Best Place for an Extended Stay

[VT]

Here's an important question.  I'd greatly appreciate the feedback of anyone who has an
opinion.

I want to settle down in one town in a Latin American country other than
Colombia for between two to six months.  I would do one of
those "immersion" language courses where I would live with a local family.
I already speak intermediate Spanish but would like to gain complete
fluency.  But Portuguese (Brazil) is also an option.

The real reason is to find a woman to marry.  I'm 39, decent-looking,
successful and never-married.  I think I could do well.  The question is
WHERE?

Some of the countries I've seen these courses offered in are Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala,
Costa Rica, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela

I would be interested in all opinions, particularly from those who have
first-hand experience in specific towns.  I'd also like to have opinions on
these language programs, and living with a family, etc.  Is this a good way
to spend an extended period of time, or does anyone have any other ideas?

In return for all of your help, I guarantee to thrill you with lots of
exciting trip reports.

Thanks a lot.

VT

[Andean Condor]

... in response to Best Place for an Extended Stay, posted by VT on Feb 8, 2003

...to visit Guayaquil and give us the trip report we've all thirsted over.  I've read about multitudes of language programs in that neck of the woods in Ecuador.  Hop on over to the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree and give the archives a search.  Picking a language service seems to be a FAQ there.  Good luck and have fun!

[JJJ]

... in response to You could be the first!, posted by Andean Condor on Feb 9, 2003

I recently went to Guayaquil  to check it out for a short time. The people are very nice and it is very tranquilla. They have a beautiful new Malecon development but the rest of the city is not quite as nice.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Best Place for an Extended Stay, posted by VT on Feb 8, 2003

In '96 I did one of those homestay immersion programs in Panama City. I went through Amerispan but another is spanishabroad.com. I like it and found it very usefull. I picked that place after I already had some communication going with two Panamanian chicas via a TLC catalog. My host family consisted of a Chinese/Panamanian doctor, his Italian wife (met while studying medicine in Italy) and their twenty something son. Unfortunately the son spoke English so I could "cop out" if I had to. I think my hostess was a little put out because I went out to dinner with the chicas most nights and she had planned to prepare Panamanian comida tipica for me. In retrospect that was pretty rude and if I were to do over I'd make my dates for after the dinner hour. I don't think I'd be happy in Panama City for a long stay though unless I was completely enamored of a chica there. For language school plus beautifull women how about Venezuala? Just not Caracas at the moment.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Best Place for an Extended Stay, posted by Cali vet on Feb 9, 2003

I think a lot of the programs in Venezuela are in Merida which is a good ways from the frey in Caracas but of course some things could be in short supply there too. I understand Merida is kind of a university town which would of course mean coeds...mmm...yum.

[VT]

... in response to Re: Best Place for an Extended Stay, posted by Cali vet on Feb 9, 2003

Thanks for the suggestions.  I've traveled a lot in Latin America -- many times to Colombia, Chile, Cuba and Dominican Republic -- so I have some basis to form an opinion, although it's pure speculation about the countries I haven't been to.

Ecuador doesn't particularly appeal to me.  I imagine Indian-looking females, poverty and HEAT in Guayaquil.  Doesn't mean I can't check it out and provide that much-needed trip report.

Panama sounds interesting, but would it be good long term?

Venezuela sounds MOST INTERESTING.  I imagine that the political problems wouldn't threaten Americans specifically, although I'm sure day after day of general strikes would make life difficult.  I've heard Venezuelan women are the most beautiful.  I'm going to check out SpanishAbroad.com and see what city their programs are offered in.

If anyone has experience in Venezuela, I'd sure like to hear about it.

Thanks

[JJJ]

... in response to Re: Re: Best Place for an Extended Stay, posted by VT on Feb 9, 2003

Recently went on a tour of Venezuela by crossing the border in Colombia. Drove all the way to Caracas stopping along the way and enjoyed the trip. Merida was nice and similar to Medellin in some ways. Barquisimento was ok but Merida better.