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For Rent: Brand New Apt In Bogota

Hello:

I am leaving Bogota in January and have an absolutely beautiful apartment that will be available for rent. It is locate in the Salitre area...estrado 4. The area I live in is very safe. I walk all around here and enjoy all of the restaurants...very very cheap...4 course meal with fresh squezed juice is only $2. A hair cut, manicure and pedicure will cost you $6.25 Canadian total.

Anyway, the apartment is brand new. The apartment building has just been completed and people are now moving in. It has wonderful custom hardwood floors and carpet in the "3 bedrooms". It has two bathrooms with beautifull tiled floors and two showers (no bath). The apt has two balconies with a panoramic view of Bogota and the mountains.

The apartment is a 15 minute walk to Salitre Plaza and 10 minute walk to "BodyTech" if you like a gym. The cost for the gym is $270,000 pesos for 3 months and comes with a personal trainer. This gym is spectacular. Oh, and the cost for taxi from here to Zona Rosa is around $3 Canadian.

I have cable here for my tv and for my Internet. Total cost is $50 a month. The kitchen has authentic marble top on the sink. Comes with fridge and gas stove. You can have my maid come in and wash all of your clothes, make you lunch, bed and clean everything from top to bottom for $8 Canadian. I have her come in once a week.

The cost to rent will be $500 a month. This includes everything except the utilities which are ridulously low. My gas bill last month was something like $4.

I can send you pictures if you are interested. The apartment will have to rented on a longer term basis i.e., 3 months and above. Payment for the entire portion of your stay in advance would be appreciated. It is very difficult to rent apartments here in Colombia. Most people want a year's lease.

You can contact me at franko44 at cable.net.co

By Lostgringo on Nov 6, 2005, 05:26 in Buy, Sell & Rent.

quehubo05 says on Nov 6, 2005, 21:49:

where do get off being an exploiter of human labor like that? $50 a month for cable, and only $8 for "You can have my maid come in and wash all of your clothes, make you lunch, bed and clean everything from top to bottom for $8 Canadian. I have her come in once a week"

That's a slave driver, what do you use? child labor? don't anyone rent from him......

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Lostgringo says on Nov 7, 2005, 03:44:

Cultural Differences First of all, I do not set the prices here for services. If I pay more, which I would like to, I circumvent the economics here in the country. It is not up to me to change the economics. If you give more than the next person, then he or she has to give more. The next person may not be able to afford it. So, what happens? Unemployment?

Similary taxi drives do not charge much for their service. So you have many employed taxi drivers because the cost is low and "affordable". If the cost were high you would have alot of taxi drivers out of work. A bus costs 1,000 pesos. Maybe we should boycot all buses? They are all privately owned and hey let's make them charge more for their services. Right?

Also, if it were expensive to hire a maid you would likely buy a washer and dryer. There would be alot of unemployement. And hey guess what, there is no unemplyment insurance here or social services to pick up the tab. You are on your own!

In addition, the maids get eat where they work. And, they are treated very well and are not looked down upon. At least by me and the people I know. Also, at Christmas they are given a "months" wages by those who employ them full time. I only have my maid come in a half day once a week. My girlfriend's brother has her services full time. He will be paying her a month's wages as a bonus at Christmas.

I am sorry that you are offended but this is customary in Colombia. I am an outsider and do not think it is my place to start imposing my values on their culture.

Also remember that a full days wages for a maid is 20 thousand pesos.

I pay $15 thousand pesos for half a day. You should also consider that 4 thousand pesos will get you a 4 course meal here or a manicure for 4 thousand pesos. Hmmm maybe we not get manicures either because we are exploiting people. A haircut costs 3 thousand pesos. And there is two or three salons on every business street (it seeams). Many people are employed because the general population can afford their services.

Things are different here in Colombia than the US for example. The cost for services is low, but most people have work and many people use these services. If taxis were expensive people would take buses. If buses were expensive then they would drive cars. Maybe it is not the way you like things but it works here in Colombia.

In terms of NOT renting to you, well that is not a problem for me.

Have a nice day

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.http://www.monsterrakebacks.comCome gamble and get money back!

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 7, 2005, 04:13:

I think 15 thousand pesos for half day is ok, I seen other earning less that that for a whole day. my mum have a maid and she piad her 200thou COP a month plus insurance, medical care and christmas bonus and she only works half day too.
Franko 500 a month for the rent in Ciudad Salitre i think is quite cheap I have seen apts in there for 900 a month.

