Odd things to a gringo in Colombia. Add if you got them.

nine inch nails says on Oct 28, 2008, 14:37:

or Central America. I almost got the phuck shocked out of me in C.R. one time when I went up to increase the amount of hot water coming out of the in-stream. Very fortunately they had it insulated well enough.

The Hedge funds have all gone wild on us!

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Colombiano_divino says on Oct 28, 2008, 14:51:

How about

4. How it takes Hours for colombians to decide something..can spend hours talking without coming with a result....ESPECIALMENTE MIS COSTEÑOS...jajajajaj

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Noelito40 says on Oct 28, 2008, 14:55:

Cheese in coffee!!!

Noelito

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bensark says on Oct 28, 2008, 15:02:

poor levels of service in some cities, mainly shops and restuarants i.e slow.

scamming taxi drivers principally in ctg

and how long it takes to pay utility bills or get something simple done like transfer a new cell number from a contract to pay and go even with the same company.

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cali_brahh says on Oct 28, 2008, 15:10:

Always late for events

Don't sell philly cheesesteaks in the cali airport

As of right now I'm in the airport on a layover four hours in depressing philadelphia !
A layover in cali is unbearable!!! But I'd rather be there chillin at juan valdez cafe

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paisa29 says on Oct 28, 2008, 15:13:

poor levels of service in some cities, mainly shops and restuarants i.e slow.

What do you mean with service? because people here in Colombia are the most helpful perpahs in the world.

Probably they don´t have enough resources but always are ready to help.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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paisa29 says on Oct 28, 2008, 15:37:

Otra de las cosas que los extranjeros pueden encontrar extraño en Colombia, es la calidez con la que se les recibe y se les abren las puertas, muchas personas estamos dispuestas
a ayudarles con información, etc.

Eso es algo a lo que nos están acostumbrados y muchas veces no saben como manejarlo.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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Monita Linda says on Oct 28, 2008, 15:39:

Vicks' VapoRub for everything: inftected earpiercings, burns, bruises, insect bites, dry skin, etc etc

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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babygirl says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:11:

Hotels don't seem to answer email inquiries for accommodations! Don't they want my money?

Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:24:

mail@bjorndeboeck.com says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:26:

no flushing paper down the toilet! You'll be swimming in your own doodoo if you do!

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babygirl says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:32:

hehehe...I'll have to train my daughter on that one when we go away. She's going to be SO grossed out.

Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:41:

babygirl: in the cities we DO flush the tp, unless you are going to be at a very low strato or the countryside.

Feliz Navidad!

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IloveCidy says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:50:

No I have been in really nice hotels and they still don't want you to flush the paper. I flush it anyway. I am not sleeping with duty paper in the next room.

I miss my novia!

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pavo says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:54:

One block of ice in warm cocacola that immediately melts and dilutes the drink

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L_pie_sah says on Oct 28, 2008, 16:56:

** beggers all in your car windows. or people with deformed faces asking for "UNA mONEDITA".** i hate that.
** little kids selling candy (not school fund raising)**
** tight streets **
** getting searched by police all the time**
** buying cellphone minutes**
** Colombian Hotdogs**

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 28, 2008, 17:47:

Most shocking to foreigners:
Having maids.
Not having to cook.
Coming tired after work or visiting with friends, and finding a clean house, and a nice 3 course meal!
Not having to do dishes.
Being able to drop by anytime of the day, week month at a friend`s home, and staying for dinner.
Going to a second home in the weekends, (fincas)
More than 2 people together at one time, gives you a reason to have a party!
Not driving to work, for over one hour!
At parties, they actually dance, and play a stereo or live music, not a radio.
When Colombians get a cigarette out of their pockets, they share with anyone around, they don`t take it out already let. LOL
Your neighbors actually talk to you.
You can order "arepas' or a drink, and it will be there in a few.
Teenagers are respectful.
Old people, stay at home with relatives.
24/7 Security buildings.
Kind and friendly people.

Feliz Navidad!

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paisa29 says on Oct 28, 2008, 17:56:

Good post Liza!

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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whitewidow says on Oct 28, 2008, 18:01:

Lisa - cooks? maids? sound a little classista to me.

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bickerss says on Oct 28, 2008, 18:28:

salt and lime in beer

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Noelito40 says on Oct 28, 2008, 18:48:

bickerss says on Oct 28, 2008, 18:28 (today): flag

salt and lime in beer


Salt in everything!! and loads of it...

