Christian88 has left 73 comments

Christian88 comments on HELP ALIEN PETITION VISA

I'd trust UC's advice, Karen. He's been helping us poor schmoes on this site with immigration questions for a LONG time, and I've never heard of him being wrong.

Christian88 comments on Roundtrip airline tickets non-stop LAX - BOG $722 for December / Jan.

Wow. Prices have really jumped. Two weeks ago, PHX-CTG was only $630, now it's up to $830 (Continental). So much for my summer visit.

Christian88 comments on Question about ADAFIT SUPORT in the interview

I'd bring it to be safe. You don't want to get there and have them ask you for something you don't have. What a nightmare that would be. Better safe than sorry.

Christian88 comments on URGENT - QUICK VISA QUESTION

You crack me up, UC. I believe I know what your "third option" is, and I think it's quite a good one. Who's to say that the "third option" isn't valid? Your wife? I'm sure she'll swear to the grave that she's the one who signed it.

Christian88 comments on Re: RELATIONSHIPS

Sheesh. Get a room. ;-)

Christian88 comments on Embassy message for American citizens in Colombia

What I find interesting is Juan's obvious disdain of Mexico. Have you ever been there, Juan? Or are your opinions primarily driven by what you see in the media, in telenovelas, and through friends of friends?

If it's the latter, and assuming you're Colombian, there would be a fantastic irony.

Christian88 comments on Any churches in Cartagena NOT Catholic?

Monpirri, thanks! My email is scs8879 *at* gmail *dot* com

I appreciate your help!

Christian88 comments on Listo - Hoja de Vida.

Love the last line.

Did I miss something?

Christian88 comments on Final approval for Catholic Wedding

I never realized it before reading your post, Poco, but they DO handwrite the '1' funny in Colombia... can't recall ever seeing it like this in México, but then again, I wasn't looking for it.

Christian88 comments on Called Colombia for Free Today from USA.

Let's hope GregYohn shows up to answer these questions. I asked the same in another thread, and he gave some good answers. I don't believe it's a scam, but it's also not everything it appears to be on the surface. If it's too good to be true...

In the meantime, there's very little risk if you use a credit card. Amex/V/MC will all "charge back" (aka refund) your money if you're defrauded, or the company goes out of business.

Christian88 comments on Final approval for Catholic Wedding

"I did sneak a look at what my novia had written for her wedding vows. It looks to me like she was samplying the the lyrics of half a dozen or so songs."

That's damn hilarious. :-)

Christian88 comments on Want to go back but need help

Here we go... post at your own risk in this thread. Every word's spelling will be scrutinized. Or is it scrutinised? Skrootenyzed? ;-)

Christian88 comments on

Sounds like you have an interesting story to tell, pow wow. Care to share?

Christian88 comments on A “Don” in Barranquilla, now back to a low life in NYC

This thread just took a left turn toward Grossville.

Christian88 comments on A “Don” in Barranquilla, now back to a low life in NYC

"You're only as old as the woman you feel."

I love it!

But Elmo, please tell us you're kidding, and that she really didn't walk out?????? Say it ain't so....

Christian88 comments on A “Don” in Barranquilla, now back to a low life in NYC

Kat, you've never had a gringo implanted in your self conscience? But yet you married one! ;-)

You're right about los gringos feos! I'm nothing special myself, but I can pretend really well...

Why never a costeño? I've heard things about los costeños, but I'd like to get your reasons, to see if they "jive" with what I'd heard.

Christian88 comments on Looking for english speaking lawyer

You'll find a bunch of them here, as recommended by the US Embassy. I have worked with Díaz Cárdenas Abogados in the past, they were excellent and Jorge Diaz speaks fluent English.

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsattc.shtml#Family

Christian88 comments on Orlando full of grace

"And assimilate into American society....." Reminds me of the Borg.

I do agree. I would certainly hope that when my girl comes here she (we) holds onto dearly to the Colombian culture, but I believe she'll need to do so while speaking English in most places (luckily, she's already close to fluent). In the home, we'll speak Spanish, but most everywhere else, I'll encourage pure English.

And Phoenix is like Miami - free English classes all over the place, no reason not learn.

Christian88 comments on Best Way of Calling the US from Colombia?

AC, I still think the Vonage/Packet8 is the best (cheapest) for those of us who talk hours daily... assuming, of course, the high speed Internet is available.

Christian88 comments on Best Way of Calling the US from Colombia?

MiamiMike, have you used the service? Can you share which company you use, and what your experiences have been surrounding quality, cost, etc? From the EscapeArtist site, I checked the rates of a couple of the callback companies, and it was quite high ($1+ per minute), so please share your preferred company.

