What’s it like to live with a Colombian family?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”square” message_box_color=”danger” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-pen”]Editor’s Note: This post was last updated on December 2, 2020. The author’s living with a Colombian family experience took place between December 2013 to March 2014. All of the stories below are based on real-life experiences.[/vc_message][vc_column_text]Since 2010, I was an active member of the Couchsurfing community. Back then, I was still a University student and didn’t have the opportunity to travel a lot because of school. I vowed to myself that I will actively host people in my apartment so when it’s my time to travel, I will have contacts from all over the world, who, without obligations, will return the favor.

In Manila, I met a girl called Andrea, a Colombian living in China who was teaching Zumba at the time. She had a 2-week break and she chose the Philippines as her travel destination. When I met Andrea, I didn’t have plans to travel to South America yet (or ever imagined that I would) but I still hosted her. It was so interesting for me to know someone from the other side of the globe who will travel to my country.

Couchsurfing schedules are nuts. I say yes to everyone and at the time Andrea contacted me, I already was hosting 2 guys from Germany so I didn’t have enough space. She said she already has accommodations (she was traveling with other Zumba instructors) and she just wanted to meet locals.

I had prior commitments that day so I asked my friends if a Colombian friend can tag along. They said yes and everyone got to meet Andrea! In return, Andrea had a chance to see the Filipino circle of friends dynamics. We had so much fun and that drinking session was followed by 2 more nights of gathering with my different set of friends. Andrea was very happy!

“If you ever come to Colombia, remember that you are most welcome to stay with me.”

The following year, I went to South America without a plan and never thought I would use the invitation card Andrea gave me when we met in the Philippines. I texted Andrea and said, “Hey, I’m in Brasil now and planning to go to Colombia soon. I was wondering if…”

“Of course! Stay with me!” I didn’t know how it will work. She was still living in China so I asked her how will that be possible. Little did I know that she already told her parents about it. They were willing to host me even if Andrea wasn’t around.

“I will come for Christmas and New Years’. I will see you there!” she said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][mkdf_section_title position=”” title_tag=”” disable_break_words=”no” tagline=”Living with a Colombian family ” title=”My arrival in Barranquilla”][vc_column_text]Barranquilla is a northern coastal city in Colombia and is not part of the touristic circuit. Not everyone goes there. Andrea grew up in Barranquilla and her family owns a house in an upper-middle-class neighborhood. Their extended family members live in the area as well.

Some of my friends thought I was completely out of my mind for staying with people whom I never met before. Colombia, unfortunately, doesn’t have a good reputation because of the huge shenanigan with the drug cartels. Even if I’ve never been, I wasn’t scared because I met a real Colombian in the flesh who talked about so many good things about her country. That is assurance. I will always believe people who have been there (let alone a local!) than those who haven’t been, even if it’s my family.

I landed in Colombia with three beautiful girls waiting for me at the arrival gate. Andrea came with her sisters, Daniella and Mariana, plus their father, Mario. Their mother, Patricia stayed behind. They said she was really busy cooking dinner and fixing my “room-to-be”.

It was already my fourth month traveling South America and I didn’t know I was longing for this kind of treatment. You know, like having family around. Picking me up at the airport (even if there’s no need) with the whole family is a gesture that not everyone is willing to do. It wasn’t necessary because I can always take public transport or a taxi to their house but still, they did it.

I feel like I was in the Philippines the first time I stepped into their home! Colombian families are very hospitable, kind, and caring. Imagine, I had my own room with a private bathroom. Every day, beautiful meals were served on their table and all I had to do was to eat.
Family is important to Colombians and that it should always come first — more than themselves, more than anything. Every week (literally), I found myself in different houses of their relatives to have lunch/dinner, talk, talk, and talk. Although I didn’t speak much Spanish at first, this family talked to me and I really felt the sincerity of their words. I felt so welcome![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][mkdf_section_title position=”” title_tag=”” disable_break_words=”no” tagline=”Living with a Colombian family ” title=”Colombian host family set up”][vc_column_text]

As a long-term traveler, I learned how to be less picky with places I sleep on but promised myself that no matter how expensive it is, I will always eat good food. I will never be cheap on food. I honestly thought I would sleep in their living room but I was given my own private room, my own bathroom, a huge bed and a big window with the view of the neighbourhood.

