bjorn has left 54 comments

bjorn comments on Medellin- Room for rent in our apartment

I lived a year in Medellin, close to Laureles (Santa Lucia) and I agree with this poster that this area is far better than Poblado. I am not going back to Colombia before next year, but I will definitely recommend the area around Laureles. As I have said before here on PBH; forget Poblado if you want to live in Medellin. There are lots of better areas to live. Even Robledo (a strata 3 area) a few minutes by car from Laureeles is a very nice place to live ( and not dangerous even though it's a strata 3 area) The price for this room seems right too.

bjorn comments on Advice on Currency Exchange

Use ATM. Even if you will to pay some commision to visa or the banks it will always be easier and more economical to draw local currency using your ATM. And ATMs are everywhere in Colombia. Take a few dollars with you just in case the ATM on the airport doesn't work, but you may safely rely on your ATM card for getting money in Colombia. Of course, take 2 visa card, from different bank, just in case one doesn't work that particular day I have travelled in Colombia since 1995 only with my visa cards without any problems whatsoever. If you are in a town without ATM you can easily draw money on you card in most bank. Fortunately, there is ATM's everywhere, even in Leticia (the Amazon) and Quibdo (In the middle of the Choco jungle) Just make sure your visa card is connected to the Cirrus/Plus networks (which it probably is) It's common to see ATM's in colombia which advertise "all cards accepted" I have only used VISA, but you will probably not have any problems with mastercard either. (cirrus is mastercard, PLUS is visa, all ATM's in Colomba are usually connected to both) Make sure you have a card with a 4 digit pincode though. This is essential. One more thing: don't keep all you money on the account connected to your cards (in case you are taken on a "paseo millionario") Just enoough for a coupe of weeks. Use internet banking to transfer money to the visa account once in a while Good luck. You will love Colombia

bjorn comments on Cocuy

Hi Bjorn, Nice name, same as mine. I am Norwegian. I did the entire Cocuy trek in january 2007, from Guican to El Cocoy, 7 days. December to March is the best time to do the trek. So January is excellent. Still, be prepared for freezing temperatures at night. Snow may come any time, but is not likely in January. If you are properly equipped you don't need a guide. I started out doing it alone, but hooked up with some friendly Colombians the 3rd day. You may find topographical maps in the Instituto Geografico at Universidad nacional in Bogota. These maps are not very good, unfortunately. A GPS would be a good help. The Lonely Planet Colombia from 1995 has a good map (not topographical, but adequate) and an excellent route description. If you cant find this book I will scan some pages to you and send them in a E-mail You will most certainly meet other backpackers in January, probably most of them Colombians. And everybody are super friendly. And trip is absolutely fantastic, but quite tough due to the altitude. But "vale la pena" Bjorn

bjorn comments on Tourist Visa Extension - Surprise at the DAS

was is your first extension? was this your first extension? Because when you extend a second or more time one only pay the fees and take the recipet to DAS. By the way, when I applied for my 3rd extension in Bogota they also gave me 60 days, not 30 as is the normal when getting an extension

Generally I find DAS in Bogota to be very nice and its generally far more easy to renew visa/permits there then anywere else

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Learning english?

Try eMule. I saw right now that at least level I is there. When I come home to my own PC in a few days I will make all 3 level accessible via eMule. Send me a personal message if you dont see all 3 levels in a few days

I have given this course to Colombian friends and all agree that its very good

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Learning english?

Pimsleur http://www.amazon.com/English-Spanish-Speakers-1-Pimsleur/dp/0671784765


The Pimsleur courses are very expensive, but the absolute best there is to learn the basic of any language. You can easily find these courses as MP3s through filesharing (Emule, Torrent) if you don`t feel like paying hundreds of dollars for them and don`t feel guilty using pirate copies. You may even find them in some public libraries.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Smoking

Fortunately, smoking is not very prevailent in Colombia I am currently in Colombia, my fourth time here (first time in 1991) and my impression is definitely the same as Kalder and Desi: not many Colombians smoke. And as a non-smoker myself, I am definitely happy about that.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Free Voip calls to colombia from UK

