PBH / colombia (active forums more▼ | travelguide | pictures) / post

Possible move to Armenia

Hi! I am a teacher in Columbus Ohio and have just been awarded a Fullbright Scholarship to teach English in Colombia. While I am excited and honored by this opportunity, I am concerned about being placed in Armenia. I am a single woman in my early 30's and was hoping for a city (like Cartagena, Calí, or Medellin) that would afford me many cultural and social opportunities. As I won't have any support system (family or friends) there, I wanted to be placed in an area where I could stay busy and meet other single professionals in my age bracket. I tried to research Armenia and found very little about it (except for 1999 earthquake information). The only travel guide that had a decent amount of information about the city described it as "uninteresting". I am hoping someone from Armenia or the area could give me more information about the city and advise me as to whether or not s/he would recommend it for a single woman who likes cultural activity and being social. Please advise as soon as possible as I only have one week to give the Fullbright Foundation my answer. Thank you.

By dawn on Mar 14, 2005, 07:15 in Friendly Talkzone.

Neonovo says on Mar 14, 2005, 09:43:

If I was in your shoes.... I would certainly ACCEPT the award and go to Armenia for many other reasons which more than make up for any shortcomings.
Armenia is centrally located, and you can be in Cali in a couple of hours; it is also close to Pereira, and Manizales.
Armenia is the center of the coffee-area (eje-cafetal), and you'll be close to the coffe park, an tourist mecca.
Armenia is Quindio's capital, and you can visit Salento, a fabulously beautiful area.
I was in all those places in 2004, and posted pictures of the places I visited and the people I met for your viewing pleasure.

Paz
Neonovo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on Mar 14, 2005, 17:01:

Ditto to Neonovo's message Do you speak Spanish fluently? If not, then you can take time to get to know the people you meet in Armenia and learn Spanish. If you already speak Spanish, then you can take time to get to know the people you meet in Armenia and fall in love with Colombia. I once attended a workshop on holistic psychology in Armenia. The people there are great! One of Colombia's many beautiful and attractive features is the Colombian people. You will have a great time because you will be among and share with a great people.

Plátano

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sxrxnnrr187 says on Mar 14, 2005, 19:12:

I Used to live in armenia.. and I think it's one of the best cities to live in... like somebodoy already said it's pretty close to other cities and the weather is pretty nice, around 75f all year around...I have a friend there thats teaches at the most important bilingual school, if you are interested PM me so i can get you in touch with him...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

marcomundo says on Mar 14, 2005, 19:34:

Living in Armenia You should move to Armenia - a wonderful city filled with great people. I know a lot of professionals in the city - contact me if you want contact info.

While you're there, visit the Parque de Cafe - it is outside the city about 15 min and is focused on the development of coffee.

Armenia is in the most tranquil and beautiful coffee growing region -warm and springlike in the 70s year round.

Marcos

0 funny, 0 helpful.

isaactraveler says on Mar 14, 2005, 20:04:

Hi Dawn, go for it! Hi everyone! Wedding is this Saturday!

Dawn, I know that area fairly well. I have been there 4 times and spent a total of several months.

As above, I also think that Armenia is a great place to go. Although you will find english speaking teacher/students a shortage there, you will also find many friendly and sociable people there.

It is a quick bus ride to many places, and very modernized. Only drawback is that it is not a fast paced city like Bogota. There are some nice dance clubs, great pubs/street cafes and extremely pleasant coffee and internet cafes.

Modernized medicine, traffic lights and bus systems. very hot there!! but fruit you have never heard about or seen, a hot delicious hot meal for $2.00, and the feeling that you are in paradise.

I have been to Medellin, Cartagena and Cali and Bogota. I much prefer Armenia for safety, beauty and central location.

You can feel free to email me and I will hook you up with my fiancee's sister and friends. isaactraveler at yahoo.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

carldecolorado says on Mar 14, 2005, 20:05:

I Second Marcomundo Armenia is a small but wonderful city! The people there are so very friendly and the climate is very nice all year long. Also the city of Salento (15 Minutes from Armenia) is filled with lots of arts and crafts stores. You mentioned wanting cultural things (Arts and Theater??), I do know there is a nice museum in Armenia I want to say it is called Museo de Oro, but I am not positive about that. But the museum has lots of information and artifacts from Colombia's past.

I do have quite a few friends in that area, Circasia and Armenia that I can get you in touch with while you are out there. They are all professionals such as yourself; Doctor, Respiratory Therapist, Nurse, Lawyer, and Structural Engineer.

Also feel free to send me a personal message if you might have any other questions.

Carl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Mar 14, 2005, 21:50:

carldecolorado, I think y carldecolorado,

I think you're referring to the Museo Quimbaya. The Museo de Oro is in Bogotá.

And yes, Armenia is a wonderful city, like Isaactraveler said, it truly feels like you're in paradise.

ColombianoX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dawn says on Mar 15, 2005, 13:12:

Armenia Thanks so much Carl for your response. The Fullbright commission actually called me today and told me they may switch me to Manizales. After everybody's convincing letter about Armenia, now I need to research Manizales. Would you have a preference and do you know people in Manizales also. Thanks again.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dawn says on Mar 15, 2005, 13:16:

Armenia Thanks to everybody for the great recommendations and advise about Armenia. I really appreciate it and you have definitely sold me on the area. I was notified that I may be now teaching in Manizales instead. How are the cities different? I know Manizales is bigger, but again I don't know much about either place. Thanks for any more advise. Mil gracias a todos.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

carldecolorado says on Mar 15, 2005, 13:59:

Manizales I have not been to Manizales personally, but have heard wonderful things about that city as well. I know they have a big festival there right after New Years with a beauty contest. I seem to remember the contestants where from all over the world.

I also know that the weather there is colder than Armenia, but I could not give you exact temperatures. As far as contacts go for Manizales, sorry I do not know anyone there. But I am sure there are quite a few poeple on this site that do, good luck in your quest for info. And I know that you will have a wonderful time in Colombia, no matter what city you end up in.

Carl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

isaactraveler says on Mar 15, 2005, 15:57:

its very close to armenia and it is a bit cooler, meaning it isnt sweltering. there is a Mariporsario there, I went to it. Don't know much more, but I will say that you will find the same caliber of people there.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on Mar 15, 2005, 16:34:

You can still visit Armenia and Salento Dawn,

Manizales is even better! It is cooler and the last time I was there I counted seven universities! Go for it! You won't regret it!

Platano

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Mar 15, 2005, 17:10:

dawn... don't alarm over the places they have told you that you might be sent. no matter where you go in colombia, you will discover a people and a culture that you'll never forget in all your life. evern if you got sent to guarney, or barbosa or anyother place equally 'out there' you'll fall in love; i don't care where it is.

i know some rather wretched places in colombia's out back. but i promise you, even these not so nice places are alive and populated with the greatest people on earth...colombians. i can't put a hand on it, on exactly why they're so darn unique, but they are, and you are about to have the greatest life changing experience imaginable.

bon voyage.

dw.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Elbigie says on Mar 16, 2005, 03:26:

Manizales is a very interesting, beautiful city with a vibrant cultural life, which might mean more opportunities for you. MANIZALES' weather is better than Armenia's. Don't think twice, go for it!.

0 funny, 0 helpful.