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:

• 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

There are some store equivalents that I'm sure we've driven through and that our relocation specialist Yolanda has told us about but they are still to be verified by us:

• 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!"

• "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...

Interesting words we've learned:

• chulear - to mark off, to check off (a list)

Besos,

Avila

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

• http://www.semana.com/Home
• http://www.elespectador.com/
• http://www.eltiempo.com/

BLOGS ABOUT LIFE IN COLOMBIA

• http://bananaskinflipflops.com/
• http://uncovercolombia.wordpress.com/
• Mine of course...

EVENTS/RESTAURANTS

• http://bogota.vive.in/bogota/index.html
• http://www.hg2bogota.com/
• http://www.bogota-dc.com/eventos/eventos.html

TICKETS

• http://www.ticketexpress.com.co/web/

Besos, y que disfruten de la vida bogotana (when it's not raining)!

Avila

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!

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

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!

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

Below is a list that was passed to us that are located all over Bogota.

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:

• Telesentinel LTDA  288 8788
• G4S Technology 691 9191
• Omnitempus 611 0529

Suerte y saludos,

Avila

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.  

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!

[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