Agree, excellent program I use this program too. Have called land lines in Mexico, Peru and Colombia for free. And the sound quality is usually excellent. I call from Norway so you don't have to be located from within UK to call for free. I rather think that you can be located in all the countries on this list:

http://www.voipdiscount.com/en/index.html



Bjorn

bjorn comments on Book on Spanish verbs

excellent book I agree, this is a really good book. You should also get the book on Spanish Pronouns And Prepositions. By the same author. Also excellent, especially the explanations on direct and indirect objects
For example, a expression like

"Traemelo" which means "bring it to me"
is actually three words:

Trae =bring, me = me
lo = it


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Searching University Websites for professors

here is what to do Go to Medline

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed

Enter your field of research and the name of a colombian city

Example: Enter Bogota and E.coli and a long list of papers pops up

Choose, for example this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15678805&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum


and you will se that the author is working in Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota. You will also find contact info in this abstract. From this info you can narrow your search or perhaps conctas the authors directly.

Bjorn (MSc in Biology)

bjorn comments on FARC website and its Swiss host!

freedom of expression Why should anyone want to trash this site, except those that are against the freedom of expression. Do you really think it is going to be peace in Colombia if we prevent FARC or any other group, illegal or not, to say their opinion?

Dialogue, not confrontation is the road to peace, although I believe it is correct to be firm against the terror act that FARC and other groups (not least the Autodefensas which is by far the worst human rights offender in Colombia) do against the Colombian people.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Español Funcional para Extranjeros

Universidad Santiago de Cali Thanks Adela for your information about Universidad Santiago de Cali.
I will definitely look into your program when I come to Colombia later this year.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Problems getting travel insurance

Can't be possible In Norway no part of Colombia is considered too dangerous for travellers by the foreign dep (although they call for caution for some region of course) and insurance companies doesn't refuse to cover travellers to Colombia. The only excepetion is that if you are involved in a war situation (incl kidnapping) your insurance will not cover you. Anything else is covered.
I was also told by my Norwegain insurance comp that they followed the same policy as British insurance comp. So I also find this very strange.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on For Rent: Bed and Breakfast, Medellin

that's about 564 000 peso which seems to be a bit expensive for a room with a private bath. Does it include any food? When I lived in Medellin in 2003 the normal gringo price for a nice room with a private bath was around 350000 including utilities. Colombians can usually find the same for 100 000 less

Has prices really gone up that much since I was there?

It's a good neighourhood though and a good place for a gringo to live.


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Salsa in Medellin & an etiquette question

lots of girls know salsa in Colombia........... so I disagree with morphus. Although Cuba or Dominican could be better, I would not know. However, I would be careful to invite a girl sitting with her novio to dance. I believe you may be hurting the latin machismo if you don't take care og may, if really unlucky, end up with a blue eye ( I have experienced this, not i Col, but in Spain)

The good thing,however usually there's so many single women in Col you don't have to tempt youir fait by asking to dance with someones girlfriend. Just find youself a lot of women sitting toghether without men, very common in Co

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Colombian visa for yearlong stay

student visa In 2003, at least, you could easily get a student visa when in Colombia simply by taking whatever course in a Colombian uni. You could travel down like tourist and get a student visa in Bogota. Very easy two years ago, but don't know whether it's the same today

Since you would like to stay in Medellin I would sign up for a spanish course at EAFIT. Then it's easy to get a student visa for up to a year

The Courtesy(CO) Visa Gator is talking about also sounds great, I didn't know there was anything like that. In any case, as long as you can support yourself and don't work illegal there's generally a way to stay an extended period in Colombia. Good luck!

http://www.colhouston.org/english/visas/courtesy.htm

http://www.eafit.edu.co/EafitCn/Idiomas/spanishProgram/Ingles/Index.htm

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Travel in Colombia by overnight bus

Take the daybus Although guerilla or paramilitary really is not the greatest danger when taking the nightbus, there's definitely a risk of getting robbed by common criminals. Also, the risk of accidents to is not to be underestimated. Taking daytime buses however, is quite safe these days in Colombia, although many seem to think otherwise. I always take bus when in Colombia, but very rarely nightbuses. I am a blond Scaninavian and I have never have had any problems, including the two times I was stopped in a FARC roadblock in 2003. But, of course you never know. Kidnappings do happen and no one is immune to it.

