Alma del Norte has left 867 comments

Alma del Norte comments on Expired visa

Agree with yoyoma. Provided you left Colombia and entered Venezuela legally, of course you can come back on a tourist stamp, I have done exactly the same thing. You will probably get 60 days, but ask - I've been surprisingly successful at getting 3 months at land borders.

Alma del Norte comments on Paco Mami

Pachamama? Quite a compliment. A goddess revered by the indigenous people of the Andes.

Alma del Norte comments on Transfer USD 50.000 to buy a house in Colombia and Formulario 4, etc

Brians - thank you. Unfortunately, I have been dealing with the person in charge. I will try again and if they won't do it, I'll select another branch. All the best.

Alma del Norte comments on Transfer USD 50.000 to buy a house in Colombia and Formulario 4, etc

Fellas; I assume your replies were for me... Pedro - Personally, I don't mind whether it is form 4 or 5. I just thought that filling in form 4 rather than form 5 could bring problems further down the line. Brians - I perfectly understand the reasons why we have to undertake this charade. I am attempting to transfer to my Colombian account and I have been told bank statements, work contracts and UK investment details are not enough; I need a "promeso" to purchase, oddly even if it is not enough to account for the whole transfer. Cheers.

Alma del Norte comments on Transfer USD 50.000 to buy a house in Colombia and Formulario 4, etc

I returned to the UK in order to, (amongst a few other things), transfer some cash to my Davivienda account. After a week, that transfer appears to be in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. My bank in Bogota promised me, before I left for the UK, that I would just need to show bank statements evidencing from where the funds came. Now that I am here, they also want to see the "promeso" for my land purchase, even though that, if I had it, would only account for about a third of the funds - the balance is for construction and miscellaneous costs. I don't understand why there has to be a connection with land purchase when it makes no difference as to the integrity of the source of funds. If my transfer is rejected, can I purchase my land and fund the build with cash from the hole in the wall, and then register my investment? I keep telling them Formulario 5, they keep telling me 4, by the way. To facilitate matters, can I present a "promeso" to purchase my girlfriend's house for the full amount, and then not go through with it, but draw on the cash? Hope some of you can shed a little light.

Alma del Norte comments on Extension temp vehicle import permit

jajaja! I would choose MDE. I asked for 25 days in SMR and got....8...! If that is all you need, it is pleasant enough. I just got your email and I'll reply to that.

Alma del Norte comments on

Nice to hear some kind words about my,(current), home town. It has a lot going for it and although it has changed much over the last few years, for better or worse, I hope it doesn't change too much. It serves a purpose. Thanks

Alma del Norte comments on Extension temp vehicle import permit

DIAN was, and I expect still is in Alpujarras. You need to write a solicitude, (as a tourist), requesting however much time you need, attaching copies of your entry stamp, ID page of passport, licence, expiring importation document and title. I have done this only two days before expiration of the permiso, but I reckon 5 working days is optimum - and don't arrive during almuerzo! Suerte

Alma del Norte comments on Colombiage - The UK's Colombian Arts Festival

Shorty - you are so Scottish.

Alma del Norte comments on Extension temp vehicle import permit

Hey Claude, I have never prorroga-ised in MDE, but I have in BOG and SMR, with mixed results. Shoot me an email. All the best.

Alma del Norte comments on Colombiage - The UK's Colombian Arts Festival

Good to hear that you are your usual chilled self.

Alma del Norte comments on Sending letters in Medellín, again

Cancel your Direct Debit, sort the rest out at your leisure. In the alternative, make sure your document arrives at the Anandamyi Hostel in Bogota http://www.anandamayihostel.com/ by midday Thursday 31st and I will post/deliver it for you.

Alma del Norte comments on Few Pointers

You can get Ibuprofen...and many other things. The sort of stuff Brits seem to miss most are: Marmite, tea, bread, cheese, books and beer.

Alma del Norte comments on What to Wear -- Bogotá, Medellin, Cartagena

"Hi, I'll be traveling to Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena soon and I was wondering what to bring. It seems most of the advice I've been able to find online so far has been for ladies, which unfortunately doesn't help terribly much. Any good advice you all can give me? I know I should avoid shorts in Bogota, and undershirts in Cartagena, but other than that I'm clueless. Any advice you can give is appreciated. By Adamo76 (newbie) on Jul 25, 2009, 16:13 (today) in Travel tips" Well, ahem, this is what the "ladies" have mostly been wearing of late:

Alma del Norte comments on Mono Jojoy, the next terrorist close to fall

ok, then.