For three months, I didn’t pay for food and accommodations. I just needed to live like them, eat with them, participate in their life as part of the family.

THREE MONTHS IS A LONG TIME. WHAT DID YOU DO?!

I know three months is a long time but during my stay, I discovered that visiting has a different perspective than staying. It feels so weird to live another culture that is so far away from mine but I enjoyed every minute of it. Andrea, her sisters Daniela and Mariana can speak English pretty well but in their house, their setting was Spanish.

Every day, I wake up at 7:00, start running and/or do Zumba with Andrea and Daniela. Mariana (the youngest daughter) goes to school while Mario (Father) and Patricia (Mother) go to their day jobs. We do our own breakfast since Patricia is not around. Andrea is a fitness buff so she always made amazing breakfast food! I didn’t have to do much! By noon, only Andrea, Daniela, and I are in the house. Andrea works online and Daniela is on vacation (she’s studying at a University in Buenos Aires) so we have the house to ourselves the whole day. Each one of us has our own things to do. Daniela goes out a lot to see her friends while Andrea and I work on our computers. The house is unbelievably quiet.

In the afternoon, I go running again or do Zumba with Andrea and Daniela. Mariana also joins us as soon as she arrives from school around 17:00. Patricia makes dinner and by 20:00, we are all sitting at their porch or living room to share stories. Stories that at first were very weird to me because I don’t speak Spanish. For a time, I had to sit there, smile, and pretend I understand everything but I really was trying. On some nights, we also do karaoke with the whole family.

Weekends are a bit different. I went a lot with Andrea and Daniela’s high school friends every Friday. We sat in bars, went to clubs, danced on the street, and ate street food while we were drunk. It was good for me to have friends while I was staying there. With this, I also got a chance to learn about Colombian circle of friends dynamics. On Saturdays, we sleep in. No workouts. Nothing. For dinner, the whole family goes out to eat in restaurants.

Colombian families don’t have stay-in helpers so the girls and I help Patricia in washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning our rooms, etc. Even if I was regarded as a guest, I offered help every time I can because I want to participate and be part of the family. I never wanted them to think I was treating their house like a hotel.

Since I’m always in the house, I told Patricia (in my broken Spanish) to tell me if she needs help with anything. For example, simple things like buying milk and eggs in the store are the least I can do as everyone in-charge seems to be busy with a lot of things. Sometimes, I walk their dog without being asked because I also need to breathe fresh air and get to know the neighborhood.

Birthdays, weddings, Christmas – I got to experience it all while living with a Colombian family. Colombian families are close-knit and they are always present in every important family event. I met Andrea’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews – all the family members you can think of! They asked a lot of questions about my culture and I always tell them that it’s exactly the same as theirs. It’s their first time to meet someone from the Philippines so I had to put out a good word about my country.

I already mentioned the setting: not everyone in Andrea’s family can speak English so I was forced to learn Spanish. For one hour every day, I practice Spanish with a language partner via Skype and I honestly don’t remember how I met him. It must be some language exchange website but I don’t remember pretty well. I didn’t want to be rude. I can choose not to learn Spanish and just struggle with the sign language but I couldn’t bear the idea of not communicating with them while they are hosting me, feeding me and being nice to me the best possible way they can. I wanted to have a meaningful relationship during my stay. That drive lead me to being fluent in Spanish. By the end of my Colombian family stay, I can maneuver Spanish perfectly. It was one of the greatest moments where I surprised myself by learning a new language and being fluent with it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][mkdf_section_title position=”” title_tag=”” disable_break_words=”no” tagline=”Living with a Colombian family ” title=”Tips on staying with Colombian families”][vc_column_text]