It's your choice.
Bjorn

bjorn comments on Living expenses in Medellin

One more comment Do not live in a strata 6 area. To expensive. It's not necessary to live in Poblado although many foreingers seems to think so. There are lots of barrios en strata 3 areas which is perfectly acceptable.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Living expenses in Medellin

I did it in 2003 I am a teacher too I am norwegian and in 1 year I spent about 12000 dollars including air transport from Norway and travel insurance. Did quite a bit of travel in Colombia to. Did not spend very much on boze and partying


Generally, you can live quite well on 7-800 dollars a month in Colombia


You will love Medellin


I miss Colombia desperately


Bjorn

bjorn comments on where can i get certified to teach english in Bogota?

Bjorn The British Council in Bogota has CELTA courses. Check out this link

http://www.britishcouncil.org/colombia-english-teaching-english-training-for-teachers-of-english-celta.htm


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Study Abroad in Colombia

Try Universidad National in Leticia http://www.imani.unal.edu.co/

This is a public uni, very low tution and generally high standard
(Private unis is not always the best in Colombia. At least in natural science and medicine the public unis is among the best)
Even if they don't have any exchange program with your uni it's probably not difficult to arrange something. See if you could find a oficina de relaciones internacional or something in the webpage.

Good luck, you will love Colombia

Bjorn
(Biologist from Norway, did a semester in Universidad de Antioquia in Medelin)

bjorn comments on Affordable rates for lodging near to Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín

you don't have to live in Poblado Universidad de Antioquia is a very nice place, with a beautiful campus. But it's true that the neighbourhood is not the best. The university is situated a little north of Medellin centre and although the area is not like Poblado you should not worry to much about that. (Poblado is in the south of the city) Statements like "Poblado is the only place foreigners can live in Medellin" is just plain nonsense. I would suggest that you find a apartment or rent a room in the area around Santa Lucia, Floresta, Americas or Robledo. Nice areas, much cheaper than Poblado and you can take the metro or the bus to the uni. I spent a full semester at UdeA. Highly recommended! Since you are staying a full year you shouldn't have any problem finding a apartment or a room. check out the local newspapes. You should find a nice room at a local family for 100-150 US$ a month. This is probably the best options with your limited budget.

I agree with Vladimir that many middle and working-class neighborhoods are just as safe and has often a more interesting atmosphere than Poblado. There's a lot of nice places in Poblado but it's just not worth the high pricetag.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Colombian Resumes

The Colombian system, perhaps? European or North american? Well...?
Maybe, they use the South American system? Or the Colombian system?

Sorry about the irony. :-)

It's just that many people seem to think that countries outside North America and Europe are not independent states. And that this kind of question is rampant in this forum.

Actually I don't know the answer to your question. But I suspect you can use either as long as your application is clear and readable and you have the right qualifications

Bjorn (from Norway)

bjorn comments on Buying Anti Malarial tablets in Bogota

Here are some data on wordwide prevalence:

http://nobelprize.org/medicine/educational/malaria/readmore/global.html

"Mortality due to malaria is estimated to be 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths each year. In absolute numbers, malaria kills 3,000 children per day under five years of age. It is a death toll that far exceeds the mortality rate from AIDS"

If you like to see for yourself enter
"malaria kills" in Google

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Buying Anti Malarial tablets in Bogota

Do not underestimate the danger of malaria! There are four types of malaria. The Amazon has the most dangerous form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum. It can kill you in days if you don't get treated. Although I also sometimes skip malaria drugs if only the other 3, less dangerous types, are present, it's just plain folish to ignore the danger of Plasmodium falciparum.

Yes, drugs have side effects, some more than other, but they will save your life if you get the most serious form of malaria. I agree with kerry that avoid beeing bitten is very important, but would strongly encourage you to educate yourself about this often fatal disease.