Thanks for the article! Very interesting...

Christian88 comments on Porque la comida de USA no tiene sabor??

Monpirri, even though I don't believe it was directed at me, the word "ignorant" has always bothered me. Yes, there are some people that are undisputedly so, but the word itself has a habit of inciting heated argument or angry responses... not the best way to continue open discussion.

I think "bland" is in the eye (tastebuds) of the beholder, so there is not a right or wrong way of applying it; it's just an opinion, and as such, isn't ignorant. But that's just MY opinion!

Christian88 comments on Festival of Sails, Cartagena Apr. 6 - Apr. 19

Ah, thanks Kernow... didn't realize it was a hyperlink. Thanks.

Christian88 comments on Best Way of Calling the US from Colombia?

Thanks, AC, looks like we were typing our answers at the same time and you beat me to the punch. :-)

Christian88 comments on Best Way of Calling the US from Colombia?

VoIP is "Voice over Internet Protocol"... in simplest terms, using the Internet to send voice back and forth instead of hard-wired phone lines. If you need an Internet connection to make the call, you know you're using VoIP. Some examples are Skype, Vonage (allows you to use a "regular" phone, but you still need the Internet connection), Packet8 (same as Vonage), Yahoo and MSN Voice, and a million others. Even many of the new cheap phone cards are using this technology behind the scenes, though the fact that they're phone cards means you can make the calls from a traditional or cell phone.

P.S. Anyone who spots errors in my definition (keep in mind I tried to keep it high level), please correct me.

Christian88 comments on Porque la comida de USA no tiene sabor??

Come on, now, Simon, there's no need to criticize Mexican food! Has there been a correlation between eating picante Mexican food and having heart attacks? I think not.

;-)

Christian88 comments on Best Way of Calling the US from Colombia?

Skype is VoIP. I think Miguel is looking for something more along the lines of cheap phone cards for COL-US calling; something where no computer/internet connection is required. Am I correct?

My gf just uses her [prepaid] cell to call me, but it is expensive, something like 50 or 60 cents per minute, so often times I don't answer and just call her back. It does show as her number on my caller ID, so I know it's her calling.

Wish I knew of a good, cheap, non-VoIP option for you, but I don't. Please share if you find one!

Christian88 comments on Festival of Sails, Cartagena Apr. 6 - Apr. 19

Kernow, I'll be in Ctg. during that time. Can you give more details about what this is?

Christian88 comments on Orlando full of grace

You've got the same thing going on here in AZ - there's little reason or motivation to learn English, because entire sections of Phoenix speak only Spanish. Although I personally love practicing my Spanish, I find it amazing that you can live here for years (decades!) and not give any effort to learn the official language.

If a gringo went to LIVE (different from visiting) in Bogotá, and refused to try to learn Spanish, I'd look at him/her the same way. However, I doubt that they'd have the luxury of trying to do so - it would be almost impossible, I think.

Christian88 comments on Looking for Cristina Gonzalas

Just a shot in the dark... if you know the sister's name, why not try calling the Pizza Hut? Not sure how many there are in Cali, but this was the only one listed in Publicar's online directory:

PIZZA HUT
Av Roosevelt 37A-49
COLOMBIA - Valle del Cauca, Cali
Conmutador: (57)(2)5145050

Christian88 comments on Vonage VoIP Service over CableModem @ 128K/64K

Viewpoint - any particular product/brand you recommend for the USB port phone setup? Which do you use?

Christian88 comments on Porque la comida de USA no tiene sabor??

Sad to see that Rolita hasn't yet responded to our comments. I wonder if she's criticizing "American food" or "food in America." It seems to me the distinction is important.

One think I DO like about foods in Latin America (my experiences being limited to Mexico and Colombia) is that - like UC said - I always seem to lose a few pounds in a short time on my visits. I believe this is due in part to fewer preservatives in the food, though I'll bet that "preservative gap" is closing with time.

Christian88 comments on Medellin Info Website

This was asked in a thread last year; it's always a good idea to try keywords from your question in the Google search bar at the left of the screen. It's amazing the breadth of topics/questions that have been covered! :-)

You can probably find the hotel in the White Pages of the phone book below:

http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/home.aspx?ipa=1

Christian88 comments on Pre-paid Telephone Cards

www.tel3advantage.com

I've used probably 30 different brands of prepaid over the last couple of years, but this is the only one I've found with a decent combination of: quality, price, and doesn't cheat you.

Christian88 comments on Porque la comida de USA no tiene sabor??

