Have any of the people who write text on this page , ever been to colombia?

Miguel says on Feb 16, 2005, 01:56:

Que??? You have been a member for less than 2.5 hours, so I will cut you some slack. If you read the posts here, you will quickly learn that the VAST MAJORITY of people on PBH, both the colombianos and the gringos, love Colombia dearly...and to answer your question, I have been to Colombia three times in the last 8 months. I am already planning the next trip.

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julito says on Feb 16, 2005, 05:09:

???? yes elcaleno, you have been a member for 5 hours when i checked so..., But I think you raise a very important question why people attack so much Colombia and don’t see the other side, I think Colombia is a beautiful country with much to discover, but the sad reality is that many people have never been there and they think it’s a really bad place, I could say for my own experience that many people don’t know what they are talking about when they talk about Colombia. Many people I talk to, don’t even know where it is located but they know bad things about this country or just imagine things, I think it is image, Colombians or better the government have never try to improve Colombians name and for this reason many people don’t know anything better.

I guess if the government try to improve Colombia’s look in the world then things may go better but I don’t know if that will ever be possible because the only ones who can do this are industrialized countries, countries with money.

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gabo says on Feb 16, 2005, 05:11:

colombia es una nota the problem that arises constantly on this forum is when people compare the USA to Colombia, many times ones love for Colombia is balanced by a dislike of the USA which is what offends the gringos terribly. They want to love another country but don't want to hear how bad the USA is. and they use the age old argument that hey our country is great because everyone wants to go there, which is a stupid argument. I for one feel as a whole colombia is a far superior country and far better place to live than the USA. Even if I was poor, its much better to be poor in Colombia than the USA, at least you have your culture, your family, natural beauty, your language. I'll say this, the USA is an interesting experience, an important journey in learning about the world and yourself. alright I will stop before I create a storm. I just wish gringos tipicos would be more critical of their own country and own up to how fucked up it is, because colombians do love their country and critisize it to no end, and tell it like it is, with the corruption, uribe, the war, the killings and all that. Though many gringos will just refuse to blame foreign policy and will happily fall into a relativism of well every country has there good and bad, and that the USA is just like the rest, or that colombia is no better. No lets be objective right now, the USA is at the moment the greatest threat to world order, its mililtary and domestic history governmentally speaking has been atrocious, and its holds a special place in the world as enemy number 1 for a good reason. thats it.

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ElLoco says on Feb 16, 2005, 06:21:

We care If we didn't care about Colombia, we wouldn't waste our time critizing certain issues. We just try to make it better, as in the case of the Avianca's thread. I want them to get better, just like my kids.

Añoro mi tierra.

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 16, 2005, 08:04:

Hey, I went to Vancouver, British Columbia once. BTW, ElCaleno, you're free to leave the US any time you want.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 16, 2005, 08:18:

Last I checked Last time I checked this was a forum about Colombia, not the USA. There are plenty of online forums for bashing the US, and much of that bashing is well earned.

Funny thing is that I don't see this forum as largely critical of Colombia at all. Most of us are here specifically because we love this country. I do note, however, that a certain subsection of the Colombian population (often expats or 2nd generation living overseas) are extremely thin-skinned about anything that might be construed as presenting their "homeland" as anything but a paradise.

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lpdiver says on Feb 16, 2005, 10:01:

I have been to Colombia And I loved it! Perhaps because you were in the U.S. Please stay in the U.S.

Hmmmm ElLoco and elCaleno maybe we have a schizophrenic troll?

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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ARMacleod says on Feb 16, 2005, 10:51:

ELCaleno Been there, seen it, love it , got the 'T' shirt, Me Brit gringo. Me going to live in Colombia, giving up the rich life because I love Colombia and my Columbiana.

How about you, garbage head, you left Colombia because of your greed of money, you have no right to criticise anyone else.

I have got zilch, dibley squit, F.A. if you love Colombia, go back there, or have your dark eyes become clouded with green?

Oh bollocks, what's the point.

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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moodm says on Feb 16, 2005, 11:48:

Colombia I have been there 11 times in the past 4 years.I love the people the culture the food etc..I wish it could be better like everyone else here.One day maybe not in my lifetime Colombia will do away with the massive corruption.