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm

As for buying drugs, most drugs, except valium, xanax and the like, is sold without a prescription in Colombia, but do not take malaria drugs without learning how to take them properly. Taking to much Lariam for example, can be very dangerous.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Day Trips From Cali

Try this link Try this
http://www.geocities.com/eco_aventura_cali/index.html

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Wanted: Furnished Apartment In Medellin

Stay away from Poblado No, it's nothing wrong with Poblado, It's just that prices there is far to high. Also, people living in Poblado seem to think that all other places in Medellin is just to dangerous to live in. Not true. I lived a year in the Santa Lucia area (Near Floresta-Estadio) Nice safe area where everything is far cheaper than in Poblado. There's also lots of nice place to live between Santa Lucia and Estadio west of the city center. Laureles is also nice. There's also a lot of nice places in Robledo to, even though it's a strata 3 area (working class or lower middle class) (Poblado is strata 5)

And the prices you quote in your posting is just absurd. Don't let they rip you off. You should easily be able to get a nice place in Medellin for about the same you paid in Quito, Ecuador or Bueno Aires. Look in the local newspaper. There's loads of apartment to rent. The only problem is that to get a good deal you have to rent for a minimum of 6 months.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Getting a student visa?

student visa Well, it's very easy to get a student visa in Colombia, although you have to go to Bogota to get it (unless you get it from an embassy) But marry on it? Seems very unlikely. There are official visas for people wanting to marry a colombiano/a so why should it be possible to marry on a student visa?
But, of course, if it is true it's great. Keep up posting and good luck.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on EXPAT ASSIGN'T IN MEDELLIN: TO GO OR NOT TO GO?

Medellin is great I lived a year in Medellin (in 2003), took some course at the unis EAFIT and UDEA. Medellin is a absolutely fantastic city to live in. There are crime, sure, but by not "dar papaya" you are unlikely to get any problem. I am a norwegian and have a typically nordic look. Couldn't hide that fact. Still, yet no problems. The people of Colombia and especially the paisas are superfriendly and very welcoming to foreigners. Of the more than 40 countries I have been to around the world, Colombia is my absolute favourite.


A little Spanish is absolutely necessary. Very few people in Medellin speak English

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Bogota Accommodation

stay in a private home Since you are staying as long as 6 months, a good choice is to rent a room with a family. There are loads of families in north-bogota having rooms for rent(seem to be a lot of older women, widows,single mothers or divorced women who rent room to help their private economy). Have a look in the local newspapers. Normal price for a private room with private bath (you use the family kitchen)is around 300 000 pesos (110-120 US dollar)a month.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Degree grades required for teaching

teaching english Centro Colombo Americano in Medellin, the largest most recognized english language teahing school in Medellin seem to prefer teacher with degrees in language, litterature or humatities. (according to their website http://www.colomboworld.com/TeacherApplication.htm#us )

However, I would think that you may get a job in a business school like EAFIT. But as far as I know, it's not easy to get such a teaching job ( in a uni or recognized school) without formal teaching qualifications (a degree + a TEFL course or Ba.Ed or Ma.Ed)
Whether your grades matters or not in Colombia is probably dependent on the actual people taking the decision on the place you are applying. some place it's very important to have good grades, other places it is of lesser importance, just like at home, right?


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Comparison of hostels in Bogota?

Try El Dorado Both Platypus and Aragon are nice, but the best value for money in central bogota (12000 pesos for single room with private bath in 2003)is probably Hotel El Dorado. It's in Candelaria, 2-3 blocks from both Platypus and Aragon. For meeting poeple, however, Platypus is the best.

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Desideria's B&B

good idea, Desi How much to charge? Well, when i was living and travelling in Colombia in 2003 I found these typically prices:

Bed in dorm, shared shower: 10.000 (at Platypus in Bogota and some place in Medeliin I don't remember the name on)

Single room with private bath: 12000-20000. The best deal I have had in Bogota was at the Hotel Dorado in candelaria. Reasonable rooms with private bath and TV for only 12000. Also a hotel in downtown Medellin could offer the same for this price

In contrast, a single room with shared bath cost 20000 at Platypus. That's to much in my opinion, although the place and the owner Herman is very nice

