how to delete PBH accounts????

Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 04:34:

Hey Mrs. Gomez why delete your account you might want to look in some other time when you feel so inclined again?

Anyway, once you register here and create an account, you're a prisoner for life. "Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly"

Cheers,
Desi

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

kernow62 says on Oct 16, 2005, 06:09:

As long as you don't use your account there is no waste of bandwidth hence no waste of space or money.

quindioman says on Oct 16, 2005, 08:04:

Dona Gomez Hace tiempo que no escribes nada, y cuando si escribes algo es para decirnos que ya no quiere participar mas aqui in PBH.
Que te paso mujer? Cual baboso te ofendio tanto para que no vuelvas a participar? Sabes que hacia falta tus comentarios aqui (bueno a mi me hacian falta), no solamente eso pero ambos somos Colombianos viviendo en Londres y por eso valoraba mucho tu opinion, tanbien que eres Calena criada en un barrio popular....este lugar no necesita Colombianas como ud. despidiendose...aqui hay suficiente gringos y casi no hay Colombianos.
Retirese un ratico y cuando te sientas mejor vuelva y participa como antes este lugar te necesita

Mauro

Colombiche says on Oct 16, 2005, 10:22:

Not a good sign When the colombians are leaving, specially the women. I think this page is offensive to colombians most of the time.
The only way to stay around is to ignore it and be thick skinned.

Adrimm and Colx left too, that sucks.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 10:43:

to stay in PBH no only you need thick skinned, here are certaing rules
-Never talk about your personal lfe, yes you can talk about your kids and husband or wife but NOT in a very personal level
-Never asked for relationships advice,they won't be sorry for you
-Said your point of view and try not to go in to a deep argument if somebody doesn't agree with you, HE or She probably never will so just leave your point of view and leave the post.
- Take everything like a pinch of salt
Get to know your contender :) the way they more or less think so just dissagre with him or her but in a very tacful manner ;)
Joke around and stop going on and on in silly arguments.
and last but not least
A PALABRAS NECIAS OIDOS SORDOS ;)

Ah! some people here joke or make a kind of sarcastic joke or comment, just take it slightly, either ignore it or reply with a joke too

engage brain before opening mouth

quindioman says on Oct 16, 2005, 10:51:

lo que pasa es que adrimn y colx son personas dignas que no se van a aguantar una manada de bobos insultandolos. El resultado es que se van y dejan un hueco que los sirvenguenzas, descarados y conchudos como yo no podemos tapar....solucion: no les deben importar un pedo lo que los demas digan cuando los estan criticando

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 10:58:

Por eso quindioman es mejor no entrar tan profundo en una discusion, te rompes el coco discutiendo y no te van a entender y ciertos personajes entonces la manera de discutir es ofender.

engage brain before opening mouth

Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 11:09:

no sabía que adri tambien se había retirado, si es así es una baja significativa para el foro, lo mismo que ColX y ahora Misia Gómez. Antes supe tambien de un par de chicas no-colombianas que se retiraron por el tono ofensivo de las charlas.

Todos nosotros que quedamos manejamos las cosas a nuestra manera. Yo tengo la vida privada y familiar muy marginadas de estas dicusiones, aunque si puedo comentar una que otra cosa de vez en cuando siempre y cuando tenga alguna relevancia con el topico a discutir. Se que tengo una cierta tendencia de prolongar los debates y ampliarlos a incluir otros aspectos que no estaban en la intención del que inició el hilo. Me gusta profundizar y si esto solamente se reduciría en decir tonterías y sarcasmos y siga adelante creo que me aburriría muchisimo y no seguiría aqui tampoco mas. Está muy bien un chiste o una broma para aligerar el ambiente pero las charlas deben tener mas sustancia y fondo que eso.

Saludos,
Desi

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

adrimm says on Oct 16, 2005, 11:28:

Todavia estoy - sort of Solo tome un dezcanso para unas semanas, pues creo que a este punto estoy "semi-retirada".

;)

Mi nuevo estado de semi-retiro es mas or menas relacionado con yo estar un poco aburrida del foro. Los temas y discursos siempre siguen bastantes iguales, y ademas me hace triste cuando en algunos hilos, veo la falta de cortesia entre los miembros.

Colombiche says on Oct 16, 2005, 11:34:

Precisamente.... Estoy de acuerdo con Desi, en que las charlas no deben limitarse a ser superficiales. No tiene nada de malo entrar en un debate profundo - Yo por ejemplo con Platano he tenido debates muy profundos y encendidos, pero nunca nos hemos faltado al respeto ni nos hemos ofendido mutuamente. Expresamos nuestros puntos de vista y aprendemos el uno de otro.

Yo a veces hecho uno que otro chiste, soy muy traviesa y mamagallista, relajo con los muchachos del foro un poco, pero este no es el objetivo mio para entrar a PBH. Yo tengo con quien hacer relajo en la vida real.

Yo entro a este foro, porque se aprenden cosas, se pueden hacer contactos de negocios, he conocido incluso un par de personas interesantes, personas que viven en Colombia y ayudan a los menos favorecidos.

No tengo tolerancia para leer los "travelblogs" de unos muchachitos norteamericanos que se fuentes de sabiduria en todo lo que es Colombia, escriben una retahila de imbecilidades, y creen estar dando catedra a los otros extranjeros de lo que es Colombia.

Me quito el sombrero frente aquellos extranjeros como Desi o GIB que han dejado la comodidad de sus casas primermundistas para radicarse en Colombia y ser uno mas entre la multitud. Porque saben valorar cosas que no son tangibles.

Yo que llevo sangre colombiana en mis venas, que fui criada en Colombia, que tengo centenares de seres amados en esa tierra hermosa, no tengo la paciencia para que un extranjero venga y me cuente como es mi colombia.

Aca en la lejania, sitiendo ya las primeras punzadas de este frio glacial, no dejo de trabajar, para poder independizarme, montar un negocio y eventualmente volver a mi bella colombia. Porque vida es mucho mas que montar un bonito carro, tener una tv de 45 pulgadas y salir los fines de semana a un pub a jartar cerveza hasta que se te olvide como te llamas.

Vida es saber que hay gente que te ama, que sabe tu nombre y tu apellido, que te recuerda y te estima. Vida es ver ese fuego en los ojos de la gente, es cantar y bailar a pesar de las contrariedades que se presentan. Vida es fuego, pasion, alegria, un abrazo, una sonrisa. Vida es un piropo, un te quiero, dormirse en una hamaca oyendo cantar las cigarras....

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

quindioman says on Oct 16, 2005, 11:37:

katica eso me ha pasado a mi mas de una vez aqui en PBH, y yo que no soy nada malgeniado ;-p.

Desideria...estoy 100% de acuerdo contigo, aunque yo soy muy burletero, entiendo que en este foro participa mucha clase de gente...la buena, la mala, la fea y la inteligente...es esta diversidad que aprecio yo.
Pienso que me hubiera habierto hace mucho rato si este sitio fuera frecuentado por una clase de persona nomas, pero lo lindo de este lugar que tenemos a personas como Juanalejo y JuanceGomez pero tanbien tenemos a los Elmos para balancear la vaina.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 11:47:

adrimm, great to hear from you. Don't you dare to retire from PBH! Your threads have always been interesting and your points of view are valuable.

If people like you and the other two we have been discussing here retire we'll be doomed to talk about the best wife-buying/selling, the pros and cons of these chicas versus those chicas, ChipiChape gringos, cheapest calling cards and cheapest airline tickets forever and forever. I forgot, also about elmo's love-life.

Cheers, and welcome back,
Desi

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

Colombiche says on Oct 16, 2005, 12:12:

? Howbout me?

I hope I am not considered part of the chipichape crowd.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 12:15:

I must admit I don't like to enter in heated debates, I do like share my opinions but that is, I love post about historical things of Colombia which unfortunately there are few. like the one Desi posted a few days ago about my indigenous roots. that kind of post. I love the post of santibog in the Spanish forum "Cosianfirulo" and there few that are nice. I get bored of the same Colombian womens and all in the same line.
I don't like to enter into political disscusion sometimes I go and read some of the post in that seccion and find some coments interesting specially the ones of Juancegomez. that is why the rest i just joke around maybe to kill time.

Carolain sometimes comes out with good post too

engage brain before opening mouth

Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 12:26:

LOL, Colombiche unless you're 45+, balding and thick-waisted gringo foaming in the mouth looking at teenage chicks passing buy in their low cut, tight jeans, tons of unnecessary make up and jingling with cheap jewelry as you tiptoe on your ten-inch heels, then no, you're not one of ChipiChape crowd.

I like the way you put your foot down on these issues:) Your previous post was (precisamente...) was right on the money. Too bad it was in Spanish...

Keep up the good work,
Cheers,
Desi

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

Gomezman5 says on Oct 16, 2005, 13:30:

People leaving.....and why? I'm Colombian American. So I can say that to some extent, that I too am disturbed when the common stereotypical generalizations are set forth here. But at the same time, I am also disturbed when my Colombian people "stick their head in the sand" and pretend that Colombia is this bastion of civility, and furthermore believe that the problem is with the press because of the belief that they tend to exaggerate the extent of Colombia's problems. In other words, Colombian people here are often overly sensitive when someone dares to discuss the negative. That being said, I can also think of some Colombian people and Americans who have left here because they believed that open and honest debate was not possible.

I too have reduced my time here. I sat back here recently and got attacked by a Gringo, in a very vicious manner if I may add, only because I voiced in a very civil manner, my sentiments about young Colombian ladies coming to the US to marry American men that they hardly knew. What was most disturbing was how so many of you people, in particular the ladies out here who had also voiced the exact same views in the past, or had even agreed with me in the past, didn't interject in any way. You guys were all lingering around....making posts on other threads, and certainly aware of what was happening, but for one reason or another decided not to post. I found that quite irritating and to be honest, hypocritical.

So, to think that people are leaving here just because people are talking down Colombia, is a gross over simplification, and plainly inaccurate. There are many reasons people leave or reduce their participation time, and I just gave you a reason that had nothing to do with putting Colombia down....

miamimike says on Oct 16, 2005, 14:21:

Color me Gone also Due to the Many Personal Attacks of the person and not the message.I didn't see the post Gomezman, otherwise I would have commented. I think the Monitors should Nip these attacks in their genesis as other Forums do when the Attacks become overly personal.If a Thread goes on too long in a Negative style, it should be locked down as a courtesy to other Legitimate members. Funny thing, some of the attacks made by people who NEVER even had traveled to Colombia. A person with style, education and class would simply scroll by a post posted by someone he/she disagrees with but there are a few posters here that have no purpose in Life then to argue or ridicule people. They are small people. In reality, most others see through this facade and avoid those people.It would be an interesting post as to how many posters or travelers would even be HERE were it not for the Colombian Female Element. How many here would travel only for the Culture, food,langauge and scenary as Travelers for example do when visiting Egypt for the Great Pyramids. Could Colombia stand alone as a Terminal Destination for many here were they not attracted by the Colombian Females? I feel many would not be here or traveling to Colombia period. As this is my last Post(actually had ended a month back or so) I have had many enjoyable hours conversing with some of you and have enjoyed reading some well thought out posts from posters like Platano, GIB, Kernow, James,Adrim, Franko, Desi,ColX and many others. Hasta La Vista.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2005, 14:23:

to tell you the truth Gomezman is because I am tired of the same kind of post, those post are not new, we have been in PBH for a long time and we know that we argue in one of those post and two month later similar one will come up but with different characters. is like hitting a brick wall you end up argument witht the same people. In the other hand I know what you mean about the Colombian problems and people being too sensitive you are right there.

What i can not get is why attack somebody you don't know. I had in the past disagreed with GIB, and you G5 and some others but i do not personally attacked anybody or send nasty PM's

engage brain before opening mouth

ARMacleod says on Oct 16, 2005, 16:46:

Sign off?? My dear and I have no doubt beautiful lady, why would you wish to leave PBH

First, look at Kat's first note. Estupendo, you enlighten people.

Quindioman; Pain in the ass as I don't know what the hell he is saying. I am sure it is good anyway.

Kat1 seems to have lapsed into the vernacular. I am sure that what she said was prophetic.

And the lovely Desi. I think she was casting a beneficial spell on you. It must have been wonderful.

Adrim, colombiche, quindioman, All writing in some kind of weird gibberish. It must have meant something to you.

G 5. And Miamimike. How ca you let them down. (These are the mystics)

And how can you let Kerry down, he, she or it was really concerned for your welfare.

Troll, write Pms or whatever.

Love ARMacleod (AKA, JVH)

My stated facts, although interesting at times, are generally irrevelant.

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

Mario says on Oct 16, 2005, 17:30:

Crossing the street, are we... OK "I sat back here recently and got attacked by a Gringo, in a very vicious manner if I may add, only because I voiced in a very civil manner, my sentiments about young Colombian ladies coming to the US to marry American men that they hardly knew."

The statement above is patently false; at best, a severe distortion.

"What was most disturbing was how so many of you people, in particular the ladies out here who had also voiced the exact same views in the past, or had even agreed with me in the past, didn't interject in any way. You guys were all lingering around....making posts on other threads, and certainly aware of what was happening, but for one reason or another decided not to post."

Based on the feedback I received in several PM's from fellow members of PBH, the reasons were very simple.

And so it goes.

tomtom33 says on Oct 16, 2005, 19:52:

Thank God I still have hair.

"...unless you're 45+, balding and thick-waisted gringo foaming in the mouth..."

This Gringo chooses to live in Colombia. There are things said that I don't like or agree with all the time. I could spend my life under my bed so as to avoid any unpleasantry. I choose not to.

utopiacowboy says on Oct 16, 2005, 20:36:

It's the nature of the internet. We are all anonymous strangers here so the rules of civility which would temper our behavior in real life do not apply. Remember Sylvia? She vanished without a trace as well and at some point, so will I. It's not like we have any kind of real relationship here.

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.

Rubiazo says on Oct 17, 2005, 00:43:

UC Speak for yourself! How many members of this board have I actually met IRL now?

BTW for the record, meeting a NYC Colombian or meeting a Miami Colombian is TOTALLY different from meeting a Colombian IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. I don't know how anybody couldn't see that!! Expat communities are pretty piss poor representatives of the population at large.

Does anybody here actually think I represent the Canadian way of thinking??? Nuff said!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 17, 2005, 01:00:

I am loosing my identity jeje
I think GL and rubiazo are right, I haven't meet no one yet IRL, but soon I'm going to meet one, actually tomorrow ;), but I do have contact with many of them and we talk often in MSN. next year I'll probably meet kernow as I am going to Orlando, And I hope I can go to one of those PBH gathering over christmas and meet some of you. :) so we do form like a kind of comunity and relationship

engage brain before opening mouth

Caballista says on Oct 17, 2005, 09:02:

kat1, Desideria and Colombiche, Me parece excelente la forma de ustedes tres tocar el tema de "leer-escribir" en este sitio. Yo solamente leo ahora lo que algunas personas escriben y a otros simplemente no les presto la atencion que no merecen. Mrs. Gomez no sera una de las personas que me haga falta por sus comentarios o temas.

adrimm says on Oct 17, 2005, 09:56:

Aw thanks Desi I'll be around :)

Albatross says on Oct 17, 2005, 10:01:

U.C. is absolutely right... And who would look to the net for a relationship anyway ?

Who really cares what some stranger thousands of miles away types on their keyboard... taking offense is patently ridiculous. Perhaps some of you should grow a spine.

I don't give a rat's ass what some woman in Europe thinks about what I'm doing in Colombia...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 17, 2005, 10:47:

UC meet his wife over the internet and many others here, well they went to a dating agency in the internet. it's that count?

engage brain before opening mouth

Rubiazo says on Oct 17, 2005, 11:22:

HEY I have lots of great friends that I met over the internet. And a few more serious relationships have developed too, including my current GF. (And it was NOT through an agency.)

utopiacowboy says on Oct 17, 2005, 13:41:

Kat, I met my wife at Eldorado airport in Bogota. Up until that moment, it was just another internet thing. Real life relationships can start from something on the internet but until the shift is made to real life, it's just vapor. For my part I have enough of a life and I am content that PBH is just a vapor trail that doesn't require my time or attention. It's like TV.

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.

Rubiazo says on Oct 17, 2005, 16:05:

Yeah OK BUT Nobody on earth is going to really have the faintest idea what Colombia is like until they actually get on that plane and go there. No amount of text on the internet is going to give an accurate picture of what it actually feels like to have that sun shine on you at 4 degrees of latitude, or how the chorizo tastes, or what the women in the whorehouse REALLY looked like (you can take a photo but most people don't take good photos).

Platano's comment about the hooker trapped in the police car is a good case in point. You can pass by that police car but you really have NO IDEA of the true nature of that situation. Several possibilities come to mind.
1) She is a wanted criminal and was picked up for something having nothing directly to do with prostitution i.e. she is wanted for robbery, murder etc.
2) She is a suspected member of FARC/paras etc.
3) She is having a psychotic break, or is simply permanently psychotic.
4) She and the 'police' are actually thieves acting some shit out trying to dupe somebody into trying to help so they can jack them.
5) She really is just a simple hooker and they really are cops, and they are trying to shake her down so she is crying rape to try and call attention to the situation because she is broke or doesnt want to pay them for some other reason.
6) The cops wanted to use her professional services and after they finished with her decided they didn't want to pay her.

The list goes on. But in my mind, the smart thing to do in a situation like that is to not get involved, and not to ASSUME you really knew what was actually transpiring in the first place.

My experience of Colombia is very different from GIB's. For one thing, his is much more extensive, but also, we live very different lifestyles. For example, you will NEVER find my ass on any street at 5:30am unless I'm on the way home to sleep!! And then on top of all that, everybody has subjective tastes about everything. Living in the Bronx, I have a very high tolerance of dirt and garbage in the street because it is something I hardly notice anymore due to having to deal with it on a daily basis. So therefore my opinion on whether another city is 'dirty' or not has a skewed frame of reference because it won't even register in my mind as being dirty unless it's even dirtier than where I live!
That is not to say that PBH isn't a valuable source of information. You just have to put everything in context. In the end, as far as your own personal security goes, your best friend is your own awareness of your surroundings and your worst enemy is your lack of it, no matter where you are. GIB, I don't think there is enough storage space on the whole internet for you to write enough volumes of stuff to prevent somebody who is an obvious victim from accomplishing their destiny and being victimized.

Lostgringo says on Oct 17, 2005, 20:36:

I promised myself not to post here anymore but.. GringoinLousianna I know you mean well but " IF EVERY ONE HERE WAS SUDDENLY GONE, AND/or PBH DISAPPEARED FROM THE 'NET..... it would be a little or alot like having a drug taken away from your existence. Sorry to disagree but I don't take drugs and especially not bad ones lol. This site will continue to degenerate until a new one opens up with good monitors and admin. Now there is a challenge for someone!

Utopiacowboy..you have no real connection with people in PBH (so you say), that is why you like to attack people on a personal level...nuff said about you.

Albatross your the kind a person I especially want no contact with,I don't give a rat's ass what some woman in Europe thinks about what I'm doing in Colombia. Another PBHr with no class lol.

Rubiazo please don't refer to yourself as a Canadian or that you were once a Canadian..you are a disgrace to all Canadians. Almost every word that comes out of your ugly mouth is a swear word. You are such a classy guy also. By the way you sing like shit!

I could go on but why bother, people are leaving here because of all the morons that have taken over! You don't need to brain surgeon to figure it out..do you?

Tinto you are as much to blame as everyone else! Peter you should be ashamed the way you let your site go downhill. You guys either have no guts or are too stupid to interject into some of posts that are truly "off side." You reap what you sow and now you have (IMHU) one of the worst sites for travel on the internet.

I have a camera full of pictures of Bogota. Some are beautiful panoramic pics. I ask myself why should I share with some of these rude people or grace this site with these pics? Am I thin skinned. No! I have respect for others and their opinion. I can learn from others who are open and speak with some kind of intellengence. I can't learn from morons who attack everyone and speak like they are still living in the gutter. I personally think that I am better than that.

Getting away from the topic because it seems everything here ends up in some kind of paranoid scenerio where someone gets killed or mugged or kidnapped and on and on and on...

I sat with some guys the other day at a bar in Zona Rosa. Whew dangerous or what!!!!!!!!!!!! I was soooooooooo scared!!!!! One man was from Germany been here 40 years no trouble...one other from Russia..been here 7 years...no trouble...the other from England..been here 10 years no trouble...

I will be damned if I am going to live in a cacoon here in Bogota! And if I want to buy a good cigar and sit in Zona Rosa I am going to bloody well do it. Life is too short to waste it away in my apartment worrying about what is going to happen to me if I go out lol.

I still am in contact with some good people I have met here and I am gratefull for that.

I regret that I could not go on with my comments on "Retiring in Bogota." I had much to share.

Like it or not this board has gone to the Dogs! Look at the good people you are losing, myself not included! People can have fun here like Elmo and not offend anyone. Elmo thanks for all the laughs. But other miserable sorts have to get their bit of flesh to have fun. So sad.

Bye and I sure won't miss the calous attacks on everyone, nor the paranoia hahahaha

And hey, you can attack me all you want as I won't be coming here anymore lol.

come on Utopia Cowboy, Roofus and Rub..come on get your last say....tell how you are such great guys and what we can learn from you...lol

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

utopiacowboy says on Oct 17, 2005, 20:39:

It's like TV, Frank. You can just turn it off or change channels.

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.

caslug says on Oct 17, 2005, 21:21:

i've actually met many PBH people in COL.. and a few expats i've come across and many have become friends that i keep in touch with and CERTAINLY would get together for a beer if one of us came into to the other's town(in colombia or otherwise). One great thing about knowing lots of friends/aquintences is the diverse of knowledge and interests. Now given most guys i've met are chasing chicas so we at least have that in common! ja, ja.. after chasing chicas, the most brought up subject is safety/security.

My basic education about COL chicas/security was NOT fr this board, it was fr other boards that lean toward dating or more in COL. BECAUSE guys that come to COL to meet chicas, the first thing they ask is safety then ask about the dating situation/rules/etique. NOne of them want to get mugged when going on a date! ja, ja..
I enjoy reading about day-to-day life in COL(which this board is great at), ESPECIALLY fr a foreigner perspective, BECAUSE as foreingr in COL(and other homogenous culture) you'll always have a different set of rules to contend with than locals.

I have learn BASIC security/chica situation fr READING strangers advice and stories, so i'll politely disagree w/ RUbizo comment about not learning fr internet. Fr his post he's a pretty streetsmart guy with lots of travel under his belt. So fr him, very little if any info post on this board regarding safety advice would be new to him. BUT that doesn't for many of us without and extensive knowledge base, reading is the way to go.

Posters like UTC are unique in that EVEN after returning fr COL and starting life in the US w/ his COL wife(and family) he still post. I notice that for many poster, after they use the site to get info, visit col, come back in one piece, and bring there wives/husband back. they stop posting, don't blame them because now spend the time with their new family instead of on the internet. Also, people like that tend not to have a diverse expereince versus some single expat/tourist person. When you have a GF/wife, especially if you have kids, you're NOT going to go partying in south of bogota in some divey bar till 5am by yourself. not unless you want to go back to being single again! ja, ja..

Also i like to post because i'm one of those people that try to give back what i get. I remember reading about lots of stuff on COL and just filed the info in the back of my head, not knowing when i would be helpful. Then when you least expect it, you remember something you read and act accordingly, in the process maybe got yourself out of a jam or put yourself in a better position. So instead of going back and thanking a poster for his/her post many months/years ago. Since i learn lots about COL fr these types of boards, they save me having to learn things the hardway, i give back to internet, i guess my way of giving back to those individual poster.

Many of us do this unknowing..

platano says on Oct 17, 2005, 21:26:

Frank, before you go... How are you doing with the "taxi door meditation"? I worry about the poor taxi doors and the feelings of the taxi drivers! The look on their faces, the fear the door will be slammed, the concern they show for their investment, their livelihood... all that has to be part of the "taxi door meditation" to remain mindful and close the door very carefully.

Plátano X
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

caslug says on Oct 17, 2005, 21:36:

Frank..you should reread your post.. it's funny.. i commend for moving down and living the life that you wish for and i hope your happiness continues. But living in COL for 2 or 3 months and not experiencing any problems(w ANYTHING) is not the same as someone that lived down there longer AND experience more diverse situation.

Being in a bar in zona rosa and talking about how safe COL is, is kinda like being in on a mountain and saying that you're safe fr a tsunami. Zona Rosa is VERY SAFE and people foreigners that you meet in Zona Rosa tend to have some dinero(beer cost more in zona rosa bars than other bars). Money allows more safety options. If you want to learn about safety in COL talk with emergency room doctors, older policeman, taxi drivers, charity workers that work in the REALLY poor areas, etc., They'll tell you stuff that don't make the news and rarely touch foreingers. BUT you'll need to speak decent spanish, be humble, respectful and tactful.

I think it's admirable that you commend callous attack, but insulting poster a in the same post is not to diplomatic.

Don't get me wrong, COL can be VERY SAFE for you(and many others) it really depends on how you live your life. If you live in a nice area, never go to a bad one, never take unnecessary risk(ie, walking around late a night in iffy areas), ONLY make friends with minimal amount of people, all these things reduce the chance of something bad happening.

For some other posters, they do more things and hence maybe seen or expereince stuff that is NOT the norm for you, but it is for them.

adrimm says on Oct 17, 2005, 23:30:

Franko " Peter you should be ashamed the way you let your site go downhill. You guys either have no guts or are too stupid to interject into some of posts that are truly "off side." You reap what you sow and now you have (IMHU) one of the worst sites for travel on the internet. "

Like it or not, no one forced you to use this site as a resource for your travel/move to Colombia. You yourself have mentioned that you have found some solid information, and met some good people. Every medium of communication offers useful and crappy info, the internet is the most mixed one. Unfortunately the reality is that the National Geographic posts and the National Enquierer posts are not sorted into their respective publications. Yeah, it ticks me off too, but that's the internet. So after coming here and collecting people's respective opinions, positions and ideas you have snapped back on several who appear to merely have offered info from their perspective.

Seeing as you *have* benefitted from this site (as I recall many people here tried to give honest and thoughtful info when you came looking for answers to your questions and were trying to form an idea of Colombia), I think it is extraordinarily rude for you to come down so hard on Peter for creating this site, and on Tinto who is the only mod that has stuck it out thus long. I recall at least 2 others that have vanished.

Unless you are willing to step in and fix it (or create a better one yourself), what is the point of complaining about something that is no cost to you?

Rubiazo says on Oct 17, 2005, 23:34:

THANK YOU Franko for reminding me once more why I moved away from Canada. I also hang out in an IRC channel filled with people from my home town. I don't talk there much, I just watch the conversations and people's passive-agressive behavior. Keep up that kind of behavior in Bogota. I'm sure it will lead you to what you deserve!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2005, 01:18:

GIB I do agree that if you go to Colombia you have to have a bit extra careful than if you go to New York instead, Colombia still is not a big destination so when it comes to tourism we still a bit rough, you always said in your post your about your friends so and so happenings this and that and blah.. so really GIB you living we a bunch of paranoids that are affecting you. Please can you tell them to read this.. I have been living in the UK for 16 years now, i lived in Colombia with my husband in 1993 but had to return to England for bussines reason. My Family apart for one sister live in Colombia, my family have been affected by kidnapping too remember my brother in law and my Dad. My brother that lives in Bogotá have been affected but robbery, me!! myself before I moved to England has been robed twice at knife point and my husband been robed too, but that hasn't been affecting our way of living in colombia besides is making us more aware but we still enjoy exploring. know I am not going to come here and said all this negatives things about Colombia,(s** happens everywhere) I will give the best advice i can, somebody ask me about Arauca i told him better if he doesn't go there and explain why.. i am not going to send a gringo into the lions den ,we know what we are doing or at least I know. Your friends reminds me of a friend that I've got in Villavicencio, every time my husband goes there, she start “ oh don't go with him there or be careful if he goes to blah and blah, she really gets into my husband nerves, he is been in Colombia and traveling around the whole of Colombia even Ecuador and by land before Colombia became this kind of safe, and then he married me.and became unsafe jejej, no really let's proyect a bit the positive with out being to negative
I am sure that the majority here have been in Colombia and have their own experience to tell, like you GIB, some may have a horrible experience and said Colombia is Dangerous other ones will have pleasant ones. Carte is been there for 4 years and i don't see him here posting negative stuff about Colombia all the time and i 'm sure he will have, and remember he doesn't live in city so he is not "100%" "safe".. And Gib you said Colombians living in Colombia but Gib with your respect you have been in Colombia for only 3 years, I lived there before I married and my husband been there when Colombia was not really safe to go. I remember and tell this to your friend in 1990 my husband drove all the way to Pto Lopez in that time the road to Villavo was under-construction to get there it was more or less a 4 hours trip and to Pto lopez another hour, if he went to PBH in that time and ask about going there, I would have tell him ARE YOU CRAZY!! because it was dangerous in those time, but he went anyway :)but know to go to Pto Lopez and it's safe, been there many times with husband and is like going to Melgar, but ask your friend and I swear they will said no way is dangerous there, but I invite one of them or you if they want to come with me . Just because I live in England doesn't mean I don't know what happened in Colombia but one thing for sure when i go there i am going to places where before they used to be banned for being too dangerous. I know Colombians living in Colombia that don't go to Villavicencio jajajaj in case they get kidnapped, and there is me and many tourists in Villavo, And my last thing go and tell one of your friend to take the bus to San Gil Carter will meet them there, and I bet you many will said oh no too dangerous. I know you mean well advising people but just relax a bit more, go and enjoy, and remember Colombia is “ 3 world country� you can't not compare it t with the Usa OR canada, af course you are going to see more violent, robberies but all Gringos that goes to Colombia knows that. people in Colombia will make sure that you enjoy That is what i told a PBH member that is going for the first time to Colombia soon. But i told him is not like going to Irak you will enjoy for sure. And I hope when he gets back he writes and interesting travel blog.

I saw the pictures posted by an American tourist, here in PBH, of this place in Colombia I want to go for ages, But many of my Colombian friends IN Colombia told me not to risk it, they told me the road was too dangerous blah blah, i listened to them so i didn't go. I PM this American Guy as aoon i saw the pict,and ask him about how was his trip there if it was dangerous all the common question that a tourist will ask, imaging me COLOMBIAN!!! asking a gringo for security in my own country, he told me it was safe, he went there with his kids and wife, drove there cos is the only way to get there and he really enjoy, the pict were great so much, that i am taking my kids there and i feel at ease now. Imaging if that guy wouldn't have posted the picts, still i would've been scare to go there. sometimes i think we colombians are more scare of exploring out our countries that the foreigners, I think they got more sense of adventure, specially the europeans. we sometimes are wrap up in our fears too much

engage brain before opening mouth

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2005, 01:18:

thanks miguel to for your below Post 2 deleted

engage brain before opening mouth

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2005, 01:18:

post yep, in the mornings keeps doing that it's annoying :(

engage brain before opening mouth

Miguel says on Oct 18, 2005, 02:19:

¿3 veces? kat1, I have noticed that it takes a long time for a post to be viewable at this time of day, so I am guessing that's why you have three of the above.

Too bad there are no kat2 and kat3's. Can you clone yourself? Greenday and I would be very happy;-)

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2005, 03:18:

jaja miguel if I clone myself more than one will have a headache(^_^)

engage brain before opening mouth

Rubiazo says on Oct 18, 2005, 09:01:

When did I ever claim to be Elmodefoque? We have a lot of things in common, and live in the same city, but he and I are also totally different in many ways. I'm certainly not trying to BE him, why on earth would I want to do that?

GIB, frankly I dunno why you bother. If someone wants to come here and get jacked, let Uncle Chuck have them! Besides, if they are dead, they can't tell horror stories about Colombia :))))))))))))

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2005, 10:35:

Where is Carter when you need him :)
I don't think Colombia is a fantasy land but i don't think either is this dangerous places were you can't even go to the corner without getting shoot, Remember i lived in Colombia when colombia was "worst" that this. I think is good of you to remind them about spike drink etc but don't you think this is common sense. here in the uk we got signs in toilets, surgeries, hospital. about to be careful with our drinks in bars or discos because is a big problem here in the Uk too. so i know this when i go to colombia
I think we should make a post about a guide to Colombia for gringos bobos. when you go to Colombia remember
1 be careful at ATM's
2 Be careful with you drink it can be spike
3 don't carry values with you
4 careful when you come out of the airport
5 travel by bus only at day time
6 be careful with big tits they can be spike too
5 there is thieves in Colombia believe or not
6 you have the chance of 100% being kidnapp if you work with a multinational or goverment position, 2% if you a nobody
Taxis can be dangerous
you can be mugged in Colombia
anybody feel free to fill the guide

by the way I think many people here are travellers experts, so they know they are going to a 3 world country, and all of this warnings I think is common sense when you come to Colombia, Brazil,Mexico etc.and many of you know this

engage brain before opening mouth

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2005, 10:55:

thanks tinto jeje sorry i will correct it, but nah I leave it.:)
The guide continues

7)If a gorgeous girl is looking at you, and you are a bald fat old gringo or just simply ugly, don't think she thinks you are a gift from God, either she is after your money or Green card and you are delusional moron

engage brain before opening mouth

webmanco says on Oct 18, 2005, 11:00:

I do live in Colombia I do live in Bogota and had traveled to different cities, when in Medellín last "Feria de las Flores" I drove all my way from Bogotá to Ibague then Medellín and back to Bogota, I went by myself and on the road I picked people at my own risk.

I stoped to ask a question about a place I was going, and it happened that one of the persons was heading on the same directión. I ask her to get on the car. She works in a strawerry field and her boss import some from Chile.

On my way back to Bogotá I picked a guy whom a militar ask me to take him to Bogotá for a family emergency, when I pick him up, there were already a woman and a kin on the back seat.

I wanted to go to El Peñol and I was adviced not to go by myself, I did go by myself and here I am telling the history. Should I listen to other´s people advice (foreigners as a matter of fact) on traveling in Colombia?? yes I should but when those tips come too often giving bad vibrations to anyone I rather look the other way.

There should be a chapter on warnings to Colombians from foreigners. I had met good colombians as well as foreigners, but I heard and it is hearsay, that some foreigners in Girardot invited some local girls party they did lots of sexy things and filmed.

The VHS came out in town and one of the girls commited suicide.

I try my best to stay away from controversy but when its time to do the walk I do the walk.

As Kat1 I do have history of bad things, will I scare people for the things that happened to me?? There are a few posters doing a great job at that and some with very poor. sense of humor

This forum is of great help and it can be a source o good advice, good networking for the well being of all Colombian Friends and colombians as well. In this regard I can only disagree with Frank

I am glad I went to El Peñol, I didn`t feel danger at anytime. I was stop twice by the military and had to stay the night in a hostal two hours or less from Medellín. Just because the military though it was not safe to go pass 8:00 p.m. That is how I missed the PBH meet up at Medellín.


October 21

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

utopiacowboy says on Oct 18, 2005, 15:09:

Kat, I hope you never change the way you write English. It is one of your many charms.

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.

Crazy4Cali says on Oct 18, 2005, 16:06:

Coming and going That's the way it goes. I don't know why everyone takes it so personally, though I think the comparative outpouring of support (even for Franko_44) demonstrates how this site is better than 99% of the random, casually moderated message boards (and even better, on the balance, than most moderated boards).

I'm here primarily for the diversion: staring at one computer vs. another, but I feel some obligation to add value where I can as I've gotten a lot of value from the site.

This site reminds me of those anonymous "book swaps" you find at hostels and other places. I'd like to leave two books for the one I got from PBH. Sure some people come and take more than they leave, but that's life. I hope they enjoy their books. There'll be more.

If Franko_44 and Mrs. Gomez want to take their marbles and leave, well, I wish them well. I think both had a lot of valuable insight, each with their unique style, but they'll leave and someone else will find it and the cycle will continue.

BAQ says on Oct 18, 2005, 16:12:

Simple To delete you account, it is really simple. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Get your .44 Magnum
2. Load six rounds into the chamber
3. Point pistol at computer
4. Fire six times (while yelling delete me you FM, DELETE ME!)

Hope the info helps :-)

NOTE: OSHA requires you wear eye protection while deleting your account

Semper Fidelis !

Crazy4Cali says on Oct 18, 2005, 16:18:

Zowie... BAQ, do you use hand grenades to rid your house of flies, too?! :)

BAQ says on Oct 18, 2005, 16:45:

Nope With flies, I found that a flame thrower works best. Hand grenades work best for those peksy neighbors. Now for those hard to fight Mosquitoes, about 10 lbs of Napalm distributed "Just right" works great. jajajjaa

NOTE: Naplam is not recommended if you have fruit trees in your yard as it tends to leave the fruit somewhat "Cooked". :-)

NOTE: If no flame thrower is available, a lighter and a can of hair spray will work as a temporary substitute.

Will post more home and gardening tips at a future date.

Semper Fidelis !

Mario says on Oct 18, 2005, 18:24:

I just wanted to mention that I am very glad to see platano and adrimm posting again.

If I could, I'd do my "spot on" (I'm told) impersonation of Mr. Smith from The Matrix for y'all:

Misssssterrrr Anderrrrrsonnn..... Welcome baaack.... Weee Misssssed Youuuuuuu.........

platano says on Oct 18, 2005, 18:31:

webmanco, I wanted to go to El Peñol and I was adviced not to go by myself, I did go by myself and here I am telling the history

Good for you! This is what I have been saying for years. You are free to travel the entire country... everyone is, guaranteed by the constitution. I salute you!

Plátano X
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 19, 2005, 01:41:

GIB, I haven't been in Colombia since January, and I'm off on Christmas, I usually go to Colombia on Christmas and summer, in summer I stay longer so really I am in Colombia quite often, . Now I know you mean well with all those advice but don't you think that they are common sense, we all have bad or nearly bad experience in Colombia but because of that I am not going to said that Colombia is the more Dangerous Country in the world.
How many normal tourists have been kidnap in Colombia in the last 4 years? that's the real danger in Colombia. Now about guys or girls getting their drink spike, or luggage stolen or robbed at night, is because they are putting themselves in those dangers, if you go to chapinero alone and start drinking with strangers and you are a gringo or a guy that show the money What you expect!!! find a wife there or good friends for life? jaja, what a girl is doing in a bar drinking alone without her friends or boyfriend?, what are you doing in the middle of the night taking money out of an atm? At the airport why do you leave your language unattended? You know that if you're coming to a country that poverty exist you have to be more careful, and if You find danger is because sometime you put yourself in it. That is why little happened to me, I am not going to go to La Macarena town although I've got relatives there, because i know that i have a 50% chance of being kidnap, just because I am married to a British. My wallet was stolen from my rucksack in Bogota, but part was my fault I should'nt have never put my wallet on the bag and walk like a zombie, I never heard or felt the b*** putting his hands in my rucksack and taking my wallet. But lesson learned!
I don't do those things not even here in the UK that is a bit better. And how long you haven't been in England? In London apart from the kidnapping the others ones are very Common. Only that here the girls are the most vulnerable of getting their drinks spike, I tell you is more common than in Colombia, but here they don't do it for the money just to rape the girl.

engage brain before opening mouth

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 19, 2005, 02:10:

BTW maybe this are common problems in Big cities, In villavicencio I feel much safer anyway, the airport is safe, you can take money out of the ATM's at anytime, very few thieves in Villavo but if they get caught they better pray, I wear my gold jewellery there and is fine, the only problem is in christmas time when the thieves from Bogota made the special trip there for a day to steal and return to Bogota at night. but I read in the newspaper there were controlling that, but as i said they have to be careful because those llaneros are very bravos. and those thieves rather steal from shops than you. because villavo is small people tend to stick to one another they're very proud of their city and they know that since the new road to Bogota brough a breed of thieves from there so they are more in the look out, so if they catch one of them trying to robbed you, they are dead.;)

engage brain before opening mouth

Albatross says on Oct 19, 2005, 08:37:

Kat... Who are you callin' a delusional moron ?

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 19, 2005, 09:07:

I dunno albatros, the ones that many people describe here and said that they are going to Colombia for the chicas ;)
why? .
not that I am saying that all bald old men are unatractive. my friend's boss is quite a guy :) mind he got just a tiny weeny bit of hair

engage brain before opening mouth

tomtom33 says on Oct 19, 2005, 11:19:

Sign me up. This old delusional moron wants his own Kat clone too.

However, my harem is rapidly expanding. Are you sure it isn't my handsome face or my half-barrel abs?

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 19, 2005, 11:36:

lol, tom am sure your harem is full by now, maybe is all that hair you got :P

engage brain before opening mouth

adrimm says on Oct 19, 2005, 11:40:

Mario I'm sorry, I'm not so great at reading tones online so I'm not quite sure what tone to attach to your greeting... care to expand (in words?)


;) Thanks,

Adrimm

Mario says on Oct 20, 2005, 05:20:

Adrimm The only way you'll get what I was saying is to go and rent the movie Matrix - Revolutions, the last in the series and watch it. Toward the end of the movie, there's a scene where "Mr. Smith" greets "Neo" in the Matrix and that's when he says, "Mr. Anderson, welcome back... we missed you" which is a memorable line from the movie.

I do an impersonation of the Mr. Smith character, depending on the mood/situation...