Coffeeman has left 15 comments

Coffeeman comments on Bravo Ingrid!!!

Much adieu over nothing. Lot's of old boy back slapping. Let's hope this moth stays near the flame.

Coffeeman comments on In desperate need of topo maps of Colombia

For Topo's in Colombia: see http://www.micropartes.com/

Coffeeman comments on Why Can't I be a "Doctor" in Colombia?

As far as I am concerned, the Colombians use of Doctor is quaint and ok by me. Rikto, I would not loose sleep over it. By the way, I see you made a career of schooling (over 17 years), good for you. How have you made use of it? I have seen alot of people with less education become very successful and make the most of their learning. Likewise, I have seen just the opposite. What was you undergraduate degree in? In my 25 years (and still counting) I have worked for the government and many private corporations. There are alot of people with degrees in Public Administration that are, well worthless. They only end up increasing the complexity of the government programs to a point of dis-functionality. Since all of us wipe our butts the same way, perceived superiority only exist in our own minds. Doctor Rikto, use you MS in Philosophy to figure this out, and your Phd in government to create a public program to implement the "Mandatory Doctor salutations greeting ordinance" On a lighter note! My favorite translation of BS, MS, and Phd are "Bullshit", "More of the Same", and "Piled higher, and deeper" Please don't tell me you teach, cuz you know that old saying.

Coffeeman comments on "Sin FARC no hay Uribe": Ingrid Betancourt

Here we have some people that want to give Ingrid some leeway (honeymoon period). BillyB said it correctly... She is her mother. She is reverting to her old ways. ColombianGringo, I'm surprised, you apparently read the article at face value. She is subtly poking at the Uribe administration as a politician would. Am I surprised? no. I'm hoping that the Colombian people look deeper into her actions and avoid the spin and fancy footwork. Most US voters get caught up in the political glitz; they don't like to do their homework before they pull the lever. When she runs for office (not a matter of if, but, rather when) I hope the Uribe or the Santos political campaign organizers make good on Ingrid's chameleon actions. She got home to France, got a good meal and she's read to fight. As Napoleon Bonaparte said, An army marches on its stomach. May she choke on a croissant.

Coffeeman comments on Lasik in Cartagena or thereabouts?

Best eye clinc is Clinc de Bosque and the #1 doctor is Dr. Giovanna Facchini Email is: facchinigiovanna at yahoo.com. She is Italian Colombian, she travels to all of the American and Eurpoean conferences and symposiums. She knows her her business. If your eyes are not suitable for Lasik, she'll tell you so... After all, you do not want bad results.

Coffeeman comments on Coffeeman

Douglas, I plan on retiring in Villa de Leyva in 2 years. I would like to ship all of machine shop equipment there and perhaps a few personal items. I was planning on buying a shipping container and loading all of my stuff in there. I plan on crating each large piece (using wood screws followed by sheetmetal covers and afterwards labeling them with only an ID number) Then I plan to document all items with photos and values which would only be designated as "machine parts" on the Manifest. The photos and exact descriptions would only be revealed to the DIAN customs official upon arrival and inspection, hopefully with me or someone I trust present. I have connections in Bogota and attorneys as well. So perhaps I can arrange to have an a legal representative meet with the DIAN inspector to minimize well...any sorta of monkey business. What do you think? How much losses should I expect? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Coffeeman comments on Moving to Colombia summary for international moving (documentation, etc).

DWMTE, I want to move my machine shop equipment to Bogota. Can you tell me what I should expect and what special preparations did you take. Were you able to be present at the Port when your shipment arrived? I would like to talk more. Thanks

Coffeeman comments on Assuming (hoping) Obama becomes the next US president... what will this mean for Colombia?

For America, McCain will be a negative. Clinton was more political insight and will do better with Congress. Obama is out there. It does not amaze me that the young, politically naive and un-informed are drawn to him like moths to the flame. One does not change his color overnight. If my fellow Americans would learn more about US government, they would know that the Executive branch is primarily invested in foreign relations policy. True, the President has the power of a veto, but, the Congressional Branch has, and will continue to be the heart of US domestic policy. With respect to Colombia, Colombia's isolation among pro-socialistic countries and America's policy on drugs will make US relations with Colombia paramount. Any US President who thinks otherwise will quickly be informed by the numerous US government agencies. Today, with the American public's heighten sense of worry, any possibility of having more unfriendly countries in this hemisphere will bring swift attention. A prosperous Colombian economy is advantageous to the US.