Some places in Colombia, like Popayan and San Augustin, you can get a nice clean room with private bath for as low as 6000 pesos

As for long term rent. For a private room with private bath, maximum 350000 a month


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Spanish course at Universidad National in Bogota

275000 for 25 hours of one to one teaching is a completely acceptable price. However, I am interested to go to Universidad National not primary because of the language courses, but more because I am interested in the enviroment in this main public university of Colombia. I have taken courses(not spanish course) at Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, another public uni, and I find these big public unis very interesting mostly for political and social reasons. Far more interesting these places than most private universities in Colombia

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Staying Healthy In Colombia

Bogota and Medellin is OK As poulet says, tapwater in Bogota is very safe. Taste a little chlorine, but I have never had any problem drinking it. Medellin has excellent tap water, safe and taste better than Bogota. Several other large cities have also safe tap water , ask the locals, but not Barranquilla according to a frind living there.

Tap water in small villages are almost alvays unsafe to drink, lot of giardias and amebas.


Bjorn

bjorn comments on I am planning on moving to Colombia

I don't live in the USA, but please don't feel sorry for me Gator said:
I will quote my younger bother when he said, "Don't forget! Living outside the United States is like camping out."

Are you serious, Gator? Do you really mean that it's difficult to live a happy life outside the USA (unless you mean camping out is true happiness)? I belive you live in Colombia? Do you feel it's like camping out?

My point: if you have an income, you can live a good happy life in most countries in the world. If you don't have an income , life is difficult wherever you are. The reason many Colombians want to leave the country is mostly due to economic reasons

Bjorn (living in Norway)

(please do not intepret this as if I am starting a debate for or agaist the USA. People from most countries in the richer part of the word seem to think that life can't possible be as good living in a developing or sub-developed country. I am myself seeing this all the time here in Norway, people having difficult understand how I could enjoy living a year in a country like Colombia)

bjorn comments on Spanish course at Universidad National in Bogota

some info I found something here myself :

http://www.humanas.unal.edu.co/lenguas/extension.htm#5

Not much but it states under "Cursos para adultos"


Español para Extranjeros (bimestral 4:00 a 6:00 P.M.) 5 niveles



I guess bimestral means that they don't have any short intensive course, but only courses over two semester

Anyone with some more infos?

Bjorn

bjorn comments on student visa?

study on tourist visa I belive that the official rule state that you will need a student visa for all courses at any school or college, no matter how short these courses is. In practice, however, most schools, including several uni's (like EAFIT) don't care so you may very well study without a student visa.

My advice: if the school don't ask for a student visa, don't bother to get one. If you want to stay more then 3 months in Colombia, enrolling in a course and getting a student visa is the way to go. If you enroll in a one year course you will easily get a student visa if you bring the correct papers from the school to the immigartion office in Bogota( can only get long term visas in Bogota)

By the way, your last remark is very strange: is' just like me saying "Because I can study up to 6 months in Canada without a student visa, I assume I can do the same in the USA"

Don't expect laws in Colombia and Venezuela to be the same just because they are neighbours with a rather similar culture

Bjorn

bjorn comments on proper spanish

the condicionales form is best Using quisiera or gustaria (which is equivalent to the English " I would like to") is the most polite. Using " me trae una taza de te, por pavor" which means "can you bring me...please" is also perfectly all right as far as I know.

Yo quiero is not good to use. I have also read (in the excellent book "Breaking out of beginners spanish") that always using the pronouns (like yo) is considered a little unappropriate in the spanish speaking world, as it's so called yo-ismo (maybe a native Colombian can comment on this)

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Advice on visiting San Agustin, Tierradentor, Popaya, Mompos, Barichara

If you ask someone in Bogota or Medellin they will tell you that it's madness to go to San Agustin and Tierradentro because of the guerilla

If you ask the tourist office and everybody else in Popayan they will say that it's safe for tourist in these areas. Yes, these areas is crowed with guerilla, but according to locals both in Popayan, Tierradentro and San Augustin guerilla has never hassled tourist down here. it's true that locals have been killed and kidnapped, but that's political. I have spoken to foreigner living in San Augustin for years telling me that they never have been hassled by guerilla here. The road between Popayan and San augustin was partly controlled by FARC when i was there november 2003. Although FARC stop buses they don't hassles people. However, I have been told by the tourist office that FARC may hassle US tourist, but that there has never been kidnapping of tourists on this route yet. Of course, you are never absolutely safe, but at least as a non US citizen you are unlikely to get in any trouble. When my bus was stopped by FARC in 2003 (twice) they did not even check my or anybody elses papers

In my view San Augustin is an absolute highlight in Colombia and should not be missed

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Why not Venezuela ?