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miamimike says on Feb 16, 2005, 11:53:

ElCaleno, no one... is forcing you by Gunpoint to remain in the USA. If you harbor such ill feelings towards the US, better to leave. You know we US taxpayers send Millions of our hardearned taxpayers to your country every month to improve your country's security situation and you make no mention of our genorosity in your post. I write positive things about Colombia-its great medical care, people,ect. but at times acknowledge the negative aspects(lack of security) also. You appear to have a deeper rooted hatred towards Northamericans(I refer from labeling myself GRINGO as it has a bad conotation for me, no more then I would ever refer to a black as a Ni**er, or a latinamerican as a Sp*c). Not Cool!If you get my drift! Maybe your problem is that of jealosy(celosidad) as many Northamericans seek their Women in your country with very good sucess and you are envious of them. Which is it? Se recuerdo el dicho "Cada uno sabe donde le aprieta el Zapato"

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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miamimike says on Feb 16, 2005, 11:55:

error-should read millions of our hard earned taxdollars...

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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Thededalus says on Feb 16, 2005, 12:50:

My 2 Pesos Gabo,

You say many gringos in defense of the US, fall into making relativistic arguments. Fair enough, but Colombians on this forum have done the same. I posted actual examples of bad experiences in Colombia. It was rudely suggested that I "stay home", and my examples were dismissed as typical of any big city. I was accused of having nothing better to do than bash Colombia, as if my goal was to tarnish the country for which I have explicity expressed a great deal of affection.

You also say that Colombians criticise their country to no end, but that many Americans refuse to do any such thing. Look at it however you want, but it is ignorant to suggest that Bush has few or no critics in his own country. In case you didn't notice, nearly half of those who voted, voted for GWB's opponent last November. I'm no fan of Bush, and I follow politics heavily, but it strikes me as pretty irresponsible to suggest that the worst enemy of the world is the US.

Miamimike,

In case you weren't aware, you can edit your post without making an additional post.

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miamimike says on Feb 16, 2005, 14:26:

Thanks Thedadelus in the heat of the post forgot. I usually try to ignore post such this one-but he waved the red flag one this one!

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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babygirl says on Feb 16, 2005, 15:43:

I've only been to Colombia once so far but am planning (hopefully) to go back next month to spend a few weeks. One thing I admire about Colombian people is their strong sense of Nationalism and that's what I've noticed primarily on this site. I feel so bad for all of you US / CDN Citizens that feel you're trapped. Must be miserable for you.

cheers - babygirl

Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 16, 2005, 15:49:

What? I am a citizen of both the US and Canada and I don't feel trapped at all.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 16, 2005, 16:18:

stevens says on Feb 16, 2005, 16:18:

ElCaleno Pot to kettle, you're black.

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babygirl says on Feb 16, 2005, 18:18:

utopiacowboy Glad to hear it you don't feel trapped, but I was referring to people that have immigrated and complain about being in Canada/US.

cheers - babygirl

Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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santiBOG says on Feb 16, 2005, 18:35:

feeling trapped jaja... I know the what you mean.

Me and my Colombian friends refer to the U.S. as 'THE MATRIX'. For whatever reason, some of us do feel kind of trapped.

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stevens says on Feb 16, 2005, 19:02:

Geee, I feel trapped too, by this little voice in my head that says you can't....
About time i kicked his little a$$.

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ElCaleno says on Feb 16, 2005, 19:34:

there was some good responses. my whole point was that i joined this forum becuase i thought i could talk to people who lived there and want to go there. it seems pretty interesting though. you guys had some good points and some misunderstood my statements. my idea towards saying all those things was yes, i was a member for a couple of hours but when all you see is negative statements. you kind of get defensive. you know? don't get me wrong i have made a good living here in the u.s. but like someone said every country has positives and negatives. i appreciate all that the u.s. has given me, but all i was saying was that take it easy on all the criticism. this seems like a cool place so make people feel welcome. and if you do have negative statements or comments make sense. you ever heard? "hey, where are you from?" answer-- "colombia" oh man!.... you mean does your family sell drugs? come on people let's not make colombias image look worse on our own page. jaja --gracias.

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ARMacleod says on Feb 16, 2005, 22:34:

The answers were good. It was the question that was stupid.

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Chevere33 says on Feb 17, 2005, 06:57:

Somehow criticism... ...always sounds worse when it's coming from an "outsider". You know, you can talk about your own family, but don't let someone else do it. This applies to individuals, families, cultures, races, countries. No one wants to hear it from someone else.

