beisbollover has left 250 comments

beisbollover comments on "Turn Yourself In" Free Ride?

Like when a Cuban national takes a boat ride to Mexico, crosses the boarder illegally, takes greyhound to Miami from Houston and then walks into INS and informs them that he just floated here from Havana to gain citizenship.

beisbollover comments on Zona Cafetera, trip report

Great story, thanks for sharing. I visited Salento last August on a family trip to eje cafetero and had a great time. It's a relatively unknown village that Colombia doesn't promote to outsiders. I think that the "jewel" of Colombia is the coffee region. If the country ever wants to promote itself in a positive light and invite tourism from around the world, eje cafetero is the right vehicle. It's safe (no Narcos or Farc) and as beautiful as any place you'll ever see. The world drinks coffee from Colombia just like they drink wine from Napa Valley or Bordeaux.

beisbollover comments on Colombia coffee production drops by one third

I love Colombian coffee, TINTO!

beisbollover comments on 2 days and 1 night in Leticia? What's the feedback

Adrimm, excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

beisbollover comments on Santos Resigns as Minister of Defense looking for a Presidency bid for 2010

I like this guy. I admit I don't know much but from the little I have seen he seems to be the real deal. Should be interesting.

beisbollover comments on Promoting Cock-fighting in Colombia? WTF?

Cock-fighting = Tourism? I am not saying that Colombia should ban it. I agree with toneloc, BUT if you want to show Colombia to the world in the best possible light I don't think this is the way. That's all.

beisbollover comments on Promoting Cock-fighting in Colombia? WTF?

This is from Colombiareports,com http://colombiareports.com/travel-in-colombia/94-bogota/4031-bored-of-bars-and-dancing-how-about-a-bogota-cock-fight.html Talk about being out of touch with your readers. Maybe he thinks Michael Vick is looking for a nice vacation spot.

beisbollover comments on Where do the Gringa and Gringos Hang in Bogota?

Did anyone ever think of the possibility of a criminal or terrorist using this site to ask a simple question like this one? I know it's a bit paranoid but the world we live in today is crazy.

beisbollover comments on

Is it true that there are many Colombians on the Caribbean coast named Usnavy? I heard that this is common as many women fall for US Service men in the region and think that the name on the uniform US NAVY is the persons first name. Myth?

beisbollover comments on Club Colombia

I agree with Darloup on this one. Colombian Beer sucks. The only one drink-able (if very cold) is Aguilla. The truth is that the best beer in the region is Polar from Venezuela. Anyone who has had a beer from Germany/Switzerland/Belgium knows how good they really are. The good news is when anyone ask me if I want a beer all I have to do is smile and shout NO! AGUARDIENTE PORFA! And everyone immediately forgets about beer.

beisbollover comments on Juices, juices and more fruit juices

I vote for Jugo de Mora first and Marcuya in a close second. Whenever we stay in Giradot or Melgar we drink fresh fruit/berry drinks with every meal. I have said before that I am sure that a five star hotel in Manhattan would charge $20 for these drinks that we pay about $1 for in Colombia.

beisbollover comments on The Return of Bogotá

This is the first positive article about Bogota, not from a Colombian source, I have ever seen in my life.

beisbollover comments on anyone have a Plasma or LCD TV they want to sell?

i understand that there is a craigslist in Colombia now.

beisbollover comments on interesting map about Immigration and Jobs in USA

I love it when my friends and neighbors cry about immigrants coming here and taking our jobs. They are all blue color workers who drive for Pepsi, cops, firemen, foremen, pipe fitter union workers, office clerks etc....none of the jobs listed on the map. Immigrants either hit baseballs, perform surgery, invent microchips or pick fruit, take care of our babies and cut our lawns. We need them here to do these jobs. Every reason I hear why they shouldn't be here comes from Xenophobia.

beisbollover comments on where are all the folks into art...ceramica precolombino and textiles?