Because of the colombian people Interesting question Mike. Why not Venezuela? I believe the reason people are so crazy about Colombia has to do with the Colombian people. Colombia is the only country I have been to in south america. I have been there 3 times and I am constantly thinking about going back to live there if I could only make a living down there. Every time I meet travllers in Colombia, which also have been to Ecuador or Venezulea, they give the same response when I ask which country they enjoyed the most. Guess which country? And why? Answer: Colombia and the people.

To paraphrase the footprint Colombia handbook:

"If ever a country has a serious image problem, then it's Colombia. Despite the fact that it's perhaps the most beautiful country in Latin America, with mountains, Caribbean and Pacific beaches, precolumbian ruins and a vast swathe of the Amazon, most people associate it with drugs, guerrilla violence and kidnapping. Yet, ask any self-respecting lover of all things South American what is their favourite country and nine out of ten will immediately answer Colombia. That may just be the aguardiente talking, but there's one thing for sure: this most notorious of places maintains a powerful hold on those who know it."


And more:

"Colombia certainly has more than its fair share of stunning scenery and classic sights, but that's only half the story. Its single greatest attraction is surely its people. Not for nothing is Colombia also known as 'Locombia' - mad country. Its people are so terminally-optimistic, insanely exuberant and hopelessly romantic. it's impossible not to fall in love with them. For in common with all countries blighted by violence and civil war, Colombians are just happy to see anyone visit their country"


So that's the reason!
Bjorn

bjorn comments on Medellin

don't waste your money in Poblado I agree with colombiaBoard that you should forget the common advice about living in Poblado. In addition to high rental cost, Poblado is also strata 5 or 6, meaning that services (gas, water, electricuty) also is more expensive

I agree that
Estadio
Suramericana
Floresta
Laureles
is good places to live

Robledo is also a nice place

In these place you should live in a strata 3 or 4 area. Do not belive all this nonsense that living in a strata 3 area is to dangerous.
There are of course less than safe strata 3 areas, but also areas which is reasonable safe (like all the place above)

For some reason people living in Poblado seem to think that everywhere north of Poblado, close to the center, is just to dangerous. Not true!

Bjorn

(which lived in Robledo and Floresta/Santa Lucia for a year)

bjorn comments on Pharmacy...Chemist???

presciption medicine In my experience most presciption medicine is readily available in Colombia. However, don't expect all pharamacies to have everything. You may have to shop around. In addition to original medicine, generic is widely available, of good quality and very cheap. Most drug, except benzo's (Valium, Xanax ...) is sold over the counter without presciption.

Original medicine is reasonable priced, but not cheap. But probably cheaper than in the USA which is probably the most expensive in the world (according to a 60 minutes show I saw a few months ago)

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Bogota to Quito

Travel by bus In the past this route has been considered risky due to guerilla activity. However, now the road are far safer. If you go during the daytime you should be safe

Besides, before when FARC stopped buses on this route, they hardly ever robbed or harassed anyone. Loads of travellelers, including myself, have been stopped by FARC in southern Colombia without any problems.
Usually they were satisfied by burning the bus and leaving everybody along the roads, although this is not very common either.

In any case, the biggest risk in this route is probably more from common bandits robbing night bus passangers rather than FARC.


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Help and advice for travelling to Choco region

Choco, amazing place-go for it Seeing Choco from Medellin you have 3 choices:

Pacific coast by airplane, have a look on an earlier thread:
http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/view/3697

You can go to Capurgana near Panama (on the caribian side)
There are charter flights from Medellin to this area.
You can also take the bus to Turbo and boat from here. This route is not very safe as the area just before Turbo is a conflict area.