Alma del Norte comments on Mono Jojoy, the next terrorist close to fall

You don't seriously think they will be taking any, (male), prisoners alive do you? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8169086.stm

Alma del Norte comments on Entry fee? Tourist Visa

"and if i cross at sn cristobal/cucuta i can expect an exit fee?" No, I doubt it. Maybe Gator knows better but then again I doubt it - I think he is referring to airports.

Alma del Norte comments on Entry fee? Tourist Visa

At Paraguachón, no exit OR entry fee, 90 days on request THIS time. This info. is 2 days old. You pay an, apparently illegal, exit fee for Venezuela; 57 BF...plus whatever they shake you down for when they find your $$$$$$$$.

Alma del Norte comments on Caribe Tronchal Closed

Maicao, maiceo, my cow, troncal, tronchal, anything else? And MAICAO is still a shithole whichever way you spell it. BTW Colombians spell my name Maicol - I have never once corrected them, and if we want to be truly pedantic, you missed out on Paraguachón and Wayúu. Claude, I think we may have just missed each other. I heard this morning as I left Riohacha, (is that ok?) that the road had just opened - Que buena hora!

Alma del Norte comments on Bogota Dentist

Jackie Agudelo Calle 53 B #27- 24 Cons. 206 Galerias 310 42 14 311 229 5196

Alma del Norte comments on Best way to buy internal flights in Colombia from UK

Do these people go where you want to go? http://www.easyfly.com.co/

Alma del Norte comments on Fave Restaurant in Santa Marta?

A La Vista on Kr 1 does a nice ricotta lasagne and Patrick actually does always do a veggie dish. Sitting in Casa de Felipe is not what I would call a night out though. I'll have a think.

Alma del Norte comments on Fave Restaurant in Santa Marta?

Oops, shit, vegetarian. No, forget that. In fact, forget the idea of going out. I'm trying to make tofu if that helps?

Alma del Norte comments on Fave Restaurant in Santa Marta?

Donde Chucho preferably in Rodadero, but in La Plaza de Los Novios if you don't want to go that far. If that's too far, go and see Patrick in Casa Felipe and he'll rustle something delectable up for a mere 15 mil. Beans and eggs indeed.

Alma del Norte comments on Carnaval Latino London

Alright Geez, and thanks to you for your hospitality...and nostalgia. Glad you made it there and back without any hassles, (or did you?), and Johnny's got another thing coming if he thinks A Jar of Marmite = Loaf of Bread. Hope you are enjoying the tea by the way...with your Combian bread.

Alma del Norte comments on Carnaval Latino London

Yeah cool, virtual cereal...thanks.

Alma del Norte comments on Carnaval Latino London

Dunno. Just tastes nice. Now if only I could get some good bread to spread it on...

Alma del Norte comments on Carnaval Latino London

johnny2008 (☼Knobhead) says on Jul 21, 2009, 17:54 (today): flag Alma del Norte (☼Ladyboy) says on Jul 21, 2009, 14:22 (today): I'm back in London on the 31st PLEASE! £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ No shortage here. A large stock of PG Tips too. Seriously, do you realise that a jar of Marmite will amount to 1/30th of my baggage allowance? I'll tell you what, I'll swap you one of the squeezy versions for a box of your exotic cereal. You must have plenty that you haven't shifted yet. I'm back from the UK 31st August if you fancy a Jarra or two.

Alma del Norte comments on Carnaval Latino London

Thanks for the video and the reminder, one of the least boring posts in a long time. I'm back in London on the 31st, so I'll try and make it this year. Sunday August 2nd: http://www.carnavaldelpueblo.co.uk/ Nice little vid. of the Roberto Pla music workshops:

Alma del Norte comments on Moto- Santa Marta-Medellin

Paul at Casa Kiwi is a friend and wouldn't not recommend his place lightly, if you get my drift. But it is a bit of a party hostel, and given your previous posts...well... As regards where to stay on the way to MDE, just pull into one of the many hospedajes at the side of the road with somewhere to eat.

Alma del Norte comments on Accommodation

Sr. Johnny. That hostel is not far from where you suffered the wrath of the one-eyed one. Well it is actually, but just thought I would bring it up.

Alma del Norte comments on Anyone like a dog?

POSTSCRIPT: Thanks to all for comments, advice and offers of help. I took "Como Tu" to the vet today for the once-over and from there up to his new home in Bonda; a large extended loving family, lots of kids, a few other doggy friends and acres of Sierra paradise to run around in. Cheers.

Alma del Norte comments on Anyone like a dog?

Onthemoon - I Personal Messaged you.

Alma del Norte comments on Anyone like a dog?