I am going on record: I love Pre-Colombian art including ceramics but mainly the gold. I collect books on the subject and have probably 50 by now, some in English others in Spanish. Most of them were made by the Museo del Oro in Colombia or by outside museums all over the world that at one time held an exhibit of the gold from the Museo del Oro. I also took the trip to Guatavita to see the amazing lake. I enjoyed the tour and was happy to have been there but hope to go back one day with some sort of expert and see the parts around the lake that are currently "off limits". Maybe even go out on a small boat. By the way, as far as I know, the depth of that lake is still unknown. The ceramics are also fascinating. I actually have one in my home that was found on a finca outside of Ibague. I have no idea how old it really is but it sure was well used during its time. If anyone else has similar interests let me know and we can share pictures, experiences and ideas.

beisbollover comments on Hummingbird

Awesome pic! Thanks for sharing!

beisbollover comments on Tourist Visa for my wife expired

The only thing is that she has now given the American Embassy an out. If they want to lower the amount of visa they give out this year she is screwed. The one part of our government that is awful is the INS.

beisbollover comments on The prize for most obvious statement of the 21st century goes to....

Yes, there is nothing in the post, it will be forthcoming in the book of hers. Did you read "Out of Captivity"?

beisbollover comments on The prize for most obvious statement of the 21st century goes to....

When she realized that the FARC was kidnapping them I wonder if she slapped her forehead and said "DOH".

beisbollover comments on My thoughts

Before this thread is deleted by the mods I just want to say that you are the kind of guy that gives men a bad name. I have no idea where your from but you should just go back there and bitch and complain about the world to the local drunks at a bar. What a moron!

beisbollover comments on OUT of Captivity Book in Medellin???

I have no idea about Medellin, Ive never been there in my life, but if I were you I would go to the airport and find it there.

beisbollover comments on The largest Colombian Emerald visits The Gemological Insitute of America in Carlsbad, California

MaFe, Sorry but your wrong.

beisbollover comments on The largest Colombian Emerald visits The Gemological Insitute of America in Carlsbad, California

Angelina's emeralds were fake. This is real. Once in a lifetime chance to see it if you can. Probably worth 4 million dollars.

beisbollover comments on Nice new (positive) Colombian song

Very cool.

beisbollover comments on Just finished reading "Out of captivity"

They are not hero's because they sacrificed anything. That is obvious. They were not soldiers but highly paid professionals. They are hero's for surviving captivity under the harshest of conditions. Here is a question I have: The plane crashed, and everyone survived, and they just happen to crash next to a FARC group? Too much coincidence for me. I don't believe they crashed at all. Something else was going on.

beisbollover comments on Just finished reading "Out of captivity"

Catfish, They are not Mercenaries as the USA is in fact in an armed conflict with the FARC and anyone else who is involved in the drug trade. A Swede, Venezuelan, South African etc...working for the USA in Colombia would be a mercenary. I understand that you feel differently about them being captive than innocent others who are not against the FARC or drug trade. So do I. They put themselves at risk and they also take full responsibility for having done so. I am in favor of the USA not negotiating with terrorists. The fact that they were rescued, which put others at risk, and are now making money from the ordeal, which is in their right, but which makes them suspect to criticism and subject to doubts, is the beauty of a free society. The kind of society that can choose to buy or not buy the book, believe or not believe them, and criticize and doubt or not. Exactly what the FARC and all other communist left wing political parties don't afford their own citizens.

beisbollover comments on

I love seeing the old men talking on benches in malls, town squares, in front of shops etc.... so old school.

beisbollover comments on

The key word in your story is ASSUME.

beisbollover comments on Just finished reading "Out of captivity"

Ferran, It is always good advice to take all information with a grain of salt, and there are three sides to every story, yours, mine, and the truth. However, these guys were not mercenaries. They were working for an American company that had a contract from the US government to work in Colombia towards the efforts of the war on drugs. They absolutely pledge their allegiance to the US flag.

beisbollover comments on Just finished reading "Out of captivity"

I also read the book and posted comments on PBH recently. Just to reiterate, it is clear that the FARC only exist to make money off of the drug trade and would be entirely wiped out by the Colombian Army if not for hostages. So that means that they will never free all the hostages as this would mean their own deaths. At the same time I cannot help but think that there is an ugly truth about Colombia that the FARC uses to perpetuate their means to an end which is the absolute failure of the central government to provide basic services and prosperity to certain regions within the boarders of Colombia. I, of course, realize that this truth is not the real reason the FARC exists. At some point the central government of Colombia must address this truth and somehow provide the people with the ability to prosper from their own labors.