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Hunter says on Nov 7, 2005, 08:43:

Franko 44 The pay for the maid sounds fine to me, sounds like you are paying the going rate.

The question is, how much does quehubo05 pay his maid. seeing that he also is advertising an apt in Bogota for rent.

Hunter

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Lostgringo says on Nov 9, 2005, 02:17:

quehubo05 I get this message in my mail box and he slams me on renting my apartment. What gives with this character?

"I am not advertising my apartment, by exploiting people like you do. You are crude and I don't like gringos like you taking advantage of peoples labor there. Your story about how much they get paid there is bunch of bs. Go exploint somewhere else like in your own USA town. What you are doing is called slavery."

First of all, I am not Ammerican. Second of all this guy sounds like a loose cannon. And, it also begs the question, don't Colombian's have maids themselves and how much do they pay? It seems to me that this guy is the type who believes that just because you are a "gringo" you should pay more for everything in Colombia.

Kat1 and Hunter, thanks for you comments.

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Hunter says on Nov 9, 2005, 10:59:

franko_44 He never did respond how much he was paying for the maid, maybe he will PM me as well, I haven't had a nasty PM for 6 months so I am overdue.

Hunter

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 9, 2005, 11:18:

hunter Don't worry babe I will send you one jejej ;)

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pepster says on Nov 9, 2005, 11:19:

QueHubo "where do get off being an exploiter of human labor like that?"

Easy...that's what Colombians pay. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

Maybe if Colombians would set the example and pay a real wage and treated their workers with the respect they so sorely deserve, you wouldn't have foreigners paying EXACTLY the same if not better than what a fellow Colombian would pay.

The Pepster

ColombianBlog.com

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Hunter says on Nov 9, 2005, 12:16:

kat1 I look forward to it.

Hunter

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jc says on Nov 10, 2005, 05:20:

good answer...... A very good answer indeed by Franko (second posting)......why do people get so worked out by the wages he is paying his maid?
It seems to me he is paying the wright amount and the going rate!!!
and one thing I am sure of, he is treating her with respect...unlike many (not all)colombians do.

good luck with the e renting of your aparment...with the maid or without her,lol

Jc

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Lostgringo says on Nov 10, 2005, 18:20:

Funny Thing Thanks JC for the comments and all the other positive posters. Funny thing is, in terms of our maid...she is no longer with us. She was caught steeling from my girlfriend's mother. She had her purse full of stuff. I am so used to being spoiled now I don't know what I will do lol.

She was treated really good by the family. They are still wondering what happened. I would often see her sitting down and having coffee with my novia's mother. I wonder if she had of been paid more if she would have stolen from us? Or would we be giving her papaya?

Anyway I still have my apartment for rent. I have a few serious enquiries but nothing solidified as of yet. This apartment is such a great place for anyone. It is immmaculate. The view in the day of the mountains surrounding Bogota is very impressive. More spectacular at night with the lights of the city. I am located on the 6th floor of our apartment building. The building is filled with professionals. This would certainly not be a good place for a party person.

I would however, be an excellent place for professional person who wants a beautiful apartment in a safe neighborhood.

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quehubo05 says on Nov 11, 2005, 21:02:

injusto, justifying cheap labor that way... You are certainly a labor exploiter, have you not considered that you are even paying the minimum wage for your maid service? Do the math! Yo go there to flaunt you have this and that and then you pay a crap $8 dollars a week to do all you mention (see below). $8 dollars x 4 weeks equals $32 a month. You are not even paying minimun wage in their standards or USA's.

If $380,000 pesos is the monthly min. wage in colombia, then do the math and divide that by $2,280 pesos (taza representativa de hoy) = $166.66 dollars a month!

Or do the math, the other way $380,000 min monthly wage divided by 20 days (weekdays not including weekends)that = $19,000 pesos a day! that's $8.33 dollars a day. NOT $8.00 a week as you week.

You are so hung up on how cheap everything is that you forget they are people with same necesities in life, money for food, clothing, childrens education. I just don't think it's right to flaunt what you by stepping over others to get where you are with your new fancy apartment and cheap labor!!!!

