This blog post is so long overdue I don’t even know where to start!
Our arrival in Bogota was such a whirlwind..the last minute packing that is always stressful and time consuming...Only people living abroad truly know what this is like. Packing in as much as you can while staying within the weight limits involves packing and re-packing and most of the time, taking things out.
But we made it, 7 suitcases, 1 guitar, 3 carry-on’s, and a stroller (which we’ve only used once since being here, go figure). Baxter didn’t make the flight with us because of a pet embargo on Delta Airlines, it’s just too hot in the summer months to put a pet under the plane. (Although he did leave Thailand with us...average temperature around 95 F at the time).
We arrived in Bogota on a flight that held most of the new crew arriving at CNG, most of us didn’t meet until we arrived and had picked up our luggage, but it was an exciting way to come in. The HR folks from CNG had their whole crew there to pick us up, take care of our luggage and escort us off to a hotel for the night.
There are so many details about our arrival that made it feel like CNG rolled out the red carpet for us newcomers, more than I can really share here, but here are a few of the details that stand out…
They took our luggage upon arrival and delivered it directly to our new apartment. You heavy travelers know how horrible it is to load and unload heavy bags, this was so nice to arrive at our new home without being burdened down with bags. Not only was the apartment fully furnished, complete with towel and bedsheets, they also include groceries, the staples, sugar, salt, coffee and starter meal of pasta and red sauce. It was so thoughtful and nice.
The day after we arrived they escorted us to campus where all the service providers we would need were all in one room ready for us to sign up. Within a span of a few hours, we had signed up for cell service, internet, Direct TV, bank accounts opened...I had signed our insurance & pension papers, we all got a blood test (even Dylan), fingers scanned for security at the school. It was so organized and convenient! AND we didn’t have to pay a single peso, we were signed on for these new services on the reputation of the school. We were also given our “settling in” allowance, the equivalent of $500 cash and another $1,000 on a debit card!
Over the first few days we taken to get our Colombian ID, shopping, we were treated to fabulous meals...during these first few days we realized that Dylan was sick. He had a fever and started getting blisters on his hands...he had hand foot mouth! I was horrified that he was sick and had been interacting with some of the kids who had also arrived with us. We kept him quarantined in our apartment until we knew he was better, but 2 days later I also got sick! I ended up with strep throat within the first week of our arrival and got to experience the doctor house call. Apparently it only costs about $12.50 for the doctor to come to your house. It was really convenient. I was so sad to miss the entire first week of orientation with my fellow new colleagues, but I had a full recovery and was ready to start school the following Monday with the returning staff.
This place is fabulous. I love my new school, everyone is so super friendly it almost seems unreal. Teachers from CNG who also live in our building came by and introduced themselves, people go out of their way to help you and it’s so refreshing. Everyone genuinely seems happy to be here.
We’re settling in...the weather is fantastic! Everyday has a little bit of rain and clouds mixed with some sunshine. The landscape is beautiful, the mountains, the crisp air on the school campus, the views are refreshing and because our apartment faces west, we get to watch the sun dip down behind the mountains in the distance as the city simultaneously begins to twinkle it’s night lights.
Dylan has a nanny and started daycare today, Fuad has been diving right in to learning Spanish, and I’ve just spent the last 3 days teaching my first classes.
This is going to be a good chapter, I know it already.
 |
| The famers market just down the street from our apartmet |
 |
| Our building |
Dylan loves all the new parks to explore, this one is right outside of my classroom.
