Boatygringo has left 226 comments

Boatygringo comments on Is there a US notary in Medellin?

You can get things Notarised at the US Embassy that are aceptable in the US. I had to have it done when I was in Panama and sold my house in the US. They will charge you by the signiture so It cost me about $35.00. and were signed by the assitant cousul.

Boatygringo comments on cheap flights to USA

Just go on line to Spirit,s web site and pay by credit card, same for Jet Blue. make a copy of the reservation with the order number. Thats it.

Boatygringo comments on Cartagena and Isla Baru

Paloma, you will find Isla Baru very primitive no paved streets and poor people. I was in Baru about three years ago for about four hours and was glad too leave. The kids were all over me begging for money, I was in my own boat so I took off in a hurry. You can get to Isla Baru by a short ferry ride and then a long ride on a bus on a dirt road that I dont call a road. I once went to Playa Blanca this way, did this on my dirt bike and even then had problems. Isla Baru is known for its hand crafted jewelry that the inhabitents sell at Playa Blanca and Isla Rosarios .

Boatygringo comments on What's going on with the weather?

We still need rain here on the coast. The pond on my Finca is still only half full because we had no rain from Jan until May In Feb I had to buy a tanker truck of water because the water cistern was almost empty, cp 165.000, the ground had large cracks in it and all the trees lost there leaves. Now we are getting rain about four times a week. We have no town water because the people in the village refuse to pay the water company so they cut the water suppy pipe to the entire village. So we have to rely on rain water for drinking. The electric company is about to do the same with electricity because of none payment. It,s funny to see the girl from the electric company trying to collect, she is accompanied by a guy who cilmes the pole ore tree with the power wire attached and he cuts the power line if people dont pay. The whole village is poor and pay guys with barrows to deliver water to drink and it cost them more than if they paid for town water. Go figure >Colombian mentality, and by the way dont feel sorry for them, there is alway plenty of rum and loud music at fiesta time.t

Boatygringo comments on Birth Certificate from UK to get Married in Colombia

You will need to get your birth certifiace Apostilled befor they will accept it in Colombia, also the copy you have has to be less than 90 days old. I am going through the same thing now and used a company called, vitalcertificates.co.uk Vital Certificates Ltd UK Phone: 0845 838 8433 US Phone: (202) 640 2483 Canada Phone: (778) 786 1681 Int'l Phone: 44 (0)113 322 6441 Fax: 44 (0)113 322 4604 http://www.vitalcertificates.co.uk

Boatygringo comments on Looking for Book Buyers in Colombia

If you are visiting or live in Cartagena you can go to Club Nautico they have book exchange on a one for one basis at no charge. Just ask John the dock master for permission he,s a Brit so no problem with language..

Boatygringo comments on Moto questions

I think mranderson is right about the Suzuki v-strom they are probably a lot more parts and repair shops for them as the Policia Caratera seem to be using them now. Not many big bikes in the Catagena area though, people in the Cartagena area are a lot poorer than those in Bogata and Medellin.

Boatygringo comments on Moto questions

You wont have any problem registering it, the isurance will be higher than a small bike you will be the object of interest where ever you go, especialy at the road blocks and when you are parked. I love big bikes myself but I dont want to be that noicable. I like to keep a low profile.

Boatygringo comments on

For all who had coment on my pay scale for my worker. I did not just decide to pay my worker 200.00 a month I, unlike a lot of people on this thread did my home work and found out what the going rate of pay was in my area, located 21kilos outside of Cartagena. I also pay my workers on time and for the full amount owed, unlike a lot of Colombian employers. Why should I pay more? because I am a Gringo.!

Boatygringo comments on Moto questions

Marlydog, I got the bike from Exito registered in my Novias now my Wifes name. Cost depends on brand and size of the bike you want. Honda and Yamaha seem to be the most expensive in all sizes but there are lots of other brands starting at about 3.500.000 cp. The big bikes are very expensive at 21.000.00 cp and up and you can have a problem finding some one to fix them. I had a used Suzuki 500 cc for a while and was nothing but problems.

Boatygringo comments on Moto questions

I have purchased two bike since I moved to Colombia. One from Exito and one from a moto dealer. The on one the one from Exito I was not able to register it in my name as they said I needed a cedula. The other I registered in my name with just my passport. Just make shure that the dealer does all the paperwork for you included in the price. As for the bike registered in California, Colombia does not let any used bikes into the country so you would not be able to register it in Colombia. You could ride it in Colombia but according to the DIAN it has to go with you when you leave the country.

Boatygringo comments on

I pay my field hand 200.000 cp a month with a house to live in including electric. I can hire a day farm laboror for 10.000 a day. How does that figure in with your avarage salary. Lets get real the majority of Colombians dont have a degree and are happy to have any work at all.

Boatygringo comments on Clarification on Work Visas and losing your job

Does any one know if there are any MRE offices locations other than the one in Bogata.? I am looking to get a spousal visa but dont feel like traveling to Bogata. My buddy was able to get a visa and a cedula by a somewhat deviouse method in two day by mail but it cost him $650.00 US.

Boatygringo comments on spouse visa to work visa

I see the initials MRE and understand that it is resposible for issuing visa,s. What does MRE stand for ? and are there any offices for MRE in other cities in Colombia, or only in Bogata.

Boatygringo comments on Considering purchasing property in Cartagena (Bocagrande, Laguito)

Saltador, I have no direct knowlage of prices going down but have heared this from several people that I know. Also I have seen a lot of construction going on to the south of the airport, condo,s gated comunities and such., this I am shure will efect the price of property in the Bocagrande area.

Boatygringo comments on

Kurious, You will not find too many English speakers in Barrenquila but you will get lots of attention from Colombian men. However dont let that turn your head too much as some Colombians seem to think that if you are from the USA you have a lot of money, after all you can visit Colombia and dont apear to work. There is also the other factor that if they married to a gringo they can get to live in the USA. I may catch a lot of flack for this post but from my experience what I say is true.

Boatygringo comments on Preparing for Colombia

I think the bigest mistake vacationers and tourist make when visiting any country is Paying too much for just about every thing So take a little time to find out when you arrive what the locals are paying for that product or sevice you want. I know you may just feel that, I am only here for a short time so I dont care what I pay, I just want to raise hell and I can afford it after all I am going back home to my job and I can spare a few extra $$$. But to look at it another way when you over pay you raise the prices for all who follow you, and they may not have as much cash as you do, plus the prices will be higher on your return visit. I live in the Cartagena area and it is a real problem this being a tourist town.

Boatygringo comments on Considering purchasing property in Cartagena (Bocagrande, Laguito)

Befor you buy you should be aware that the property values have declined significantly in the last year in this area. Make shure you are not paying Gringo price Before you buy anything in Cartagena. There are a lot of properies for sale in Bocagrande and Laguieto at a lot less than just a couple of years ago.

Boatygringo comments on Domestic Abuse in Colombia

I feel it is more of case of domestic violence not being reported to the plolice than the police not responding to violence. The people in the area I live in who are also poor, dont trust the police and will not help them. I do know for a fact that it is possible to get a restraining order againest an abuser, though the poilce are a little slow to respond if called..

Boatygringo comments on

I think the number one thing to do before you retire is to GET OUT OF DEBT. If you dont owe any one a dime you can do as you please. The world is your oyster and all that.

Boatygringo comments on WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???

Spirt air now fly into Cartagena, I am back in the US to visit my kids, Round trip Cartergina Ft Lauderdale $268.00 including all taxes.

Boatygringo comments on Common Latin Real Estate Scams Article.

Other things to lok for befor you buy. make shure the owner has paid the property taxes, water bill electric bill. The utility companies will not reconect the utillites unless the bill is fully paid.

Boatygringo comments on Driving From New York to Colombia

It nis not possible to drive to Colombia as there is no road through the Darrian Gap in Panama / Colombia. You would have to ship your car from Panama to Cartagena or Barrenqilla unless you want it on the pacific side in that case you would have to ship it through the Panama Canal. A guy I met shipped his car from Colone Panama to Cartagena in a container for about $500.00 but that was about 3 years ago I dont know what the current rate would be. Your US tag would be OK in Colombia for 6 months but when you leave Colombia after that time the car has to go with you. If you make the trip by motorcycle you can ship the bike by back packer yatch out of Portobelo with a stop in the San Blas Island for about $350.00.

Boatygringo comments on New Eyeglasses In Colombia

You guys sound like you have been getting the Gringo treatment. I go to the same optician in a mall in Cartagena and find the prices a lot lower than the US. They will copy your glasses if you already wear them or and swap out your lenses for new frames, or new lenses for you old frames. They dont make you have an eye test. An eye test is 2.00.000 cp and they give you a copy of your prescription. I wear bifocals and my cost for new glasses was 90.000 cp with out the eye test. I also wear contact lenses and they order them in for me in about two days no eye test needed.

Boatygringo comments on international insurance in colombia?

I personal dont think it,s worth buying health insurance. Health and dental services are so cheep in Colombia you would probably pay more for insurance than you would pay for anything but the most serious of medical problems.As an example of costs. I just had my teeth cleaned and had five teeth filled, the cost was less tha $100.00 us. My wife had two root canals and a bridge for less than $500.00. her sister had a historectomy at a clinic that specialised in that procedure for less than $500.00. My daughter had the same operation in the US cost $16,000.

Boatygringo comments on Is my UK driving licence valid in Colombia?

I have been driving in Colombia for about 4 years on a US licence with only a one time problem, about a yera ago.. That one time was a big P-I-A the Polica Caritara stoped me at a road block and insisted I could not drive my own veicle that is registered in my name in Colombia on a US drivers licence I needed a Colombian licence, and they would not let me move the veicle. So I had to call my buddy to come and move it around the corner and then I got in and drove off. I think what they realy wanted was some money. So I later went and got a Colombian licence it,s real easy as Haddeman says I think all they realy want is the fee..

Boatygringo comments on Anyone fly Spirit Air Chicago to CTG?

Morgum I am booked to fly from on Sprit Air CTG to FT Lauderdale on May 7th and back again in JuneI will let you know how it went if you like.The cheap fare got me at $59.00 plus all of the taxes was about $200.00 less than Avianca via Miami.

Boatygringo comments on Porqué en USA la gente tiene tantos problemas de sobrepeso?

I think the reason a lot of people in the USA are over weight is the quantity of food they eat. On my resent vistit back to the USA I a was amazed at the size of the portions served at resturants, one portion would feed my family of four in Colombia, and even when eating at home the portions my family served me were huge compaired to what I normaly eat when in Colombia.

Boatygringo comments on Colombia self-defense laws

How about shotguns, do they have to be registered?

Boatygringo comments on

Sorry my E mail is wdb3050 at yahoo.com

Boatygringo comments on

It,s tough to make money in Colombia and there are a ton of internet cafe,s in Cartagena. See reply to your other post, My friend would rent you a room and probably hire you untill you can get eastablished.

Boatygringo comments on

craigyvane, I have a friend in Cartagena who owns an English Language Institute who would probably hire you. I also have an other friend who teaches at an other school and has no credetials though he is fluent in Spanish. send me E mail if you are interested at wdb30503050 at yahoo.com

Boatygringo comments on Compassion and Decency

Bluesdude, I totaly agree with your post. I also live in the Cartagena area and have to put up with the same shoddy services, both from merchants workmen and government officials though I find if I become (an ugly american) and make a fuss I can get things done that the locals will just just accept with no complaiint. By the way I dont like to do it but some times the Gringo in me just takes over.

Boatygringo comments on Buying a Colombian SIM card etc.

Yes, you can just buy a simcard it will work with any GSM unlocked phone phone. I buy unlocked GSM phones on e-Bay when I am in the USA and they work with all the cell companies in Colombia, though you will have to sign up for the service to get the simcard and they may reqire you to have a Cedula I have not been able to get one with just my passport..

Boatygringo comments on MotoTaxis now in Bogotá

Most Moto riders dont own the Moto they ride in Cartagena, they lease it by the day for 15.000cp and get to keep every thing over that, less the gas they have to buy. In Cartagena they have Pic Placa for Moto' only, so they end up having to lease two bikes one with an odd tag and one with an even tag, form some guy that may own a number of Moto's. Also the rules are not Moto;s after 10pm, no gas sold to a Moto after 7pm and the first friday of the month no moto's of any kind. So the Moto guys are poor and can barely make a living and thats the way the Bus and Taxie owners want it. If they could they woul ban all Moto Taxies.

Boatygringo comments on

mranderson, I have a little switch console that has lights to advise me of the amount of gas I have, 3 green the gas cylinder is full, 2 half full, 1 1/4 tank, yellow you need gas and red you are about to run out, on the dash that you just flip, gas or gasoline, There is a gas tank mounted in the bed of the truck, along with the original gasoline tank. The cost to convert to Gas or Gasoline is quite high, i am told 3 to 4 million depending on the car or truck, mine was converted before I got the truck, but you save a budle every time you fill up with Gas.

Boatygringo comments on Bolivia's Richest Region Votes Solidly for Autonomy

I feel, there is a lot of social unrest in Colombia that only lacks a carismatic leader to start a revolution. Though the government would not alow one to exist, and would probably assasinate him. There is oppression of the poor by the monied class and the government that has led to some protests that are quickly put down by the local police and army with very little coverage in the newspapers or t/v. And before the Colombia huggers jump on me for facts. A recent Moto Taxie protest in Sincilao was put down by poilce with tear gas and tanks. Last year the Moto Taxies blocked the main roads into Down town Catagena that resulted in harsher restrictions on Moto Taxies, though a similar protest by bus drivers protesting Pica Place seems to have resulted in the idea being dropped. The concusion I make is Bus owners have money, moto taxis are poor. I also feel that the Goverment don't want ease of travel by the average person as seen by the high cost of intercity bus travel and air fares.

