arnold_kate has left 17 comments

arnold_kate comments on How about you deal with Colombia yourself? ;-)

I had to mention the mayo and other milk based salsas or the hot sauce here that people don´t refrigerate. I thought when I first got here that they were super chemicalized and didn´t require refrigration...then 3 months in I stopped and read the label. Oh My God this mayo is suppose to be refrigerated too. Our cook doesn´t keep any of that stuff in the fridge. She also cooks one big meal at like 11 in the morning and when I get home at like 7 or 8 it is still on the stove and that is what she wants to serve for dinner. I have yet to get sick. I just try and not think about it or else I get grossed out.

arnold_kate comments on DAS raid at English Language School

good one jorgegdiaz!! I needed a laugh!

arnold_kate comments on

your best bet is to come to Cartagena and plan on paying for a hotel for two night and start looking on foot and taxi. There are apartments to rent all over the place here. he price range is huge too. ou could find a place and pay $300 ad you could find a place and pay $1,000. Hope this helped.

arnold_kate comments on Crime in Cartagena, Colombia

I am living in Cartagena and am a very obvious gringa. I live in a barrio outside of any tourist area. I feel very safe. I let the nanny walk my kids to school by herself and have no worries for them. My spanish is still pretty limited and I take taxis by myself (all way outside any thing that could be consider tourist areas). I love it here. It is beautiful. There ius strong police and military presence. I run in the morningings around my neighborhood by myself with no worries. The things you have to be careful of (like any major city anywhere) is pick pocketing and other obvious things you might carry that could be stolen. I wouldn´t walk around with my laptop case other then to the car and building. Just be smart but dfon´t be worried. I travel between cities out to our farm at night without worries. It is safe here.

arnold_kate comments on in cartagena..... now what?

Don´t worry too much. My cousins came during high season and walked around for a day asking questions (they didn´t speak much spanish either) and found a clean hotel for 20 dollars a night. It didn´t have airconditioning but did have high powerd fans. You will just have to pay for a more expensive place for a few night to store your stuff untill you can do the foot work of walking around to find an affordable place. Street food is cheap and I haven´t gotten sick yet (I live here in Cartagena). You will be fine just be careful with your belongings, keep your eyes open, and try not to act like a jerk Colombians still have a good opioion (generally) of US citizens. Hope you have fun.

arnold_kate comments on Buying Bras

I am a gringa living in Cartagena. I bought most of my bras from Victoria secret or department stores and planned on just buying my bras in the states when I visited. I have this lady who comes and does my nails on Sundays and she also sells things from a catalog. I was not interested at all in her catalog but she kept pushing and pushing so I said fine I am such and such size and she brought me three bras. They fit me better then any bra I have ever owned! I love them. They are really really nice. I don´t know how much they cost. My husband took care of paying and I didn´t think to ask, but whatever the cost they are amazing. The tag says L (in a circle) Leonisa Si es mujer Latina and I looked there are US sizes listed on the tag as well. Justed wanted to share my Colombia bra story :)

arnold_kate comments on Properties near the coast, which coast?

I live in Cartagena and like was stated above the venders just don´t bother me that much. I found if they speak to say no gracias and other then that I pretend they aren´t there and they move on to the next person who is making eye contact. I understand and completly respect that they drive everyone else crazy, but they just don´t bother me very much. The heat is hot but I moved here from Florida and don´t find it much different then the summers there. Cartagena is a beautiful place with tons to do.

arnold_kate comments on Americans with a business in Colombia

I recently moved from the states to Cartagena. I have opened a business here and feel totally safe. I am more aware of my surroundings like I would be in any big city in the US. I am also a mother to a two year old and a one year old. They of course are with me in Cartagena- my son goes to school every day. The nanny walks him and I feel perfectly safe for my family and myself. (I do realize this post was not about Cartagena, but wanted to share my experience as a gringa and business owner).

arnold_kate comments on Newbie trip report

I have flown out of Cartagena twice and was never taxed. Though it was always mentioned, but never actually enforced. I don`t usually tip the taxi driver. If you decide to just tip a small amount like 500 pesos or 1,000. It is not expected. I love Cartagena!

arnold_kate comments on Why do Colombian men always eat fast and clean their plate?

Speak about drinks that are wonderful in Colombia that you can´t get in the states (of course the fresh juice), I love love chicha creama (in Cartagena) amazing amazing. My Colombian husband eats very fast and always clears his plate. I think it is the culture. The swishing you see people doing with their coffe is becasue residue settles on the bottom. It is really gross unless it is all mixed in.

arnold_kate comments on Happily Married Colombian's to American's. If your out there please post!!!!!!!

I am American (gringa) married to a Colombian. We met in 2001 and married in 2005. I couldn´t be happier. We have two kids under the age of two. We have a great little family. We recently moved from the States to Cartagena (two months ago). We have opened our own business and looking to buy a house. Marriage between cultures is great! We balance each other.

arnold_kate comments on marbelmorales

To answer your question about pediatric care I need to ask where you are traveling to. What part of colombia? I am living in Caratgena (gringa recently moved here) My inlaws are all doctors and we even have a pediatric oncologist in the family so I might be able to give you info. The family is scattered around colombia so I might be able to tell you about other place quality of care too just need to know where you are traveling. contact me on here or email me at arnold_kate at hotmail.com

arnold_kate comments on Going to Cartagena... have no Visa... intend to work...

go to Gorge Washington School It is an english school and ask to be put on the english tutor list. Lots of students need help and in this school there parents have the money to get them the help! The school faces the beach. Ask around or take a taxi it is easy to find. The director is a gringo married to a colombian.

arnold_kate comments on Rental Apartments in Cartagena de Indies

I am looking for an apartment for the month of July. I live in Cartagena, but my two cousins are coming for the month and I don´t have enough room for them. The only apartment I have found was $1,000. One of thgm is in medical school and the other teaches english in Korea (they don´t have alot of money at this point in their lives). They are both gringo and need just a safe place to rest there heads nothing fancy! Please email me anything you find! arnold_kate at hotmail.com

arnold_kate comments on Getting an ID card when emigrating to Colombia

I just got my Colombian visa and just found out that i need a cedula. How do I make this happen. I am in Cartagena. Thanks

arnold_kate comments on Money Transfer from Colombia to the US

just had to deal with this about a week ago. The best way is through a bank. Trying to do western union or money gram is very very expensive. The banks offer it for about 25 usd.

arnold_kate comments on Anybody heard anything about ISSO teacher training (TEFL) ?

I haven´t been to Cali yet, but I go to Barranquilla often. It is a fairly big place with lots to do. I have heard the night life is good there but haven´t yet experienced it myself. I would definetly recomend it. Hope this helps! Katie