Cali2005 has left 63 comments

Cali2005 comments on Porqué en USA la gente tiene tantos problemas de sobrepeso?

Colombianos tambien tiene problemas de grasa en la sangre. Pero Americanos tiene mas gordos. La comida typica es malo por la salud, y en Estados Unidos esta PEOR. La comida es mas processado, y hay mas tiendas de comida rapido en la calle. Facil para engordar te. No necisitas salir to carro, no necsitas caminar. . . Desayuno en el carro en McDonalds, Almuerzo en el carro, y despues tu llegas a la casa llamar por un pizza.... EEUU es un pais de domicilios! :)

Cali2005 comments on

The medical system in the USA is really screwed up, and very expensive. Here in Colombia its more affordable, and if your lucky you have the premium policy, or prepay insurance plans. If not its better than what we have in the states, but it can have pretty bad bugs. My girlfriends mother was waiting 1 1/2 months for emergency surgery. She had to travel from Medellin to Bogota, and then they told her that her cedula wasnt up to date, so she had to return to Medellin, get a temp cedula, go back to bogota. Basically the system is set up so the poor get health care but dont get the respect they deserve. Rich doctors, and CEOs of health care companies (in the USA and Colombia), should burn in hell. The system is set up to reward doctors who pray on the sickest people the most money. IE, if you have cancer, or need a major surgery you have to take out a loan, or use your kids college fund (if your that lucky). If your poor you just die or walk around crippled. i pay 200,000 for complete insurance coverage in colombia. in the usa i wouldnt be covered for preexisting sicknesses. in colombia i am. in the usai would pay 400 bucks a month (4 times as much), AND IT WOULDNT COVER PREEXISTING.

Cali2005 comments on Motorcycle Insurance

Just watch out for drivers that cut across 2 or 3 lanes of traffic to take a turn. They will rarely be looking for motorcylces so be prepared to slam on the brakes and lay into the horn! Better to have a larger bike to stay in front of the tail gating taxis!

Cali2005 comments on Going to school while on TC visa?

hey its MAY 1ST, we should not be on the computer inside our houses today, we should all be at a FINCA celebrating MAY 1ST! what? yeahhhh thats right what the hell am i donig writting on this website today? hmmm ... i'm going to buy a bottle and get a life! jeje

Cali2005 comments on Any Colombian Condo. Vultures out there??

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thats it lol

Cali2005 comments on Any Colombian Condo. Vultures out there??

Mortgage brokers were riding high for a few years just like stock brokers when the internet hit its peak in the late 90s! Back then millions lost their retirement nest eggs, and now people are loosing their houses or they are forced to keep working another 10 years, and put off that retirement. Now the prices are getting back to where they should be. Property taxes are still way to high in the USA! Add insurance costs its ridiculous!

Cali2005 comments on More things for sale (moving this friday!)

your moving? where are you moving from...that might be usefull to put in your ad :)

Cali2005 comments on

Lived in Miami 9 years. The weather is great but everyone is always pissed off. Which is why i prefer Colombia so much. The people in Colombia and especially Medellin are extremely nice. Of course the Medellin women have similar problems when it comes to being obsessed with silicone! I personally got tired of the miami machismo egos! Queens NY has a very high population of Colombians, but i met my X in Miami.

Cali2005 comments on Medellin - El Poblado - Furnished Rooms for RENT - ECONOMY - :-)

New room with private balcony to be ready April 20 - April 22. New queen bed & Matress. 1 week or more is 40,000 per night. - This is a non smoking apartment -

Cali2005 comments on Apartments or Rooms for rent in Poblado - Medellin

The Gringos Apartment, rooms rented for gringos by a gringo. 40,000 per night if you stay 1 week or longer. 2 blocks from 10th (Calle 10). 1 block from Hotel Park 10. This is a Bed & Breakfast style environment in a large 4 bedroom apartment. We have 2 rooms available now. View the photos here or contact my email: http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/medellin---el-poblado---furnished-rooms-for-rent---economy----/ 313-390-7109

Cali2005 comments on No Free trade with Colombia

It's a mute point. The US economy is verge of total collapse. The bigger problem here is the exchange rate and the strength of the US economy in general. The free trade will seem like peanuts if the current problem doesnt get straightened out in the USA. The trickle down effect of 2 recessions will affect Colombia, and all us gringos that visit or live here. Anyone that has business here in Colombia had better buckle up because we have just seen the beginning of the downturn. The only thing positive here is that the safety and tourism are getting better every year.

