Differences

Different people, same human beings.

Living in two similar but at the same time different cities as Bogota and New York (places where I have had the fortune to live), offers a great amount ofpossibilities to compare or even contrast basic aspects. Some of them are issues such as work, family, home and social relationships. Seeing deeply at those factors will give you a clear image to choosewhere to go and spare a nice and comfortable vacation period.

Getting a job has been always difficult. People nowadays have serious trouble to get a well paid and qualified job for them. Yearsbefore It was so simple to get a job in New York, you could start from dishwasher and in less than a year became a manager from the same store, now after September 11 (terrorist attacks) the law hasincreased security and immigrants must be legally authorized to be there in order to get a job. In Bogotá this aspect is not wide different. During years society has been submerged in unemployment and lackof opportunities to access to a better life quality. Salaries are not so high and promotion opportunities are few.

Family relations and home are really important for both: Americans and Colombianpeople. However, the Colombian people are more affective in these terms. People in Bogota usually meet on weekends to have a nice lunch or go to a park in order to share a delicious BBQ. Even more, goto mechanical attractions or trips to small warm weather towns. Whereas in New York, people usually work and work and do not have enough time to share with the whole family. They can have lunch ordinner but by themselves. They do not share with grandpas or uncles, aunts or cousins. Normally, they do not even know who lives in the house next door. American people are so close to socialrelationships.

In tropical countries it is normal to know other people. Colombian people are not the exception. In Bogota people go to parties, invite friends to enjoy with them, meet people easily and are...