You can take the bus through the jungle to Quibdo. The bus company Rapido Ocha from Medellin southern terminal has one bus in the morning.This route has traditionally been considered rather risky due to guerilla checkpoint on the road, but according to friends in Medellin this route is now controlled by the autodefensas(paramilitary)which normally don't hassle tourists


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Goodbye Medellin

native speaker is not always best Shane: It's good to see that a native english speaker acknowledge that non native english speakers also can be excellent teachers of English. Unfortunately, many native english speakers seem to think that beeing a native is a qualification in itself. It's not. The best spanish teacher I had back home in Norway were a guy from Tjekkia. He had been living in latin america for years and were doing a PhD in spanish. A far better teacher than the native Peruvan teacher that owned the language school

Only in advanced courses is a native teacher usually a better choice
In basic language courses beeing a native is not necessarily an advantage, other factors like teaching skills, education and personality is of far more importance

I agree that many non native speakers have a accent which is difficult to understand. But so do many native speakers. An uneducated aussie, kiwi, brit or an american with a thick Texan dialect is not the best choice as a teacher. When living in Medellin last year colombians told me that my english were far easier to understand than the English my two kiwi buddies had. Not because my english is error free (it's definitely not), but because it's quite neutral without any strong accent.

Another reason to choose colombian english teacher is the fact that they speak spanish. Yes, in basic language learning it's always an advantage that your teacher speak your mother tounge, although as a rule one should avoid that as much as possible in the classroom


Bjorn

bjorn comments on bus from Cali to Florencia

Not completely safe, but possible I believe this part of Caqueta is completely controlled by the army now so expect a lot of road checks and it's also possible that the army will stop you from travelling to minor roads in this area. Of course it's still possible to meet FARC down there, but unless they suspect you for beeing involved in govermental work they probably won't touch you. Despite the hysteria by some people on this site the FARC does not kidnap every travellers they meet. I have not been to Florencia my self but were stopped in a FARC roadblock twice last year (november 2003) between Cali and San Augustin. They looked curiosly on me but did not ask for my nationality or for any paper.

So it's your choice. It's a slight risk, but if you really have a reason to go i would go as long as you acknowligde the possible risk

I believe that the fact you are a woman it compeletely irrelevant concerning the danger. The risk is due to the conflict and as a woman you are probably safer in this remote part of Colombia than in the bigger cities.


May I ask for your reason to go there?

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Bahía Solano, Choco

Stay in El Valle I went to Bahia Solano in november 2003 and stayed 6 days in El Valle. Take the plane from Medellin to the Bahia Solano airport and take a jeep from there to El Valle. The rain forest is amazing, but be warned, the climate is extremely humid and it rains a lot. Take raingear and waterproof boots. An umbrella would also be a good idea
Although there are malaria in this region, the coast is not that bad. very little biting insects when I was there. Yet, it's still a good idea to take bug repellent with you.

The area is very poor and primitive, completely different from rest of Colombia. The people are mostly black and are generally very friendly


There are lots of soldier in this areas now and I's probably perfectly safe to go there now (there were a mass kidnapping by ELN,29 people in 2002, all were eventually released unharmed)

There are a few reasonable good hotels in El Valle, but the best deal is probably to buy a all inclusive package tour in Medellin or Cali

Bjorn

bjorn comments on Valium?

valium needs prescription Normally the pharmacies will only sell benzo's (Valium, Xanax and the like )with a prescription. I used small amount of benzo's (Klonopin) as sleeping medicine ocassionally when I were in Colomobia last year and my impression is that pharmacies are strict in this regard. However, it's not difficult to get a presciption from a doctor if you have a good reason to ask for these kind of potent drugs.

But I was told in that it's more difficult to get Valium than other benzo's in Colombia due to some idea that Valium is considered easier to abuse. (which is not true, all benzos have a risk of addiction and should be used with caution)


Bjorn

bjorn comments on Coca leafs

One coca tree per household That is what I was told is legal in Colombia when I were there last year, every household can grow one coca tree.

And coca tea is sold everywhere

Bjorn