chrispej has left 308 comments

chrispej comments on themedellinmap.com - CHE

Parque Lleras is all about atmosphere. The food that I had there was really lousy on all occassions. Can't remember a single time where I enjoyed a meal. I take that back. Sushi to go was the only place where the food was good. It seems the restaurants 'go through the motions' of pretending to be a top notch restaurant, but no, far from it. Now I understand why the French get so pissed off when an American puts ketchup on a good steak. :)

chrispej comments on Those F!*%$#ing Motos

I can't tell how many times I've seen a bus pull over to the curb to let a passenger off and if he didn't pull over close enough, some idiot on a motorcycle would attempt to pass on the right almost hitting the bus passenger trying to get off the bus. It even happen to me once. This should be an immediate license termination. I love these guys who think they can bypass traffic by driving on the sidewalk. Thank God I don't carry a baseball bat. And yes, being poor does not give you a pass to be an idiot!

chrispej comments on Hey Any Pasta Lovers!

There's gotta be a recipe on the internet for making sun dried tomatoes. That is some good stuff. I love roasted bell peppers with scrambled eggs on a roll. I tried roasting peppers here and it didn't come like I wanted, oh well. So if you search the internet, don't expect the recipes to be right. Trial and error. They sell roasted peppers here in Medellin in some of the supermarkets, but they come soaked in oil, not exactly what I'm looking for.

chrispej comments on Medellin Hostel: Casa Del Sol or Palm Tree?

I would defintely check out Tiger Paw. I go there for Sunday football (Futbol Americano) and the people there are fanstastic. I own an apartment here in Medellin so I don't stay there but the people I've met there are really good. You will definitley like like it there. Brian is a "down to earth" person and if you're "good people", you will enjoy your stay.

chrispej comments on Hey Any Pasta Lovers!

Lasagne without ricotta is impossible. I think I know what ricottta you saw, but, it's all wrong. I think it's made from goat's milk or something but it's just not right. I can't remember the name but the taste definiitley has the wrong flavor. I think the next time I come back to Colombia, I'm gonna grow my own tomatoes from seeds. The tomatoes here are really bad. That's a whole nother story........

chrispej comments on Hey Any Pasta Lovers!

Hot dogs and apple pie! Very funny. I love all these 'so called' Italian restaurants here in Medellin. I have been to so many and none of them can make a decent lasagne. I really get a kick of some of these places selling chicken lasagne. Huh? Anyways, I've given up on them. I make my own lasagne here but the imported tomatoes are pricy so I stick to basic Ragu for the sauce. It's ok. I used Monticello pasta which is pretty good. The most ridiculous thing is the ricotta chesse. Only Carrulla has it and they want something like 21,000 pesos for 15 oz. container, so I make my own ricotta. It's actually fairly easy. I do like the fact that all supermarkets sell fresh spinach. I suffer through the mozzarella and parmesano cheese here but still, all my Colombian friends who have tried my lasagne absolutely love it. I love the "Oh my God, this is delicious!" remarks. Now for the pizza here. Apparently, the Colombians have not yet discovered yeast. I have been experimenting with different waters and different recipes trying to get the right combination to reproduce New York style pizza. Really difficult to accomplish here but I know it will be a big hit if I ever accomplish this. I was downtown Medellin and I spotted a "New York" pizza place. As I was reading their menu, a couple went up to the counter and was talking to the pizza maker. I couldn't hear what was being said but the pizza worker, all of sudden, went to the back of the restaurant and then he returned with what looked like pizza dough. The couple took one look and abruptly left. The dough looked like a clump of white dog poo. Apparently, this couple has been to the U.S. But the most incredible thing I saw was a guy making a pizza and brushing pizza sauce in the dough with a paintbrush. After being here in Medellin for over four years, I've come to understand that most Colombians do not know the flavor or quality of good food from other countries but they are learning. Hopefully, they'll learn not to serve pasta half cooked.