Thanks Rocco. The worst treatment this dog has received from me is that I may have come over as a little "stand-offish". I failed to show the darker side of my chancleta as is normal practice here. You guys can call him anything you like. To me, he remains "Oi you". He does however understand "sit" in english which is impressive.

Alma del Norte comments on Establishing a Vineyard in Colombia.

From Mars Bars.

Alma del Norte comments on Establishing a Vineyard in Colombia.

To echo what Desi has said and as this map illustrates, the real wine-producing regions of the world are situated between 20 and 50 degrees of latitude. Generally speaking, a good wine grape needs seasons and the avoidance of extremes of temperature. However, Bolivia and Paraguay as well as India have been rumoured to be producing some decent wines of late. The quest for the tropical wine may not be over for more equatorial regions however, as according to this 2002 article, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3488/is_6_83/ai_87709233/?g=content;col1 , Venezuala is producing a quality local wine, capturing 10% of the home market. It is produced by Bodegas Pomar C.A. http://www.bodegaspomar.com.ve/main/ , established 23 years ago by Venezuela's Empresas Polar and France's Maison Martell: Impressive really, because I doubt Venezuela has captured 10% of any market, including domestic, for anything other than oil. The sad thing is that the fermentation process requires air-conditioning.

Alma del Norte comments on Anyone like a dog?

"si, just noticed it, i checked the profile.let`s see if i can have it. looks cute!!! =))" What my profile? - thanks!! :)))

Alma del Norte comments on Anyone like a dog?

I've just noticed your disparaging comments, you cad. I mean, you were an expensive date, man! Frankly, Santa Marta is just too hot for that kind of malarkey at the moment anyway

Alma del Norte comments on Anyone like a dog?

Are you serious? As Johnny says it is in Santa Marta, actually Taganga. The fate of street dogs here troubles me constantly. If I had a more permanent base and/or did not have to travel so frequently, I would consider keeping him, (he's a male, Mongo). It would not be a commitment that I would be prepared to take on lightly. Setting up a modest project to do something for these animals has long been on my list of to-dos. He's a lovely little fella and If anyone can offer him a home, I would be more than happy to get him checked out by a vet, wormed, shots etc. at my own expense. Thanks for your interest folks, and onthemoon please feel free to PM me. Thanks barrumundi too!

Alma del Norte comments on Getting a motorcycle from Panama to Colombia

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/

Alma del Norte comments on

Rabbits don't eat vomit, just their own shit...twice.

Alma del Norte comments on

He's not half as funny in real life and he can't take his ale ;-)

Alma del Norte comments on

I won't eat anything that eats vomit- call me "loco".

Alma del Norte comments on Professor: 'Make London like Bogota'

What are we saying here; that the risk of cancer is less in Bogota than London because of transport policies? ha! f''sure. As a cyclist, pedestrian or anyone else without air-conditioning, the pollution in Bogotá means a long slow death. In London, things have cleaned-up a lot, especially with the demise of the Routemaster, (although personally I miss it). And I would much rather wait for, and travel, by one of those godawful bendys in London, than try and travel any distance on the Transmilenio. Good effort, room for improvement.

Alma del Norte comments on Why does Basic Public Infrastucture differ so much between North and South Bogota?

And therein lies the success of this particular forum; we have so little in common but then so much. Or is it the other way round?

Alma del Norte comments on what are you listening to?

Toto La Momposina - La Candela Viva. Ojos de Brujo - Bari/Remezclas de la Casa.

Alma del Norte comments on Santa Marta

Sorry to contradict Beach Brother but I do not agree that it is "very very very safe" per se. There are some things you can do in the Sierra Nevada, other things you cannot. I will agree that the Ciudad Perdida hike is safe, but only because the paracos and indigena are part of the process. I found this a little while ago: http://www.solarnet.tv/forum/index.php?topic=25207.msg183328 an account of a visit to Nabusímake...interesting.

Alma del Norte comments on Help! Last week in COL ...What to do in BOG

What Johnny2008 said; 51/53 on the Septima near the Texaco is a great informal scene. Also, Usaquen on the plaza, some expensive...ish bars, and restaurants, but also the occasional warehouse party. Museos...did you go to Museo Nacional nr Plaza de Toros? http://redmuseo.javeriana.edu.co/index.php?pag=home&id=2|20|0

Alma del Norte comments on Santa Marta

They are a tad on the conservative side aren't they old chap?

Alma del Norte comments on Santa Marta

Just to echo what the other Extranjero-Samarians say. CCS-SMR bus journeys are safe in my opinion. By the way, where will you be volunteering and in what capacity?