Queen of Crocodiles: Colombiana Builds Handbag Empire With Exotic Reptile Skins

morphus says on Apr 2, 2008, 09:04:

I wonder if she can make me a alligator blazer for less tha 10K

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 2, 2008, 09:06:

Considering a career in pimping are you Morph?

morphus says on Apr 2, 2008, 09:09:

Alligator pants are nice too

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 2, 2008, 09:17:

Man. That's got to be hot as hell. It seems like you would get a bad case of swamp ass in those things.

In reading the article, it's nice to see her business doing so well. Her prices are actually pretty "reasonable" when compared with what women will pay for overpriced logos on purses. That is one thing I have steadfastly refused to buy any woman.

miamimike says on Apr 2, 2008, 11:59:

She sells in an extremely pricey locale, the Shoppes of Bal Harbor on Collins ave, most expensive clothing and jewelery stores in all of Miami.I would go there for a visit as its only 3 miles from home but I doubt the Guards would let me park my banged up yamaha motorscooter in the garage,,,

"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.,

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 2, 2008, 12:04:

Oh I know all about Bal Harbour Shops. It seems to be the favorite destination of many Colombianas with a tourist visa and some money in their pockets. I have tried to convince some of my relatives and a few friends that this place is a rip-off and that they can get most of the same stuff elsewhere for less.

I actually wrote a Colombian girlfriend off because she told me that was her favorite place to shop. I am not financing that kind of lifestyle.

island girl says on Apr 2, 2008, 12:10:

Hey do you think you can buy Nancy Gonzalez bags in Colombia? And would they be cheaper than in USA/Canada/Europe?

In general are there nice leather (or croc, etc) bags/goods available in Colombia?

miamimike says on Apr 2, 2008, 12:13:

IG-No its cheaper here in the USA at the moment due to the High Euro currency and devalued US Dollar.

CG--if you have a ladyfriend who likes shopping/dining at Bal Harbor, hope you have some deep pockets. She's a Gold Digger!

"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.,

Sam Salmon says on Apr 2, 2008, 12:25:

Did you know they use *baby* alligators for skins!

Talk about child murderers!

I think we need PETA on this case (!)

' a la orden!'

island girl says on Apr 2, 2008, 12:28:

Those-in-the-knows:

Any info on leather or croc products available to buy IN Colombia at decent prices appreciated ... am heading to Colombia soon and have friends here (Canada) with serious handbag fetishes and so thinking of business ops

Cheers :)

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 2, 2008, 13:20:

mike, As I said in the post, "I wrote her off" and that comment was one of the reasons. That is why I gave up on North Bogota girls. Many of them want to go from Papa's wallet to Papacito's wallet and this Papacito ain't playing that game.

miamimike says on Apr 2, 2008, 17:05:

CG--wise move.

"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.,

Robert Jorge says on Apr 2, 2008, 18:32:

Doesn't alligator fetus leather have softer qualities?

--"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

adrimm says on Apr 2, 2008, 19:02:

Bad Bad Bad.

In Colombia, unless you can prove it comes from farmed Colombian crocs don't support it....

I learned this past trip that along the Amazon they are have been hunted almost to extinction for commercial purposes.


http://books.google.ca/books?id=GWtfvfKMJLwC&pg=PA59&lpg=PA59&dq=croco... hunted leticia&source=web&ots=H-edoqygsM&sig=q384gv7Aoto1fa05Zt9n2Nff0ug&hl=en

miamimike says on Apr 2, 2008, 19:40:

RJ--that very well could be true what you write. If thats the case, no shortage of Alligator Hides here in south florida. They keep increasing in Population the Hunters can't kill enough of them to keep the population in check. Yesterday moring in Ft Lauderdale, they caught a monster 400 pounder right next to the traffic lane on 441 (I believe), These Hides can and are sold on the Legal market.

"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.,

Robert Jorge says on Apr 3, 2008, 00:34:

I was being a smart-ass MM, directed at Morphus. But you are correct MM. The gators are getting out of control in central and south Florida. (It's a good thing - they were highly endangered 30 years ago) But obviously responsible culling of the herd is necessary, and also would be quite profitable. I used to walk and bike the trails along the canals south and east of Homestead and Florida City. I always loved seeing the gators. One almost got my German Shepard once. I started carrying a shotgun after that incident. I saw a lot of Manatees too which was pretty cool. Anybody who wants to see Florida wildlife in the Miami area just needs to take the turnpike south to US1. Make a left at the light (Palm Dr.) and go about 1/2 mile past the Homestead speedway. Then, park and take a walk down a Turkey Point access road that has a canal running parallel. You will see manatees, gators, ospreys, bald eagles, and other critters. Great fishing also. Peacock bass love the area.

--"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

morphus says on Apr 3, 2008, 04:29:

Alligator fetus leather? Good idea!

miamimike says on Apr 5, 2008, 23:07:

RJ--I like the Gator Ball/Frogleg dinners with a side of Hushpuppies and Cole Slaw and Ice Tea of Course. A True Redneck Dinner! LOL And a Good one at that! LOL . They used to serve these at Dade Corners restuarant & Shell Station (sw 8 st& krome ave) but I like this Plate best in Clewiston by Lake Ockechobee. Eat like the Locals~I always enjoy the ride down to Homestead for a Mexican Dinner then on to Everglades national park. Talk about wildlife! Last time I was there I saw a Friggin Humongous Rattlesnake slither across the road. I stopped to get pictures but by the time I got the Camcorder out he was in the swale with his rattles above the grass as moved away.No way was I going to hustle up on him for a lousy picture! LOL A deportation officer I worked with at the Krome detention Center was bitten by a Pygmy Rattler inside the Krome Center. he was moving a small pile of 2 x 4s and one was at the bottom of the pile and it nailed him a good one. His Arm swelled up like Popeye's forearm and he was rushed down to Baptist Hospital ER on Kendall drive. Once inside he was given Anti-Venom but still he almost lost his arm the bite was that lethal. The snake was only 20 inches long or and was killed and transported to the ER for the Doc to see to verify it was a Rattler's bite. A lot of people in the last few years in SW Miami have been bitten by Snakes east of Krome Ave from SW 8 st down to sw 88(kendall dr) bordered by Krome ave. In this Rectangle a lot of homes have been built there but no one has told the Snakes and as far as they know, its still their home territory. I've never taken that trip you describe but next time I'm in Homestead for a Mexican Dinner(best mexican food around miami btw) I'll keep your route in Mind and take a run over there on my Scoot!

"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.,

Robert Jorge says on Apr 6, 2008, 00:03:

If you walk down those access roads west of Turkey Point, also be careful. A lot of car thieves and other criminals dump stripped cars, and yes - bodies down there. I often would go target shooting out there. Pretty much any given day I would go out, I would come across cars that had been stolen and then dumped. Luckily, I never ran into any of the criminals themselves. I was quite prepared though just in case. My anti dog eating gator gun was a Mossberg 590 12 gauge with 9 in the pipe, 1 in the chamber. I was also usually with an intimidating looking German Shepard. But anyway, the wildlife down there is incredible. Gators everywhere.

MM, do you ever stop for an exotic fruit smoothie at "Robert is Here" fruit stand on your way to the Everglades? I took it for granted when I lived there, but now really miss it. Where else in the US can you get a guanabana shake or buy a 5 pound bag maracuya?

--"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