chrispej comments on Obtaining a Home Loan in colombia

I bought an apartment here in Medellin directly from the builder (new construction). I put a down payment of 10 million pesos and wired between 30 - 40 million pesos in three different timeframes we agreed upon over a year and a half time period. All this was done under a contract and I was only charged interest if I was late on the agreed payments. Now, he has a another apartment in Envigado twice the size of the one I currently own that he wants to sell to me at a good price. You have options here in Colombia but it can be difficult unless you know people. You could possibly negotiate 50k down and 50k over several years with no interest if you can afford it. I was looking at an older apartment in Poblado near Las Palmas last week. Nice area, quiet street. It was on the 3rd floor (top floor) , vaulted cielings, 150 sq. meters with garage parking for two cars. The owner was asking 160 million in a divorce sale. A year ago, an elderly women was selling a really nice apartment in Poblado. It needed some work but it had a lot of potential. She was asking 160 million and I think it was about 160 sq. meters, maybe more. Here again, she had no problems working out a payment plan.

chrispej comments on Entry Fee required to enter Colombia?

Sounds like bull. Port taxes are included in your cruise. But if you disembarked in Colombia, do you have a tourist visa stamp in your passport? If not, you may be screwed!

chrispej comments on Medellin Pollution-- New Diesel Standards Implemented Yet?

I haven't seen any improvement but does anyone know of a secretive way to slice the tires of these buses that spew this pollution? These SOBs need to be put out of business!

chrispej comments on They need to transfer the 2016 Olympic Games from Rio to Bogota asap

Summer Olympics in Greenland. Why Not?

chrispej comments on Beer Study...

This was done two decades ago in the U.S. Canadian Health? What a joke! But don't get too upset, the U.S is following your lead. Got to kill off those baby boomers somehow.................

chrispej comments on OK its official i will be in medellin colombia, and colombia for the first time in my entire life tomarrow

Just relax...you'll be fine...... You'll love it.....

chrispej comments on Is having a big, nice TV some type of status symbol in Colombia?

In some neighborhoods, having a bed, refrigerator or maybe a stove could be consodered a status symbol..... "And when she turned over in the bed and told her local boyfriend what you were saying, did he get upset also?" LMOA!

chrispej comments on Excellent Video About Colombia

That was a nice video. Too bad it wasn't longer....

chrispej comments on El Tibiri- Medellin

I was there a few weeks ago. It's your typical run down college hang out but they do play good salsa. No house music or reggaeton crap. Nice crowd and I even struck up a conversation, in english, with a young lady. I wish I could remember the directions. But I think its on the corner of La 70 and 50. Entrance is on the ground level with a staircase going down towards the left as you face the place. Good Luck.

chrispej comments on -1900? Maybe by tomorrow? Outlook is Grim!

I'm not big Fan of gold, but I found this article. It is not unusual to see the U.S. dollar down against the Canadian dollar, and other currencies, on a day when stock market indexes are rallying. In the old days of this stock market recovery, this action would be attributed to investors leaving the safety of U.S. Treasuries and embracing risk overseas. However, on Tuesday, the U.S. dollar’s downturn is being blamed on something a little scarier: The Independent newspaper has a scoop whose headline says it all: “The demise of the dollar.” It begins: “In the most profound financial change in recent Middle East history, Gulf Arabs are planning – along with China, Russia, Japan and France – to end dollar dealings for oil, moving instead to a basket of currencies including the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, the euro, gold and a new, unified currency planned for nations in the Gulf Co-operation Council, including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar. “Secret meetings have already been held by finance ministers and central bank governors in Russia, China, Japan and Brazil to work on the scheme, which will mean that oil will no longer be priced in dollars.” Central bank officials have been busily denying any such attack on the dollar – but reactions suggest that investors are taking the article seriously. The Canadian dollar rose to 94.6 cents (U.S.) against the U.S. dollar, up 1.1 cents. Perhaps more ominously, the price of gold surged to a new record high of $1044 an ounce, up nearly $26. FT Alphaville has a nice roundup of some of the reactions to the dollar’s moves – some saying that this is big news, others downplaying the importance. Here are a couple of snippets: Dennis Gartman, Gartman Letter: “It is unanimous: ‘They’ hate the U.S. dollar and it appears that a fully fledged attack is being made upon the U.S. currency this morning, with money flowing anywhere and everywhere….” Barcap: “An eventual move towards oil being traded in a wider range of currencies is possible, but in our view, the Independent article makes it sound far more imminent than it likely is. In particular, the political consensus needed to achieve this would be very difficult, especially at a time when there is an apparent lack of consensus on more proximate issues for GCC countries, such as the Gulf Monetary Union.” And check this link for a little history.... http://www.buyandhold.com/bh/en/education/history/2002/arab.html I dunno but I think the dollar is going in the shitter.....