Yes, I've lived in Colombia. Don't have too much bad to say about it. I'm living in the US, and have negative things to say about it, but still feel the good far outweighs the bad. Personally, I try not to do too much complaining, about individuals or otherwise, unless I have a plan to pitch in and somehow improve the thing I am complaining about.

No country is perfect, no country is all bad. If people complain about you, yourself, or your country, take a good look inward and ask yourself if it is true and if you are part of the problem. If not, good---keep your nose pointed forward and press on to your goal, whatever it is, hopefully giving someone else a hand along the way. If you are part of the problem, then do something about it and give no one an occasion to complain. This is how I live my life, and what I teach my children.


Constancia

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dwmte says on Feb 17, 2005, 08:48:

yo caleno... criticism?, listen, most of the folks i know on this site have been there and done that. spent lots of time in colombia under all kinds of circumstances.

i was forced into exile the last week or two as my (&&^$^# computer had a massive coronary and couldn't be jump started...at least not by me..(where's yep when you need him?)

about criticism. well all that i've heard here over the last couple of years has been basically positive. true there have been a couple of bashers in that time, but really, in total, they're few. for the most part, the folks here are great, positive exponents of your country which you're not living in.

i've lived there 4 + years, married one of your finest ladies and our youngest daughter was born there. what more can i say. love your country...dislike stoic bull shit from folks that haven't taken the time to really read the posts.

dw martin

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Miguel says on Feb 17, 2005, 09:43:

Me gusta! You wade through the Kerry's/Londonmale/LondonmaleReturns/Zagarise and the other clowns that drop in here, and then Constancia appears como "una brisa enero en Barranquilla." Good post Chevere33

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dwmte says on Feb 18, 2005, 15:51:

heh GIB i thought you took the gloves off....

you're gonna scare that poor lad to death.

i saw a giant waddler you'ld love today in winn dixie. there wasn't enough room in the aisle for both of us so my youngest daughter and i took the next aisle...

peace,

dw

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santiBOG says on Feb 19, 2005, 14:00:

Somebody get gib some tranquilizers. Apparently he's been watching the redneck/hate channel, uhhmm I mean, Fox News, 24-7.

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 23, 2005, 04:12:

Support your brothers and STFU Gee, so you've made a good living in the USA? How much of that green have you sent back to your impoverished brothers? I've been to Colombia to spend time with my novia. I love the country without a doubt. The friendliness and happiness of the people I met really touched my heart. I send my novia money every week so that her family can enjoy a better existence than just trying to survive. I think the USA is a great place to make money but it definitely has it's problems. I would not however, abandon my homeland just because it is not perfect. I have travelled a vast portion of the globe and I always enjoy coming home to the high-tech lifestyle that I have here in the USA. Unfortunately we have rednecks, skinheads, and all sorts of other racist pigs here, but most of that is due to ignorance. ;-)

Jay

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goosekirk says on Feb 23, 2005, 18:04:

Thought about it I thought about going to Colombia once, but then I heard it was dangerous, so I decided against it. Went to Cabo San Lucas instead. Same difference, though, right? I mean, they're both south of the equator.

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fzrdan says on Feb 23, 2005, 18:44:

Man, some people crack me up. First off, I will admit there are some screwed up things in the USA. But you know what, this site is about Colombia.

As for Colombia....well. I have been there twice and there are many good things and some bad things. Just like anywhere else. My novias brother has wounds from combat in the jungle...against his own countrymen!! ~75% of the cocaine comes from Colombia. I know, if there wasn't so many junkies in the USA and Europe, they wouldn't need to produce it. But they do. Wasn't there just a bombing or something in Cali like one or two days ago? Isn't Colombia still the kidnapping capital..de todo el mundo?! Wow, Colombia is just a bed of damn roses all over the place.

I am not bashing Colombia in any way. I like Colombia and I wish the security situation was different. I like the people I have met and many things about the culture.

Anyway, all you sad folks bashing the USA and saying Colombia is the best place on earth..while you live in the USA....pathetic. If the USA is so bad, get the hell out and go do something to help your country.

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fzrdan says on Feb 23, 2005, 18:46:

Apparently he's been watching "Apparently he's been watching the redneck/hate channel, uhhmm I mean, Fox News, 24-7." So people who watch Fox news are either rednecks or somehow hateful to other folks? Yeah, I hate ultra liberal whinig peacenik pu$$ies. You are right.

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