Monteria and Sincelejo - buying a gora

Robert Jorge says on Dec 21, 2007, 09:59:

First, Utopia Cowboy has changed his handle. He is now actively posting as John Stark.

I noticed the shirts that people wear in Colombia also, with the English gibberish. I thought it was kind of funny. "Rebel without a Clue" ... that is a Tom Petty song from 1989. Johnny Depp was in the video. Pretty funny a grandma was wearing a shirt with those words - bet she didn't have a clue.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

tejasmarcos says on Dec 21, 2007, 11:01:

i've seen the same shirts here in medellin. the english phrases are complete nonsense or possibly misprints as indicated by van. i see some from time to time with sexual connotations - i often wondered if the person was aware of the meaning.

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

Strobers says on Dec 21, 2007, 11:50:

That's one thing that cracks me up too, all the hats and shirts with English slogans on them. When we went to Colombia this last time, I noticed my brother-in-law was wearing a shirt from the university I went to for my under grad degree and then realized that my wife had given it to him the year before.

"Life is too serious to be taken seriously"

Lowell says on Dec 22, 2007, 11:49:

A neighbor was wearing a t-shirt with the saying, sexy 69. She had no clue until I told her. The look on her face was priceless.

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

john_stark says on Dec 22, 2007, 17:17:

That's hilarious. I don't know where they got the idea that if it's got some English slogan on it, it must be "cool". Especially in Monteria of all places. It's nice to see someone post about Cordoba - I'd like to hear more!

vanwely says on Dec 26, 2007, 13:06:

John Stark (UC!!!),

I had been looking for you as I knew you had contacts in Monteria.

I enjoyed my short week there. This is my wife's hometown and we stayed with her sister in a
neighborhood called 6 de Marzo or something like that. My observations:

- The moto taxis have taken over Monteria and there is a perpetual game of chicken going on between the regular taxis and motos who openly dislike each other.

- We had no computer and only a little black and white TV which we never watched. I spent most of the time sitting in the courtyard talking to the steady stream of neighbors and family that came by. I really enjoyed this aspect where people actually talk to each other - instead of staring at a box.

- Went to Exito for groceries a few times. The prices are very similar to US.

- Loved the neighborhood panaderia, phone stores and tiendas. When you finished your Coca Cola or Colombiana you just walked the half block to get another.

- Ate so healthy as opposed to junk food here. I had a tortoise dish, ate tons of platanos, sancocho, chorizos con huevos, papaya, and mango directly from the tree in the backyard.

- There were iguanas constantly creeping about on the trees above us. Also a feisty pavo and a crippled dog in the courtyard.

- Never saw another gringo.

- Went to town center a couple of times. Took the planchon over the river to the other side then walked to my wife's old high school (I think it was called Normal). There were still teachers there from 30 years ago.

- The park by the river had bunches of iguanas, and micos running around loose in the trees.
There was supposed to be a perezoso but I didn't see them. I pointed to my wife's nephew "look at the perezoso", He said where? I pointed to my wife. He laughed. My wife didn't. My ribs should be healed in another month or so.

- Took a day trip on a crowded bus to Sincelejo to visit the rest of the family on a finca. Beautiful place with wild exotic birds, chickens, pigs, goats, etc. Also rich farmland with papaya,
mandarina, plantanos, yucca, n~ame and more.

- Also went to Sampues and went through all the shops selling wood products.

My wife returns tomorrow. She has a camera full of pictures.

Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

goin_south says on Dec 26, 2007, 14:45:

my novia was offered a job in Monteria for better pay/(even!) more travel, lil over two years ago. But, they wanted her to sign a 3-year contract. Her choice, not to do it. Damn... should have told her to take it. This long, and... I know, or would imagine I'm right in assuming the WEATHER AND COMMUNICATIONS HAVE GOT TO BE BETTER THAN TO/FROM THAT damn lil commune known as Pasto, to the south.

And, UTC's commentario on Monteria always has struck me as a very interesting off-the-beaten-gringo-path place to go. Sincelejo? My favorite name of all the towns in Colombia. What does it mean, in english?

and, thank you.

Sam Salmon says on Dec 26, 2007, 19:41:

Monteria-lovely area-hot dusty and full of AUC-it's your decision.

' a la orden!'

goin_south says on Dec 26, 2007, 22:39:

but, I can never get away from the (U T C's) thoughts and comments about the SWAYING HIPS OF THE YOUNG COSTENAS (?) ALONG THE _________RIVER. WHAT IS THAT RIVER'S NAME?

and, thank you.

goin_south says on Dec 26, 2007, 22:41:

I happen to believe in UTC's claim that,, .. once you're in, if you're in... with the AUC... they will be your asset, not liability.

and, thank you.

john_stark says on Dec 27, 2007, 23:46:

The Sinu, dude.

Awesome post, Vanwely! You're right - you don't need a tv because there is so much entertainment in the street. Are you gonna post some pics?

christobeldawg says on Dec 28, 2007, 00:14:

nothin against tv, per se, John, but you're right, whenever I have been most into life, I never even knew what was on tv

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 28, 2007, 04:25:

What's a gora?

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

goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 13:37:

Al Gora? El hombre del Mundo mas caliente?

and, thank you.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:20:

" wanted to buy a gora with something in Spanish on it, but couldn't find one anywhere except one with Che on it." OP

Every time I see this thread I wonder what on earth can a *gora* be. I dont't think it's Al Gore.....rather some kind of garment....

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

goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:23:

yeah, me 2.
And, I was nosily wondering why vanwely had skipped out of Colombia for three years?
what is 'angora', a sort of .. wool, right? maybe gora is related.

and, thank you.

Miguel says on Dec 28, 2007, 16:03:

Gorra de visera quiere decir a cap with a visor (baseball, football, etc) y hay muchos que tienen algo en el español en colombia...Junior, Aguila, entre otros.

(Traté de escribir el "A" con el acento pero parece que no puedo en PBH)

¡No joda!

Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 28, 2007, 16:12:

Ohhhh thanks Miguel. It was a *gorra*. I don't know why I didn't get it.

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

Miguel says on Dec 28, 2007, 16:18:

Hay demasiados gorras de los New York Yankees en colombia.

¡No joda!

goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 16:24:

and, there are too many cardinals in Rome

and, thank you.

Miguel says on Dec 28, 2007, 17:39:

57 channels and nothing on maríca.

john_stark says on Dec 28, 2007, 17:41:

All those damm Yankees caps. I usually wear my University of Montana Grizzlies cap. I'm sure that's got 'em wondering.

christobeldawg says on Dec 28, 2007, 23:52:

John, I think what has 'em wonderin' is that doll.com you have in the passenger seat of your rental car.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

john_stark says on Dec 29, 2007, 13:58:

Rental car? You'd have to be insane to drive in Monteria.