I have to agree with SOME of what Morphus said (though not the part about McDonalds). Although I very much enjoy Colombian food, when I'm there I miss the variety of *authenic* foods available in the US: Chinese, Italian, ESPECIALLY Mexican. And when it comes to traditional "gringo" food, I disagree that it doesn't have taste. It just might not have the SAME taste to which you're accustomed.

I also agree that Crepes and Waffles is not a good example of "great" Colombian food. I've eaten there several times, and don't think that they serve anything mind-blowing, or that you cannot find in the US of at least as good quality.

At the same time, I symphathize with Colombians living in the US. I know Colombian food here just isn't the same.

Christian88 comments on Search: Apt in Bogota, internet, 1 wk, ASAP

Although I haven't seen Bob's apartments, I CAN say that he's a stand-up guy. I've ordered flowers from him a few times, and he gives very personal attention to each order. I'd stay at his places in a heartbeat.

Christian88 comments on A “Don” in Barranquilla, now back to a low life in NYC

UC, these guys offering "pointers" weren't teaching by example, were they? ;-)

Christian88 comments on A “Don” in Barranquilla, now back to a low life in NYC

Big A, how much did Morphus pay you to post this?

Christian88 comments on Experience with US Embassy in Bogota.

Come on, guys, leave poor Andy alone. If he wants to try to find the "magic key" to getting a tourist visa in Bogotá, why not let him? WE might know he's wasting time and money, but if he doesn't trust our answers, why fight it?

Christian88 comments on Going to Bogota with my son in June.

Misslisa, if you use the Google search bar at the left of the site, you'll probably find hundreds of posts on both good and bad vacation ideas - Cartagena is probably where you want to go for beaches, and I don't know about zoos. To get to Cartagena you'll have to take a flight from Bogota.

By the way, before someone flames you for it (sure to happen), the correct spelling is Colombia with an 'o' in the middle.

Have fun!

Christian88 comments on A “Don” in Barranquilla, now back to a low life in NYC

PLEASE tell me the 2 million peso bill was for the room AND the drinks? If you drank $900 worth of Aguilar and Cuba libre, I am quite impressed, and more than a little frightened!

Christian88 comments on Colombia

Thanks, Mariasman, for keeping us focused on the important things.

I have not tried the Colombian hotdogs. However, the best hotdogs I've ever eaten have been in Mexico... they put them in huge buns and smother them with grilled onions, peppers, beans, mayonaisse (I leave this off, yuck!), mustard, cheese, salsa, and guacamole. Wash it down with a cold horchata, and you're in heaven!

Christian88 comments on Vonage VoIP Service over CableModem @ 128K/64K

I've got my Packet8 phone (bought the Uniden 1868P with the built-in adaptor/router), and will be testing it in Cartagena in about a week. I'll come back and post any setup problems or quality issues that I encounter.

Thanks to viewpoint for his response to my question - that serial adapter tidbit is good advice.

Christian88 comments on Cartagena Justice

"quentras indrocter Amigo elmodefoque Joda el ppl que belive ellos son mejores que elmodefoque U U es Colombia"

BigA, what's your native language? I'm guessing neither Spanish nor English... and I'm not poking fun; just curious?

Christian88 comments on Does this site need an FAQ/guidelines?

If people don't want to take the time to type something into the SEARCH bar (which they usually don't before posting the same question for the 50th time), then they are highly unlikely to bother reading FAQ's.

Christian88 comments on PPL VISITING COLOMBIA

No, Elmo, I'm not shocked, lol. You're probably one of those people, then, that believe if a girl's only had visitors via the backdoor, she's still a virgin... am I right?

Christian88 comments on PPL VISITING COLOMBIA

Well, one danger that concerns me (and helps to keep me on the up-and-up) is the chopping off of important appendages by jealous latinas. We should all be careful to avoid this. :-)

Christian88 comments on PPL VISITING COLOMBIA

Glad you're not here to letcher.

I think we have to be careful before telling others how to live their lives. Although I do not believe in cheating, I also believe it's important to "live and let live."

At the same time, though, I disagree with the statement that a lot of people on this site are cheating. Apart from Morphus, I cannot recall anyone openly admitting to this, so I prefer to assume that the people of this site are mostly good.

Christian88 comments on Medellin too small for cheaters

Come now, UC... is that your only response to the throwing of the gauntlet? ;-)

Christian88 comments on McCain-Kennedy

Oh Lord. "Free Bird" as the anthem? Would that be the extended outtake version? Imagine the start of sporting events.

Christian88 comments on Mensajes para la television Colombiana

Poor Morphus, so innocent. ;) Just because they haven't told you they're going to chop it off doesn't mean they won't do it once they see you on TV in all your cheating spendor! It's in the blood.