PBH / Colombia / Start Forums▼ (active) Travelguide Cheap hostels Pictures

Life in Colombia

I’ve been living in Colombia with my wife and her family now for about 2 weeks. As I said before I’ve had to assume leadership of the family since the recent death of her father. It’s been a good transition for me and I’m enjoying my new role. Before, when my wife and I sent money to help pay expenses, I had little control of what was done with the money. I never suspected that it was being wasted or used in other areas that I had requested. I just like knowing what are the exact needs. Sometimes communication and my understanding of the Spanish language still gets in the way.

My wife’s son and sisters daughter are rapidly becoming more close and attached to me. They were before. However, now that they know I’m not leaving, they are developing a good confident relationship with me. I’m really enjoying being a father figure here. Something that I never really got to appreciate/experience in the USA.

I’m slowly fixing some of the things long needing repair or replacement in the families bungalow. Later on when we sell our apt in Panama, I’ll be fixing the roof and doing a remodel of the house. My plan is to put a patio up as the roof. It’ll create a huge area for plants, drying clothes,... and if I don’t buy the bungalow across the street, I’ll build an apartment on part of the patio for my wife, me and our child due in late January or early February.

I’m in the final stages of doing the Das dance in obtaining my Spousal Visa. We did all the necessary paperwork in Panama, visited Das in Pireira the other day and got our appointment for this upcoming Wednesday. That should finish that part of my migration to Colombia

Also last week, we finished our paperwork with the Aduana for the importation of our goods. After all expenses were totaled, I shipped 1000+ kilos for about $.50 per pound.

I changed the phone service in the bungalow to 3 lines and unlimited service to the internet. Use of the internet doesn’t tie up any of the other lines. Cost 112,000 pesos per month. We have basic cable for 10,000 per month and that provides about 6 stations in English, including Fox news. Later, I want to see what the next level provides and the cost.

My wife was happy living with me in Panama. However, now that she’s back with her family, I can see that she’s much more happy. The family unit here, is even closer than the family unit that I saw in Panama. I don’t understand how many men and women (more men than women) from other countries think that they can transplant a person far away from their families and expect/hope that person will be happy and or content. I think that it’s an invitation for disaster.

I enjoy our daily walks in to the central part of town. I like the fact hat we’re less noticed than in Panama. People are also more polite and respectful of ones presence when walking down a crowded street or market place. We take care of business and then visit different mercados for fruit, vegies, meat, household products......... When we’re finished, we return to our place in a taxi for 2300 pesos. Fruit and vegies are at least half the price of Panama. The variety and freshness is superior to Panama. Good meat and pork is about the same at around 5500 peso’s per pound. Bread is insanely cheap and very good. Then there’s all the other goodies. For me it’s an gastronomic paradise. Good thing I’m walking a lot. Cold beer (Poker) is available across the street for 1000 peso’s a pop.

The air is dryer and fresher here in the valley. The humidity of Panama affects everything. We been having some rains off and on for the last few days and it’s actually refreshing. Not stifling like Panama. I was actually a little cold in bed this morning.

The cold showers are an brisk awakening in the morning. I came down with a new suicide shower. That may need to be installed next week. Even my wife had become adjusted to warm/hot showers. I’m getting used to a not so private bathroom.

My medicines for allergy and arthritis are more than half as expensive than Panama and they’re delivered right to the door within minutes and at no charge for delivery. Also, when you call for a taxi, they’re there in less than 5 minutes. Usually 2 - 3 minutes. Haven’t had a taxi driver try to rip me yet.

I had problems receiving money from Atm’s last week. Only to find out that the Clave I’d been using no longer was good for international Clave’s. A good person from that bank helped me figure the problem out and directed me to another Clave/bank. All is well now and I’m using my card freely. During my problems, I’d called my bank in Panama about 5 times. All I got was run arounds and a whole lot of lies.

All in all I’m way far happier, relaxed and content here than Panama. I actually have less responsibilities here, than in Panama. Another pleasure is having someone else do the cooking. In Panama, my wife usually did breakfast and lunch and I did the dinner. Now my wife’s mother does the majority of the cooking. She’s a great cook and she’s enjoying having fresh meat and fish in the house to cook. Everyone in the house had their specific responsibilities, which overlap when one is occupied with another duty.

Late afternoon and in the evening, the people come out of their places to chat and relax. The children play and ride bikes in the street. Our place is located near the end of a street, so there is no highspeed traffic passing in front of the bungalows. I got into a real nasty bingo game last night at 50 pesos a pop. My wife and I took some heavy beatings and lost a whopping 1500 pesos.

That’s it for now. I’ll try to write more at a later time.

LWA

By Lowell on Sep 25, 2005, 09:23 in Friendly Talkzone.

boomer says on Sep 25, 2005, 10:20:

Glad to hear................ All is going good for you and your move to Colombia. Now, go do some fishing & don't forget to post the results W/foto's.

Chaoooo

Muchas prosperidad y buena salud en su futuro!

orgullo_de_colombia

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jbk0904 says on Sep 25, 2005, 12:47:

Well deserved Very glad to hear that someone from overseas to Colombia is doing very well. Here I see so many negative perspectives about Colombia and life in Colombia, which is not always a ture. People live every where around the world. Some do adopt new culture very well and some don't. I believe that it all depends on the person in many cases. I am also thinking about living in Colombia in my retired life, place like Perreira or some small city. Lowell, good luck and let us hear more positive things for all of us.

jbk0904 at hotmail.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Crazy Eagle says on Sep 25, 2005, 13:31:

what city you in? you no say.

"The natural rythmm of life is routine punctuated by orgy." Aldous Huxley

"The natural rhythm of life is routine punctuated by orgy" Aldous Huxley

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on Sep 25, 2005, 17:12:

Lowell, I am feeling a bit envious. The life you are describing would suit me fine. Please keep the posts coming and try and post a few photos, although your words alone are painting a picture all by themselves.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Sep 26, 2005, 05:15:

Life in Colombia I did get my Visa in Panama before arriving in Colombia. I'm just in the process of validating it. Upon entry one has 15 days to validate the Visa. I'm living in a mid sized pueblo called Cartago. We live in a Strata 3 neighborhood. I guess that would be somewhat like middle class.

Last night I slept better than I have in a long time. There was a gentle cool rain for most of the night. No cars racing around, no trucks, no sirens, no loud music... Just the gentle sound of the rain and the hum of my fan. If it weren't for getting the kids off to school, I'd still be in bed with my honey. I get a kick out of rubbing her pregnant belly and talking to our unborn child. Just like an earlier poster said, family/friend/neighborhood life is different down here. Different for the better. You can't help from being drawn into it.

LWA

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.