CaryGrant has left 191 comments

CaryGrant comments on one final question about all this madness

On my last return from Cali through Houston - 3.5 hours in line. "Helpful" staff sent me to a US Citizens-only wicket (I'm Canadian, which he knew); they told me they could not process my papers, and sent me to another line....

CaryGrant comments on Cajeros: Help on ATM transactions

My experience too. Just do multiple withdrawals if you don't want to go into the bank. And be careful about making regular withdrawals from the same ATM each time - people may be watching.

CaryGrant comments on Background Check for Canadian Visa?

The Cdn immigration forms specify the certificate needed: Certificado y judicial de Policia. Haven't heard anything about fingerprinting or how long it takes.

CaryGrant comments on Anyone, Anywhere for FREE.

I was unable to use Skype when calling from Cali because the internet connection was so poor (frequent stops and starts in transmission doesn't work for audio at all!). I found this problem in more than one place. Mind you, the long distance call I made from the booth in the Internet cafe in Cali was just as bad...

Works great from Canada on semi-high-speed, though.

CaryGrant comments on Bring her to Canada

adrimm Canadian sponsors are responsible for 3 years for the foreign spouse, and 10 years for any children. The US has similar rules; I believe that my ex-American wife is still on-the-hook should I return to the US and claim social assistance.

CaryGrant comments on

You never know - there may be bribes and favours involved. Lots of developing countries have been royally screwed by developed (only in the economic sense) countries loaning them money. It can be a way to influence the politics and economy of a country: implement 'market reforms,' 'adjustments,' and such, and perhaps we'll forgive the loan.... It's a way for capitalist countries to open up other countries, whether they're ready and willing - or not.

Not saying that is the case here, but given the massive corruption at the top (Oil for Food being only the most recent example), it would not surprise me at all.

CaryGrant comments on What's going on here?

cam Bad news on shipping via couriers rather then USPS (or Canada Post): I sent visa papers to my wife via Purolator, from Victoria to Cali. Purolator hands over to DHL at some point in the US, I believe. Anyway, the papers sat in *US customs* for several days, even though shipped from Canada to Colombia.

Moral of the story: postal services are not safe or fast for shipping anything to Colombia, but there's no guarantee of speed with couriers, either.

CaryGrant comments on Wedding in Cali-Colombia

Congratulations and best wishes to you both! I am married to a woman in Cali, but we had to get married by Poder Especial. So, I cannot help you with wedding planners in Cali.

I will advise you to determine the requirements for paperwork as soon as possible. (You may have thought of this already.) Some of your fiance's documents may be very difficult to obtain quickly from Colombia. In addition, if you have a child from a prior marriage, you will need a document from the court that took over one month to obtain.

CaryGrant comments on CHINA INC AND IT'S ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE WORLD

Kernow - "I have often wondered why Skoda hasn't entered the US market, they make some nice cars." Perhaps after their Canadian experience, they decided to give up in NA. This was over 10 years ago, but Skoda's were inexpensive and unreliable rustbuckets. They got a very poor reputation close to the level of Lada and Yugo, and I haven't heard of them since.

dwmte - India is booming in the high-tech field. I'm a technical writer in a software development company, and many TW and developer jobs have been outsourced to India (not from my company, but in general). Much of this is stupid managers chasing imaginary savings; some companies are now returning development work to the US and Canada following quality and communication issues in India. However, there are many circumstances where outsourcing to India works well, and I'm sure the companies and people over there are learning....

CaryGrant comments on Irritated! (a Colombian reply)

Cerealkiller Did you say you're anal about oral? It could that elmo flu has mutated and is now transmissable to humans....

[elmo - just having fun. I actually think you're very witty, rather gritty, and I admire your ability to not take things personally. I don't think I've ever seen you take offense - you either agree and take it further, or turn it into a joke.]

CaryGrant comments on How much should I tip an honest Avianca employee who found my U.S. passports?

"He hunted for my passport for almost a week... and found it at a completely differnt airport security in a different city."

This is much more than 'just doing his job.'

