pbiemans has left 6 comments

pbiemans comments on Any good and cheap Spanish Institutes or University Classes in bogota?

The cheapest bet would be the University Pedagogica. I took a three weeks course there for 360.000 pesos. There are some things though to pay attention to. Although their site may suggest otherwise, they only offer this course Monday-Friday from 14:00 until 16:00 hours. The site also tells you the course is for 40 hours but since it´s only three weeks you only make 30 in total. The promise that there are nine levels is not true - it just depends on how many students there are. When I was there, in June, there were two levels ´filled´ with approximately four people each. Since La Pedagogica is a public university, the administration process is a bit unnecessarily complicated and unfriendly - partly not their fault since there seem to be a lot foreigners who only inscribe for the visa and then never show up. I can give you more info on the process if needed. In any case, for me it was worth the while. The Ministry of Exterior, which is in charge of student visas (so this is not DAS, which does all the other visas), gave me a visa for six months based on the inscription for the course. Which does not mean that they do that with everybody of course, it must have been a combination of the chaotic administration, the different prolongations they give me, people I knew and my impressive appearance. Another cheap (and quality) option is Universidad Nacional: http://www.humanas.unal.edu.co/img/Lenguas Extranjeras/Documentos/programaciondecursosextencion.pdf Underneath you find more details. NB: the classes are not on the Pedagogica´s central location (C72 con 11), but close to Unilago, slightly more north. Universidad Pedagógica nacional Centro de Lenguas calle 79 no.16-32 bogotá. d.c. colombia pbx: 6108000 ext. 211 e-mail: centrodelenguas at pedagogica.edu.co

pbiemans comments on Cali to Quito, bus schedules

Hi zarathustra, I would say that travelling to Ecuador with local buses via the Panamericana is safe at night. Nevertheless the views around Pasto are spectacular and I would advise you to try to do Ipiales-Pasto at daylight. I have made the trip myself and I know quite a few people who did it as well. Be sure to look for a good buscompany though... Something like Bolivariano or Cootransnorte - and definitely NOT Transipiales. Consider also travelling in a big coach instead of the little buzetas that stop in each village... the somewhat higher price is definitely worth it. Logical schedule would be to leave Cali around 11PM, so you will arrive in Ipiales (Bus Terminal) around 8AM. That way you can enjoy the sun coming up over the volcanoes, valleys and mountain tops - beautiful! (Although there might be delay now because the Galera Volcano is planned to erupt within 24 hours, El Tiempo wrote this morning). Then indeed take a ´collectivo´ to Rumichaca, the border crossing. Shoud not cost you more than COP 2.500. The Ecuadorian customs at Rumichaca are notorious for their inefficiency - I spent four hours waiting for my stamp! When that is finished, take a ´collectivo´ to Tulcan Bus Terminal. Once arrived there you should easily be able to reach Quito (7 hours) before nightfall since buses for Quito leave regularly. Hope this might help you in absence of decent timetables! Greetings, pbiemans

pbiemans comments on Where can i learn Spanish in Bogota for 6 months or more?

Jason, A personal research proved that the cheapest options in Bogotá that are worth the money are definitely the following. Universidad Nacional: http://www.humanas.unal.edu.co/img/Lenguas Extranjeras/Documentos/programaciondecursosextencion.pdf Universidad Pedagogica: http://www.pedagogica.edu.co/proyectos/centrodelenguas/index.php Especially the Nacional is recommended by a number of foreigners living here in Bogotá that started the same way or similar to what your plans are. The atmosphere is nice and the level is good - there are a number of levels (I believe 9) so you can indeed move to more advanced ones during the semester. I chose for the Pedagogica by the way, because of their hours. As far as Ecuador is concerned (your original post did not mention anything of the like), I have learned my first Spanish there. Quito is definitely a good choice since Ecuadorian Spanish is considered generic and class prices are low (I would not say $2,50 per hour though, it´s more in the range of $5-10). Good luck, Biemans

pbiemans comments on Where to enroll to get student visa?

Can you be a bit more specific, span_colombia? Which course was that and for how long? Did you do it for real or only to be enrolled for your visa? The cheapest I found until now is at the Pedagogica (don´t remember what exactly), still COP 300.000 per month... All in all it does not seem to be worth the effort... might as well stay abroad until I receive the visa

pbiemans comments on Bogota - hotels en hostels (Nederlands)

Deze informatie is gedateerd. Check http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/bogota---hostels-and-places-to-stay-travel-guide/ voor een update (april 2009). Groeten vanuit Bogotá, Pim

pbiemans comments on Bogota - hostels and places to stay Travel Guide

As a traveler that has stayed to live in Bogotá, I have to say that this list is hopelessly outdated. Although Platypus is not a bad hostel and still fully booked most of the time, thanks to an amazingly outdated Lonely Planet-edition, there are at least three wonderful new hostels that may even better suit the needs of the modern backpacker. Destino Nomada (www.destinonomada.com, Calle 11 No 00-38, +57 1 3520932 ) sits up in the old part of the Candelaria. Run by young Colombian backpackers, nice atmosphere, simple and clean, bar, free internet and breakfast included. Cranky Croc (www.crankycroc.com, Calle 15 No. 3-46, +57 (31) 342 2438, +57 314 427 5299 ) Also in the Candelaria, but closer to Jiménez. Run by experienced Australian traveler Andy who made sure that nothing to be left desired - and still improving. Amazing facilities include an impressive kitchen, bedframes with lockable draws including secure charging sockets and reading lamps, and lots of social events like a weekly barbie. El Cafecito (http://www.cafecito.net/, Carrera 6 # 34 - 70, tel: (57-1) 285-8308) In the not less central area around the Macarena and Parque Nacional. A beautiful old building in a quiet but hip neighbourhood which offers cosy and atmospheric sleeping rooms (private and dorms). Unique combination with a nice café which not only serves delicious cocktails but also high-class food. Sister of the reknown Cafecito hostels in Quito and Cuenca (Ecuador). A night in a dorm in all hostels costs around 18.000 pesos (april 2009: 9 dollars / 6 euros). These budget hostels are in my opinion all better choices than the ones Peter started with (especially Centro Plaza I find an uninspired wailing wall without any atmosphere of its own). Greetings from Bogotá, Pim