If you’re shy like me, meeting people in a foreign country can be a slow and daungting process, but it’s not impossible. The odds are, if you could make friends back home, there’s no reason you can’t make friends in your new home.  I’ve moved abroad twice: Once to Panama City and then to Bogota, so I know how it feels to be alone and lonely in a foreign country. You tell everyone things are fantastic and you’re absolutely sure of your decision, but inside, you can’t help having those nagging doubts that maybe you were wrong; maybe you just can’t make it work in X country. So what do you do when you’re alone in a foreign country and don’t know anyone?

(1) Look into expat resources. I know that most of us move abroad because we want to assimilate in the local culture and make Panamanian/Costa Rican/Mexican friends, but I’ve found that expat groups are a really great way to meet people going through some of the same things. Everyone who joins these forums or groups is looking to meet people and socialize, and many of these groups are also open to non-expats who are interested in language/culture exchange. If you’re in the under 40 demographic, Coachsurfing.org  is a fantastic resource; aside from hosting meet-ups at local bars or parks, most Latin American countries also have sub categories meaning that if you  want to learn French, go hiking or get involved with the local gay community, there’s likely a group for you. Aside from Coachsurfing, most Latin American countries will have at least one social group catering to expats, and the Internet is your best resource for finding out more about these.

(2) Join something. For months after moving to Colombia, I complained to anyone who would listen (in the U.S. because I didn’t actually have anyone who would listen in Colombia) that I wasn’t meeting anyone. It then dawned on me that meeting people takes effort and it wasn’t going to happen if I sat around my apartment all day working in front of my computer and didn’t join any clubs or grups. So I moved my home office to a local cafe, joined a gym and am considering buying a bike and joining a weekend biking club. Soccer is huge in Latin America, so if you’re interested in “futbol”  joining a local soccer league is a great way to meet people with similar interests. Many countries also have ultimate Frisbee and baseball/softball leagues, as well as birdwatching, hiking, reading, poker groups and more. Join something that interests you.

(3) Live with people. Even if you’ve lived on your own for 10 years and the thought of having roommates fills you with dread, living with other people is one of the best way to feel connected to your new country and build a social network. Latin Americans are notoriously  friendly and outgoing, and will usually make an effort to include you in activities. Plus, roommates will introduce you to friends who will introduce you to other friends.

(4) Resist the urge to say no when people ask you to come out. As I mentioned, I’m a very shy person so the thought of going to a party with just one person I know (they might go talk to someone else and leave me standing awkwardly alone in a corner!) is terrifying.  But I always push myself to say yes and I nearly always have a good time. Yes, maybe I’m standing awkwardly on my own for a few minutes, but it never takes long before I’m talking to someone new. Even if you don’t make lasting friendships at bars or parties, these activities provide a social outlet and an opportunity to learn more about the culture and customs in your new country.

(5) Take a group Spanish or Portuguese class. If you’re already fluent in the local language, pick up another language. Group language classes will give you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. If you’re under 30, sign up for a class at a university, where you’re bound to meet other young people interested in getting to know you and learn more about your culture. If you’re a little older, language institutes and academies often hold night classes for professionals that cater to a 30 plus crowd and even language classes aimed at retired folks.

For more on my travel experiences, check out my blog. For additional travel information, take a look at my pros and cons of visiting Latin America. Or, check out Adriana Harvey’s story about her experience studying abroad in Cuba.

1.) Unsolicited advice and nosiness. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left the house feeling great only to be greeted by people — often people I barely know — telling me about some great weight loss pill or program I could really benefit from. Or that I’d really look better as a blond, that I’m wearing the wrong kind of jeans and that my career choice is all wrong. In Latin America, you can expect unsolicited advice on a relatively frequent basis. And you may find your neighbors are a little more involved than they are back home. Some call it human warmth, others call it nosiness, but whatever you want to call it, accept the fact that people, whether they know you or not, often have no qualms about asking you how much you make, why you’re dating the guy you’re dating, how much your purse cost, et cetera. Often, refusing to answers means getting labeled as cold and rude. Or in the best case scenario, a weird foreigner.

2.) Children living at home until they’re 40. This might not bother you if you’re a retiree living abroad — and it does go to show that families in Latin America tend to be close — but as a 25 year-old single woman living in Bogota, it’s never been my romantic fantasy to date a 30-year old guy living still living at home and with no imminent plans of moving out any time soon. I completely understand that wages are lower in Latin America and cultural differences mean it’s normal for kids to stay home until they get married, but being American, I have a hard time getting excited about a guy who goes home to mom’s everyday for lunch.

3.) Inefficiency. Anyone who’s ever tried applying for a business visa or gone through any other legal or immigration process in Latin America knows what I’m talking about. Person A sends you to person B who sends you back to person A who then sends you off to some remote office to talk to person C who then tells you your papers are all wrong and you’ll have to start the process all over. It can be exasperating, so mentally prepare yourself for a long and arduous paperwork journey.

4.) Men thinking catcalls involving the word “gordita” are somehow flattering. Imagine walking down the street in the United States and a construction worker yelling out “Hey fatty, looking good today!” And said construction worker grinning like he’s just given you the best compliment ever. Now imagine that happening every day. I have to admit these catcalls have grown on me a little, as some are particularly creative and inspired, but overall, being compared to one of Botero’s paintings on a frequent basis does not bode well for one’s self esteem.

5.) Deadly fear of the common cold. In the U.S., I usually caught at least one or two colds every winter. However, during my time in Latin America, I’ve realized that people seem to fear the common cold like people in the United States might fear Ebola or Mad Cow Disease. In Bogota, a cold often involves multiple doctor visits, exaggerated scarf usage and serious pneumonia fears. My grandmother (who is Colombian) cannot comprehend that I would go outside in a short sleeve shirt without a jacket or scarf, never mind that it’s a balmy 75 degrees outside.

6.) Pollution. Unless you decide to live in the countryside, pollution will become a part of your daily life. I’ve gotten used to stepping outside and a potent aroma of diesel, fried goodness, perfume and cigarette smoke filling my lungs. In fact, this smell has become so associated with Latin America in my mind that whenever I go back home and happen to catch a momentary whiff, I’m filled with a sense of nostalgic longing and am instantly transported back to Panama City or Bogota. But as a former suburbanite used to crisp, fresh air, it took me a while to get accustomed to the smog. And get used to people honking their horns for sport.

7.) The cult of beauty. So this might not be a negative if you’re a guy, but as a girl, it can get tiring. My grandmother often says she doesn’t understand how women in the United States go out in sweatpants and disheveled ponytails. She thinks everyone in the U.S. walks around looking a mess. As a woman who used to thoroughly enjoy sweatpants and disheveled ponytails, I’ve had to change my ways. Here, it seems that women are expected to get their hair and nails done at least once a week, hit the gym to fix any slight problem areas (or head to the plastic surgeon if the gym doesn’t do it), and rarely go out looking anything less than perfect. For example, take the gym: While I’m sweating profusely and looking definitively unsexy in my baggy sweats and t-shirt, the woman next to me is looking great in form-fitting spandex and casually running 6.5 miles an hour,  not a hair out of place.  I can’t compete with that kind of perfection. Now, I’m not saying all women strive to look perfect ALL the time, but beauty is definitely a bigger priority, at least in Colombia, than back home. And foreign guys will have to abandon the shorts and flip-flops unless they want to be the perpetual gringo.

8.) A serious aversion to the word “No.” Latin Americans are nice. So nice, in fact, that they hate saying no. Or telling you they don’t know. Maybe you’ve asked directions and have been confidently pointed in a particular direction, only to realize, 20 minute later, you’re going the wrong way. Or maybe you meet some friendly people and promise to get together soon but it never materializes. Just keep in mind that a “yes” in Latin America doesn’t carry the same weight as a yes in North America. Otherwise, you’re bound to be perpetually disappointed. And stood-up.

9.) Cities aren’t quite as “pretty” as back home. The roads have massive craters; the sidewalks are falling apart and uninspired concrete grey buildings from the ‘70s stand next to dilapidated colonial-era structures. Sure, there are perfectly attractive neighborhoods and districts, but for the most part, Latin American cities can be overwhelming and unorganized. It takes a while to be able to see the beauty beyond the chaotic façade, but if you look hard enough, you’re bound to see it.

10.) Social inequality and poverty. One of the hardest things about living in Latin America is having to deal with poverty on a daily basis. Economic contrasts are a much bigger part of daily life here than in the United States or Europe. While some CEOs take home six figure incomes, live in posh penthouses and go to Paris and Miami just for the shopping, maids and security guards often have to get by on $10 or $12 a day. In Colombia, 60% of the population lives below the poverty line and a strict, traditional social system means things are changing at a painfully slow pace. Frankly, the unfairness and difficulty of daily life for many of Latin America’s inhabitants can be downright depressing. But maybe one of the good things about the influx of expats moving down south is the spreading of more egalitarian social notions.

Keep in mind this list is written from the point of view of an expat woman living in Colombia. If you have a different opinion, something to add or think I’m completely wrong , I invite you to be a guest contributor and let LatinWorld know what you think.

For more of my opinions on Latin America, check out my blog or my article about reasons to visit.

Start your tour of Quito at the Basilica del Voto Nacional just to the east of the historic Old Town. This unfinished but striking gothic basilica boasts impressive stained glass windows and a facade showcasing animals native to Ecuador rather than gargoyles. Visitors can walk up the basilica’s towers for $2 for an impressive view of Old Town Quito.

Next, head west toward the Plaza Grande, also known as the Plaza de la Independencia, in my opinion, one of the western hemisphere’s most beautiful plazas. Sit on a bench and people watch for a while, then head to the plaza cathedral, City Hall and the Government Palace. Travelers are usually allowed inside City Hall and the Government Palace, so just tell the guard on duty you want take a look inside.

Once you feel you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Plaza Grande, Walk on Calle Garcia Moreno and arrive at Quito’s most impressive and decorative church, the Compañía de Jesús, which dates back to the early 1600s and showcases Baroque architecture at its best. Admission is $2 and visitor hours are strictly adhered to, so if you arrive between 1pm-2pm or after 5pm, you’ll have to content yourself admiring the church’s exterior. Now walk north toward the Plaza de San Francisco, an expansive, cobblestoned plaza popular with indigenous street vendors and tourists alike. Here you’ll find La Iglesia de San Francisco, Quito’s oldest church, dating back to 1534. The Iglesia de San Francisco is another impressive baroque building and art history lovers will be impressed by its magnificent alter, statues and ceiling. If you’re hungry (or thirsty) head to Cafe Tianguez, a quaint café/restaurant which offering fantastic views of the plaza and a diverse selection of light fare and drinks.  If you have a more serious appetite, I recommend heading back to the Plaza Grande and getting lunch at Mea Culpa, one of Quito’s finest (and most exclusive) restaurants, where you can dine on everything  from exotic seafood dishes to filet mignon.

Now that you have a good feel for Quito’s old town, it’s time to explore the New Town. Take a  cab to the Fundacion Guayasamin, which houses the unique works of Ecuador’s most famous artist, Oswaldo Guayasamin.  His haunting works are replicated in markets and souvenir shops all over Ecuador, but it’s best to see the real thing. The Foundation is actually home to three separate museums, the Museum of Modern Art (where Guayasami’s art can be found) as well as the Archaeological Museum and the Colonial Art Museum. If you also want to check out Guayasamin’s famous Capilla del Hombre just around the corner, admission for all four attractions is $5 and hours are 10am-5pm.  The foundation is closed on Mondays. If you’re a museum junkie, take a quick cab to the Museo Nacional del Banco Central del Ecuador, a sprawling establishment showcasing Ecuadorian history and culture from 10,000 B.C. to present. Tickets cost $2 and museum hours are Tues-Sun 10am-5pm.

If you aren’t too tired out from exploring Quito’s museums, hail a cab and ask the driver to take you to El Teleferico, where cable cars take you to the top of Volcan Pichincha, one of Quito’s highest peaks. At over 13,000 feet high, you’ll want to be sure to bring your jacket and scarf. I recommend doing the teleferico in the evening so you can watch the sunset over Quito while dining at one of the mountain top restaurants.  The teleferico costs $4 and operates from 10am-8pm on weekdays and until 11pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Now that you’ve explored Quito, you might feel the need to unwind with a drink or two.  Grab a taxi at Volqano Park at the bottom of Volcan Pichincha and ask the driver to take you to trendy Plaza Foch, Quito’s upscale party district (don’t worry; most drinks are only $3-$5), where you’ll have your choice of bars and clubs, from English-style pubs to over the top dance clubs featuring go-go dancers and costumed staff.

So before boarding your plane to the Galapagos Islands or another of Ecuador’s better known attractions, give yourself a day or two to explore one of South America’s oldest and most underappreciated capital cities.

For more information on city travel, check out an article on green tourism or what to do when items are stolen abroad.