  • They do things together so you should join the band as well. Here are some points I want to share to you in case you’ll be staying with a Colombian family in the future.
  • Always help with household chores. Take the initiative. Wash the plates, sweep the yard, make your own bed, etc. Andrea and her family has a housekeeper but there are days that she can’t come so we share the chores among ourselves — like I am really a part of their family.
  • Express yourself. When you don’t speak Spanish, sure, it’s very hard to do this. However, you should try. Colombians are huggers and kissers and they actually transformed me into one. They hug and kiss before they go to sleep, when they wake up and even if you just saw each other two hours ago. They are very expressive with their feelings! At first, I was very intimidated with their father, Mario, because of my lack of Spanish skills but after three months, I was able to cope.
  • Follow house rules. Treat their home like it’s yours. They might not be your parents but they also want the best for you.
  • Consider yourself as a part of the family. When there is a family reunion, you need not ask if, “Am I going?” You are in an immersion activity so you are definitely included in all the families activities. Never use the I think I’m gonna pass card. You will learn so much with these little family gatherings and it’s the best way to practice your Spanish!

The day I left Colombia was strange. Never have I thought that I would feel really sad leaving someone behind. Patricia was crying and I did cry, too. After my family stay in Colombia, I continued my journey in the coast. I visited places like Cartagena, Santa Marta, etc Taganga at my own expense. I saved enough money when I was staying with them so I thought I’ll take a break and go around a bit. Even if I am already in another country, Patricia and Mario are listed as my emergency contact numbers in case something happens to me in my travels. Three months is not a long time but one day, if I ever come back to Colombia, I know I have a family to go home to.

2 years after that, I was still traveling South America. Even if I am already in another country, Patricia and Mario are listed as my emergency contact numbers in case something happens to me in my travels. Three months is not a long time but one day, if I ever come back to Colombia, I know I have a family to go home to.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Similar Posts

18 Comments

  1. sounds like a brilliant, unforgettable experience. the best way to get to know a place – ive stayed with families in Iran, Sri Lanka, India and Georgia and all hold a special place in my heart. Great post!

  2. My dear Trish! I can’t believe I never saw this post before! The only thing I can say is I’m so blessed to meet you on the road. Love you much. You’re definitely my sister; family is not determined by a type of blood. In this Universe we can find so many families out there! I just keep wishing you all the best!

  3. quite happy to chance upon your blog..very inspring..i have always wanted to travel alone but i dnt have the courage to do so.Being an introvert, i will find it hard to live with a family..might as well try hostels or some other budget accomodation but safety is at times one of the things that is compromised when opting for pension houses or hostels over other expensive accomodation but relatively much safer like 4 star hotels.may i ask..is peru a safe country to visit for a solo female traveler?

  4. Sounds like you had a fantastic experience and a great way to get a good insight of local culture. Really would love to do something like this one day. 🙂

  5. A really interesting experience and great for learning a language. Are families that different around the world? Saying that I couldn’t really spend too much time with mine.
    Only joking.

  6. 3 months living the life of a different country and culture. Immersing oneself with the locals is really a great experience and what travel is actually all about. Your post presents such a fresh perspective of Colombia and its people, their warmth and familial culture that is so far removed from what is projected. Loved reading it.

  7. Wow such an interessting experience 🙂
    A few years ago I was living with a taiwanese family during my volunteering job in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I totally felt in love with these people who were so nice to me. Every day they were introducing me to their culture, preparing the best food and taking me for a trip around the city and outiside 🙂
    It was the best time in my life and I hope to visit my taiwanese family one day 🙂

    Best,
    Kasia

  8. What an experience – living with locals is the best way to really immerse yourself in a country, and it’s so nice to hear that Colombian families are very hospitable, kind and caring. Also a great way to learn a second language – when it’s the only way you can communicate it definitely forces you to become fluent much more quickly! Probably the best way to learn!

  9. What an amazing and unique experience. This is the best way to fully immerse yourself and learn more about the country. And to form a lifelong bond with this family, what a priceless gift to have.

  10. Love your story. Now, I’m thinking on getting my own apartment to do couchsurfing. Ahahhaha! Its really great to know people all over the world so in case you will be visiting. There’s a home waiting for you. I hope to experience the same.

  11. Hi Trisha, I was touched by your experience. Proud to say that I’ve been to your country the Philippines.

  12. Hello ate, pwede po patulong kung paano kayo nakapunta ng colombia? Meron po ba kayong email address …wala po kasi akong instagram…salamat po in advance

Leave a Reply to Mei from Travel with Mei and Kerstin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *