Bruce V. Shrader has left 98 comments

Bruce V. Shrader comments on In need of info about Cali

libraria national also has branches at unicentro and chipichapi.
few books in english, but you can get time and a few other magazines there.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on a few travel questions

emglish speaking guide goto the hotel anaconda and ask for an english speaking guide.
they know who he is. he's pretty good, sorry but i don't recall his name. he can handle all your needs for the jungle hike.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Alarm / Monitoring

Wackenhut Security I recommend Wackenhut Security, if they are in Bogota.
Wackenhut may not be the Cheepest, but they are Worldwide.
We have Wackenhut in Cali and I have seen them at Nuclear power Plants here in the U.S.A. We use Wackenhut, in Cali, and have had
no security problems wit them.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on how much alcohol can I bring INTO Colombia?

size my father made a bunch of trips to colombia
back in 1963, 1964 and 1965.

he said that he was allowed to bring 2 bottles when he came.
he did not like scotch (which was easily bought in colombia)
there was no size limit.

BTW, I did purchase a bottle of Jack Daniels in carrefour.

So buy the biggest bottles you can find!

Bruce V. Shrader comments on una pregunta

viagra you do not have to have a prescription

Bruce V. Shrader comments on una pregunta

viagra you do not have to have a prescription

Bruce V. Shrader comments on standard of living in Venezuela

venezuela check out "venezuelatuya.com"
also, do a google on "Guri"
Guri is a Hydroelectric Power Plant in Eastern Venezuela.
One of the largest in the world.
I worked on this project in 1966 and 1967.
Some of this about Venezuela may not be all true.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on a few more questions

citibank i went to citibank (in cali) and asked them about doing this.
they said that international banking regulatios prevented this.
I/E can't be done.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Visa to canada

visa to canada this website is for colombia questions.
suggest you go to a canada website.
this question does not belong here.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Hotel in Popayan?

popayan If you can afford it, stay at the "Hotel Monasterio".
I consider it one nice experience because it was a Monestery, Built
in 1563. Quite Beautiful, Good Food. And more importantly,
the religeous procession passes right by it, so you can sit on the terrace and watch the whole thing.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Guitar stores in Medellin

Guitars Back in 1964, I purchased an acoustic guitar in Cali.
It was hand made. It was just fine, in Colombia.
Carried it back to the U.S. and the back of it cracked.

also, in Venezuela, I purchaed what they call a "Quatro",
which is like a Ukelele. Same thing happened when I took
it back to the U.S. IT was also an acoustic type.

My father also purchased a Harp for my mother (for christmas).
it was also made of wood. The same thing happened. It came from Venezuela.

I think the problem may be the humidity.

All of these instruments were beautifully made, but I would not
recommend you buy an acoustic one unless you want something to hang on the wall to look at.

Electric guitars may be OK, but I wouldn't buy an acoustic one.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Is this true or just a wet dream

I have heard of something similar done. It might work. Some further dis-assembly may be required.
The parts should be in a separate shipments, so that the mopeds
can't be assembled into the motorcycles at any time. each
box of parts should be shipped on separate days.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Do the rooms at Hotel Aristi in Cali have private bathrooms?

i would say that thet do have private bath rooms. (they did many years ago when I stayed there). AS for as the continental breakfast,
I don't know. I did not see where a continental breakfast was
advertised.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Would a FARC victory be a terrible thing?

Platano & prostitutes The National Geographic (July, 2004) carried an article titled "Cocaine Country". On page 46, It plainly shows a
picture of two women who are prostitutes. The FARC HAS NOT
eliminated prostitution, They Regulate it! The women have to pay
to get a medical examination in order to ply their trade. This has been true for many years. The location of the article is in
Caqueta, a Farc controlled area. The FARC also collects a 30% Tax.
The Colombian government also controls (regulates) prostitution
and it also requires a health or medical examination. They were
requiring a health examination as far back as 1963. The FARC has done absolutely nothing to improve the health/welfare of the people.
At least Pablo Escobar did this. The FARC is nothing but a Cancer which should be eliminated!

You might see if you can get a copy of this magazine and read a little bit more about the FARC.

I might also add that Tiro Fijo, "Shur Shot" was nothing more than
a Two Bit Bandido, in 1964.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Hotels, Guides, Boats - Leticia

Hotel in Leticia This is probably the best hotel in Leticia:

http://www.hotelanaconda.com.co/english/index.html

If you go to this website, you can see that they also provide tours
of the area. Ther was an english speaking Guide who was named "Luis"
(french pronounciation). They can arrange for boats and everything.
There was also a Hotel Ticuna, which was not as nice as the Anaconda.
I stayed at the Ticuna, but would recommend the Anaconda, because the Anaconda is Nicer.

Hope you enjoy your trip. BTW, there is only one airline which flies
to Leticia (from Bogota) that is Aerorepublica. There are only one or two flights per day, and they will be Full, so be sure and check for space on the flight. This is probably the only way to get to Leticia, (other than boats). Leticia is in the middle of the Jungle.

Also, if you like, you can go to Tabitinga, in Brazil, which is only a few miles away,
by Taxi.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Driver's License In Colombia

cedula Not Correct!
You can get a Cedula de Extrangeria.
I have a Colombian Driver's License and I am not a Colombian.
It's pretty simple to get the license really.
You may need a cedula De Extrangeria, I don't remember.
You have to go to the Dept. of Transportes, show them you
Dutch driver's license and make application. I think you have to wait three days (here again, I don't remember) Also, You have to have a small photo 0f yourself which they put on the license. Ther is a fee which you have to pay.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Christmas in Colombia

Go To Cali They have a big Feria there. Bull Fights for about 10 days, parades,
and etc. I don't think anything closes. You won't be disappointed.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on In China-UNOCAL deal US is sounding a lot like Chavez

subject??? What has this got to do with Colombia????

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Interested in starting a business in colombia

computer parts Several years ago, I looked into the possibility
of buying computer parts, here in the U.S. and
taking them to Colombia for resale. I checked into
prices here and compared them to what a computer
shop (in Cali) was buying them for. It appeared to
me that it wasn't worth the effort.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Colombian table manners - Differences with manners in the USA

Licking fingers at the table Actually; licking your fingers at the table, here in the
U.S., is not all that good an eticate either. That's
what napkins are for.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Looking for cut flower traders or salespeople

Hola Yvonnev My wife and I are intersted in a Negotio with your
company regarding the sale of flowers. My wife is
a Colombiana, and I am Gringo. She has lived in the Cali (valle)
and Restrepo area for many years. She is retired from the Federation
National de Cafeteros. We have both a house in Cali and one in
Vero Beach, Florida. At present, my wife is in Bogota, Visiting her son, who lives there. Please send me your Telephone number (Colombian and/or U.S.) so that one of us can contact you.

my E-Mail is: garf548 at yahoo.com

Thank You!

Bruce V. Shrader comments on does anyone know where the silva method is taught in Colombia

Silva method Are you asking about the Silva Mind Control Method?

If so, I don't know of any place in Colombia.
I haven't heard this subject talked about in years.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Friendliest U.S. Bank for Colombian Travelers

suntrust I have been using Suntrust for several years when I go
to Colombia. I only get charged the $2.00 fee and get
a pretty good exchange rate. I also use their Internet banking
and can transfer funds from my "Big" account to the checking
account with my computer. This is (I believe) an extra layer of
security since one can only draw what is in the checking account
with the Card.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Colombia- USA Bank Account

banking laws & etc. I went to Citibank, in Cali, and asked about doing what you ask.
several years ago. Their reply was "can not do it, because of banking laws of Colombia.

I went to One of the Colombian banks which was in Miami. (I think it was either Bank of Colombia or Banko Cafeteros.) Answer was about the same. Also They would not let me open an account with them because they said I was not a Foreigner (ie Colombiano). I then asked them why they were in Miami, Florida. They either could not or would not give me an answer.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on I want an American style Bar-B-Que grill (I think)

BBQ I forget where we bought it, But I bought an American made one!
Made in Greenville, Tennessee. I think it is a Weber.
Maybe in Superley, or Carrefour. You can get them,
Home Center is a good place to look too.
You just have to Look. They are available.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Sending money to Colombia to buy a car

wireing 15,000 dollars to colombia Several years ago, I did exactly this.
I (we) needed approx. $15,000 dollars to buy a car in Colombia.
I contacted my bank (here in the U.S.) and had a wire transfer
of the equivalent amount in Colombian Pesos sent to my Colombian
wifes checking account, in Cali. It took about a week to accomplish this. It was not difficult.

You have to find out the dollar/peso exchange rate, then add a 15% for the IVA. This is the amount you need to transfer in order to be sure to have enough for the car. After the transfer is made, then have the bank give you a certified check (in pesos) for the cost of the car. The car agency should accept the certified check as payment.

Be sure and check this out before hand.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Food! (it's making me sick)

food The weight loss has happened to me also.
I wouldn't worry too much about it though.
I think the reason is that they probably do not
"Enrich" the food like we do here in the states.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on

grocery stores They have everything from small mom/pop stores to
supercenters & rapidtiendas (like 7-11).

The supercenters are: Exitos, Carrefour, Super Ley & La 14.
Olimpica is more like a grocery store chain.

Exitos is stock holder owned and Carrefour is
a french company. La 14 is privately owned.

Also, La14 has stores in Cali, Tulua, Buenaventura and Armenia.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Extra luggage on Avianca (Dell PC)

laptop to/from colombia I have taken a laptop with me every time I went to Colombia.
(probably about 10 round trips since the year 2000.)
Be careful about taking it as checked bagage. The only time
I tried this, I arrived back in Miami with a Busted screen.
It cost me about $900.00 (US) to have the screen replaced.
The bubble wrap might protect it enough. I don't know.

I have always carried my laptops as "carry on". never had any
problem when carried this way.

BTW, the carrier was Avianca. They seem to handle the bagage rougher
than Delta or American.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on About traveling to Colombia (originally posted on 'is Medellin safe?' topic)

What about Leticia? I am surprised that the poster mentioned that
the Amazon district is unsafe. I thought
Leticia was a safe area to visit.

BTW, I would also add that I have been to Silva
(on the way to Papayan from Cali) also.
It was very interesting although I can agree
that it might be unsafe because of the remoteness
of this Village.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Arriba Colombia!

The other look of colombia I just checked this website
and was very plesantly surprised
and impressed.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Fly Fishing

fishing in Colombia I am a lite tackel and Fly Fishing person too.
Although I haven't fished around Bogota, My
impression of Sport Fishing (in General), is
somewhat primitive. I haven't found any sporting
goods stores in Cali. What fishing tackle I have
seen, is rudimentary. I have even thought about
starting a "worm Farm" and trying to sell live
bait. I don't know of any place where live bait is sold.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on How much money should I send for a very nice doll for a 5 year old girl.

dolls you can also buy them on line from La14,
here's the link:

http://www.la14.com/tiendala14/

Bruce V. Shrader comments on what about weather? Hurricane in d area??

weather watch go to the following website to find out about
the hurricane.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

you can check it each day for updates.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Leticia?

leticia The Hotel Anaconda is the best one in town.
Air conditioned Rooms, pool and fairly nice restaurant.
They can recommend guides for tours on the river & etc.
Security is good. There are ATM's in town, no problem
getting money w/visa card. they have a web site:

http://www.hotelanaconda.com.co/english/index.html

There is a bar near there called "Tio Tom" or Uncle Tom.
if you exit out of the Hotel, turn left and walk down the
street a little way and it is on the corner. You can sit
there at one of their tables, on the sidewalk, and watch all
of leticia pass by. (mostly bicycles and motor scooters)
Also, near the hotel are a few stores where you can buy
souveniers if you want.

Further on down this same street (Past "Tio Tom"), on the
oposite side, is another hotel (if it's still open)
I think it's called the Hotel Ticuna. They also have pool.
This one is not as nice, it was kinda "Run Down" when I
was there several years ago.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on All about CALI

restaurants I like Simon Parrillias and Maria Mentias.
Lenos & Carbon is OK, but not as good as
Simon and Maria

Bruce V. Shrader comments on A Question about the Utility Services in Colombia

Gator I think some of it is the amount of telephone
calls (or "Traffic") which is the problem.
I have had similar problems with "dropped calls",
"Busy signals", and just plain failure to connect
when calling from Florida to Cali.

I think you will find, however. that the Cell phone
service is better than the regular "Land Line" telephone
service. The reason is that the equipment is much newer
and is more "Standardized".

Also, there is the way the telephone, cable TV,
and Power lines are run. On the telephone poles
and from the poles to the house. Most of the wiring
(as I see it) does not follow the National Electrical
code and is of outdated technology and is in some cases
just outright dangerous.

We have a house which is in the "Camino Real"
section of Cali and I was apalled at some of the
things I see done.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on International Drivers License

flaleo I just went to DMV.org and looked at it.
after going thru the links to myforida.com.
Paragraph J stated that the international driver license
IS NOT valid in the United States or it's posessions.
Also, my wife has one and they (florida) did not accept it.
We had to go thru a period of time waiting for her
Residents Card before she could get her regular Florida
drivers license. They really wern't all that cooperative
also. Pretty sure she will need a SSNO too.

Things may heve changed now, this was several years ago.
Better check with your insuarance carrier also.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on colombian residency for US citizen

Visa & Cedula If you are talking about the "Spouse Visa"
You can maybe go to the Colombian Consulate
in New York City or Miami.
When you go, be sure and take all required documents
and photos. Cost for visa is/was $165.00 and is good for
two years.

ALSO

Besure and pay attention to the requirement that
you go to DAS and get your "Cedula Extranjeria".
You have 60 days to do it. Here again, besure and
try to have all the required documents and photos
prior to going. It expedites matters.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Question on Cali

atm's I agree with bob777.
ATM's are EVERYWHERE!
If you don't arrive with Colombian money,
there are several ATM's at the airport,
but you have to go the main floor, where all
the airline counters and stores are.
I would go ahead and get some peso's prior
to taking a Taxi because it is better to pay
everything in pesos rather than U.S. Dollars.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Should I register with the Department of State while traveling to Columbia?

Registering w/ consulate I never did, and I agree with Gringoinbogota,
It's a waste of time.

as far as I am concerned, they might as well
not even be there!

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Will US Iraq pullout date mean more involvement in Colombia?

The USA will withdraw ON AOL, there is a poll going on.
The poll is whether or not the USA
made a mistake in going into Iraq and
taking out Saddam Hussein.
ded.
Result of poll (as of today) is 82% AGAINST this war.

Remember, Bush's reason for going there was Weapons of Mass Destruction. None have been found and the hunt for them is ended.

Bush wanted this war becaause he wanted to be a War Time President.
It backfired on him.

Now, his reason is because Hussein was killing and tortureing people. This place has been fighting for 1,600 years! And it isn't
about to stop now. How many of our troops have been killed?
How many Iraquians?

Iraq has turned into another Vietnam. Look at what happened there.
Is Vietnam a free country? NO, It's a communist country.

This is a STUPID war! Just like Vietnam was.
Fought for a dumb reason. If Bush is not careful,
he will go down in history as a failure.

That's another reason why the USA will not come to Colombia.
I don't think the American people would allow it, it would be
another Guerilla war..

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Will US Iraq pullout date mean more involvement in Colombia?

I don't think so, if the United States had wanted to do that,
They would have done it prior to this war in Iraq.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Visa Card Use

debit visa I use a debit visa, off of my suntrust bank checking account.
they charge $2.00 for each transaction and I can withdraw
up to $300.000 peso per transaction.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on

platano Hi Platano,

If you were addressing me,
have no faer, I have not been offended.
I have no use for the FARC either,
nor am I anywhere near a supporter of these scumbags.
I think that the FARC is nothing more than a bunch of
Criminals.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on

trip to Curacao I think it's just another case of our government
blowing money! There was really no need for them to do this!

Bruce V. Shrader comments on

lionheart Thanks for providing this informative & interesting link.
I agree that I do not think the AC-130 is in Colombia's inventory either.

I also think CNN's referral to the AC-130 was in error. It was
probably an AC-47, which was known as "Puff the Magic Dragon", in
Vietnam.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on way off the wall...corazon sagrado...

vatican city Vatican city is a country, just like Farnce, Germany or
any other country.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Cali weather

cali weather the length of daytimes (sunup/sundown) are basically the same too.

Bruce V. Shrader comments on Taking of Panamá

Very Interesting, Enjoyed this very much!