I need your help...

litost says on Sep 18, 2004, 09:04:

What are you expecting from this family? Are you willing to give something in exchange?

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liquidlove says on Sep 18, 2004, 11:35:

HI I guess I was a little vague...but I'm willing to pay them! I'd like to have a room and a normal breakfast included in the price. I'm willing to pay about $20 us a day. I am a very nice and polite person who loves kids. I will be going out late from time to time, but I won't be bringing anyone home with me so this shouldn't bother anyone.
My preference would be to stay with a large family so I will have lots of people to practice my spanish with. I would also be more than happy to help people practice and learn their english during the time I"m there....thanks!

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webmanco says on Sep 18, 2004, 15:47:

North, close to what area? You would need to close up the gap, or give some range addres to try to help out.

Will you ride Taxis in Bogota or you doesn't mind taking the transmilenio?? Do you smoke?

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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liquidlove says on Sep 19, 2004, 08:28:

I dont' know Bogota enough to really close the gap, however I've heard the North is more modern and safer. So any where that would more of less fit that profile. I have no problems with buses or taxi's. And I don't smoke. I would love to be with a family that would find it cool to have me around, not just someone who want's the money which really isn't all that much anyway. I could pay them a little more too if $20 isn't enough.
I will probably be taking some spanish classes during the day. I have some friends in Bogota and will probably hanging out with then a lot too.
I am a very respectful young canadian man, and even if I did smoke, I'd be more than happy to do so out side. My spanish is NOT very good, but when used with proper arm movements, facial expresions and confidence I can usually understand and communicate just about anything.

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poulet says on Sep 19, 2004, 09:59:

man, that's kinda hard, to come and stay with a family.
I mean, my family would fit your needs perfectly, but not in a million years would my dad allow some random guy to come and stay with us. Even though people here are fairly receptive, with the security issues, I think your safest bet would be a hotel or a friend's house.

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MigueElCosteno says on Sep 19, 2004, 11:39:

Just get an apartasuite... I think it would be better to bet an apartsuite..
There is a place called Lloyds Apartasuites,
they are located in the north,
close to parque de la 93..its a very safe zone and great for partying..
they only charge around 30-35 dollars a night, and you get maid service..check it out...

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litost says on Sep 19, 2004, 12:42:

Yeah, it's just hard for any normal family to let a complete stranger in, even if he's paying... I mean in a perfect world people shouldn't have so many apprehensions, but that's how it is today, in Colombia and just about anywhere else. The only way might be staying at a friend's family or something like that... or just stay at one of the places being recommended, you'll find plenty of people to speak spanish with outside.

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adela says on Sep 19, 2004, 13:45:

It would be possible if....


Hi liquidlove. I guess 20 dollars per day could be enough for some places. If you bring more details about you I should try to help you.

¿What about a christian family? I have a pair of suggestions(four people family living in a safety place of north)

a_dentro at yahoo.com

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

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liquidlove says on Sep 19, 2004, 14:36:

Hello to everyone Well, I have no problems with Christians, as long as they don't try to hard to convert me:-)
But that would be great. I am surprized to hear to so many of you think that this is weird. I'm from canada and my family has been doing this sort of thing for years! Although it does go through a placement agency that places students in familes like mine, there is no guarantee of security or of payment. IN all the years my mom has been doing this, she's never had any major problems other than maybe not particularly liking everyone who's stayed at her house.
Adela, what more information can I give you to facilitate this? Just let me know and I'd be more than happy to provide. Also, the person who mentioned Lloyds Apartasuites, do you know if they have a web site? $35 is kind of a lot for me, a mere Canadian. Remember, our dollars are %35 less than american dollars. But it's still a lot better than a $60 hotel.
Thanks for all your comments people...!

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liquidlove says on Sep 20, 2004, 07:34:

I tried to e-mail you adela, but the address you provided didn't work..can you please give me the right one? Thanks

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adela says on Sep 20, 2004, 17:57:

ending in "mx"

This is my correct email : a_dentro at yahoo.com.mx

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

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ari says on Sep 21, 2004, 05:50:

Hummm I tend to agree with the Canadian guy, in most industrialized countries I think it's a growing phenomena that of staying with local families, and is considered actually lots of fun, I've done it here and there.

In Colombia there are organizations like Aspect or AFS that arrange cultural exchanges of that type and although it's fairly abnormal for most Colombians hopefully it will fall in place over the years to come.

A hotel is cool and also even apartasuites but it's not really the same thing, I've had the experience. Actually there're families very much willing to host foreign students, if you don't find anything suitable I might want to give you a few references and contact persons that might be able to help you to find such a family.

As a tip during my last visit to Colombia (a couple of months in 2002) I tried to locate accomodation with families or roommates through a website called agora, http://www.iagora.com

It was very useful and pleasant, I got in contact with some Colombian guy living in NYC and he put me in contact with some people from his family. I had a really pleasant experience with them, nice food, a warm atmosphere, interesting conversations and very family environment. Also had time for some after-dinner colloquial Spanish. I don't regret any of the days spent with this family; although later on I moved to a B&B in La Candelaria since I felt like partying a lot and having loads of fun and I didn't really want to disturb them. Still they didn't even charge me but nevertheless I paid them, still was cheaper than the B&B. I think Colombians can be very open and warm and they're certainly very considered about foreigners (at least many of them).

You can really try the site, maybe you'll have some luck. During that time in Bogota I met a couple of Swiss girls who found some housing through agora, and also a Finnish guy.

I might have other suggestions such as Anglo-Saxon families living in the area (it doesn't sound like a fun option I know). There are a few sites on the net for people all over the world that requests for temporary housing in an specific particular place and who in return promise to host someone else.

Ari

http://ikcenda.tripod.com/philologist

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liquidlove says on Sep 21, 2004, 11:32:

Thanks I just wanted to thank those who helped me figure this out. Turns out the school I will be taking spanish lessons from will hook me up...:-) Chaoxxx

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MarnellX says on Oct 15, 2004, 16:30:

accomodation Looks like im in the same position as liquid love, only a month later. I am currently in Bogota and looking for a place to live in the north part of Bogota, near autopista norte and calle 100. I am looking for a homestay family or even a cheap apartment to live in for two months. If yourself or any others has additional information I would appreciate it and can be contacted at Marnellx at hotmail.com. thanks.

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