Coffeeman comments on Best Restaurants (& Deliveries) in Medellin

We were there in Jan 2007 for a week. We dined at La Fragata; the service was horrible. Food was fine. Had better. Perhaps we were not attired to their liking. We dress casual (no need to advertise). We did enjoy dining at a small Italian restaurant "La Bottega del Vino" on Cra.36 N.10-62 telfono 311 14 72 (owner: Giorgio) My wife and I love Medellin. We will be living there in 2 years.

Coffeeman comments on Medellin Hotel (Not Hostal) Recomendations

I stayed at Park 10 for 1 week. Hotel was nice. We had breakfast every morning at the ground level cafe / restaurant. Very good staff.

Coffeeman comments on A chink in the economy or the start of something bigger

GIB, I have been following this discussion with interest and I concur with you. I have been traveling to Colombia for over 20 years, and I too have noticed changes. I plan on retiring in Medellin or Bogota so I have concerns with regard to the long term stability of the Colombian economy. Also, I have family and friends in Colombia, so naturally I am concerned for their welfare. To me the economic analysis is more simplistic: Colombia's major trading partner is the USA, a strong peso / weak dollar hurts the export side of their economy. If Colombia's economy was totally self sufficient (energy, food, etc), then economic growth could be independent of foreign investment. Internal credit would be from national banks, loans would come from national banks, etc.. Colombia is making the same mistakes America is with regards to the over extension of consumer credit. Banks are like any other business, they expect / demand profit. They (banks) open branch banks to make profit from local people. Profit is always made at someone elses expense! The question is; how long can the Colombians continue to pay the note and where will the money come from? I too have seen lots of commercial development in Colombia; the price of imports are down (relative thing), consumerism is up. How about industrial investments? factories? development of mineral resources? agriculture development advancement? As I said earlier, I care alot and would like to see real long-term gains for the Colombians. I have no motive to what I have said, because wheather I am wrong or right; it will only affect me in determining where and when I will acquire property in Colombia.

Coffeeman comments on travelling by bus from bogota to medellin

Traveling by car is safe too! In 2005 and 2006, I traveled from Bogota to Anolaima, Zipacon, Armenia, Pereira, Manizales, Chinchina, and all over Quindio, Caldas, and Risaralda. My relatives cautioned us about traveling from Bogota to Armenia, so we flew. We were glad only because it allowed us time to enjoy ourselves more. The drive from Areminia to Manizsales via Pereira is long and winding. We were tired after that drive at night. We also visited the Butterfly museum (sorry I cannot remeber the town), and the drive was most pleasant. I walked alot in alot of differetn towns and some cities in Colombia: I look 100 percent Gringo 6'1" blond hair, blue eyes. There is no secret. Use 200 percent Common Sense, If it seems like a bad idea - It is a bad idea. Be humble, polite, and friendly. Be alert / watchful. Actually, all of these principles apply to going anywhere in the world. There are places far more dangerous than Colombia.

Coffeeman comments on Juan Valdez Cafes and why I don't think they will fly Internationally.

Flogging a dead JV Mule I was in Bogota and Armenia in January. I tried most of the coffee shops (well not exactly most, but alot), and I agree. JV's coffee is a poor representation of what Colombian coffee can/should be. It is over roasted and not fresh. I sampled the downtown JVC, the El Dorado JVC, and the JVC at the Parque de Cafe in Quindio. All are about the same. Cafe OMA brews a better cup for sure, and Don Pedro's coffee is even better. I spoke to people in Quindio and in Bogota about their coffee. The answer is not wht you would expect. To most Colombians, they drink tinto because it is custom / habit and they really don't think about it much. That is, they are not hung up in the nuances of coffee roasting and bean grinding on a day-to-day basis (unlike me). I told them that is really ashame that JVC really does not do the Colombian coffee reputation justice. Most Colombians have other priorities more important that a cup of Joe. On another note, I was in a bookstore in Bogota looking for a book on Colombian coffee history. Nope!! they do not have one, unlike the country of Guatamala which does have a nice hardback book on their countries history on coffee. I ask the bookstore Manager (it was a speciality bookstore), she said that the production of a book on Colombian coffee heritage / history got too political and as a result never happened (No surprise).

Coffeeman comments on What Coffee-Haus serves the best brewed / roasted coffee?

I'll be sure to try OMA Caballista, thanks for the guidance. I'll give OMA a try. I'll post my reviews when I get back plus pictures of the trip.

Coffeeman comments on What Coffee-Haus serves the best brewed / roasted coffee?

Thanks for the info Thanks Mr. Hollywood. I'll be in Bogota next month, I'll be sure to stop at Cafe Don Pedro!

Sincerely,

Coffeeman