Good News in Colombia!

builder says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:23:

I love colombia been there 4 times for long periods hope to move there one day medellin was great food shopping of course ladies evryone was quite cordial my spanish was about 50% now it is better.Few times in past i had trouble at a store and nice colombian couple helped me to interpet my request to store clerk very kind.I hope to investigate other areas to maybe move ? Manizales? Pereria? Somewhere safe I would like to start or buy small business maybe ciber cafe who knows? Cartagena i found pretty yet humid expensive as well medellin i love i dont know cali. bogota a little chilly and altitude hard to adjust i prefer maybe smaller town not having problems with paramilitary

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dwmte7 says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:38:

hold on, spy...i'm thinking...something will come to me soon.....ah, yes, colombia rocks.

viva colombia and colombianos
douglas

dwmte

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:42:

something positive? hell yes i am off to Colombian next month woo hooo!!!


Rumbo al LLano!!! best place to be :)))

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ujay says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:45:

i got my 1st hole in one,but on the worng green i teed up for a par 3 but hit the par 4 green that runs along side,it went right in to cup funny,but after 18 holes ,
still had to come out into the shit and mahem which is colombia.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:50:

I have so many great stories to tell. My first one is when I first visited Colombia, Medellin to be specific, I met so many nice people. All Colombianos either living or themselves visiting Medellin. Everyone was very helpful and seemed to tolerate my limited gringo Spanish. I was surprised to find the quality of the grocery stores and malls on par or better to those I frequent in the US. I felt out of place a bit due to my style of clothes compared to the style most men wear in Colombia but since I had no other options, other than to purchase an entirely new wardrobe, so I dealt with it. My trip visit to Colombia three weeks later I was a little better dressed but still kept my distinctive gringo look.

My first adventure took me up to Rionegro and surrounding areas and I was again pleasantly surprised by the wonderful people so willing to help. The countryside was spectacular and the food was great! Eating from the carts was surprisingly satisfying, I especially enjoyed to chuzos (sp) on a stick.

The crazy taxi drivers didn't frighten me too much as I simply ask them to drive a little slower and they all complied with my request. The roads were a bit tricky to navigate on my own the first couple of visits but after renting a moto I ventured out on my own an although I made a few wrong turns I found it easy to get around.

More later...

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:54:

ujay: Please keep to the spirit of the post and "only" make POSITIVE comments. You started out in the correct spirit but you ended your comment with an unnecessary negative commment

BTW: "mahem" is spelled mayhem.

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ujay says on Oct 1, 2008, 09:58:

not its not. never happened in may ,it was septham

http://www.jukelightning.com

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romy says on Oct 1, 2008, 10:15:

Back in 2000... over-Packed estadio Pascual Guerrero America de Cali vs. Deportes Tolima
We were sitting Occidental general and managed to find seats (standing room) close to the south side of the stadium. A sea of red is all you could see throughout the stands. The amount of energy was unspeakable. People jumping up and down in the south section and chanting "se va caer, se va caer, se va caer tribuna sur" as the section bounced up and down. America wins the championship and lights up the city as Feria has kicked off marvelously.
that was the last time I saw my team win the championship (though they won the following two tournaments), this year I'm hoping to re-live that experience. And see Cali burning up in excitement like it only does when there's a championship to be celebrated.

Arde la Ciudad

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adrienne79 says on Oct 1, 2008, 10:59:

We had been renting by owner an apartment since January on a year contract. We were having some problems with the landlord/neighbor who was always playing loud music. She actually let us out of our lease without any kind of penelty. We now live in a new place that is 10 times better and we didn´t lose anything to the previous Colombian landlord. Also, the final walkthough was a breeze and we don´t have to pay anything extra or unexpected. I have read many horror stories about renting in Colombia but this ended up turning out great for us.

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TobyBoy says on Oct 1, 2008, 11:36:

Hi GringoSpy! -what a great idea this new thread has been.

Too bad people like ‘’ujay” have such a hard time with instructions.

It is truly sad to see an Argentine guy like “ujay” consistently attack Colombia (and sometimes the USA ) on EVERY PBH thread in which he has posted. I’ve showed his comments to Argentine friends of mine who have visited and/or lived in Colombia, and they are embarrassed by ujay’s comments.

I am tired of reading nothing more than dumb attacks against Colombia from him and a couple of his buds, in sharp contrast to the honest exchange of ideas and opinions that most of us uphold and cultivate in this wonderful PBH blog.

