Got the job in Bogota!

Well chicos, I got offered a full-time position in Bogota and just need to finalize a few things before I formally accept it! I'm pretty excited, and nervous, and ... that about says it. I've heard a lot of really good things about Bogota. Yes, it's not the safest place in the world but neither is NYC...or any large city for that matter. The current president has done a lot for Bogota and Columbia as a whole to make it a lot safer for tourists and citizens.

Anyway, my friend from home, Alexa, is leaving Buenos Aires today (where I'm still chillin'). She's traveling to Salta in the North of Argentina for a few days. I'm staying in B.A. for a few more days then meeting up with her on Saturday in Cordoba (to the west of B.A.). After that we're traveling to Mendoza (wine country, what! what!), THEN, on to Santiago, Chile (country number 18 for me!), before flying to Bogota on Tuesday, September 30th. It's going to be a busy couple of weeks from now on but I can't wait to get going!

Keep ya'll posted!

done with CELTA, now what?

So, I finished my CELTA certificate a week and a half ago. Since then, I´ve been seeing the sites of Buenos Aires and spending time with my friend Alexa from home. CELTA took up pretty much all of my time during August so I´ve finally had the chance to see some of the city and enjoy some of the nightlife here. Hooray!

Tonight, Alexa and I are taking a bus to Iguazu Falls (in the Northeast of Argentina). We´re staying there for 2 nights but the whole trip will take about 4 days since it´s a crazy-long bus ride and we´ll be spending two nights sleeping on the bus. Oh the joys of traveling in South America!

I had an interview this afternoon with International House in Bogota, Columbia. International House is a well-known and respected chain of English schools throughout the world. I did my CELTA training at the International House in Buenos Aires but since I don´t have an Argentinian work visa (sshhhh), they don´t have any work for me. The IH in Bogota will be able to get me proper papers and is looking to hire teachers for the end of the month. The timing and general location (South America) may work out.

The only reason I´m reluctant to work in Columbia is because of it´s reputation for violence. I´ve done some research on the internet and talked to a few travelers who´ve been to Columbia recently and overwhelmingly, I´ve found that it´s like any other city; there are good parts and dangerous parts and as long as you use common sense and take precautions, you should be fine.

I spoke with the Director of Studies of the Bogota school today and he reassured me that he feels safer in Bogota than he did in his native Manchester, England. He also said he´d give me the emails of some young female teachers from the school who I may be able to relate to better.

I´ll hear back tomorrow (yikes!) if IH Bogota wants to hire me and will go from there. Wish me luck! Also, if anyone reading this has traveled to Bogota and has any advice for me, I´d love to hear it!

Buenos Aires: Cheaper, but not dirt cheap

Before coming to Buenos Aires, I thought that since 1 USD= 3 Argentian pesos, the country would more-or-less be on 66% sale for me. Not quite. Here is a break down of things that are cheaper, about the same, and more expensive compared to home (Northeast US):

*All prices are in USD

Cheaper
1. Public transportation- one ride on the subway (subte) will cost you about $0.30. That also goes for buses. Not bad!
2. Steak- Argentina is know for it´s beef. The other night I went out to dinner with about 12 people. We went to a really nice steak restaurant (think Capital Grill or Abe and Louis in Boston). The total cost of:
i. appertizers (bread, salami, cheese);
ii. alcohol (about a beer and a glass of champaign for everyone, plus 3-4 bottles of wine);
iii. entres (we ordered "family style" so about 6 or 7 "share entres" for everyone including steak, duck, and more steak);
iv. sides;
v. and coffee
came to a whopping $300. THAT´S CRAZY! Litterally, a great steak dinner costs about $25 a head including everything!
3. Wine- Argentina has great Melbac wine. A decent bottle can go for less than $10! If you buy one for less than $3 (yes, I´ve done that), you basically get something that tastes like vinegar...no surprise there!
4. Accomidation- sharing a room in an apartment will cost from $100-$300/month. A one bedroom apartment will go for about $600/month.
5. Empanadas- okay, perhaps we don´t have these in the US (or at least not everywhere) but these tasty treats go for about $1 each!

About the same
1. Coffee- expect to spend about $2-$3 per cup
2. Average lunch or simple dinner- the cost of a drink (water or soda), a salad, small sandwich, or personal pizza, coffee, plus tip will cost about $11-$14/ person.

More expensive
1. Batteries
2. Razors
3. Anything electronic