Boatygringo comments on

I have an Isuzu/Chevy truck that runs on CNG, compressed natural gas, it costs about half of the price of gasoline. About 20,000 cp to fill up. The power loss is not bad and I don't realy notice it. Though on cold starts untill it warms up it has a real rough idle, so I usualy run on gasoline for a few minutes to warm it up. CNG is real popular around Cartagena and all other cities, most buses and taxies run on CNG. The down side is if you are not in the city they dont sell CNG but you can always switch to gasoline untill you come to a large town. There are huge repair shops that do conversion and repairs to CNG powered cars veichles. Also once a year you have to have the system inspected so it will not activate the CNG pump at fill up time. Cost me about 100,000 cp. All in all I am real happy with it. CNG is produced in Colombia and a by product of the oil industy.

Boatygringo comments on a cellular phone issue

I usualy buy GSM unlocked phones from e-Bay when I am in the USA, much cheaper and good quality, they work with any of the Colombian internet providers simcards. I then buy pre -paid phone cards. You will have a problem getting a phone in Colombia if you have no Cedular. Post paid plans seem to be almost impossible to get as thay require soooo much paperwork like a cedular, bank records, and co signers.

Boatygringo comments on What is this, and what shall I do with it?

It's Mortcillia or Blood Sausage and depending on who makes it can be delicious

Boatygringo comments on COPA AIR STARTING UP FLIGHTS FROM MCO??

What I need is some competition on the Cartagena Miami Route. I am stuck with Avianca's high fares.

Boatygringo comments on Cartagena Airport to Cartagena Terminal de Pasajeros?

To keep the cab drivers honest, you now can pre pay your cab fare at the cab office, they give you a reciept that you give to the driver so you know up frpont what you are paying. Cartagena cabs have no meter so you used to be at the mercy of the driver and Grigoes AWAYS pay more.

Boatygringo comments on Warning Identiy Theft in Colombia

Thanks for the input and ideas guys and girls. I live full time in Colombia and all of my accounts are overseas so I have to do my banking on line.

Boatygringo comments on Warning Identiy Theft in Colombia

I use internet cafe's in and aroung Cartagena but I think it happend in the small town I live in 22kl out side of Cartagena.

Boatygringo comments on

The V for victory sign was widley used by British Prime Minister Winston Churchil, as a sign of Victory over the Nazie Germany in WW II.

Boatygringo comments on

I think the USA ToDay article got it right Most Colombians are blissfull ingnorant

Boatygringo comments on

Poco, I dont need a link, I see it every day in the small town I live in just 22kl outside of Cartagena. The Pueblo is POOR most are sqaters and some people live in dirt floor shacks, or mud and stick shacks, some live in tent like structures buit from poles driven into the ground and covered with plastic. and one room block houses that the whole family lives in, with no water or sewers, they cook outside over wood fires. A lot of the kids spend all day gathering wood to cook with, every morning I see what I call foraging partys heading out to the woods and fields to gather poles to build with hunt rabbit or fish in the river. Even in the city of Cartagena there is a whole section down by the lagoon and airport that live the same way.

Boatygringo comments on

morphus, I think you hit the nail on the head

Boatygringo comments on Colombian prostitutes tell magistrate of hardships

Ater talking to a some of working girls, I found that they are hired from the city they live in by a company, and are given a three month contract, get a one way airline ticket to there working city in Panama, Bonair, Aruba, San Andres, Catagena, ect and if they full fill the contract they get the return ticket plus the money they made, Less there living expenses, to return home with. Most of the girls tell there friends and family they are working for an overseas company, so no one will know what they are realy doing but they realy do. Chances is that Mama did the same thing.

Boatygringo comments on

america, Shurley you know the basics in life are, as we learned in school, food, clothing, and shelter. When you can meet these requirments you can start to be concerned about other things, A good portion of the Colombian people can-not meet these reqirments, so why would they be concerned about the bullying of a child in school. A goodly portion of children dont even go to school because there parents are too poor and the child has to work or they can't afford shoes and the school will not let them in with no shoes. Yes it's deplorable that the disabled are treated badly but when you dont know if you will have food or a place to sleep, other things are on your mind and they become less important. One hard lesson I have learned after living in Colombia for three years is I can,t impose my standards on Colombia I just have to go with the flow. and treet the locals with repect. I could list safety a mile long that would apply in the USA or England that are not considered important here in Colombia. As you say you are English so you cant impose your cuture on Colombia but just try to treet the people you meet with the repect you would treet a Brit.