Bogotá, Colombia
Bogotá has such a unique and vibrant energy compared to any other city I've lived in or visited... and I'm hooked. Before getting to that and to put this particular post in perspective, the last couple of years in Quito I was quite the homebody. There are a variety of reasons for this. One— I was actively determined to slow my life down after being nightlife-centered in my 20's. Two— I had demanding responsibilities in my then-new job, and added additional responsibilities like my Master's program. Three—I found serenity and self-knowledge through spending more time alone, and I grew to truly love myself. Four— yeah it's all a matter of perspective, but Quito came to be flat and tiring so expending energy to exit my comfort zone was low on my priorities list. I became highly complacent and lost the motivation to find or create excitement in my life. With my move to Bogotá, I saw this as an opportunity to redefine my relationship with myself and where I live by achieving balance with all my identities.
I've been writing in a calendar all of the "things" I've been doing since June 28th. That was my last day in Quito and the time I made my first change. Since I knew I wanted to have a more active social life, I started this summer (aka my three weeks) building up my stamina. When I reflect on the past weeks I can hardly believe that I've been as busy and social. Each week has brought a new experience and great laughs with friends, new and old. Now, one week before October break and eight weeks into the school year, it's catching up with me but I will only slow down and not stop.
 |
| View up to Monserrate |
 |
| Quiebracanto, a happening salsa club |
The zone I live in, Chapinero, is so exciting. Sidewalks are constantly bustling; restaurants and bars and clubs pepper each block. I've enjoyed having a seemingly infinite number of destinations within a 20 minute walk that I could never leave this area and I'd still feel happy as a clam. Something else within a 20 minute walk of my apartment is work, and I walk each day. I dread it during but I feel the trek wakes me up relatively quicker than if it were by bus. There are several other zones I've spent a little bit of time in, though. Usaquén to the north has an eclectic and expansive flea market, which I've visited a couple of Sundays after riding electric scooters down the ciclovia. Zona Rosa is one of the busiest nightlife area I've seen in my life. La Candelaria is great walking, places waiting to be rediscovered, and has a happening salsa club. Close by is Monserrate, where I have to go when it's not raining. There's still so much I have yet to discover but I've been fortunate to have met and made friends with many of the people I work with and, poco a poco, people not related to my job.
 |
| La Candelaria |
I gotta say, though, I really enjoy the people I work with. Not that I am
always doing something every night—maybe like three nights a week— but there's always someone to do something with. Special shout-out, I got paired with a returning teaching in their buddy program who happens to be a kickass Minnesotan and I appreciate her for her friendship and the shenanigans we keep finding ourselves in. Thank you, Katie. The new hire group is more mature, seasoned and fun to get to know and discover things with. The returning teachers are incredibly helpful, supportive and lightyears ahead of me in their mastery of teaching. Especially a huge shout-out to the Colombian teachers who have welcomed and included me in their lives. Estoy super agadecido por todo su apoyo y amistad. I am inspired by all the people around me. My colleagues for motivating me to be a better teacher and to find balance in my life; it's possible to be good at your job and have a fulfilling life outside of work. And also to the Colombian people for being so joyous and welcoming and good-humored.
Even though it has only been a little over two months, Bogotá is feeling more and more like home. My apartment is getting closer to me being officially settled-in. There are things like artwork and photos, plants, fish and textiles that need to be purchased. But the painting and new rug and all other touches I've made helped the process speed up. During the October break— mainly because I was too slow to plan a trip for that week— I plan to take care of more. Sometimes when I wake in the middle of the night I feel as if I were in my old apartment. Bogotá is my new home, but Quito can still stay one too, right?
 |
| View of Bogotá from my apartmnet |
What do I miss about Quito, though? Because I certainly miss a lot more than I expected. I miss statuesque and verdant Pichincha looming above and reminding me where West is. I miss jaywalking whenever and wherever I could find an opening in traffic... it's the norm to wait for lights in Bogotá. I still miss an array of chips and crackers at the grocery store, of which Quito has more than here (Coco cookies and Limón Remix Doritos, anyone?!). Parks. Green spaces. Open air. Bogotá is rather dense and areas for recreation are sporadic and smaller than in Quito. And I took for granted the Quito's mild temperature... though I heard/saw it snowed this week and it stuck. Good news is I'll have a lot to look forward to when I visit Quito this upcoming weekend 😁
Bogotá has such a unique and vibrant energy compared to any other city I've lived in or visited... and I'm hooked. Before getting to that and to put this particular post in perspective, the last couple of years in Quito I was quite the homebody. There are a variety of reasons for this. One— I was actively determined to slow my life down after being nightlife-centered in my 20's. Two— I had demanding responsibilities in my then-new job, and added additional responsibilities like my Master's program. Three—I found serenity and self-knowledge through spending more time alone, and I grew to truly love myself. Four— yeah it's all a matter of perspective, but Quito came to be flat and tiring so expending energy to exit my comfort zone was low on my priorities list. I became highly complacent and lost the motivation to find or create excitement in my life. With my move to Bogotá, I saw this as an opportunity to redefine my relationship with myself and where I live by achieving balance with all my identities.
The zone I live in, Chapinero, is so exciting. Sidewalks are constantly bustling; restaurants and bars and clubs pepper each block. I've enjoyed having a seemingly infinite number of destinations within a 20 minute walk that I could never leave this area and I'd still feel happy as a clam. Something else within a 20 minute walk of my apartment is work, and I walk each day. I dread it during but I feel the trek wakes me up relatively quicker than if it were by bus. There are several other zones I've spent a little bit of time in, though. Usaquén to the north has an eclectic and expansive flea market, which I've visited a couple of Sundays after riding electric scooters down the ciclovia. Zona Rosa is one of the busiest nightlife area I've seen in my life. La Candelaria is great walking, places waiting to be rediscovered, and has a happening salsa club. Close by is Monserrate, where I have to go when it's not raining. There's still so much I have yet to discover but I've been fortunate to have met and made friends with many of the people I work with and, poco a poco, people not related to my job.
Even though it has only been a little over two months, Bogotá is feeling more and more like home. My apartment is getting closer to me being officially settled-in. There are things like artwork and photos, plants, fish and textiles that need to be purchased. But the painting and new rug and all other touches I've made helped the process speed up. During the October break— mainly because I was too slow to plan a trip for that week— I plan to take care of more. Sometimes when I wake in the middle of the night I feel as if I were in my old apartment. Bogotá is my new home, but Quito can still stay one too, right?
Love all of this. Your tone in this post is so positive. I found I was smiling as I read.
ReplyDelete