chrispej comments on Any one know where i can get a copy of Rosetta stone to learn spanish better

Try buying a copy, numbnuts.....

chrispej comments on Computer (laptop) parts in Medellin

Try Pablo Escobar's old shopping mall, across the street from the Poblado Metro station. It's called Monterey. Plenty of computer shops on the second floor.

chrispej comments on back from 3 nights in colombia, my thoughts

" every girl i met wanted a picture, the gringo with the beautiful eyes, i felt like a celebrity! this is gringo heaven!" Oh great, another dumbass decided to shut off his lawnmower, leave his backyard and buy a plane ticket to Colombia.

chrispej comments on where to dance rueda style salsa - Bogota? & other dance related questions...

I think you shouldn't have any problems in Cali......

chrispej comments on Fairly mediocre video of Bogotá from the air

I remember coming into Bogota during the night. It reminded me of Los Angelos. Pretty cool video.....

chrispej comments on Attitude to mental illness on PBH

You're title, "Attitude to mental illness on PBH" shouldn't that be "Attitude towards mental illness on PBH?"

chrispej comments on Attitude to mental illness on PBH

"My personal view is that mental illness is remarkable frequent,they say 1 in 3 suffer at some time in their lives,why not be more open and understanding and support those suffering ." Who is/are they?

chrispej comments on

"In most cases they come back for more, then you got a problem, how the fok to get rid of them."

chrispej comments on NFL and college football games at the Tiger Tavern Bar at the Tiger Paw Hostel

Brian, you have a great place for watching the games. Love that micro-brew beer but the food, I don't know. Is it possible to set up a grill out front for some hamburgers and dogs? Or better yet, vendor it out to me. I'm not interested in making a profit but I do enjoy a good burger watching the game.

chrispej comments on US travel possible with newly issued Student Visa?

I did this last year, had the visa but no cedula. I left for 4 months and came back with two weeks left on my student visa.

chrispej comments on cost of Cab from MDE to poblado

I knew a guy once who paid 80,000 for a taxi. He was a little drunk and thought he was giving him 4 - 2,000 peso notes......

chrispej comments on Need help understanding my Colombian Fiance!

Forget that she is Colombian, she is a women. Many women carry past experience with men with them forever. She has a daughter. My gut tells me she thinks you will be like the old boyfriend, fiance or maybe like the father of her daughter.

chrispej comments on Great Finca 45 mins from Medellin

Sounds like a good deal. Is it cool at nights? Any traffic noise? Is there an optional maid? Are there any activities close by? Like horseback riding, paragliding, etc.

chrispej comments on Santo Domingo's Children Seek Help

"We are also planning on helping a family with four small children who recently lost their home along with all their personal belongings in a fire." I will be in Medellin in September, I would like to help out with the above.

chrispej comments on Medellin Casino Info Please--Who can give me the info?

Try Alegre (did I spell that right) in Premier Plaza. Very, very nice. Almost thought I was in Atlantic City. They also have Texas Hold'm tournaments.

chrispej comments on

Talked to one of those transit guys yesterday. No private cars allowed on the roads unless three or more people are in it. Taxi and buses are not affected. Pico Placa is voluntary this week.

chrispej comments on Do men hug in Colombia?

Men don't hug in Colombia unless they all are seriously drunk and need to hug each other to hold themselves up. Now what's really strange to me is that, in India, it is very common for men to walk with their pinky fingers interlocked. Sometimes three or four in a row! I've heard this and asked my Indian grilfriend about this. She admitted it was true but that the Indian men will not do this outside of India because of embarrasment.

chrispej comments on big shootout/ bank robbery down avenida poblado, opposite mcdonalds today

I believe RAAAY....

chrispej comments on engagement visa, colombia

partner?

chrispej comments on Does anyone know PERSONAL GROWTH INTERNATIONAL???

RAAAY, are you related to Steven Wright or was it/is it shrooms?

chrispej comments on

Darloup, I've tried to draw the same conclusion with my idiotic cave man post. I think it was deleted, I don't care. But you make a valid point. I could go on but, why bother?

chrispej comments on Colombia to Cuba by boat - my dream.