You are not only getting services dirt cheap you are not paying MIN. WAGE!!! That's what I mean by you exploiting people. "She" probably has to feed more mouths than you, lives in poverty, compared to your high standards and you pay her crap!!!! totally disgusting. No wonder the poor remain poor and the rich get richer!!!! You are doing all a grand favor with your generosity.

In your right mind, which you aren't with those wages you pay. You think a cleaning person in this country gets min. wage of $5.75/hr to $6.50/hr (depending what state you live in) for cleaning an apartment? or even a house? NO WAY, a cleaning person doesn't charge less than $15.00 US dollars AN HOUR, and they do not get Federal Min. Wages!!! if working for a company like "Mery Maids" or on their own!
A cleaning person will charge min. $100 a day to clean your house, and that doesn't include washing clothes and making meals!!!!!

Franko said:
"You can have my maid come in and wash all of your clothes, make you lunch, bed and clean everything from top to bottom for $8 Canadian. I have her come in once a week."

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Hunter says on Nov 12, 2005, 10:48:

quehubo05 If we go by your calculations, he had better lower his pay, because he is over paying his maids, seeing as he is paying $8 for HALF A DAYS WORK A WEEK.

Hunter

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 12, 2005, 11:18:

a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black see the last comment on this thread

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/13869

;-)

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Lostgringo says on Nov 13, 2005, 12:51:

Pot & Kettle I read the thread that Tinto posted and cannot believe this person. He does NOT want to pay American wages for someone to take care of his father but expects me to pay them to a maid. Something is wrong with this logic here lol. Actually, I believe Quehobo is just trying to discredit me because I am renting an apartment and so is he. You know competetors and stuff. Funny way of doing business but who am I to say lol. By the way Quehobo take a good a good look around..."we are all being exploited in some way or another."
That is how companies make a profit..think about it.

Anyway, this post was done to rent my apartment not talk about exploitation. I posted because I have a beautiful apartment for rent when I leave Bogota. I talked to a friend last night who just recently rented an apartment. He had to give two references from people who live in Bogota and one of them had to own property. He spent 8 hours in their office having things processed. He had to pay alot of money in advance. In short, he had to go through a nightmare to rent here in Bogota. He offered 6 months rent for an apartment in my building and they turned him down.

He also had to take Internet and cable for a year to get the service! The same as me. However, when I rent this apartment to a person he or she will not be obligated to take it for a year.

My water bill here last month was $40,000 pesos and my gas was $8,000 pesos. There is no administration fee as that is taken care of. Cost per month total is $500 + cable/internet $50 + gas $4 + water and lights $20 a month...total is $574 US a month.

When I say my apartment is brand new I mean just that. They are still finishing a few apartments in the building! No one has ever lived in my apartment except for me.

Please do not respond to this ad if you are a partyer or into drugs. This a very professonal building and we do not need that kind of activety here.

Thanks very much

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jc says on Nov 18, 2005, 07:15:

What the Fxxx? I thought all the op wants to do is to rent an apartment, and not to talk about the rights and wrongs of wage paying in this Country???
quehubo05 get a grip!!!!
y no confundas una cosa con otra.........

Jc

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Rafael the gringo says on Nov 23, 2005, 14:22:

interested I am a new resident here in colombia. I would be interested in seeing your apartment. No problem with payment in advance. i am a retired attorney. 312 376 6869

Ralph

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Lostgringo says on Nov 24, 2005, 06:19:

In Cuba right now Hi Ralph
I am currently in Cuba on a buying trip for cigars. I will contact you as soon as I arrive back in Bogota. Say, do you need any Cuban cigars lol.

Frank

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Lostgringo says on Dec 16, 2005, 13:56:

New Date to Rent Apartment I have decided to stay in Bogota a bit longer. I will not be leaving now until March 1st of 2006. So if anyone is interested my apartment will be available March 1st.
Thanks

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Lostgringo says on Jan 15, 2006, 16:14:

Another date APARTMENT IN BOGOTA I keep changing my mind about when I am going to leave Bogota, but this time I have no choice. I have stayed my six months as of Feb 12th and have to leave! So sorry but my new date my apartment will be available is FEBRUARY 12th. The apartment will also be available on a weekly basis. The cost is $300 USD a week. This includes INTERNET (cable), and CABLE TV. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, cooking utensiles, fridge and stove. Everything is Brand New!

Beautiful view of Bogota and the mountains. 15 minutes from Zona Rosa and 3 minutes from Salitre Plaza. Close to the Airport and 3 blocks from the American Embassy.

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Greg444 says on Jan 15, 2006, 21:12:

If you are 3 minutes from Salitre Plaza, you are a lot longer then 15 minutes from Zona Rosa!!!! More like 25-30 in a taxi. In a bus , well good luck.

Also $300 USD a week, well good luck again.

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Lostgringo says on Jan 16, 2006, 07:10:

Thanks for you input Gregg444 Perhaps you are right. I have made it to Zona Rosa in 15 minutes and in half an hour. In terms of the cost, a three bedroom furnished apartment in a brand new building should rent for? Remember, you get what you pay for. You can rent this apartment for $500 a month (payment in advance), or $300 per week. I do not think this is unreasonable. Monthly payment must be for at least 2 months.

You may have issues with my posting, but this apartment may appeal to others.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 16, 2006, 07:41:

In salitre Plaza an appartment to rent will go for 600COP to nearly a million, is one of the best areas of Bogota IMO, and the aptos are going high in value there.

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Greg444 says on Jan 16, 2006, 17:14:

Yes, $500 a month is a good deal. Big difference from $300 a week.

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Lostgringo says on Jan 16, 2006, 18:19:

Apartment in Bogota Yes, the reason for $300 a week is because it is very difficult for my novia and/or her brother to take time off from work and manage it...on a weekly basis. They would prefer to rent it on a monthly basis. I must add however, that $1,000 COP administration and $1,000 COP cable/internet has to be negotiated. My novia and her brother are very fair and honest people. I am certain for the right people they will be happy to negotiate a fair and reasonable price. The really great thing about this apartmment is not going through all the red tape here in Bogota. And it is absolutely 1st Class!
In addition, I still think you would be hard pressed to find a 3 bedroom apartment with two baths and two balconies for less than $300 per week. Granted it may not appeal to a single person but to a family it would be a great find (IMHO).

Thanks for the comments Greg and Kat....

I only wish I could afford an apartment like this on my return to Canada.

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Colombian Services says on Jan 16, 2006, 20:20:

Not a bad price per week or per month, actually a good price. Frank,

Depending on how many services someone wants, $300.00 a week is not a bad price for a furnished apartment, I think you met a couple people staying with me paying $350.00 a week for a one bedroom apt.

$500.00 a month is a bargain. Here is a wake up call for some apartment prices in Bogota, here's a link you can go to for some apartment rentals in Bogota, http://www.travelers.com.co/bog/plen/plen_eng.html, several years ago (about 4) I use to place guys there when the nightly rate was $50.00 a night and I never seen an apartment that looked like the photos, they have several available, some nice and some so-so.

Best Wishes,
Bob

*********************
Miami Phone: 1-305-433-2299
Colombian Services Group:
www.Colombian-Services.com
www.FlowersToColombia.com
www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com

Bob - www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com - www.FlowersToColombia.com - www.Colombian-Services.com

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 16, 2006, 20:57:

Re. the service economy Not to flog a dead horse, and I want to say for the record that I'm not objecting to Franko44 paying 15,000 for a half-day of maid work, but this part is simply not true, "if you give more than the next person, then he or she has to give more. The next person may not be able to afford it. So, what happens? Unemployment?"

No, what happens is that the ONE person you're hiring has a better life, gets to maybe buy her kid the books they need for school or through some carne in the pot a couple times a week. Next time you come back to Colombia I urge you to NOT buy into the standard Colombian line about how if you pay more you're gonna ruin it for everyone else. That's simply bullshit. The most exploitive employers I've ever seen are upper class Colombians with their domestics, and they HATE when foreigners pay well, not because it's going to put people out of work but because it SHAMES them for being cheap and abusive.

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Lostgringo says on Jan 17, 2006, 04:45:

Mr. Hollywood I understand what you are saying. I usually give my maid fair for the Busseta. Actually I give it to my novia who in turn gives it to her. If I don't do this, I usually give her loose change that I have laying around the apartment. I am fortunate because the maid I have now is wife of one of our security guards. She is very trustworthy. Last week she brought her beautiful daughter with her. After NewYears I gave the security guard and huge bunch of candy to take to his family.
I don't like using anyone either here or in Canada. I will likely leave her something extra when I leave for Canada early next month.