Cali2005 comments on arranged marriages

I am not sure about arranged marraiges but the current problem seems to be from family members selling their kids off to guys that have money.

Cali2005 comments on Apartments-Medellin.com - Luxury apartments for rent in Medellin

Apartment Style Bed & Breakfast: Zona Rosa (El Poblado). (40 - 50,000 PESOS - ABOUT US$22-$27) Individual Spacious aparment rooms available, 3 large rooms, 2 floor apartment, huge balconies PHONE JAMES at 313-390-7109 in COLOMBIA, OR 415-240-4698 from the USA. In the ZONA ROSA area, walking distance to PARQUE LLERAS. Internet, Computer, Cable (CNN/ESPN,HBO ) , Maid Service, Washing Machine. Enjoy or Apartment style Bed & Breakfast. http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/medellin---el-poblado---furnished-rooms-for-rent---economy----/

Cali2005 comments on Any cell phone plans in Colombia that accept calls from US?

#1 BUY A SKYPE NUMBER IN THE USA. ABOUT 60-70 BUCKS UNLMITED CALLS TO YOUR NUMBER.( PEOPLE IN USA DONT GET CHARGED FOR CALLS.) #2 FORWARD THE CALLS ON YOUR SKYPE ACCOUNT TO YOUR CELL PHONE. SKYPE WILL BILL YOU BY THE MINUTE AT THE GOING RATE, OR - ABOUT 10 CENTS A MINUTE http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/medellin---el-poblado---furnished-rooms-for-rent---economy----/

Cali2005 comments on Nice english girl looking for housing...

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/medellin---el-poblado---furnished-rooms-for-rent---economy----/ We have a room opening up in about 2 weeks. Check out the link. We are on Calle 11B, just a couple blocks from Calle 10, VERY close to parque lleras, 3 blocks from Vizcaya Centro Comercial. 40,000 per night with all the comforts of home.

Cali2005 comments on T-Mobile in Bogota and Barranquilla

On the flip side if you have COMCELL here in Colombia YOU WILL BE ROAMING on TMOBILE in the USA. I just got back from a trip with connections that put me in 6 major cities. I was roaming on TMOBILE in every city. It was not cheap, but it did come in handy with all the delays from snow and rain storms. Comcell realized that turning international roaming on for all cell phones with a plan was a good money maker. It's not cheap to use your cell pone on international roaming, but it works great if your in a jam! Snowed in in Chicago, or STUCK IN MIAMI because AMERICAN AIRLINES CANCELS your flight because not enough people are coming to medellin..... just a couple of my favorites

Cali2005 comments on OH NO..........Another One.........And She is completely naked...

This kid was born with a head of hair! Time for the barber lol

Cali2005 comments on Medellin - El Poblado - Furnished Rooms for RENT - ECONOMY - :-)

Other photos coming in a couple weeks of my other room, once we clean up my roomates space. :)

Cali2005 comments on COP - Colombian Peso Exchange RATE hit 1801 today briefly

Just to stay off subject, how about El 'NUEVO' Dorado? I'l get back to you on my Avatar! jeje

Cali2005 comments on COP - Colombian Peso Exchange RATE hit 1801 today briefly

Hey Ray you got any more of that green beer left?

Cali2005 comments on Looking for a one br furnished apt in Medellin for monthly rental

See my post here.... 40,000 - 50,000 pesos per night, discounts available for longer stays...... http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/medellin---el-poblado---furnished-rooms-for-rent---economy----/

Cali2005 comments on RAAAY

Great to see your dog in good spirits today after bouncing off a car last week! wheeeewwwwwwww...that was a close one!

Cali2005 comments on FARC TERRORISTAS VIDEO

I hope that the murders decline, but unfortunately more violence begets more violence, and poverty gives poor reason to fight. One day we can hope that poverty and lack of education will decrease reasons people have to fight. All poor countries seem to have rebels, and it sadens me. As an American Gringo i have to worry about where i go in Colombia as in other countries because the way i look represents the gringo stereo type. People who are mad at american multinational companies or the United States government may take their anger out on me if opportunity rises. Unfortunately uneducated people don't realize that some of us care, some gringos work for human rights organizations, some gringos don't believe in US foreign policies, some of us believe in workers rights, feeding the poor, fighting poverty... etc. Violence begets violence, and in a war there are no winners.

Cali2005 comments on Tourist Visa extension update/Medellin

Everyone gives a different answer...it's the Colombian way.........

Cali2005 comments on RAAAY

Rayyyyyyyyy, How is your puppy doing? Riding the moto well? Only one person in Colombia has the motorcycle and is from Ireland! LOL

Cali2005 comments on Bogota vs Medellin? Which is better to LIVE in?

Experience with both i prefer Medellin for the friendly people, and permanent spring weather. Now if pollution, and nippy cold weather don't bother you then maybe Bogota is for you. I left Bogota because of the Seattle like weather, and pretty strong pollution. I hadn't taken astma medicine for 20 years, and i go to the gym 5 times a week, but the air in Bogota combined with the "Bogota Gripas', knocked me to the ground. If you have any history of asthma, or allergies don't plan on enjoying bogota for an extended period of time. Medellin is still Colombia, but its the cleanest of the larger cities. You will still notice the air pollution, but if your not living on a main road or in downtown you can get by quite well. Downfall to Medellin is the local economy is not as strong as Bogota. The job market is much stronger, and salaries are MUCH HIGHER.... Hopefully you have foreign income or a personal business to support you in Colombia. If you have strong lungs, no allergies, strong immune system, and like the colder nights then Bogota might be for you. Bogota is famous for its strong flu seasons. I lasted 1 year before i moved to Medellin. Medellin averages mid 70 degree weather year round. its a bit nippy in the morning and at night, and you dont need air conditioning 98% of the time. Medellin is cooler than South Florida, but definately warmer than Bogota! I am in agreement with Enrique, avoid the Estrado 6 types and hang out with the normal people. While i may live in a estrado 6 for comfort, i prefer people that are simple and don't look down on other people. That reminds me too much of South Florida, and Los Angeles. Rent on a short lease if your not sure. Enjoy Colombia before the exchange rate gets worse because of the falling dollar.

Cali2005 comments on

As they say here in Colombia the Holidays are peak activity time for robbers. More people are moving around with cash and presents. Here in Medellin the National Police put big stickers on ATM machines in the down town nieghborhoods, that basically say value your life and dont use an ATM on the street during December! So even if its just a small ATM withdrawl your putting your self at risk! I always use ATMs inside malls..much safer.

Cali2005 comments on Which banks can transfer money to Colombia?

Bancolombia and banco bogota are the biggest but the most difficult if you want to open an account. they are tough on foreigners and want business and personal references. Other smaller banks are better.

Cali2005 comments on What do I need to get a working visa? urgent

Getting a work visa. You have to stand in lines for about 4 days or pay an immigration specialist to do it. Colombia wants foriegners to do business here. Getting a bank account at some banks is actually harder than getting a work visa. The work visa allows you to stay in the country 6 months at a time, but you need to leave at least every 6 months for 72 hours. This does not qualify you for permanent residency/citizenship. This is basically the process i ran through about a year as my marraige visa expired...yep divorce... 1) get a NIT (something like a tax id), 2) Get your Camera de Commerce Registration (business license), 3) immigration specialist writes a letter & fills out your forms, 3) notary pulbic authorization for the person standing in line with your visa application in bogota 4) photos for your visa, 4) sent to bogota with the 250 bucks processing fee.............. I think i paid about 200 bucks (USD) to the immigration person i used in Colombia on top of the 250 app fee with the Ministery of Exteriors in Bogota. You will use a consulate if you do this outside of Colombia. If your new to colombia they may ask you get some DAS background check, otherwise you will probably need a police criminal record background from where you currently reside. If your in Bogota you can actually get your visa the same day, however most people just drop off the you can spend 4 days running around getting your business license and NIT by the time you figure out what places to go to, stand in line from anywere between 15 minutes to 4 hours... DONT FORGET THOSE 2 HOUR LUNCHS, AND LIMITED OFFICE HOURS. Keep lots of coins handy to pay for extra copies of papers you get through out the day!!! OR JUST find an immigration person to hire someone to run the errands for you...A CHEAP AND WISE OPTION.....unless you want to tour Colombian government buildings! Colombia runs on 50% rubber stamps, and 50% computers. After you are running your business or need to authorize yourself / salary (health insurance) you will need to get some rubberstamps made with your business name. Your company letters are not official without your 10,000 rubber sello (seal) stamp applied! ******* THE RUT is actually not needed for the visa, but i just learned from my accountant that you have to have it or you will run into problems ...this is like a sales/service tax ID, different than a tax ID.

Cali2005 comments on 'Don Berna'

Shadow and illegal armies seem like a good idea at the time governments use them. They do so because they can always say it wasnt them, it was those guys. The Colombian government is equally responsible. The army worked hand in hand with them, sharing intelligence and arming them. Now the USA is doing the same thing in Iraq by arming the militias. The problem with this is they operate outside the law, and realize that they are above they law, so what happens next? Well, they always begin to feel like god, and it never has a happy ending. The monster is created and out of control. This country still has many armed groups out there operating . It is just more quiet now. I KNOW WE ALL HOPE THAT IT STAYS QUIET AFTER THE PARAMILITARY HEARINGS. ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

Cali2005 comments on K1-Fiancess Visa -- Colombian Women-- Kiss It Goodbye

The USCIS (the new name for INS) knows that 2/3rds of all marraiges are false, but what can they do? The way americans marry and divorce these days, i would personally have to say that Immigrant marraiges last about the same time! (not a scientific study...just a thought) There is a new policy in affect that limits the number of foreign marraiges or fiances to 2. I am not sure if that implies there is a limit on the number of spouses you can sponser or if that just applies to the fiance visa. The law affecting the marraige agencies does require you to fill out extra paper at these agencies. It was put into affect to protect the women who are immigrating to the USA. Just remember ADMINISTRATIVE policies can be put into affect by agencies of the US Government, that can affect the way they issue visas or handle certain issues. Of course you have a right to get your wife/husband a visa. Unfortunately if they don't like you or want to make things difficult they can deny your visa. If you look like a normal couple, and you are conservatively dressed you will make a better impression. If your wife/fiance has silicone implants don't let her wear a tight t-shirt to the interivew! LOL. Serioulsy though they are looking for compatible marraiges. That makes them feel better. If they ask you wierd questions they are only doing that to see if they can make you nervous, and put you over the edge. DO NOT WORRY if they ask questions and you dont have an answer. RONAL REAGAN DID FINE AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS, by simply saying i don't recall. I don't know.... FINALLY dont think about any of the above when you visit the embassy, because you will make yourself appear nervous for no reason. If your nervous then they are! It always helps to have a friendly person you can relate to on the other side of the desk. About 20 people work the visas in Bogota from a rumor i heard. Thats not to many people considering how many people apply for visas there. It is your right to sponsor your wife, and usually its very easy, well a bit like doing taxes. A lot of paper work and patience is required.

Cali2005 comments on Why the Colombian Health System is better than the USA

Heart Surgery: I had a good friend who is retired here in bogota, and he had a triple bypass heart surgery done in bogota. He went back to Houston after he felt better for a check up there. The doctors in Houston said his Surgeons did a perfect job. The only comment he made was that he felt more like a number waiting for his doctor in Houston, and a Cardiac Clinic. The attention was more personalized in Colombia. As for Heart Attack Response there are probably more ambulances in the United States. It seems to me that there are more hospitals in Medellin and in Bogota, although the are not huge hi rises like i see in the USA. So, this can be a good thing, if your trying to get to the clinic quickly, they seem to be closer.

Cali2005 comments on Anyone have SKYPE?

Calling to another person with skype is clearer. Calling a phone line in colombia has more static, than calling a person with a usa SKYPE phone number. Buy a usa skype number if your running a busines.

Cali2005 comments on Anyone have SKYPE?

Skype works good in bogota and medellin. Except for the time we had the 4 hour power outage through most of colombia. Then we had the 50% internet capacity wiped out by a under sea cable problem that lasted 4 days. good news is that now more international internet connections are being added faster, and now the government and the monolipies here realized the importance of redunancy. It is quite possible to run a business in colombia and not even tell your clients that your in colombia. Check out Vonage as well. I dont use it but i have friends that do.

Cali2005 comments on Guns & Ammo

be nice says the monkey! jeje

Cali2005 comments on Guns & Ammo

Just keep in mind more people statistically end up shooting themselves or friends accidentially, than protecting themselves.

Cali2005 comments on Cali2005

Hey wait how did i send myself a message! Now i can't remove it.... Click SEND MESSAGE to send me an email, otherwise the message gets posted here and it may be a while before i see it. Thanks!

Cali2005 comments on Cost of living in Colombia

Cost of living is up for Colombians, but for a foreigner trying to buy into a hot spot for gringos its 10 times worse. Once you get a few gringos in 1 building the prices can almost double in 1 year. There is no system with home appraisers and you dont have to be licensed to buy and sell realestate. Florida Real Estate is Crashing Hard and that was with a somewhat yearly controlled inflation. In the US we need more controls on the realestate market to protect home owners. Just remember prices dont always go up. Be safe buy apartments or houses through a Colombian friend, that is not selling to 100 other foriegners. These guys charge more, and THERE IS NO LAW ON HOW MUCH YOU CAN MARK SOMETHING UP Dont buy in a building with 10 other gringos! Go out on your own, learn the districts. I have to say district 6 and 5 for bogota and medellin are very pretty but the property values are over inflated. Stick with a disctrict 4 or maybe a 5 and you will get a lot more for your money. If the houses go down in value you may come out ok because here you dont need to take out a home loan. Pay in cash and don't pay interest to a bank. The world economy is like dominos. Don't listen to sales people, do your research. Don't be scared of Colombia. Dont tell your friends to come because colombia wont be a secret paradise any more. Be nice says the Monkey

Cali2005 comments on

If you cant see the affects of pollution your an idiot Talk about conspiracy theories.

Forget about global warming, and just think how nice it would be to live in Colombia without getting a headache or sinus infection or crazy colombian flu. The air quality here sucks. So think about environmental controls for the health of the population, for making the cities much prettier.

Your obviously republican and trying to stick by the antiglobal warming theories that are based on data spit out by HUGE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS! Corporations with one thing in mind, like you said it SAVE MONEY WITH LOWER TAXES, TAXES TO ENFORCE CLEAN AIR ACTS. CORPORATIONS ALSO WANT TO ALTER STATISTICS IN THEIR FAVOR TO EARN MORE MONEY AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

If a given huge multinational corporation does not have to install filters, and other mechanisms to pollute the air less, then they will have HIGHER PROFIT MARGINS.

Look at the source of your statistics, hopefully its not FOX news -- balanced for the republican news listener

Is your data comming from scientist or from the oil industry? hmmmm, i wonder which is more likely to be balanced? hmmmmm
George Bush is an OIL man ...hmmmm


Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on Info on reporting sex crimes and exploitation of minors to DAS

Actually i respect dogs more than people My dogs stuck with me even after my divorce! No alimony, No child support. Dogs are highly recommended over children!

Now as not to get distracted, Child Prostitution is a serious problem, and while colombia has many economic problems this should not be a solution for starving children and families.

Give money to UNICEF, and help desperate families in Colombia. They have done some really great work in Colombia. Economic hardship is one of the leading causes pushing young women into prostitution. Pimps should not be tolerated at all! Minors are weak, and people that take advantage of children for personal gain are sick people that should be punished.

Prostitution is one of the oldest trades, and with poverty covering the globe it will not go away. Look at the roots of the problems. Build a stronger global community.

Why does anyone need to have sex with a minor in Colombia? This country is full of beautiful women of LEGAL age.

Cali2005 comments on Info on reporting sex crimes and exploitation of minors to DAS

Screwing Around while married or not Well in the USA you just get married and divorced every 3 years, and in other countries you stay married because its really looks bad to the family to have a divorce.

Another note, in the usa people just dont get married like they do in other countries.

I would like to see the statistical chart that really shows what dogs people are....

How many boyfriend & girlfriends have been cheated on ..........
hmmmmm..........

hmm.... 1000% (some people cheat on the other one 10 times or more)

Relationships sometimes have a good friendship and sex, and when they have everything that is hard to come by. Men and women are sexual by nature. We are just dogs with big brains, and inhibitions.

Cali2005 comments on Info on reporting sex crimes and exploitation of minors to DAS

USA ICE AGENTS TARGETING CHATS INTERNATIONAL In the USA many people are being thrown into jail for 10 years just for having conversations of sexual nature with cops posing as minors. That's right just chatting, and sometimes internaional travelers connecting in an airport inside the USA on the way to South America or China are arrested at the airport.

That is correct. You can be put in jail for 10 years for just chatting with minors. As morphus mentioned below, "guys that get thrown in jail go into graphic detail with the undercover official about what they plan to do.." There are people that have tried to fight it and not take plea bargins, and they have received 10 years in prison. Even if you think sex with minors is legal in a particular country! Know the laws, not the URBAN MYTHS. You can be chatting with someone and it can be a cop in the USA.

Look up the ICE Immigration and Customs bulletins and you will see this is an international law enforcement operation they are actively enforcing now. It can be emails through dating sites, or chats through an online dating website. The point is, many of these sites operate in the United States. That gives the USA ICE (immigration and customs enforcement) juristiction i guess.

This is a relatively political and popular move in the united states to proactively go after potential internet "preditors". No website is anonymous. Nothing is completely secure or anonymous when you think it is.

A final note, many people think that going out with a woman/ young woman over 15 is legal. While you can ask many Colombians they will tell you 16 and 17 year olds are no problem. Well that is a common urban myth as we say in the USA. If you ask a Colombian Prosecutor it is against the law to have sex with a minor under the age of 18 Then again if you really love a 17yr old then just get married, and that would probably solve your problems, (until you get divorced.)

Paper Cedulas (Colombian Identification Cards)? Why do they still exist? Security? Problems?
Uribe, Colombia, DAS, or somebody fix this....So, finally i would like to say what is the deal with the temporary cedulas? Anyone can make those temporary cedulas with a type writter. If anything can be done with the law here it would be to get rid of those paper cedulas. My first cedula was plastic, like a credit card with a computer chip. I renewed it and they gave me a piece of paper with my finger print and my photo glued to it with elmers glue. DAS told me to come back in 3 months for my official ID. LOL.

Why is that a problem? Many young girls loose and renew their cedulas, just like cellphones. I know some girls at the universities that are a bit absent minded, and tend to have thier purses stolen a few times a year it seems. Paper cedulas with out plastic covers? Why?

In all reality, if i like a woman here, I ALWAYS MEET THE FAMILY. 1)SECURITY REASONS, 2) A girl with a good family relationship is less likely to have serious problems, 3) Just as anywhere go with your common sense judgement (if you have any)....

Finally you will meet some really nice families in Colombia.

Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on Wounaan Indians face exile and extinction due to cocaine

EASY SOLUTION - LEGALIZE DRUGS = END VIOLENCE If you have been watching the news then you notice the borders and pueblos are still full of violence. However most of it remains outside the view of RCN, CNN, etc...

Just think why this war goes on? It is because of the money. If there is no money to be made then 10s of thousands of lives will be saved immediately. Just look at mexico now and the mass graves in Colombia. The mafia and traffickers wont be paying dirty politicians. There wont be para political scandals because of drugs. With no money mafias wont be able to buy the latest rifles with night vision scopes and laser pointers!

For example latest news out of Arizona, United States reports unlicensed gun dealers selling automatic special forces grade weapons in the thousands to mexican mafia. If you dont know in the last 2 years or so the Mexican mafias /cartels have now taken over Mexico. Mexico is what Colombia was 5 years ago. The murder rate is uncontrollable. WHY? MONEY FOR DRUGS.

Mexico now gets 60% of the money from every kilo of cocaine, not to mention meth anphedamines, and marijuana. The other problem with mexico is that the guns run right across the border, so it is really easy for the mexican cartels and mafias to purchase sophisticated arms.

Like i tell my gringo friends and family look at Colombia, cocaine costs almost nothing here, but you dont have the whole country addicted to the drug because it is cheap. People in the United States are scared of legalizing it, because they think the whole country will be addicted. Actually the war on drugs seems to be a good idea, but its time to realize it was another bad idea like the War in Iraq. Well obviously low prices does not mean that everyone will become drug addicts. Those who want to do it will do it, and from legalizing it, it will be controlled. Treatment of addicts can be the focus.

Wow think of all the money they would save from not having 1 million people in jail for selling cocaine or marijuana in the usa. If you didnt know the usa puts people in jail for 4-10 times as long as colombia. Drug addicts need treatment not jail, jail does nothing but label them with criminal records and insure they cant get a good job if they do straighten out.

Paramilitary wars killed over 10,000 people in a short time, and like wise in mexico an average of 2,000 people are killed every year in the drug war, that we know about. Ok cigarretes kill 10 times that every year but they are legal. Hmmmmm, how do politics work? What politicians do makes no sense to me. The list of pueblos / villages between Colombia, Peru and the US border is 1,000 lines long. Everyone of them has been influenced by the drug trade. It is a sad and true story. A potential to explode into violence at any second.

Politicians only act on what the news tells them to do. The news is controlled by the big corporations, and henceforth the big corporations of the world control the media and the politicians. Democrats and Republicans are not that different on many levels. The fight over somethings, but many of them in the middle share one side of the brain with the other.

GLOBAL WARMING WILL FINISH THIS DISCUSSION:
IT COULD BE THE REAL THING THAT KILLS COCA AND ENDS THE DRUG TRADE, KILLS UN DISCOVERED SPECIES, WIPES OUT INDIGENOUS CULTURES, AND SNOW TOPED MOUNTAINS.

THEN YOU WILL HAVE SYNTHETIC DRUGS LEADING THE MARKET

The only good thing to come out of this is that those lovely condos on beachfronts in Miami will make nice island reefs in 40 years. LOL

Viva Colombia Naturaleza!

Cali2005 comments on As a tourist am I considered as legal domiciled in Colombia?

Colombian Residence can be important for Taxes in USA After speaking with my accountant in the United States he informed me of a long list of qualifications to get the tax exemption status for US citizens living overseas. 1) you can't earn interest on anything (stocks, checking, savings..etc) in the USA, 2)you have to be out of the country for 11 months straight, 3) you have to be a LEGAL RESIDENT (not a tourist) of a foreign country. 4) working for a us company overseas and receiving money in the usa. Of course if your working for a foreign company who is going to tell the usa your recieving a paycheck over seas?

Of course speak with a tax lawyer in regard to US law. There alot of myths and rumors floating around about this law. If your an independent contractor such as i am your even more flexible. Some people think this is just a law for army guys, but this is false.

If you fall into this category you can be exempt from paying up to 80,000 in federal income taxes, however you still have to pay the Social Security, and workers comp taxes. In reality you will cut your taxes by 75% give or take.

Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on

Think like a politician in Washington -- They want to forget http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-colombia_may23,1,7324299.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

You know why Washington has not made much noise yet, because its too embarrassing! Now Washington D.C. doesn’t want to have congressional hearings on how US Trained forces were involved with training paramilitaries. That might be embarrassing to the SENATORS in the USA. You mean the USA paid Colombia, that used the money to train paramilitaries with our knowledge? Of course the pentagon and embassy were aware of this.

It was state policy, and the USA knows what is going on here. Politicians, Department of Defense, US Embassy... They have spyplanes, spy this and spy that. The USA had direct knowledge of everything. The politicians like to act like they don't know about "bad things". Thats just what they like to say. Give me a break, the Bush Administration runs the embassies, the CIA,the DEA, and they know exactly whats happening.

Now its out in the open in "the courts of law", the politicians can not ignore it. They are scared of having political "congressional hearings". That stuff blows up in their faces.

Poor elite Colombians are not getting the free trade, and plan Colombia is stalled….I wonder why?

It might be because politicians realize the USA paid & supplied the government of Colombia, and they paid and supplied the paramilitaries that killed and murdered 10s of thousands of civilians.

Recently, a commander of the paramilitaries said that even unarmed civilians were targeted in guerilla friendly areas. They set up slaughter houses to chop up the people in small villages, so they could fill the rivers with bodies.

The paramilitary hearings have not been complete disclousures but they have revealed alot, and have had a bit more of an affect than Uribe wanted. Both out of and inside Colombia.

The Uribe Administration needs to quit labeling organizations helping displaced people as communist. These people need to heal, and take care of their families. They need food. They need better housing. That's all i care about.

THE TLC IS ONLY GOING TO BENIFIT THE TOP 5% OF THE POPULATION. Look at the history of the free trade in other countries. It screws the poor and helps the rich.

Colombia is a strong country tha needs peace, and Colombia doesnt need the money from the USA government. There is a whole world out there.

I can tell you the Colombian Culture and lifestyle is better than the United States.


Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on Peso at 1955?......

It is not just Colombia - Dollar is heavy & falling world wide Despite many economic factors the federal bank of colombia has sited alot of direct cash investments in colombia. Were talking about the big movers and shakers that play with world wide investments.

This pattern is seen across the world with china, and brazil for example. Brazil has a much larger economy than Colombia due to its size and rich lands similar to Colombia. Brazil has seen a dramitic gain in value of the "Real" over the dollar in the same time period as Colombia.

So as Colombia has raised interest rates to 8.25% as the federal benchmark, and started buying dollars to slow inflation, it is unfortunate because the dollar is falling GLOBALLY. Even the US Treasury department was reported to be buying dollars and selling pesos (shorting or buying options?...im not a stock broker.

However, the world economy is a bull that is not controlled by governments.

People think realestate can only go up here? Well if foreign investors stop buying property, then people can't sell. What happens next? Prices go down.

I wont be renting an aparment in the same neighborhood i live in. I will be moving across town, or getting a roomate. I damn sure am not paying the same rent i was paying in Miami.

Just be warry of investments when people say the value can only go up. What goes up must come down. I remember the peak of realestate 2 years ago in miami, and the peak of the internet in 1997.

If the peso drops to 1 to 1,000 ratio, forget about the cheap price of living.

This is a world economy, and what happens in one country affects another. Although it takes a couple years for the dominos to fall.

BOTTOM LINE:
I WILL STILL BE AROUND BECAUSE OF THE GREAT CULTURE, AND THE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN COLOMBIA.


Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on Medellin travel guide

Climate Perfecto - A real blessing after Bogota Medellin truely has a unique climate. While i have noticed that Colombians are very territorial, and will always call their cities beautiful. However, from personal experience MEDELLIN IS THE CLEANEST OF THE LARGE CITIES.

Medellin has preserved trees, and while pollution is strong in large cities, Medellin maintains is my favorite of the large cities. Of course the farms in the country side are absolutely beautiful and have plenty of fresh air.

Occaisonally you can see the huge colrfull parrots flying around in Poblado. Humming Birds, Guineas, Wood Peckers, and another 10 species of birds keep my balcony alive with colors every day.

The only thing missing here is a beach, although many tourist sites near medellin have lakes, or big pools.

Sante Fe Antioqua and Guatape (spelling) are great places to visit for the day. Now these sites are quite secure and tranquil for day trips.


Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on 26 days to paradise

Thats alot of flying!! Well worth it. Just dont forget your condoms!

Credit Cards a good to have for backup. Then again having mom on hand to do emergency wire transfers because your bank cancels your credit card is also important.

ATM Machines get hacked into a little too much in Colombia.

Either way Medellin murder rates are lower than Washington DC now, so you'll be able to relax quite a bit. Especially after being in IRAQ.

Viva Colombia

Cali2005 comments on * Beware Medellin Mansion

Medellin Marraige and Dating Agencies REPUTATIONS As for the comments above, all i can say is that "looks like a pimp" , and "whore house", are very accurate from what many gringos traveling in colombia have told me. If thats what your looking for its fine.

Marraige and Dating Agencies Bait and Switch Scams:
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What has pissed off a bunch of gringos are bait and switch scams. Viewing available women on websites as available that are not in reality. Don't travel to Medellin to meet a particular girl for a real relationshiop in a dating agency! You will end up with a hooker as noted above, or perhaps get the bait and switch. As many friends have mine have reported problems with Colombian Sweethearts. They have a reputation for keeping women that are not available on the website. You will get dates, but the best tend not to show up. Guys i know that live in Medellin dont think it's right to mislead gringos like this.

In Bogota i know of 1 agency that removed about 400 girls in 1 year that cancelled, but then the owner seems capable to replinish his list of girls.

3 OPTIONS:

1) USE NORMAL DATING WEBSITES! SELF SERVICE:
Sorry but its time to phase all these dating agencies out. With great dating websites your going to get 100 times more for your money on the colombian dating websites.

2) COME TO COLOMBIA AND WALK THROUGH THE MALLS, OR STORES and chat it up (or hire a translator), and you will meet many friendly women. Remember most normal girls are fairly conservative and like time to get to know you, so if you only have 1 week in Colombia dont get frustrated. Althogh the idea that you are not around for more than a week helps to speed things along.

3) Hookers are illegal but it seems to be tolerated:
If you go this route sleep with 1 eye open, or don't sleep at all

With internet popularity taking off, and internet dating becoming more popular there is no need to waiste your money at a MARRAIGE AGENCY. The parties are fun, but if your budgeting, and you want to meet a genuine colombian girl, go online, or do it the old fashion way in person.

Use online dating sites if your budgeting or want to increase your luck! Work out a deal to go to the parties at the dating agencies. They can pull a handful of girls together if your not worried about budgeting.

The agencies can live with their reputations or start to think about a marketing concepts called "customer retention", "ethics", or "customer satisfaction.

Don't let this deter you from visiting Colombia. There's a lot of good gringos down here too.

Cali2005 comments on I need an apartment for a few weeks in Medellin!

Living In Medellin - Several Gringos Renting Apts I have several friends who are retired and have rooms available in the poblado area for foreigners. I am happy to refer them to you. Some rent out entire apartments, or rooms in a house. The rooms are something like a bed and breakfast.

A couple units are walking distance to Parque Lleras which is a really great spot to go out to eat, and dance.

Just send a personal message on the website and i can forward you my contact information.

Tad