I hope that the moderators of PBH will somehow take stock of ALL the vile, unsubstantiated entries made by “ujay” with which he attempts to criticize Colombia THROUGHOUT the PBH threads.

Since I support freedom of expression unequivocally, I can only hope that ujay cures his hateful ignorance. That does not mean that I will be re-visiting this blog anytime soon, as I have more CONSTRUCTIVE things to do with my time than people like ujay.

It is ironic to see the vigor with which others, like the terrorists, also go out of their way to rag against peace-loving Colombians in foreign blogs and periodicals, but they can't fool anyone living in Colombia. Yep, very interesting indeed.

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rocinante says on Oct 1, 2008, 11:54:

I wake up early every day and stand on my balcony. It's crsip, not a lot going on except me and my arepa. I see the big church in Buenos Aires and the cloud collared mountains behind. It's a good feeling knowing that a flight of stairs and out the door is contained a wealth of treasure that not many can understand. This is where I am rich.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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Sonny says on Oct 1, 2008, 12:03:

Ujay

You have way to much time on your hands. Make some sort of effort to just once stay on topic please. It really gets old reading the crap you write at times.

I have been to Colombia many many times,. To date I have always been treated with the utmost respect. I have for one never been bothered by anyone for any reason. Thus........my reason for retiring to Medellin. I would suggest to anyone that is ready to retire, move to Colombia and let your retirement money go far enough that you actually have a little left over at the end of the month. I can't wait

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ujay says on Oct 1, 2008, 12:25:

sonny ,
you dont have to read it,there is a block ,you wont even see my posts,

tobyboy,
I hope that the moderators of PBH will somehow take stock of ALL the vile, unsubstantiated entries made by “ujay” with which he attempts to criticize Colombia THROUGHOUT the PBH threads.

show me what you think is vile, unsubstantiated entries please,
every thing i put is the truth like it or not ,and after nearly 40 years here,i think i have forgot more about colombia than you will ever learn.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 1, 2008, 12:28:

Okay let's get back on track with the spirit of the OP... I almost forgot about a wonderful experience during my first visit to Medellin. Romy, thanks for reminding me with your great comments. It was June of 2007 around Fathers Day and it was when the local football team, National, won the championship match. I couldn't believe what I was experiencing. There was so much enthusiasm and passion for the local team it was like I was in the middle of the field as they won the final match. The entire city erupted with cheers and screams of joy everywhere. People were partying in the streets ALL night long. They were honking their horns all night. Fireworks exploding all over the city. It was an incredible feeling to be in the middle of so much enthusiasm and excitement for the winning team. I will never forget the people hanging out of their cars with the green and white flag of their local team honking their horns to the beat of Na tion al Na tion al. Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep!



People everywhere were having small fires in the streets and cooking food (sancocho) along with a lot of beer drinking! What a great memory of my first visit to Colombia!!!

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 1, 2008, 12:30:

ujay: With all due respect, please refrain from posting on this thread. Go play elsewhere. Enough said!

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ujay says on Oct 1, 2008, 12:52:

Yes gringo

You said enough I agree with you,
But after football this goes on in most city's,
But the best night Colombia went mad is when they beat Argentina 5-0 ,then it seemed the whole of Colombia were rejoicing .


For all Colombians enjoy again.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 1, 2008, 12:56:

1993? don't remind me it was a bad year for my family, i wish Argentina would have won then :(((

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 1, 2008, 13:22:

Waterdawg says on Oct 1, 2008, 13:27:

To Mr. Turley > Nice , very nice.. Now I have to go back to work here in the City ( Bogota ) lol..

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 1, 2008, 13:30:

Oh how I envy you Señor Turley! With any luck I'm right behind you and will be enjoying the same beautiful morning walk somewhere up by Rionegro above Medellin.

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nine inch nails says on Oct 1, 2008, 13:34:

All the pretty pretty green mountains and foliage! When I lay down in the green green grass of Medellin with the sun on my face feel like I am with the Holy Father for my eternal rest!

The Hedge funds have all gone wild on us!