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Lostgringo says on Jan 17, 2006, 04:58:

Thanks Bob Thanks for your comments Bob. You are a "First Class" guy. I know that if I do not have a place to stay next time I am in Bogota I want to stay in one of your apartments or rooms. I encourage anyone who needs a room on a weekly basis to contact Bob. He is one of most honest and friendly persons I have met. His rooms are "10 seconds from Saltre Plaza and 5 seconds from McDonalds lol. You will be welcomed in the morning with free coffee etc. In addition to Bob renting rooms he is a wealth of information. I recently met with Bob and his beautiful wife. He gave me a number to call for a lawyer. I met with the lawyer and very impressed. He helped out alot with a situation here regarding my dentist. And, he charged me the going rate for Colombians...$30,000 COP. Outragious! He actually wrote a letter to my dentist and visited with her. I took him out for lunch the next day...$10,000 COP. He also accommpanied me to few places where I was purchasing stuff and haggled for me. He is a great guy.
Thanks Bob for referring me to your lawyer.

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Lostgringo says on Jan 18, 2006, 11:46:

Exploitation I also want to say that I pay extra for extra service. At Christmas I tipped our Security guy here $20,000 COP and my trainer at the gym $50,000 COP. But I think it is dangerous here in Bogota to go throwing you money around without using your head.

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Lostgringo says on Jan 30, 2006, 19:19:

Apartment for Rent Hello:

It looks like the apartment will be rented for April and part of June. I have posted a few pics so that you see what a fantastic apartment this is...

franko_44 at hotmail.com

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Lostgringo says on Feb 7, 2006, 21:09:

Apartment in 'Bogota Available Well I leave this Sunday for Canada. My 6 month vacation is over. My apartment will be available for rent this coming Monday, February 13th.

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merlincorp says on Feb 11, 2006, 20:31:

apt Do you still have the apt. for rent? I am looking long term. You can reply here or to my e-mail address which is home at merlincorp.com
Thanks
Kevin

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Lostgringo says on Feb 18, 2006, 13:53:

apartment for rent Hi Kevin:

I emailed you but you did not return an answer. The apartment is still available at this moment but a few offers are in place.
Thanks
Frank

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Lostgringo says on Mar 16, 2006, 10:47:

Update on Apartment Hello:
The apartment will be available in the month of June onward. You can contact me at franko_44 at hotmail.com.
Thanks

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Lostgringo says on Apr 15, 2006, 20:05:

Available Dates for Rent Hello:

Just to update everyone on the apartment we have for rent in Bogota. We have a beautifull master bedroom with a balcony for rent in our 3 bedroom apartment. The rent is $160.00 a week and comes with a tv (cable), internet and computer. Please read above for details on this apartment. Monthly rates are available. You can contact me at franko_44 at hotmail.com Please Tinto leave this email addy in here.

Thanks

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Lostgringo says on Apr 16, 2006, 12:12:

Room available now Hello:
We have a beautifull master bedroom complete with balcony, cabel tv and high speed internet available now. Cost is only $160 a week. You share apartment and you can cook etc. Everything supplied, 24/7 hour security and in nice area.
Thanks
Frank
franko_44 at hotmail.com

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Lostgringo says on Jun 3, 2006, 13:00:

Apartment Update Bogota Hello:
We have 3 bedrooms currently for rent. You could at this time rent one room and have the entire apartment to yourself. Master bedroom is 160 ($23 a day) or regular room 140 ($20 a day). We can also rent the entire apartment. You are on your own in the apartment with no one to bug you.
Thanks,
Frank

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lawyerincolombia says on Jul 14, 2006, 09:19:

Lawyer in Cali Colombia I am a certified lawyer in Colombia. My name is Carlos Arturo Dorado and I can help to you about inmigration and legal problems in Colombia.
I am located in Cali Colombia.

Best regards:
Carlos Dorado
http://nicelatinladies.com/abogado.html

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Lostgringo says on Jul 15, 2006, 08:22:

Carlos Your Own Posting Carlos, you may have more success if you actually start a thred or post you message seperately that is your own. People are always looking for a good lawyer in Colombia. You may also want to tell people what city you are located in. Just a suggestion.

Now in terms of the apartment, I can be reached at franko_44 at hotmail.com.

Thanks

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