I once stayed for two weeks in the Ritz Carlton in Hawaii. My now ex left her computer battery charger in the room when we checked out. We discovered the loss as soon as we got home, and called and emailed immediately. "Sorry sir, nothing was turned in from that room." Meaning: "Our employee stole it or threw it out."

So, I say, give USD$100 and write a letter of appreciation.

CaryGrant comments on Western Culture - Western Values...

Does the label really matter? Must we pigeonhole Colombia? The OP asked how Colombian VALUES are different.

The problem with labelling is that it produces structures that perpetuate the label. The US is finding this out the hard way: given the rates of intermarriage, race/colour labels are increasingly irrelevant. However, there are plenty of people on all sides who want to make sure everybody gets labelled, so they can keep the dollars and power flowing their way.

CaryGrant comments on Got Married yesterday :)

Silviat Congratulations and best wishes to you both!

CaryGrant comments on Irritated! (a Colombian reply)

For those getting bent out-of-shape over "attacks" on the US or Colombia (or wherever) this thread is not a COMPARISON. That is, the OP did not ask which country we thought was BETTER. Rather, what are some things that irritate you about the country. Some people seem to have to turn everything into black-or-white, right-or-wrong, my-dad-can-beat-up-your-dad. Also, there is much room for subjectivity in this world - what is wrong to one can be good to another. Finally, just because someone says X irritates him about country A does not mean it does not mean he would not also find it irritating in another country. Grow up.

I'm a Canuck who has lived in Canada for about 34 years, the US for 8 years, and South Africa as a kid for 1.5 years.

Things that irritate me in Canada and the US:
* Tract housing, where every house has to be very, very similar
* Massive corruption at the top, and getting worse (politicians, CEOs, religious leaders)
* Lack of closeness of families and community. My Colombian neighbour has had a hard time adjusting to the fact that her neighbours will rush right by her without stopping to chat for a moment.
* Much of what Rubi said - kids are treated like accessories here
* Soullessness caused by materialism
* Role models are scary: Britney, Madonna, Bush, etc.
* Poor food quality, combined with food industry and gov't lies about same
* Mediocre healthcare system
* Feminists
* Most 'experts'
* Almost everything on television

Things that irritate me about Colombia:
* Driving habits - little respect for the lives and safety of others
* Timeliness
* Kids are spoiled, especially boys
* Kidnappers/extortionists

There is no weighting, and I would probably find more things irritating about Colombia if I lived there. And more things to like, too. :-)

CaryGrant comments on Language Software

I sent my wife the Pimsleur CDs: Learning English for Spanish Speakers. I have the email address of a person with some for sale at a good price (along with other language software); PM me if you want the address.

CaryGrant comments on Language Shock....

I think languages come more easily to some than others, in the same way that some people are better at math, some are physically adept (Wayne Gretzky and Lance Armstrong being extreme examples), and so on.

Also, not sure about the US, but in Canada we are not really taught the rules of grammar in school. Foreigners are often surprised to find that a Canadian who speaks or writes well doesn't know what a preposition is. I still don't, yet I make my living as a writer. You don't need to *consciously* know the rules of grammar to speak or write well. In fact, over-emphasis on 'correctness' and rule-following makes for dead writing. I do NOT regard this as a failing of the Cdn educational system, as, for most people, learning these rules is a waste of their time.

Things I find difficult about learning Spanish:
* Spanish almost always uses articles (the, a, etc.), where English often does not
* When to use para/por, estar/ser, and some others I've forgotten already...
* Occasional long, frustrating silences when my wife and I are talking on the phone, and we run out of words...

Things I like:
* I get to roll my r's, which now I overdo...
* All vowels are pronounced
* The musical sound of the language

CaryGrant comments on you think tourist visas are tough to get in bogota?

The whole visa system is crazy. Two people the US recently allowed in from Canada:

1. Guy in Eastern Canada crosses the US border with numerous weapons, including a bloody chainsaw. You can guess why the chainsaw was bloody...

2. Scam artist in Vancouver, bilked people of millions. The RCMP (Canadian equivalvent of the FBI, sort-of) asked the US border guys to hold this man at the border if he showed up, because he would be fleeing the country. Guy arrives at the US border with a pickup truck and trailer full of his worldly possessions, US border service calls the RCMP - then lets him through. RCMP arrives 45 minutes after the call, but he's now safely in the US, where he cannot be extradited for his various crimes.

You know what, the US can keep those two.

CaryGrant comments on Work at Home jobs

What is the US famous for: Its Constitution and Bill of Rights? More guns than people? More cars than people? Feminists? McDonalds, etc? Freedom? 'Capitalism'? Vin Diesel? Britney Spears? Madonna?

I gotta think the Constitution is worth more than USD$ 30, but you couldn't pay me to take Madonna.

CaryGrant comments on www.NotCanada.com

And you better be nice to us Canucks... ..because we're taking over the world: http://cwd.ptbcanadian.com/

CaryGrant comments on looking for 'Utopia'

Mr. H. I don't know the reason - I had heard it was because Victoria is on an island - however, Vancouver Island is a very big island! Plenty of places for mosquitos to breed. There are mosquitos here, but I've noticed very few in Victoria proper. This woman did, though:

http://www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/1305.asp
Tsimshian legend tells of a mother whose child was killed by a blood-sucking mosquito. She hid in a tree by a lake and when the chief of mosquitoes came along, she laughed at him. Enraged, he dove at her reflection and when he got out of the water, he froze to death. They burned his body, and the ashes became hundreds of tiny mosquitoes.

CaryGrant comments on Be careful at airports in Colombia

juanalejo Sarcasm doesn't work well on forums. (I know - when I was a teenager, my mother forbade me from reading Mad Magazine, because she felt I was too sarcastic. Now, years, later, I realize she was right. :-) ) The problem is that, without tone-of-voice and non-verbal indicators, sarcasm can seem a serious comment.

CaryGrant comments on Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

I'm not a huge fan of gov't intervention, but I agree with Rubiazo that we really should tax cars much higher. A friend suggested pay-at-the-pump car insurance and other fees; instead of paying $100/month for car insurance, you pay $13/gallon for gas. It might make people think twice before driving a block to the corner store for more fags and beer.

And BAQ - that was EXACTLY why so many Canadians were PO'ed. It wasn't a 'free trade' deal at all.

CaryGrant comments on looking for 'Utopia'

I would like to say that Victoria, Canada is virtually mosquito-free. Not totally, but pretty close. Apparently, this is partly because Victoria is on an island. You might want to look into San Andres or similar; it's possible the mosquitos haven't been able to make the hop there.

CaryGrant comments on Work at Home jobs

Col. product Cocaine? Oil? Mail-order brides? Coffee? Bananas? Modefoque's?

CaryGrant comments on You dropped everything and relocated to Colombia

Rubi "There really arent' many areas of this country that have anything approaching what I'd call culture."

Also what many NY'ers say, while they look down their noses at the rest of the country/world. I suppose it depends upon what you define as culture, and if the negatives of living in NYC are worth it to you to experience your definition of culture.

CaryGrant comments on You dropped everything and relocated to Colombia

Rubi Not everyone thinks that what NYC has to offer is the ultimate. New Yorker's (including you) have a hard time believing that NYC is NOT the pinnacle of human achievement, NOT the centre of the known universe, NOT the best place for everyone. Different strokes...

CaryGrant comments on CHINA INC AND IT'S ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE WORLD

Kernow & Rubi B&W speakers + Creek amp + turntable = awesome sound...

CaryGrant comments on CHINA INC AND IT'S ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE WORLD

IF things continue as they are, China will dominate. However, other countries will react, as may the Chinese people:

* As China develops more of a stake in selling to wealthier people, it is easier to put pressure on China to improve human rights, lessen the wholesale environmental destruction, etc. This will increase the cost of Chinese goods.
* Eventually, the Chinese currency will float. At that time, they will lose a large chunk of their advantage, as currently their exports are essentially subsidized.
* There may be repercussions when China takes over Taiwan. If not Taiwan, then the next country. Sooner or later, somebody will stand up to China.
* Like the Asian Tigers before them, the Chinese will learn to make better quality goods. However, quality does cost more, in that workers must be more skilled, equipment must be newer and better maintained, etc.

Am I concerned about China's impact? Living on the West Coast of Canada, you bet.

CaryGrant comments on www.NotCanada.com

Canada definitely has a ways to go to help skilled immigrants get qualified. The problem, I think, is too many unions (and I include organizations like the Canadian Medical Association, Bar Associations, etc. as unions). These unions and associations often try to restrict access to their field, and immigrants are an easy target. (We can't have Colombian 'doctors' - practicing medicine *HERE!!* They're not up to 'our' standards....)

That said, I second Johnboy's comments, though with less profanity. :-) I'm sure anyone bitter enough and with enough free time could make a NotThisCountry.com site for any country. I have worked with and for lots of immigrants:
* Tried to get my doctor to sign my passport application; he couldn't, because he's South African.
* At my current company of ~110 employees, there are 15 languages spoken.
* At a previous job (Nortel 10 years ago), there were engineers and managers from all over the world.
* Vancouver (city of ~3 million) is about 30% Asian

When I 'immigrated' to the US, where I lived, married, and worked for 8 years, I had to figure out what kind of visa I needed and how to get it, I had to pay social security for 8 years though not permitted to collect, I had to renew my visa annually (the company eventually took that over, once they decided I was going to stay), etc. Had the company decided not to sponsor me for a visa in any year - which happened to a fellow Canuck - bye bye unless you can find a new sponsor asap.

Not too many countries let you walk in and start practicing your trade, whether it be electrician or brain surgeon, without knowing the language and passing some tests.

CaryGrant comments on Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

Deleted double post.

CaryGrant comments on Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

Rubiazo - BC privatised the administration of health care to an American company, and that company has missed the metrics they promised to hit. So much so, in fact, that they are at risk of losing the contract.

If you make a "free trade" deal with the Americans, you will get screwed. (See article snippet below). US tariffs - post-FTA - are causing Canada to try and sell lumber and other products elsewhere, like China. Unfortunately, a condition of selling to China is that we not protest as they take over the world. Sort of like the US, actually. (China said that if Canada recognizes Taiwan as a separate country, no trade.)

And on the free trade new front in Canada:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20051014/ca_pr_on_na/martin_bush_talk

OTTAWA (CP) -
Prime Minister Paul Martin has warned U.S.
President George W. Bush that Canada will wage its battle over softwood lumber in American courts - and in the court of public opinion.

"The president said he believes we need to get back to the negotiating table and try to find a lasting solution," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

The prime minister insisted there's no reason for Canada to negotiate because it has already won all NAFTA challenges to U.S. tariffs and duties that have cost Canadian lumber firms $5 billion.

"Canada has won panel decision after panel decision," Martin said later as he oversaw the inauguration of a new Quebec-U.S. border crossing.

"Fundamentally, what one might call the final court of appeal under NAFTA has also confirmed the Canadian position.

"And that should be respected."

A NAFTA extraordinary challenge committee ruled in August that Canadian exports pose no threat of injury to American producers.

But the U.S. government signalled it wouldn't accept the ruling, saying it was already complying with an opposing
World Trade Organization decision on the matter.

Canadian lumber exporters have paid more than $5 billion in duties since May 2002, when U.S. lumber producers filed their fourth trade complaint in 20 years.

Canada estimates that, based on past NAFTA rulings, the U.S. should pay back at least $3.5 billion of the duties collected so far.

A dispute resolution panel under the North American Free Trade Agreement has five times ordered U.S. trade officials to review the way they determine Canadian lumber exports are subsidized.

The NAFTA panel, made up of three American and two Canadian trade experts, recently gave the United States until Oct. 28 to comply.

If the panel's ruling is implemented, the countervailing duty rate would fall below one per cent, which under trade rules would result in its cancellation, according to the B.C. Lumber Trade Council.

CaryGrant comments on Avion Bird Flu Pandemic

Ahh, Georgie. When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

As a veghead, I'm not too happy with you carni/omnivores for creating this disease. I have no doubt that there will one day be another Black Plague-type epidemic, and this may be it, or a precursor. That said, I'm not popping any pills until I absolutely have to - but I do think BAQ is wise for stocking up. Because when you need the pills...they'll all be spoken for.

CaryGrant comments on Death Entertainment

Maybe good to show your kids - a graphic illustration of the dangers inherent in our car culture in general, and crossing the street in particular.

CaryGrant comments on Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

"If people have good jobs, and can export more than white powder, then FARC is less attractive and the outflow of powder will slow down."

True. The debate is over whether a free trade agreement with the US will produce those jobs. The Canada-US FTA did produce more jobs - in the US, from Canada.

CaryGrant comments on Your Col. Spouse in the US: Homesick or Happy?

My wife is not here yet, but her reasons for leaving were:
1. Me - good guy she happened to love
2. Better life situation
3. X

1. Love: I have heard, and come to believe, that many Latinas believe more in 'growing in love' than 'falling in love.' The second happens to them, but they do not consider it reasonable grounds for marriage. Thus, if a Latina meets a guy she thinks is really wonderful and whom she believes is the kind of man she WILL love, she will marry him.

2. Life: This is not money, not necessarily even just money. Security, and more opportunities for themselves and their children are also very important.

3. X: Some women are adventurous in this way, as are some men. They actually LIKE the idea of foreign culture and men. Although I get frustrated at times at the language barrier (slowly being overcome!), I love that fact that my wife is quite different in some ways.

All of this presumes a woman with good character, of course.

CaryGrant comments on Is the peso weakening?

"KIDNAPPERS and EXTORSIONIST usually do their homework" - well, I read that 70% of kidnappees are never seen again, so either the kidnappers are not very good at homework, or the poor buggers who get nabbed have greedy relatives....

Also - I saw a chart today comparing the currencies of many western democracies plus a few others like China. Colombia was not included. Every currency (US, UK, France, etc.) had been trending significantly down compared to Canada. Of course, this could change next week, or next election, or next recession, or...

CaryGrant comments on Canadian getting married in Colombia

Hi Leesa - I know venue is a personal choice, and I'm not slagging yours. I had to get married by Poder Especial, definitely NOT the preferred choice of either my wife or I, but.... I was asking why the attachment to getting married in that particular location, that's all.

CaryGrant comments on Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

Also a Canuck, pro-free-trade in principal, against it in practice. Canada suffered a nasty recession post-FTA, because our politicians were idiots, corrupt, or most likely, both. See if this gives you some indication of what most Canadians thought about how the FTA was implemented:

* Prior to implementation, I remember polls showing Canadians generally in favour of the idea of free trade with the US.
* The Conservative Party held a majority government at the time (160 seats?), and pushed through the FTA. More polls showed Canucks none-too-happy about what was traded away (our water, our right to use our oil instead of selling it to the US, etc.)
* Post-FTA, the Conservatives pegged the Canadian dollar at 95c/1.00USD. This was stupid, verging on treason, but the US benefitted hugely as job moved south to get - guess what? - cheaper labour, lower taxes, laxer environmental regulations, etc.
* Pegging the dollar too high caused a recession in Canada, due to all the jobs leaving. Had the dollar been left to float, it would have balanced the higher cost of doing business in Canada, but that would not have pleased the American masters.
* In the next election, the Conservatives went from 160 seats (or whatever - it was a solid majority) to two (2) dos. Two. They still haven't recovered.

Has the FTA been good for Canada and the US? Definitely for the latter. I agree with everything duanebg said. The US will screw you any way they can in the name of 'protecting their interests' and 'tough negotiating.' Sure. All the while ignoring rulings by the free trade panels and other courts. The FTA has benefitted large companies, mainly US ones, of course, because there are more of them (the US has 10x the population of Canada) and they're bigger.

This is not a slag against any Americans on this site or elsewhere. I like Americans, lived in the US for eight years until recently, was married to an American, my son is in the Marines, etc. However, I believe that the US government is hopelessly corrupted by power, and not to be trusted. They will put pressure on your government, and you will get screwed. Knock down trade barriers with Canada, Europe, Asia. Not the US.

CaryGrant comments on Is Columbia Really Happiest Country??

I think the only useful thing it points out is that money does not equal happiness.

CaryGrant comments on Easier divorces in Colombia - walking on broken glass

I'm not one necessarily opposed to easier divorces. Our CanAm society is so messed up that people get into marriages before they have the maturity to know what they are doing; forcing them to stay in a dysfunctional relationship longer is not a solution. As someone who is twice-divorced, I know....

Clearly, prevention is best; date more and longer, know who you are, make marriage more difficult, etc. However, we're talking divorce here, so too late for that for this marriage.

Children take divorce very hard, but I think the main reason is the selfishness of the parents. The parents put their own wants (career, new boy/girlfriend, desire for travel, desire to live elsewhere, etc) ahead of their children's needs. I have seen and heard of divorces where the children did just fine, because their parents made it crystal clear that the kids were still loved, would still be taken care of, and so on. The kids got the continuity and security they needed to grow up as healthy, trusting adults.

Better divorce than parents staying together only for the kids, or because of social shame. In the first case, kids learn that, when they become parents, their wants and needs are not as important, and this is a terrible message. You don't cease to count as a human being just because you have children.

I'm not a fan of a high divorce rate, but to me, it mainly indicates too many immature people making a commitment when they don't fully understand the meaning of what they are doing.

CaryGrant comments on The great absentees

I think calug got it: why would a gringo's wife post here? What's in it for her? And if she's read a few threads, she'll quickly realise that she'll be accused of being a green card whore if she's brave and foolish enough to post.

CaryGrant comments on Andeas Escobar's Murderer goes Free After 10 Years in Prison

Why is nobody comparing the relative crime rates of each country? Surely that is an important part of any discussion about the effectiveness of any criminal justice system? (Unless, of course, the primary purpose of the "justice" system is to punish.)

CaryGrant comments on a quick question

Adrian - my (now) wife and I did something similar: we spent some time in Cali, and some time at a resort with her daughter for a few days, visiting the Parque de Cafe and Panaca (what is it with Colombians and farms? :-)) ). The kids are probably along as chaperones, by-the-way.

I've seen your name on this board before, so you've probably read the threads about throwing money around. Meaning, if you want to find out if this girl is sincere, if you two are a good match, if her child has a good character, how you truly feel about her, etc., go light on the money. Even tell your girlfriend that you would rather NOT spend money on some things.

Never mind - I just reread your post and checked the date - you're there now! I missed my chance at the airport!

CaryGrant comments on Nanny from Colombia

Threads like this are why I lurk more than post.

CaryGrant comments on Canadian getting married in Colombia

Why not marry in Canada and honeymoon on San Andres? Why does it matter where you marry?

CaryGrant comments on Conversation partner (in Spanish)

I wouldn't want to practice talking with someone who spoke poor Spanish. Thinking about English, I wouldn't want to practice English with about 90% of the population, simply because they don't speak it well. (This is not a slag - perfect English doesn't really matter - unless you're trying to learn the language.) My Spanish teacher, for example, says that she has the most difficult time with students who have been studying bad Spanish for some time - they have many bad habits that are now very ingrained.

CaryGrant comments on Canadian visa forms on the web - where did they go?

Thanks johnboy. Must have been some problem with the site....

The processing times have come down:
30% within 6 months
50% within 9 months
70% in 16 months

CaryGrant comments on May I Have Your Attention!!

I feel so uncool.

CaryGrant comments on Tips / Gratuity Advice

Colombians will NOT immediately know you are a foreigner. Despite my very limited Spanish, I fooled many cashiers and taxi drivers simply by keeping my mouth shut and memorizing a few key phrases - and looking at the till/meter for the amount. :-) Also, Colombians tell me I have no accent, meaning, I suppose, that I have a Cali/Colombian accent when I speak. Thank you, Pimsleur!

CaryGrant comments on Easy to get married in San Andreas??

Tammy I did not need my divorce papers to get married - I needed only the Certificado de Solterio. You will probably need your divorce papers for the visa application, though.

....

There's humour on the other board. :-P