Well hell, if I'm wrong than that's positive for me. I don't lose. But I'm not seeing a substanstial response...... just your typical "used car salesman" responses.....

chrispej comments on

As I suspected, another U.S. citizen living off a goverment grant. Internic whois information: Registrant ID:ODN-37980 Registrant Name:Charles M. Goolsby, Jr. Registrant Organization:self Registrant Street1:12240 Brittania Circle Registrant Street2: Registrant Street3: Registrant City:Germantown Registrant State/Province:MD Registrant Postal Code:20874 Registrant Country:US Registrant Phone: 1.3013538498 This is public info in case your wondering..............

chrispej comments on Colombia to Cuba by boat - my dream.

Thank you Escape Artist, but I hear lately you need to be careful in Mexico and Nassau, Bahamas. That's where U.S. emigration can snag you easily.......

chrispej comments on Colombia to Cuba by boat - my dream.

"Chris, every single thing you posted about Cuba is incorrect." Sorry my friend, 10 years research and many Cuban friends. Back up your claim that I am incorrect............

chrispej comments on Easter Eggs - Where to buy in Medellin

Yeah, that's right. The kids that passed by were all oohs and ahhs.....

chrispej comments on Easter Eggs - Where to buy in Medellin

There was a guy selling multi-colored baby chicks in Centro, Medellin one day last week. Never saw that one before. Wish I had my camera...

chrispej comments on Colombia to Cuba by boat - my dream.

First off, there is a trade embargo with Cuba in the USA. It is not illegal for a U.S. citizen to enter Cuba. This would violate the U.S. constitution. It is illegal to execute any monetary transaction in Cuba being a U.S. citizen. That's where customs tries to get you as you reenter the U.S. and they suspect you have been to Cuba. How did you live in Cuba if you had no money? Cuban immigration will not stamp a U.S. passport, so I'm told. Especially if there happens to be a 5 spot in there. Other nationals do not have this restriction. I understand Cuba is frequented by Canadians, Brits, etc.... With that being said, my Cuban friends say it's not really a good time to go if you are looking for girls. A Cubana can get up to 6 years in prison if caught simply holding hands with a gringo from any nation. If you want to go for the cultural experience then all is well.

chrispej comments on A killing in Medellin

The guy was probably soliciting college girls for prepago activities and met up with some pissed off compitition or an angry boyfriend........

chrispej comments on El Colombiano says the unemployment rate in Medellin for feb was 16.6%!

"I HAVE TO ADD THAT MANY PEOPLE I KNOW WOULD RATHER BE RIDING OUT THE RECESSION HERE IN COLOMBIA THAN IN THE STATES!" Yep, count me on that one.......

chrispej comments on Colombia can be SO SHALLOW sometimes!

I remember hearing a story on the news where a USA employer discharged all his employees who smoked cigarettes even though they never smoked at work. How's that for invasion of privacy? Where the hell was Jackson, Sharpton? Probably enjoying a glass of Cognac and a good Cuban cigar...... I'm not saying what Colombian employers do is right or fair but I kind of understand the reasons why. Some employers here may have shallow reasons but others, I believe, do thier crazy antics for a legitament reason.

chrispej comments on Colombia can be SO SHALLOW sometimes!

Well PCL, believe it or not, when I was "pre-employed" in my current job, I had to have a complete physical with blood work, drug testing, full FBI background check, full local law enforcement background check, then fingerprinted and registered with the FBI. I had to pass fire fighting, crowd control (for emergencies), environmental and basic life saving courses to be certified. And this was for an international company. As for the original post, regardless of the laws in the good'ol USA, no one is guaranteed employment in the USA either. (oops, another can of worms.....)

chrispej comments on Business for sale Restaurant / Cafeteria in Medellin

aquivoymedellin, I am in Medellin and I have been toying with the idea of opening a restaurant. I would like to come visit you and see what you have. But I have to be honest, I think the only guys making any money selling food are the street vendors. Very low overhead.

chrispej comments on Colombia can be SO SHALLOW sometimes!

Well, if you have ever patronized Crepes and Waffles, you will find only single mothers working there. Why, because they tend to be more reliable. This was told to me by one of the managers there. I suppose they are discrimatory as well. Quite frankly, I would want photos of the applicant as well as photos, names and address of everyone he or she knows. Just so I could find the SOB after he or she rips me off. Welcome to Colombia.......