beisbollover comments on In Chipichape, Cali....McDonald's combo 9600 pesos, El Corral 14,500 pesos

El Corral is much better than McDonalds. Some middle and lower class Colombian families actually save money to take their kids there to eat on birthdays. It's looked at as a status symbol to eat there. Fast food restaurants are looked at much differently in the third world than here in the USA. To them, it's a place to feel "free", to imitate the western lifestyle. To "blow" money on food that way is seen as something only the privileged do. Whereas in the USA fast food is where people go to save money on lunch/dinner.

beisbollover comments on What are the Must-Sees in Bogota???

You can get a similar view of the city from the top of La Calera, which is the road that leads out of Bogota from behind La Septima. Just don't buy anything at the small shack restaurants up there, they are a rip off.

beisbollover comments on What are the Must-Sees in Bogota???

Guatavita is not too far from Bogota if you have a car. If you do some research you will find out how interesting this place is. The salt mine is worth the trip! There is a company called Alpina that has its factory open to the public near Nemocon. The toll road that goes through La Calera into Bogota is the most beautiful road in the city. The gold museum is a treasure worthy of a visit. It won't take more than 1 hour to see all of it. Sounds horrible but the shopping mall, Santa Barbara is the nicest to see if you are so inclined. If there is a bull fight you can check that out. Good Luck.

beisbollover comments on Best empanadas in Bogota?

The best place in Bogota to buy enpanadas is a store called Empanada Coloniales next to Colomboamericana near UniCentro. Fresh hourly and cheap. A cup of soda & an empanada is 1800. They have three kinds and all are amazing. Check it out, and if it is packed with kids andteachers from the school just wait until class starts and it will be empty.

beisbollover comments on Best empanadas in Bogota?

This is easy. The best place is next door to Colomboamericano school near Unicentro. It's called Empanadas Coloniales. Cheap, fresh and tasty. All the students, parents and teachers get one or more daily. Inbetween classes, its packed and during class its empty.

beisbollover comments on Amacayacu and Letica

Swim in the Amazon River. I am sure there are places that are safe but I would be too scared. Good Luck!

beisbollover comments on Amacayacu and Letica

This is one of the best threads in over a year. Thanks for starting it and please continue....more pics would be great too. This is what PBH is all about!

beisbollover comments on Official baseball hats in Bogota?

San Andresito has "official" everything under the sun!

beisbollover comments on Melgar, Girardot, or Anyplace With Pools and Sun

We stayed in Colsubsidio in Giradot and found it to be very nice for the money. I have heard of cheaper places in Fusa which is closer to Bogota. I think Anapoima is more costly than Giradot. Whenever in these places be careful to use lots of sun screen during the day and lots of bug spray at sundown. The flies are very tiny and pack a mean itch that lasts for weeks.

beisbollover comments on How safe is it for a gringo to go to Tolima-Ibaque area??

Ken, You certainly have the right mind frame for being where you are and taking this trip. Most of what I said would be information for someone with much less worldly experience than you. I also didn't think I was being negative, just pragmatic. Maybe I need to review my way of communicating. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Your absolutely right about things being blown out of proportion and the bus ride being the most dangerous part of the trip. My brother in law was kidnapped in 1999 on Christmas eve while visiting his finca in Boyaca. It turned out that his own employee alerted the AUC to pick him up. In the end it turn out ok. That is where my warning came from. I hope your trip is safe and fun and please do tell us how everything went. I happen to love Giradot/Melgar very much and vacation there often. Ibague is a little farther away and I have yet to stay there. Peace!

beisbollover comments on How safe is it for a gringo to go to Tolima-Ibaque area??