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Allen Parker says on Oct 2, 2008, 06:21:

Maybe I´m crazy..... You can find good in every situation even when it is not what you want
Yesterday i was lost in centro Medellin,my espanol sucks,i had wrong cell numbers for contacts here who could possibly help ! Grin and Bear it
Find a cantina,have a few cervezas and remember LOVE THE ONE YOUR WITH !

parker13

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 2, 2008, 12:00:

One of the best things that happened to me in Colombia when I was there in 2006 was when we went to my cousin's finca in Santuario. He has a very humble but very nice place there and his neighbor who lives way across the hill has a granadilla field. We walked over there and the guy gave us a couple of granadillas to eat while we talked with him. I told him how much I love them and that his were wonderful and before we left his house, he had a big bag of freshly cut granadillas as a gift to us. I was floored.

Diana

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 2, 2008, 18:43:

On my second visit to Medellin in July/August of 2007 I spent another three weeks exploring, meeting new people, searching for property and enjoying La Feria de las Flores. I met a few locals who kind of adopted me for my entire three week stay. They took me up to Santa Elena (Where they make the beautiful silletas) for the big party during La Feria de las Flores and what a weekend we had. We rented a room in a finca and used it as our base and from there we went to friends houses for "happy hour". There again I met some of the nicest people. That was the last weekend of the fiesta and when the entire town of Medellin (it felt like all of Medellin was there) came up to Santa Elena to party all night. They closed the roads to private vehicles so if you wanted to get around you either walked or took one of the many chivas. What a blast! The Colombians sure now how to enjoy life. Being so conditioned to work, work, work as so many of us are in the US I can only hope I will learn to enjoy life they way they do.

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lanegrapaisa says on Oct 2, 2008, 20:02:

I live here, need I say more?

oh that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 2, 2008, 20:35:

Tranquilo medo and keep with the spirit of the OP.

Peace!

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 2, 2008, 21:06:

Don't take meds medo, no need at my young age. Now go away and play somewhere else.

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ujay says on Oct 2, 2008, 21:08:

Hengo 2 (newbie) says on Oct 2, 2008, 21:05 (today): flag

Gringo...take your meds and tell the old age home orderlies to tuck you in.

TROLL,
WHERES GRINGOLOID KICK HIS ASS

http://www.jukelightning.com

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ujay says on Oct 2, 2008, 21:23:

Troll Boy: “I learned my first human words today!”

Mama Troll: “Oh? What were they?”

Troll Boy: “Eeeeek, a Troll! What does that mean?”

Mama Troll: “He said, “Go away! I’m not ready to be around you! Now help me fix dinner.”

Troll Boy: “Eeeeek, a Troll!”

http://www.jukelightning.com

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dwmte7 says on Oct 3, 2008, 05:06:

i don't care where you're from, where you've been, or where you plan on going. you're gonna find plenty of good and--guaranteed--plenty of bad. it's a human condition. it's yin and yang.
the bigger the front the bigger the back.

colombia is no exception. after 20 years there, i can tell great stories of colombia and colombians until we all get tired. their a great, hospitible people (actuall even the bad guys)and a wonderfully open, welcoming and hospitable country.

as much as my friend wants a post without dissention, it's really difficult. whereever we are, we are obliged to take the good with the bad. the onus is on us. if you look at the world with a negative attitude, so will it respond and look. and if you address your world and it's people with a smile, an open welcoming heart, that's what's comin your way.

our beloved colombia is chock full of wonder and wonderful people. don't let that decieve us into thinking that she is not possessed with her loosers and detractors. just respect her, treat her right and she'll respond in kind.
douglas

dwmte

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 3, 2008, 08:24:

lanegra: How about sharing some of your great moments you've experienced from a residents point of view? I'd be interested in hearing about your good times there.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 3, 2008, 15:30:

si, lanegra, you need to say more. i like your avatar. the dude on the floor reminds me of many paisanos i've seen over the years....just getting easy and wanting to be comfortable whereever they are. whether it's lleras, barbosa, guarne or carmen. there's been a time or two that i felt like i could curl up like that and just get some sleep.
douglas

dwmte

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Gringo Spy says on Oct 3, 2008, 17:40:

douglas: Early on in this post you said "colombia rocks". I've enjoyed reading the tales of your adventures in Colombia here on PBH and would be grateful if you would share more of your positive experiences. What say you?

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dwmte7 says on Oct 3, 2008, 18:13:

thanks spy, i'll give it a think and see if i can come up with something new. i'm burning out tonight...i go to bed early. old age is like children...they both seek a lot of sleep.

i have to remember not to lace it with some of the inevitable dark side that comes with nearly all experience....if i do that, i'll have broken the rule of the thread. bad me.

dwmte

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