Noelito

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cali_brahh says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:04:

I hate seeing the homeless kids that hold a huge poster board explaining how the farc effed up their lives and they have no place to go. How the farc killed their families etc etc

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IloveCidy says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:10:

Yeah homeless kids. It is disturbing to see homeless people, but homeless kids are really hard to see. Does the government do anything for the. A lot of them sniff glue too, so they can be dangerous.

I miss my novia!

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Monita Linda says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:14:

I hate people
asking moneditas
kids asking 1000 pesitos to call their parents
women asking 3000 mil to buy leche
People with (rented) children begging money
People doing stupid tricks on the street asking money
People plainly asking money
Kids selling stuff (and not going to school)
Kids following you all over for money..

I don't care any story or anything; I NEVER give out money (not even 50 pesos) to people -- that's how you keep it going!

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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johnny2008 says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:30:

I am pretty cool with everything, so call me pedantic and petty but the only thing that riles me is that bitch at the checkout that packs the groceries. I don't mind that she packs the groceries, that's kinda sweet, but then she goes and undoes all that sweetness by tying the feckin handles of the carrier bags together. They are handles FFS not drawstrings, now how am I supposed to carry it?

I know Colombia has some pretty major problems but the carrier bag thing is the only one that really properly upsets me.

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Noelito40 says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:35:

Yeah johnny2008 I'm with you on the carrier bag thing!! and while we are on plastic bags, why do you need a bag for everything?? even a neat and tidy carrier bag of milk complete with handle! is then put in a plastic bag!!! aaaahhh

I think it's because in Ireland (and in the UK too johnny as far as I know) we are trying to cut down on the use of plastic bags because the damn things take so long to biodegrade, and so there is a charge for each bag you get in a shop. In Colombia the staff look at me like I'm a leper when I tell them I don't want a bag!! (mind you I always tip the bag packers...)

Noelito

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bickerss says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:44:

The milk in pastic bags - that drives me stupid!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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bickerss says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:46:

being asked - ''cuantos cuartos'' when you buy with credit card. Never seen that anywhere else before.

Asking people if they wouldn't mind speaking slower so I can understand their spanish better and having them repeat it at the same pace or faster!!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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bickerss says on Oct 28, 2008, 20:02:

The guy or girl who, when you go into a clothes (or similar) shop, asks you if they can help you. When you tell them '' I am only looking'' they then act like serial stalkers and follow you everywhere, 1.5 steps behind.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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ronaldo says on Oct 28, 2008, 20:02:

I like Lisa Zee's post.
She has my vote for number one post in this offering.
Congradulations Lisa.

Ronaldo

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 28, 2008, 20:10:

Thanks paisa29 and rolando. ;)

Feliz Navidad!

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Simon says on Oct 28, 2008, 20:26:

Great list Lisa!!!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 28, 2008, 20:46:

Having (it's expected and acceptable) to beat on a table or whistle to get a waiter to bring another beer.

Seeing 3 or 4 people on one motorcycle. The moto is usually a 100cc.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Oviedo says on Oct 28, 2008, 20:55:

- guys eating hamburgers with plastic gloves

- having to run for your life on a pedestrian crossing

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Colombiano_divino says on Oct 28, 2008, 21:32:

Ha Ha....yes, ive seen that , they also use plastic gloves when consuming chicken at the malls....which is really smart acutally because your fingers dont wind up greasy and smelling like KFC and having those mandingo homeless dogs chase you around curramba

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 28, 2008, 21:59:

Same thing that Morphus said with the taxis also. You don't even need an especially large bill either. Like 10 mil for a 3.3 mil cab fare. I have had taxistas run down stopping busses, run into shops, just to try and break a 10 mil bill.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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deathnova says on Oct 29, 2008, 01:45:

Random bus boardings

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Mongo says on Oct 29, 2008, 01:47:

Women who cook.
Women who clean.
Women who sew.

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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Robert Scanlon says on Oct 29, 2008, 02:43:

Leche de magnesia as an deodorant
Vicks vapo-rub as a complete cure-all (as mentioned above)
A week having ocho dias
Soup and main meal arriving at same time
Putting milk into fruit juices
People driving too fast for no real reason
Everyone can dance better than me
Oh wait, that last one applies to the UK too.

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scumbuster says on Oct 29, 2008, 03:32:

Selling cigarettes individually. The milk in a plastic bag was a good one. I had almost forgotten that one. Lots of good ones here that I have begun to take for granted. lol the no change thing too.

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Mongo says on Oct 29, 2008, 03:41:

Pictures hanging on the walls really, really high.

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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lpdiver says on Oct 29, 2008, 04:28:

Construction workers bulldozing dirt onto the principle highway between Medellin and Bogota from a cliff a couple of hundred feet above the roadway, thus blocking the traffic for miles and hours in each direction. And then taking their time clearing it off.

Cute female bathroom attendant inside the mens room.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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paisa29 says on Oct 29, 2008, 05:41:

bickerss...

The guy or girl who, when you go into a clothes (or similar) shop, asks you if they can help you. When you tell them '' I am only looking'' they then act like serial stalkers and follow you everywhere, 1.5 steps behind.


That was exactly what I´m talking about, you can´t understand it... that is service for us... part of our culture, it doesn´t mean she is stalking you and you might be grateful because someone is trying to help you.


BTW it is not "cuantos cuartos" it is CUANTAS CUOTAS.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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paisa29 says on Oct 29, 2008, 05:45:

Colombians are now exporting bad service to the US.... morphus I think you don´t have any idea about what service is about.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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ellbee2 says on Oct 29, 2008, 06:35:

Being serenaded on the bus (some are quite good!) and the people that get on the bus to tell their tale of woe to the riders. Sometimes they even show you their physical malady. I think the these people are excellent orators! Love it!

"You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going because you might not get there." Yogi Berra

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Te Helado says on Oct 29, 2008, 06:39:

Odd things are as follows:

1) Lunch is the big meal
2) That there are not too many "gorditos" or "gorditas"
3) How expensive fast food is compared to the a regular meal.
4) Parents and children holding hands.
5) That an looking average gringo can look like "Brad Pitt".
6) How expensive gasoline is and the use of natural gas in the automobiles.
7) That you have to be careful shutting the car doors since they are so thin.
8) How friendly the people are.
9) How low paying the salaries are.
10) How you don't see as many older employees in corporations.
11) How you have someone watching your car and telling you how to park and backup.
12) The number of potholes or huelcos.
13) That you can't do simple transactions online.
14) That you don't get a ticket for blowing through a redlight.
15) That you wear Jeans not shorts when its 100 degrees out.
16) That aguadiente does not give you a hangover
17) The amount of american music they play in Colombia's major cities.

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Cerealkiller says on Oct 29, 2008, 06:40:

BF was surprised to see that Subway, McD's and pretty much every other restaurant in Bogota (except for El Corral) delivers. Also, the fact that you can buy cigarretes by the unit and the fact live-in maids' bedrooms are always by the kitchen, in some small invisible part of the property.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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bickerss says on Oct 29, 2008, 07:23:

Paisa29: Jump off that little high horse you are riding - that was said ''tongue in cheek'' and of course they are not actually 'stalking' me. And thanks for the spanish spelling lesson - your tops!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Lowell says on Oct 29, 2008, 07:24:

Always having to check everything you buy very well everytime!

Always having to watch your back. Even with family.

People who conduct themselves in public as if no one else existed. IE: opening doors on to the street, walking without looking where they are going, interupting when you are talking to a patron of a store or a service provider.

Taxis and other cars that accelerate when they see you crossing the street. Oh would I like to "make their day" with a good ole 44magnum.

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

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bickerss says on Oct 29, 2008, 07:29:

The lady cleaners in the toilets who will mop around you and in between your legs while takin a number 1.

The guy who gets on the long haul buses and gives a 15 minute speech on the positives of his product, and then gives one to each person before collecting them and getting off the bus. Once it was a viagra type product.

Green mango eaten with salt.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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azunoman says on Oct 29, 2008, 07:51:

To find out that you are about the only middle class disabled person in the city and they ask your party if you are a movie star...
That you are surrounded by a truly happy people.
Repair shops everywhere, the fix and reuse and don't throw away and by another.

everything that Lisa said!

Playing the ugly American on request or as required. Ready, Fire, Aim

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Man Tequila says on Oct 29, 2008, 09:04:

No hangovers from aguardiente?

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 29, 2008, 10:24:

One thing I thought was very strange was buying VIP movie tickets or choosing your own seat. That was odd.

And I don't agree with some of the items in Lisa's lists. For one, there are many, many nice people here in the US, especially in the south. Texans are extremely friendly and people here in Denver remind me a lot of people in Medellín on how friendly they can be.

Diana

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bickerss says on Oct 29, 2008, 10:42:

women ringing once on your phone, the proverbial 'pinge'' and then hanging up.

I too thought that one was odd Mononoke - however i like that system a lot better

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 29, 2008, 10:44:

I also think it's odd that Colombians don't leave voice mails. It's like they're embarrassed to do so. They always call, the call goes to voice mail and then hang up. Then a few minutes later they'll call again. Just leave a freaking voice mail and tell the person to call you back. LOL!

Diana

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 29, 2008, 10:57:

Here in California people are very nice and friendly, and every country has friendly people, but Colombians are notorious for being friendly people.

Feliz Navidad!

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 29, 2008, 11:10:

Some. Trust me, I've met my handful of HPs in every trip.

Diana

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Chriscan says on Oct 29, 2008, 11:28:

Service - service is better in Colombia if you understand how it works. Be demanding, say what you want, call the waiter over

but for me the biggest surprise is how civalized people are. They put up with nieghbours loud music, others holding them up, and otherthings taht would be considered disrepectful in Canada.

far less fighting in bars. people are way friendlier when they party

as for beggers - that doesn't change in many places in the world. I was surprised how Bolivia has hardly a begger in the country but it sure isn't unique to Colombia. There seem to be as many beggars in Calgary where there are far more jobs than people.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass. www.independentbanff.com

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smalawer says on Oct 29, 2008, 11:31:

eating chicken with packets of honey
colombians' amazing sense of balance (evidenced by their ability to stay upright on buses and micros)
being invited over to meet someone's family after only knowing them for 3 hours...and going

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pavo says on Oct 29, 2008, 11:32:

Hanging out the door of the bus at full speed.

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La_Huella says on Oct 29, 2008, 11:45:

How cheap everything is.

Delicious hamburguer 1/2 pound of meat and all the trimmings 4000 pesos! Market for the week 30000 pesos. Cheap polvo 30000 pesos. 1 hour massage (legitimate) 20000 pesos. The green too cheap to mention. Whatever you need you can get it on the cheap here if you know where to look for it.

Also how the weather is so constant it's almost frightening. When you are born and raised in a city that has very hot summers and VERY cold winters, to not have the temperature move more than 10 degrees F in months feels weird.

You can pay anything online here that you can in the USA. Many places require a Colombian bank account though, and a lot of people don't have accounts. But there's not a single monthly bill I have here that's not payable online.

Buses where there is NO room in between the seats. Even a 3 year old has to sit with his knees at his chest. Fortunatley most of these are already in the scrapyards and more are headed there every day.

A lot of what is posted here is common just about everywhere outside of the US, milk in plastic bags, for example, loose cigarettes for sale. A week having ocho dias is everywhere they speak Spanish. A lot of other things are typical to just about any big city. The toilet paper thing also is common in the world, it's only a few places where you can actually flush it.

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mranderson says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:02:

How colombians won´t eat a hamburger or sandwich without a napkin wrapped around it but they´ll stick thier fingers in soup.

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Oviedo says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:06:

"women ringing once on your phone, the proverbial 'pinge'' and then hanging up."

that's because they want you to call them back......too cheap to spend those 300 pesos. LOL

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mail@bjorndeboeck.com says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:11:

Mononoke, when calling a cell phone and there is no answer, you will first be told you will be connected with voice mail and will be charged from the next instant onwards. That's when people hang up; so they won't have to pay the connection fee.

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Monita Linda says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:33:

La_Huella; things are not so cheap in Colombia. Compare groceries! Milk, rice, etc is so effin expensive!

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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lpdiver says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:51:

Four splined door keys that operate door locks that have four bolts.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:59:

pavo says on Oct 29, 2008, 11:32 (today): flag

Hanging out the door of the bus at full speed.

a eso en Colombia le llamamos " Ir de Bandera" jejej :)))))

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pavo says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:08:

Ir de Bandera! Hillarious.

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johnny2008 says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:25:

Paisa29, those shop assistants are kinda stalkers, the reason they are following you in places like arturo calle is because they get a commission if they march you to the till when you finally decide to buy something.

I dont mind them stalking me, i just blow a fuse when i get to the checkout, they put my gay cardigan in a bag and the bitch ties the handles together

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:28:

johnny perhaps she is think you will be safer with the gay cardigan out of sight :))))

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johnny2008 says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:32:

Good point Kat, the majority of Colombian males are gay and they will have my clacker for breakfast if they get drift of the homosexual knitwear that i am sporting.

Speaking of cardigans, how is wales?

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:41:

Cold as hell!!! sorry i should say cold as a fridge.........I am in frezzing in here, can't wait to go.!!!!! we already have snow on the mountains, temperature now -1 :((( and it's not getting better.

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:50:

mail at bjorndeboeck.com says on Oct 29, 2008, 12:11 (today)
Mononoke, when calling a cell phone and there is no answer, you will first be told you will be connected with voice mail and will be charged from the next instant onwards. That's when people hang up; so they won't have to pay the connection fee.
----------------------------------
That I can understand. But they won't leave messages on the machine. Do they also get charged for that? I mean the machine already picked it up. What gives?

Diana

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 29, 2008, 13:53:

Another odd thing, eating fried chicken with plastic gloves on. I personally like it, but a bit weird.

Diana

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johnny2008 says on Oct 29, 2008, 14:14:

A girl I work with always wears a plastic glove on one hand, I presumed it was for wanking off truckers

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Monita Linda says on Oct 29, 2008, 15:16:

Oh how can I forget; having 3 cellphones because the rates to/from other providers are fokking expensive!

And every female has to have at least one blusa de tiras and polo from GEF! (except those in cold places like bogota)...

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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scumbuster says on Oct 29, 2008, 15:28:

I wondered about the cell phone thing. I just thought the mother in law was weird about that.. lol

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Monita Linda says on Oct 29, 2008, 15:33:

No it's quite normal, cellphones are expensive (though landlines are even worse sh%%). Calling to someone from the same provider is ok, but if you call to someone with another provider its fokking expensive. That's why many people have several phones for diff companies!

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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Colombiano_81 says on Oct 29, 2008, 20:42:

people budding lines with absolutly no respect whatsoever. Cutting your conversation with the store attendant off to ask for something.

Domicilios (home delivery) from the cigarreria (you can get almost anything you would at a regular market here..eggs, milk, bread, deodorant, toilet paper, diapers, empanadas whatever), drugstore, bakery etc.

Friendly people non chaotic people. Young people are nicer, more polite than in N.A.

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 29, 2008, 21:42:

I'm not sure that I understand your point. In Texas I used to turn my cattle out to graze along the road back when the county was free range. Lot of good grass there that I hated to see go to waste.

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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La_Huella says on Oct 30, 2008, 00:51:

Movistar lets you have your elegidos with any provider you want now, including fijos. I hate Movistar though. Every time I call someone and it's distorted or breaking up, it's always a Movistar number I'm calling. I just stick with Comcel and if I have to call another provider I use the minute vendors or the cabins or VOIP. And yes if you leave a message you have to pay per minute just as if you were talking, once you get past the beep.

Monita, groceries are what I'm talking about that are so cheap. 30 or 35k lasts me a whole week here, eating like a king. I don't know what you buy or where you buy it, but it's very easy to get by on very little here.

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Monita Linda says on Oct 30, 2008, 04:01:

Tell us how. Milk is so freaking expensive, rice too, eggs, etc

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 30, 2008, 05:30:

I agree monita, my mother told how the price of rice has gone up a lot!

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paisa29 says on Oct 30, 2008, 05:56:

If you want to meet real stalkers go to Cusco in Peru, you´ll have at least 5 people waiting for you at the bus station or airport, they fight among themselves, they offer you a ride, a hotel room,restaurants,tours,etc, after you pick someone or they decide who is going to be your "guide" then this person will follow you everywhere the whole time, will call to your hotel room.
When are you going to have dinner in Plaza de Armas then you will find more people trying to get you for the restaurant they work for.
The worst thing is all these people offer you lots of things but in the most cases they don´t keep their word.
If you are a gringo (male) poor you the "bricheras" will follow you at the bar or disco.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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papiChulo says on Oct 30, 2008, 08:36:

So whats a litre of milk going for these days in Colombia and while we're at it, a dozen eggs?

Is beer still cheap? I like Culb Colombia... how much is that now? Has it gone up 200 pesos and the NMGs are crying into their Pilsen o Agulia now?

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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bickerss says on Oct 30, 2008, 08:40:

Litre of milk is 1700 pesos from Carulla.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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papiChulo says on Oct 30, 2008, 08:52:

thanks bickress... I don't drink milk... its fokin gross.

Anyway... do you skydive in Colombia?

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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bickerss says on Oct 30, 2008, 08:58:

Have not in colombia - not sure where I can do it. The one near medellin closed down.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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mranderson says on Oct 30, 2008, 09:14:

I need some lessons from la huella on how to eat like a king on 35k pesos a week. I don´t know how to do that.

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Monita Linda says on Oct 30, 2008, 10:05:

Bickers thats prob fresh milk that gets bad fast...

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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La_Huella says on Oct 30, 2008, 10:17:

It's easy... buy at the plazas de mercado and buy the bulk stuff around Av Jimenez. And learn how to cook. Don't buy ANYTHING in a package. Buy it all fresh, in small quantities, twice a week.

Of course, fresh milk is vastly superior to the crap you'd buy in a supermarket which actually has poison added, meaning palm derivatives and other crap. You have to buy it more frequently in lesser quantities, which is a pain, but your body will thank you for it.

I don't know for the life of me why anybody in Colombia would buy at a supermarket, when the prices are jacked up way beyond most people's ability to afford it, and the quality is in the toilet. If you have the mentality that it's worth it to pay more money for lower quality product just because it's more convenient, the problem isn't the cost of things here, it's your own mentality!

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papiChulo says on Oct 30, 2008, 10:51:

la huella.... you make some good points and very true. I think most ppl that complain about the price of food in Colombia can't cook for the life of them and need to use packet/processed food... Learn to adapt to your environment ppl.

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 30, 2008, 10:59:

Colombiano_81 says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:03:

One fish in a packet in a supermarket...13,000 pesos. At the barrio mercado 3.500 a pound. Only stratus snobby people shop at supermarkets carrullas and stuff.

How is milk expensive? 1400 pesos...you call that expensive? about 60 cents a litre. In Canada i remember it was like 1 50 a litre or more. Rice did go up but its still cheaper than N.A. Maybe 7.000 pesos (3.50 US) for 3000grams.

Food here IS cheap. The problem is that msot gringos buy at these chain stores that obviuosly jack prices way up.

0 funny, 1 helpful.

Colombiano_81 says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:04:

odd thing: Fokin Fleas! Anybody have a cure?

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:10:

prices of food seem to vary from city to city, of course in Bogota food can be cheap, but in Villavo some types of food are more expensive as some have to be brought from the Capital.

rice it's very expensive in Villavo, potatoes and some others thigs, no matter if you go to a supermarket or your locally grocery.

when the road to villavo get blocked due to landslide or other reason, some products become more expensive,

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scumbuster says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:14:

Cowboy. You need to get out of the city. lol They graze cows next to 4 lane highways. I even have seen them in the median strip between 4 lane highways. It’s not like letting them out to roam the countryside. They tie them up with just enough rope to keep them off the highway. Not unusual to see one right on the edge of the road.

Just returning from Bogota Sunday some of the stuff is still fresh in my mind. Some friends of my mother in law were over and I saw the 14 yr. old son holding hands with his father. Someone earlier said holding hands is common. Even between a father and older son?

I did notice fast food, McDonalds in Unicentro and a pizza joint in Santa Barbara Mall was about the same cost as here in the states. I also had a big breakfast at a little village a couple hours outside Bogota and for 4 of us it was about $12. Some type of potato soup, rice and beans, chicken, arapa and chocolate. Was another great vacation visiting the in-laws. Spent a lot more time outside Bogota this trip. Looking for a mountain top to buy. Lol. What a view some had.

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mranderson says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:35:

The local grocery here is not much cheaper than the big supermarkets. I mean you save a few thousand here and there and that adds up, but no way I can get my grocery bill down to 35k for a week. And I don´t buy packaged food. Sometimes the big supermarkets are cheaper when they have sales.

I don´t know about the plazas de mercado. What is that? Wholesale or something? Where do I find those? In medellin that is.

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 30, 2008, 13:24:

Another weird thing. Each residence has its own phone number and you can't take it with you when you move, even if you're the owner of the place. Plus, when you rent, your landlord pays for your phone bill, at least they did when I was a kid. Weird, huh?

Diana

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bickerss says on Oct 30, 2008, 16:39:

That in Santander they eat (and like eating) ants. Like nuts!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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casa_de_norte says on Oct 30, 2008, 17:09:

employers not paying wages timely..... My wife worked, on contract, for a guy, and he promised to pay her every 30 days... sometimes 40 days, sometimes 50.....She just used to put up with it until I told her to hold back her work until he paid... interestly, he started paying 30 days promptly...

"Why cain't we all jus' git along?!?! "----- The great Rodney King

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bickerss says on Oct 30, 2008, 17:39:

Turning left from the right hand lane and right from the left hand lane - and the fact that this does not cause severe road rage!!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Chriscan says on Oct 30, 2008, 18:55:

For sure, there is much less road rage in Colombia. People will shout things but they are not enraged.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass. www.independentbanff.com

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La_Huella says on Oct 30, 2008, 21:38:

That's one thing I find weird here. People even when their angry are so polite and NICE to each other. It's like, come on man, you're angry, Colombia has all these great curse words, USE THEM!

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goin_south says on Oct 30, 2008, 21:52:

Carrrrramba! I just read through this list and finally realized: COLOMBIA REALLY SUCKS!

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

goin_south says on Oct 30, 2008, 21:53:

....kidding, Simon.... jus kiddin, Monpirri....

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Desi1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 31, 2008, 02:50:

"odd thing: Fokin Fleas! Anybody have a cure?" (Colombiano_81)

yeah, move to warm climate.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Te Helado says on Oct 31, 2008, 07:07:

In the major cities, how slow, unpunctual and carefree a Colombiano's life is. But when he/she gets into an automobile that person turns into Speed Racer and the swearing, beeping of the horn and the rush to get somewhere begins.

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Mongo says on Oct 31, 2008, 07:40:

How everyone I meet there supports their President!!

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 31, 2008, 08:16:

what my husband find facinating instead off odd, if that in Colombia we can turn and old fridge, bike, cooker into a new one. My niece have an old bike and we took it to a BIKE SHOP and the guy, re-spray , personalised the the bike and add new accsories to it, everything came out for the fraction of the cost of a new bike,.

also i had a very old battered fridge, the motor of the fridge was still working and the guy told me it was a very good motor, but the shelf of the fridge was in a very bad condition, we took it to a guy in villavo and he changed the whole shelf, i choose the color i wanted and i ended up with a brad new personalised fridge!!!

what about that!

also they can make, paint, repair, copy any pair of shoes you want very cheap, AND CLOTHES!!!

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pavo says on Oct 31, 2008, 09:14:

How no one comes running when food is served. Hot food will sit on the table for a while until people approach it. Also, eating the soup as the main dish sits next to it getting cold.

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bickerss says on Oct 31, 2008, 09:46:

If you visit someone they have to feed you - even if u have just eaten or are going out to a restaurant after.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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paisa29 says on Oct 31, 2008, 09:56:

Deberiamos crear tambien una sección que diga las cosas raras que hacen los extranjeros en Colombia.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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johnny2008 says on Oct 31, 2008, 12:49:

"Deberiamos crear tambien una sección que diga las cosas raras que hacen los extranjeros en Colombia."

De acuerdo. Sería completamente justo.

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 31, 2008, 14:12:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 31, 2008, 15:37:

it means " have a sit because the waiting is looooong" jejeje

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casa_de_norte says on Oct 31, 2008, 21:19:

I have a take on what Kat was saying.. Colombians can get by on very little material stuff..... Where I will run out to the store to buy something, my wife will just ask, :"why do you need that?" and will probably come up with 10 reasons to return it, rather than keep it... I have to say, I begrudgenly agree with her 99% of the time...

Also, siesta after noon meals... my wife's family always eat lunch together and nap for an hour afterwords..They would rather work until 7pm and have an afternoon siesta, than get home early..

Finally, can't get anything done unless you run it by "your brother's sister in law's niece's cousin's friend"

"Why cain't we all jus' git along?!?! "----- The great Rodney King

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christobeldawg says on Oct 31, 2008, 21:55:

wedding dress stores everywhere

10 minute required hellos and good byes

not big on saying excuse me or I am sorry in public

not big on criticism

vindictive, or cold, over perceived injustices

they like cold showers

many holidays, but they never know what they are

nobody seems to buy anything in the expensive malls

men wear pocket purses, and are very huggy like with each other, even if macho

women will not leave the home without a shower first

always late

close talkers, and demand much more eye contact than in north america, or otherwise, "what is wrong?"

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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billyb says on Oct 31, 2008, 22:09:

wedding dress stores everywhere. never noticed

10 minute required hellos and good byes. Yup, but what can you do?

not big on saying excuse me or I am sorry in public. Now that one is a hard one to accept, but true.

not big on criticism, But made up by rolling of eyes.

vindictive, or cold, over perceived injustices. Ah yes, otherwise we would just be run-of-the-mill south americans, that is our essence.

they like cold showers. For some, a neccesity, not a choice.

many holidays, but they never know what they are. Who really cares? You get a 3 day weekend out of it.

nobody seems to buy anything in the expensive malls. Do most poeple?

men wear pocket purses, and are very huggy like with each other, even if macho. Ok dawggie, here is where I have to draw the line, we might be huggy, but what kind of faggy colombians are you meeting that wear pocket purses?

women will not leave the home without a shower first. Nor should they.

always late. Amen brother.

close talkers, and demand much more eye contact than in north america, or otherwise, "what is wrong?" I hear ya brother dawg.

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christobeldawg says on Oct 31, 2008, 22:17:

just chiming in billyb, whazzup turd?

wedding dress stores every other store downtown bogota

on cold showers, I know some folks that genuinely prefer them, even if hot water available, but yeah, I know more who don't have that advantage, and hate the cold duchas.

I like that the women are very cleanliness obsessed.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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billyb says on Oct 31, 2008, 23:13:

Not to imply they were not good obsevations ;) What's up dawg? Long time not post at this time. Where are TG and HG? Ok, and SG?

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billyb says on Oct 31, 2008, 23:15:

BTW, when I'm in Cali, I take four showers a day. One when i wake up, one after sieasta after lunch, one before I go out for the night, and one when I get home and can't go to sleep all sweaty.

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goin_south says on Oct 31, 2008, 23:40:

CBD.... jejejej.. dude, I think maybe you and I should take a trip to VietNam.... and find some APPRECIATIVE/SUBMISSIVE....LADIES! jajajejje....

One thing I can say,... Billyb neva did try to hug me, but then....I'm not colombiano ;-)

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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billyb says on Nov 1, 2008, 00:22:

jejeje, GS, you understand, it's a colombian thing, no offense ;)

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billyb says on Nov 1, 2008, 00:25:

And BTW GS, you forgot to mention I also DIDN'T have no gay purse ( yes, i know it's a double negative), like dawggie seems to have come across so OFTEN in Colombia ;))

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christobeldawg says on Nov 1, 2008, 07:49:

maybe the men's purse thingie is just a big city metrosexual norm, still, we don't allow those around these parts.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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christobeldawg says on Nov 1, 2008, 07:52:

GS we definitely picked the wrong country for appreciative\submissive ladies, jeez what's with these seemingly so sweet and then suddenly explosive ticking time bombs.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

1 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Nov 1, 2008, 10:51:

jajaj the cold shower made me laugh - colombians think they are good for the bdy and seeing how hot they are, maybe they have it right.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

1 funny, 0 helpful.

La_Huella says on Nov 1, 2008, 10:55:

I rock the mochila myself. I love it.

People say they're sorry and excuse me here but they have a way of saying it that really says "abrase gran hijueputa".

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Colombiano_81 says on Nov 1, 2008, 12:44:

the purse is called a kangaroo. It wraps around your waist.

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scumbuster says on Nov 2, 2008, 03:59:

Oh yes. If you go anywhere near a group of restaurants there will be at least one person from each place trying to get you to take his menu and talk you into eating at there place. As a hungry person looking for a meal you attract a crowd in a hurry

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bickerss says on Nov 3, 2008, 04:21:

I had never seen before a service like being able to order a washing machine for a few hrs and having it arrive at your house on a motor scooter.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 3, 2008, 04:29:

bickerss says on Nov 1, 2008, 10:51: flag

jajaj the cold shower made me laugh - colombians think they are good for the bdy and seeing how hot they are, maybe they have it right.

¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?

Cold shower is actually very good for one's circulation.

Something I find a bit odd (but very nice) is that all the trousers in arturo calle are about 10 inches too long for my legs. So you buy them, they measure you up, then you go back 2 hours later and they are magically the right length.

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Adriana_Garcia-Ortega says on Nov 5, 2008, 15:44:

I'm laughing badly. ( I had to reent myself a washing machine as mine is being repaired. ) One odd thing for gringos is actually this word is used as a compliment and not as an insult. Gringos, are very well apreciated in this country.

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