Calling All Retired GRINGOS!

Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 1, 2008, 11:52:

Sounds like an interesting story. If you get serious replies and the story goes to print, please pop in and send us a link.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 1, 2008, 16:14:

I've lived in Latin America for six years, and I am Gringo. It's a lot easier than Norte Americano (and that would include Canadians and Mexicans), and to refer to us as "Americans" would be offensive to many in Latin AMERICA, because they might say that they are also Americans (I've heard it).

"People from the U.S." is probably the only accurate description.

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Nucknfuts says on Jul 1, 2008, 16:26:

Before answering Alisha's questions Please consider it's possible consequences.

We don't want Colombia turning into another Costa Rica DO WE ???

Sorry Alisha I mean you no harm.

I simply like Colombia the way it it. And to stay that way as long as possible.

The Nuck

You are never lost, unless you don't want to be where your at.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 1, 2008, 16:31:

Yeah Nuck, and don't send any more to Panamá!

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huskie says on Jul 1, 2008, 16:46:

Agree 100% with PBH, Sloop and Nuck, don't call US people "gringos', and for sure we do not need another Costa Rica !!!
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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Saltador says on Jul 1, 2008, 17:09:

Doesn't bother me or any of my gringo friends.

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 1, 2008, 17:11:

I think his could be a very interesting post, I would like to see the responses.

I am Colombian and live in S. California, but I will for sure retire in Colombia. Who wants to be old and live here, very lonely and sad!. ( I know, I work with the older generation for 14 years!)
Money will go a long way compare to here,
Great weather all year round.
Friendly people.
Family and LOVE, everywhere!

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sloopskipper says on Jul 1, 2008, 18:52:

docwilliam says on Jul 1, 2008, 16:51: flag

"Hey Sloop, how are you doing?...I have been told by many that a Gringo is broken down into different categories. In my case I am the only N.A. Gringo around, most others are German/Aleman gringos´. (as I am told by Colombians). They have also told me that a gringo is anyone who does not speak the language.(?)

Does not really bother me."

Hi Doc,

I am doing as well as can be expected, here in Panamá. I am Gringo from Pennsylvania, but of German extraction, but I think Gringo refers only to U.S. (in MOST Latin countries), or "maybe" Canada (from the Mexican or Spanish American Wars).

But I was told in Perú that Gringo was a demeaning term, and that they were also American.

I am still trying to reevaluate the wisdom investing/moving to Colombia with the rollercoaster of COP/$ exchange rates. I had postponed a trip to Santa Marta.

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morphus says on Jul 2, 2008, 05:18:

" to refer to us as "Americans" would be offensive to many in Latin AMERICA, because they might say that they are also Americans (I've heard it)"

But they never call themselves Americans so who cares what they think? Plus, USA is the only country with "America" in its name.

Whenever i'm called gringo in Colombia, I usually counter with mongolico or Indio. You should see the look on their faces...LOL

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Lowell says on Jul 2, 2008, 06:13:

When someone knows my name and calls me gringo or mister, I'm not pleased. I don't respond. It would just fall upon deaf ears. It must be remembered that here many a names commonly used are offensive. Chino. gordo, flaco....

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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tejasmarcos says on Jul 2, 2008, 06:33:

i always answer to beaner in the usa and gringo in colombia...

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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dwmte7 says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:12:

all 'gringo' issues aside, regarding our help in bringing more "foreigners" to colombia...GOD forbid. let them discover for themselves. i moved here 19 years ago and it's HELL. dont come. you're better off in tiajuana. people are mean, no family, music sucks, a cultureless wasteland. OH! why did i come and stay??? foreigners...stay away. you wont like it. life is better in alabama. just take colombia off your list.

dwmte

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morphus says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:21:

You're joking but thas what most gringos think of Colombia anyway.

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tejasmarcos says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:24:

don't worry douglas, it won't become a retirement haven anytime soon. alot of hurdles for retirees here to overcome. our resident PBH, bill turley is the exception.

* good topic though, alisha. you are well ahead of the curve on this story. the boomer retiree birds will begin to flock to parts of south america over the next 5-10 years and costa rica is already beginning to price itself out of that market, not to mention the increased crime and mushrooming property tax issues in that lovely country. look to mexico, ecuador, guatemala and bolivia to become the new leaders. colombia will attract more retirees as well, but mainly single males vs. couples.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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huskie says on Jul 2, 2008, 08:17:

I disagree with that statement TM "colombia will attract more retirees as well, but mainly single males vs. couples".
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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dwmte7 says on Jul 2, 2008, 08:23:

marcos, morph.....i am looking at the future, and i want to preserve what future i have left as it is, without another costa or panama. hell, medallo has gone (imho) downhill since the violence subsided. now to most tourists, medellin is a bit like heaven. me for the most part i avoid it unless i'm with the family in envigado. for me, take my aging ass to llano grande and leave me alone. the sound of cows pissing is better than music to me. friendship is a bit like the bosses', bosses' daughter....it's rare and needs be treated as such. there, i have those caliber of friends whom i cherish as my own family and can trust my and my families welfare to. viva colombia..

with many many friends like above mentioned, we can sit, drink, get loaded, whatever, on someones finca or at their house and dance our asses off all night and don't need to pay the pimp or the bar keep. we can fall asleep and recuperate some day following along with our kids....does it get any better? try that in the city.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Jul 2, 2008, 08:25:

OH SHIT!!!, alisha....i just gave the truth away.

dwmte

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Nucknfuts says on Jul 2, 2008, 09:07:

Wow I'm so vary happy with all the responses !!!

Alisha PLEASE reconsider your article.
You will be doing a lot of harm for a little quick money.
I know this is what you do for a living but for the good of Colombia
I implore you to do your report on some other country...

The Nuck

You are never lost, unless you don't want to be where your at.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 2, 2008, 09:29:

I'm also going to retire to Colombia, well, perhaps not full-time, but at least part of the year. Said that, I don't think it 'd be a good idea for most gringoes to retire there, perhaps Colombia could open up anisland or two off the coast, La Gorgona or Malpelo, perhaps La Isla del Rosario on the Caribbean and promote those as gringo retirement havens, would also work for Europeans, Germans, Italians, Brits etc. to soak their wrinkles and brittle bones in the lovely warm waters of the two oceans that embrace the long Colombian coastlines.

Special permission to settle down could be issued to gringoes and Europeans who have lived in Colombia prior to 1998, also naturally, for any couples where one of the spouses hails from Colombia.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Alisha511 says on Jul 2, 2008, 11:13:

I would like to thank all of you for your very interesting comments to my post.

I would also like to apologize to any of you who may have taken offense to my referring to you as "gringos." I understand that the term in not politically correct, but having posted a previous note calling to "foreign retirees" and only receiving 2 responses, I figured "gringo" would get a lot more attention - and as I suspected, it has.

Please continue to comment! I look forward to reading them all.

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huskie says on Jul 2, 2008, 11:32:

Bravo Desi Bravooo!
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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dwmte7 says on Jul 2, 2008, 17:52:

well, young lady...can't wait til both our families are back home in paisa land and we can share a coffee, drink, chat, walk, dinner...all of us. there, nobody needs to say how great it is, because it is...................lisa zee is further testimony

dwmte

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 2, 2008, 22:39:

Alisha511:.... this Noth Americans, "Norteamericanos" Estadounidenses" don`t want to let anyone know the hidden secrets or Colombian greatness. They will soften a bit later, and spell the beans, the coffee beans that is.

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