we met with the wife only as the husband works for a pharmaceutical company and is traveling all over the world - from South Korea to India. She was very cordial and professional, and understood all of our needs in regard to having small children. I believe and hope we'll have good communication and a good professional owner-renter relationship.]
Saludos,
Avila
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Estrato? Where you live matters... for the price of your utilities?!!
Dear Bogota Expats,
One of the most interesting things that is different than the US or other countries I've lived in is the very open distinction of the classes - delineated by the neighborhood you live (that generally reflects your economic and social class) - which are called "estrato." Since 1994, depending on what your apartment building (neighborhood) is labeled as - from 1 (low-low) to 6 high, you either will receive subsidies or have to pay extra - "contribucion" - for your utilities (water, gas, electricity and even cable, home telephone and internet) unless you are part of "estrato 4" of which you don't have to pay or receive anything. They created a tariff regiment that were based on the following criteria: "neutrality, solidarity, redistribution, financial sufficiency, economic efficiency, simplicity and transparency." Those in hotels, which would be in the category of "no residenciales" would also be forced to pay up to an extra 20% contribution.
These is how the "estratos" are defined:
Further below I pasted in the entry about "estratificacion socioeconomica en Colombia" from Wikipedia for more details.
Saludos,
Avila
LA TELEVISION BASICA CONSTA DE 88 CANALES, Y EN HD 25 CANALES
LA TELEVISION AVANZADA CONSTA DE 140 CANALES, Y EN HD 28 CANALES
One of the most interesting things that is different than the US or other countries I've lived in is the very open distinction of the classes - delineated by the neighborhood you live (that generally reflects your economic and social class) - which are called "estrato." Since 1994, depending on what your apartment building (neighborhood) is labeled as - from 1 (low-low) to 6 high, you either will receive subsidies or have to pay extra - "contribucion" - for your utilities (water, gas, electricity and even cable, home telephone and internet) unless you are part of "estrato 4" of which you don't have to pay or receive anything. They created a tariff regiment that were based on the following criteria: "neutrality, solidarity, redistribution, financial sufficiency, economic efficiency, simplicity and transparency." Those in hotels, which would be in the category of "no residenciales" would also be forced to pay up to an extra 20% contribution.
These is how the "estratos" are defined:
- 1 low-low (up to a 50% subsidy)
- 2 low (up to a 40% subsidy)
- 3 medium-low (up to a 15% subsidy)
- 4 medium (no subsidy, no contribution)
- 5 medium-high (up to a 20% contribution)
- 6 high (up to a 20% contribution)
ASESOR COMERCIAL, DIRECTV Colombia Ltda., 3138280928 - 3002804014.
Further below I pasted in the entry about "estratificacion socioeconomica en Colombia" from Wikipedia for more details.
Saludos,
Avila
LA TELEVISION BASICA CONSTA DE 88 CANALES, Y EN HD 25 CANALES
LA TELEVISION AVANZADA CONSTA DE 140 CANALES, Y EN HD 28 CANALES
Triple Digital Basica 20 Mega
|
$255.80
|
$255.80
|
$259.80
|
$259.80
|
$351.80
|
$351.80
|
Triple Digital Basica 10 Mega
|
$115.00
|
$115.00
|
$128.00
|
$128.00
|
$180.00
|
$180.00
|
Triple Digital Basica 5 Mega
|
$83.00
|
$83.00
|
$88.00
|
$88.00
|
$125.00
|
$125.00
|
Producto Nombre Completo
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
Triple Digital Avanzada 20
Mega
|
$265.80
|
$265.80
|
$269.80
|
$269.80
|
$361.80
|
$361.80
|
Triple Digital Avanzada 10
Mega
|
$125.00
|
$125.00
|
$138.00
|
$138.00
|
$190.00
|
$190.00
|
Triple Digital Avanzada 5
Mega
|
$93.00
|
$93.00
|
$98.00
|
$98.00
|
$135.00
|
$135.00
|
SERVICIOS
ADICIONALES
|
|
Canales Moviecity Pack para
tv avanzada
|
29400
|
Canales HBO para tv
avanzada
|
29400
|
Canales Mini Pack HBO para tv
basica
|
15000
|
Canales Mini Pack
Moviecity para tv basica
|
15000
|
Canal Adulto Play Boy
|
20900
|
Canal Adulto Venus
|
22000
|
Combo Adultos Playboy + Venus
|
35000
|
Revista 15 Minutos
|
3500
|
Below are prices for only the home telephone and internet.
Telefonía e internet 5 megas por valor de $ 82.000 para estrato 4
Telefonía e internet 10 megas por valor de $128.000 para estrato 4
Telefonía e internet 5 megas por valor de $123.999 para estrato 5
Telefonía e internet 10 megas por valor de $ 153.999 para estrato 5
Below is the entry from Wikipedia (in Spanish)
Estratificación socioeconómica en Colombia
La estratificación socioeconómica es la clasificación de los inmuebles residenciales que deben recibir servicios públicos.1 Se realiza principalmente para cobrar de manera diferencial (por estratos) los servicios públicos domiciliarios permitiendo asignar subsidios y cobrar contribuciones. De esta manera, quienes tienen más capacidad económica pagan más por los servicios públicos y contribuyen para que los estratos bajos puedan pagar sus tarifas.
En la medida en que identifica geográficamente sectores con distintas características socioeconómicas permite también: orientar la planeación de la inversión pública; realizar programas sociales como expansión y mejoramiento de infraestructura de servicios públicos y vías, salud y saneamiento, y servicios educativos y recreativos en las zonas que más lo requieran; cobrar tarifas de impuesto predial diferentes por estrato y orientar el ordenamiento territorial.
Estratificar con base en las características de las viviendas y su entorno urbano o rural es una opción metodológica fundamentada en que el significante vivienda-entorno expresa un modo socioeconómico de vida.2
Cada alcalde debe realizar la estratificación de los inmuebles residenciales de su municipio o distrito.1
Estratos socioeconómicos en Colombia
Los estratos socio económicos en los que se pueden clasificar las viviendas y/o los predios son 6, denominados así:
ESTRATO Y PORCENTAJE POR HOGARES SEGÚN DOCUMENTO CONPES 3386
1: Bajo-bajo: 22,3%
2: Bajo: 41,2%
3: Medio-bajo: 27,1%
4: Medio: 6,4%
5: medio-Alto: 1,9%
6: Alto: 1,2%
El artículo 102 de la ley 142 de 1994 dispone que los inmuebles se clasificarán en seis estratos así: 1)bajo-bajo, 2)bajo, 3)medio-bajo, 4)medio, 5)medio-alto, 6)alto, aplicables a todos los servicios, incluido el de telefonia básica.http://www.dane.gov.co/files/dig/CONPES_3386_oct2005_Focaliz_subsidios_servicios_publicos.pdf
Los estratos 1 y 2 corresponden a estratos bajos que albergan a los usuarios con menores recursos, los cuales son beneficiarios de subsidios en los servicios públicos domiciliarios; los estratos 5 y 6 corresponden a estratos altos que albergan a los usuarios con mayores recursos económicos, los cuales deben pagar contribución (sobrecostos) sobre el valor de los servicios públicos domiciliarios. El estrato 3 aunque es clasificado como medio (medio bajo) recibe algún pequeño porcentaje de subsidio, el estrato 4 no es beneficiario de subsidios, ni debe pagar sobrecostos, paga exactamente el valor que la empresa defina como costo de prestación del servicio puesto que este sí representa a la clase media que no es de bajos recursos pero tampoco es de altos, por ende no tiene derechos a subsidios ni deberes de subsidios.
La clasificación es una aproximación a la diferencia socioeconómica jerarquizada, léase pobreza a riqueza o viceversa. Como resultado de dicha clasificación en una misma ciudad se pueden encontrar viviendas tan disímiles como las que van desde el tugurio que expresa -sin lugar a dudas- la miseria de sus moradores, hasta la mansión o palacete que, en igual forma evidencia una enorme acumulación de riqueza. Lo mismo sucede en la zona rural con viviendas que van desde chozas sin paredes hasta "ranchos", haciendas de grandes extensiones de tierra productiva y fincas de recreo de exuberantes comodidades.
Quien esté interesado en conseguir información acerca de los resultados de la estratificación de un municipio se debe dirigir a la alcaldía correspondiente pues de acuerdo con las normas legales vigentes, la información de los estudios de estratificación es de uso privativo de la autoridad local.
Toda persona o grupo de personas puede reclamar por el estrato asignado por la alcaldía a su vivienda, ante la Alcaldía de su municipio o distrito, quien tiene la obligación legal de atender la reclamación y resolverla en un plazo máximo de dos meses. Una vez recibida la notificación de la decisión de la Alcaldía, si el usuario no está conforme con la misma puede apelar ante el Comité Permanente de Estratificación local, quien también cuenta con dos meses para resolverla.3
La estratificación es un instrumento diseñado para la clasificación de inmuebles residenciales de un Municipio con base en las metodologías fijadas por el Departamento Nacional de Planeación, en función de las características externas de las viviendas, el entorno inmediato y elementos urbanísticos relevantes, útiles para deducir la calidad de vida de sus moradores. Se trata, pues, de un método que permite distinguir grupos de usarios y establecer quienes pueden, además de asumir los costos de los servicios, participar en la financiación de los subsidios que necesiten las personas de menores ingresos.(ver libro: Manual instructivo del usuario de los servicios públicos domiciliarios, Melkis Guillermo Kammerer Kammerer, Especialista en Servicios Públicos Domiciliarios; capítulo VII, estratificación socio-económica, página 137.)
En Colombia el ámbito de pobreza y la costumbre ante esta situación ha generado desconocimiento en esta temática. Los usuarios creen y aseguran que el estrato 4 es un estrato alto, lo cual no es cierto, y argumentan que el 3 es el estrato medio. Es apreciable la costumbre de creer que la clase media es pobre o de bajos recursos, lo cual no es cierto. la clase media representa el nivel medio mínimo para tener una buena calidad de vida, ya el estrato 3 se definiría como clase medio-baja, que es la clase socioeconomica que define a un objeto-persona con un nivel de vida regular mas no en un estado mínimo de calidad de vida aceptable. El estrato 4 es el valor medio de los ingresos y el valor neto de cualquier facturación de servicios públicos, los estratos inferiores serán subsidiados por los estratos superiores 5 y 6, por ende los estratos inferiores reciben cierto apoyo de las clases más altas.
Referencias
- ↑ a b CONGRESO DE COLOMBIA. Ley 142 de 1994 (julio 11), artículo 102.
- ↑ http://www.dane.gov.co/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=366&Itemid=114
- ↑ http://www.dane.gov.co/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=366&Itemid=114
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)