Just about anywhere close to Melgar, Giradot & Ibague is safe but an hour or two is a different story. Also, you said her mom's farm? Did you mean a finca or a real farm? If it is a real farm it is probably safe but a finca is a different story. Depending on where it is and who is keeping it year around it could be safe or dangerous. Most times regular wealthy Colombians get caught at their fincas because the people hired to run the finca make a call when the owner arrives and win a cash reward from whoever does the kidnapping. Not all kidnappings are done by the Farc. There are plenty of regular criminals who utilize this form of transaction. I would ask questions about how far away from a nice size city like Ibague it is. If it is really far away maybe you can convince her to sleep at a resort/hotel in a city and visit the finca during the day. La Linea is the name of the road used to drive out there. It's very well guarded by the military so safe from terrorists but the one big advice to never forget is take Dramamine or some form of Dramamine before the ride. You cannot believe how curvy the road is. Most people get car sick on that road. Look out the window and you will see the most amazing landscapes in Colombia. Natural waterfalls, tremendously deep valleys with rivers at the bottom, coffee plantations, Platano plantations, hillside farms, rest stops, traffic!, mountains.... The last thing, about keeping your eyes open, is a bit of a misleading concept. If the Farc or mafia or criminals want to kidnap you there is not much you can do about it. This is not the movies, its real life and they will kill people if things are difficult.

beisbollover comments on Jaque Mate 15 hostages relesed, on National Geografic Explorer documentary today.

I saw it last night, we DVR it. It was very well done. I think the only problem I heard was the announcer said that the FARC downed the airplane the American's were on. I thought they just had engine trouble and crashed landed juxtaposed to the FARC camp. Some of the video was amazing and the commander actually was crying in his final interview. The general in charge of the operation was funny. He was praying, singing, jumping up and down and screaming with the freed hostages on the airplane taking them all home.

beisbollover comments on

By reading your Quote I would suggest a charity that helps legalize cocaine and marijuana in the USA so all of Colombia's violence problems will end.

beisbollover comments on Bogotá to Bucaramanga

mmmmm....good stuff! I love those black-purple filled tubes of rice and stuff, and those papas creolas....mmmmmm wash it down with a luke warm Poker or Colombiana. The smell of exhaust from the road. Where are the stray dogs? must be out of frame. Is that ahi between the bottles? love the dirt roadside floor. I can just imagine the cumbia playing on the radio.

beisbollover comments on Bogotá to Bucaramanga

They do sell a form of Dramamine in Colombia that works well for these kind of trips. I highly recommend taking some.

beisbollover comments on Emeralds - where to buy, how much to pay and how to distinguish from a 7-UP fragment

Reminder, if your spending a lot of money (however much that means for each of you) only buy certified stones from accredited labs.

beisbollover comments on Emeralds - where to buy, how much to pay and how to distinguish from a 7-UP fragment

There are credible labs that can tell you exactly whats up with your emerald or any other stone. They are the GIA, AGTA, SSEF,AGL and Gubelin. Unless you are a professional emerald buyer or gambler never buy an expensive stone without a certificate. Then verify that the stone matches the certificate. Azunoman, a heavily flawed emerald can break if hit at the wrong place. And not to defend the jewelry store but if you owned it for over 30 days you should have had insurance and just made a claim. It sounds like you had just bought it though and in that case the store needs to take it back and shove it back to their supplier. Unfortunately you don't need a degree or any state certificate to open a jewelry store and many stores are owned and operated by people who know how to merchandise but have no technical experience with these issues. They completely rely on their suppliers for all information. In fact, even Tiffany's & Co. was once busted by Dateline NBC and issued a statement blaming their vendors.

beisbollover comments on Eje Cafetero

I played Country Club of Bogota & La Sabana. Both were much fun. I am a 25 plus or minus and drive around 240. Down (up) there my drives we around the same ( I think I was nervous) but my 9 iron would go 150 ish and my wedge was around 125. I hit over the first 5 greens my first time. And I love how the caddies would jump fences or go into the water to get my ball back. Golf is going to grow quickly in Colombia because of Villegas, he is poised to become a superstar soon.

beisbollover comments on

Awesome video....you need to post more, we miss you here.

beisbollover comments on Eje Cafetero

Rikito, I know it's off thread but golf in Bogota was much fun. I got about 10% more out of my strokes due to the thin air. And I loved the caddies willingness to fetch lost balls. I played Club Militar in Melgar and it was a dog track. Bogota has some better courses.