My New Digs
After one lovely week with my new Colombian family, I moved into a new place! I was very lucky that another professor in the department had an open room. Last week, I met up with her (Christina) and her other roommate (Nicole) a few times to see if we hit it off. Seeing how they are both lovely, social, friendly gals, it was an immediate fit.
Interestingly, both girls are from Germany, but met here. Christina has lived in Bogota for 5-6 years and rented the apartment from another German family who returned to Germany. She teaches German and English at Los Andes with me, and is a constant source of great info and hilarious anecdotes about her time here. Nicole teaches German at the Goethe Institute in Bogota and has been here for 3 years. Both are fluent in Spanish, so there are a few languages flying around the apartment! I have been in the new place for a few days now and it already feels homey.
Let me introduce you to the place. First of all, it's in one of the older neighborhoods in Bogota, called Teusaquillo, which means that the apartment in general, and the rooms in particular, are bigger than you might find in some of the newer buildings. For example, here's the main living area, which as you can see, has plenty of room for activities.
Here's my bedroom, which I adore. Cute, right? And it came furnished! Score!
Due to the apartment's old age, there are a few...interesting...quirks. Any future visitors will have to keep a small cheat sheet in their pocket at all times! Here's a quick run-down:
1. To enter the apartment, there are three locks with 3 separate keys (and a separate key for the building entrance!). Top lock, turn to the right, then gently nudge door forward. Second lock, turn twice to the left, and then gently nudge door forward. Third lock, turn to the right and push door open. As you can imagine, I had to practice a few times.
2. The bathroom I share with Nicole: First, it's possible to get locked inside so never lock the door. In fact, if you're home alone, just don't close it! Second, you have to roughly manhandle the toilet knob to get it to flush. In six months I will have very strong fingers. Third, said toilet cannot handle paper. Ever. Fourth, the shower: To turn on the hot water, one must go to the room behind the kitchen and turn on the gas heater. You may have to push the igniter 20 or 30 times, but it'll work. In the shower, you can only use the left water nozzle because the right only produces freezing water. As soon as you turn on the shower water, also turn on the sink faucet for 5 seconds or so, then shut it off. You may now shower.
3. Kitchen: Relatively normal, but gas ignitors on stove do not work so you have to use matches/lighter to ignite. Kitchen windows must never be opened because they may fall into the building shaft/abyss and break onto first floor apartment's floor.
4. Living room window: One is almost broken, so gently open. Top windows must never be opened because they will never close again.
...I think that's it, but I have a horrible feeling I'm forgetting something and I may just endanger myself soon....
The apartment is a bit strange, yes, but already near and dear to my heart. Did I mention both couches pull out and we have another spare twin mattress? Christina said the neighbors must think we have a hostel because of all the visitors coming in and out. Hint hint.
Finally, the building is very close to a street called Park Way, which has several cute cafes, grocery shops, live theaters etc. I am excited to explore it more! I'll leave you with a picture of Christina at one of my new favorite places on Park Way called Waffles and Crepes. This woman has a spiritual connection to all the closest dessert shops. Lucky me :)
Interestingly, both girls are from Germany, but met here. Christina has lived in Bogota for 5-6 years and rented the apartment from another German family who returned to Germany. She teaches German and English at Los Andes with me, and is a constant source of great info and hilarious anecdotes about her time here. Nicole teaches German at the Goethe Institute in Bogota and has been here for 3 years. Both are fluent in Spanish, so there are a few languages flying around the apartment! I have been in the new place for a few days now and it already feels homey.
Let me introduce you to the place. First of all, it's in one of the older neighborhoods in Bogota, called Teusaquillo, which means that the apartment in general, and the rooms in particular, are bigger than you might find in some of the newer buildings. For example, here's the main living area, which as you can see, has plenty of room for activities.
If you look the opposite direction toward the front door, you can see my bedroom in the back corner.
Here's my bedroom, which I adore. Cute, right? And it came furnished! Score!
Due to the apartment's old age, there are a few...interesting...quirks. Any future visitors will have to keep a small cheat sheet in their pocket at all times! Here's a quick run-down:
1. To enter the apartment, there are three locks with 3 separate keys (and a separate key for the building entrance!). Top lock, turn to the right, then gently nudge door forward. Second lock, turn twice to the left, and then gently nudge door forward. Third lock, turn to the right and push door open. As you can imagine, I had to practice a few times.
2. The bathroom I share with Nicole: First, it's possible to get locked inside so never lock the door. In fact, if you're home alone, just don't close it! Second, you have to roughly manhandle the toilet knob to get it to flush. In six months I will have very strong fingers. Third, said toilet cannot handle paper. Ever. Fourth, the shower: To turn on the hot water, one must go to the room behind the kitchen and turn on the gas heater. You may have to push the igniter 20 or 30 times, but it'll work. In the shower, you can only use the left water nozzle because the right only produces freezing water. As soon as you turn on the shower water, also turn on the sink faucet for 5 seconds or so, then shut it off. You may now shower.
3. Kitchen: Relatively normal, but gas ignitors on stove do not work so you have to use matches/lighter to ignite. Kitchen windows must never be opened because they may fall into the building shaft/abyss and break onto first floor apartment's floor.
4. Living room window: One is almost broken, so gently open. Top windows must never be opened because they will never close again.
...I think that's it, but I have a horrible feeling I'm forgetting something and I may just endanger myself soon....
The apartment is a bit strange, yes, but already near and dear to my heart. Did I mention both couches pull out and we have another spare twin mattress? Christina said the neighbors must think we have a hostel because of all the visitors coming in and out. Hint hint.
Finally, the building is very close to a street called Park Way, which has several cute cafes, grocery shops, live theaters etc. I am excited to explore it more! I'll leave you with a picture of Christina at one of my new favorite places on Park Way called Waffles and Crepes. This woman has a spiritual connection to all the closest dessert shops. Lucky me :)
Comments
Love you,
Cousin Marie