Reasons for moving to Colombia (or any other country)

Robert Jorge says on Jan 3, 2007, 00:01:

I agree with everything you said, and have the same thoughts and questions. As much as I like having "things", I lived without "things" in Colombia, and that was the happiest I ever was in my life. I am back in the rat-race, I have my things, and I am miserable.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on Jan 3, 2007, 06:13:

I never felt better than when I got rid of everything I owned that didn't fit into 2 suitcases and a carry on, then boarded a plane for Uruguay (not even knowing exactly where it was or what was ahead). Talk about taking a weight off your shoulders. It has been 5 years since I have owned a car! (I had two) I don't miss the hassles, although I'd like to get a Willyz because it would make trips to the farm with my wife's 30 family members a lot easier. If things don't work out here, I might have to go back to said rat-race which I don't want to do. I'm acutally looking to do oil work or whatever in some god forsaken outback for several months a year, just so I can come back here and live again. (if anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated).
Can't forget the abscence of all the people who have tons of stuff and keep bitching for more, or their winny kids. Oh and the fat people that supposedly do everything but can never lose weight, and the Oprah worshipers, can't forget them either. OOPS wait, I forgot that I came here to forget them.....

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

milanojps says on Jan 7, 2007, 18:58:

Glad to see others feel the same way... I just got back from visiting friends in Bogota (three week trip). All of the above went through my mind. I'm now doing everything I can to try to leave and move to Bogota within the next several years. You can't take the "toys" with you as they say. Life is too short. Yes, I could do without those fat Oprah worshipers.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

southern151 says on Jan 7, 2007, 19:06:

Hey Bufalo... I'm acutally looking to do oil work or whatever in some god forsaken outback for several months a year, just so I can come back here and live again. (if anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated).

Are you speaking of refinery work(turnarounds)? If you are, I can help you out. I am considering doing the same. I already work turnarounds(worldwide) and can set you up to do the same. It is a lot of hours but the money is good. Get in, make your money and, get the hell out. That is how we do it. Let me know if I can help. The money you'd make here would help you pretty comfortable there from what I understand. As I said, I am considering doing the same thing. I am not sure if I can give up my Harley though. LOL!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

anonimo says on Jan 7, 2007, 19:13:

I am hoping to move to

I am hoping to move to Bogota in the next 2-3 years.

Reason.. time for a change, met a good woman & I have no family, to keep me where I live now

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on Jan 7, 2007, 19:31:

I don't think you know what your talking about You can't live a simple life. You need a car and house and this that this etc etc.

Almost ANY rural farm town in the U.S. is CHEAPER than what you will find in COLOMBIA and the living is what you make of it.

If you want to leave the rat race,, IE: Live well, have investments, a good job, lots of places to visit,, then why bother going to Colombia? Go to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, East Texas. You can still purchase a nice house for 30 to 35K and guess what,, they all speak perfect English in these little towns.

PS: This is a Pitaya / Banana mix just before being smoothieized.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on Jan 7, 2007, 19:47:

Sometimes I wonder it would make trips to the farm with my wife's 30 family members a lot easier.

Exactly what people are thinking ???

Charter a bus. That’s what I do. The last one was an almost new 25 Passenger diesel. I’d think the owner would allow some kids to share a seat, or stand or sit on the floor.

Plus, do you really want to drive up into the mountains? I guess that’s where you are thinking of going? Jeeps are expensive to operate but necessary in most places due to the conditions of the roads and the roads are usually NARROW.

The idea of getting 25 people in a jeep is a little ambitious,, I've never seen more than 19 or 20. Can the family members stand on the back bumper and sit on the top?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

southern151 says on Jan 7, 2007, 19:49:

I grew up in Oklahoma... and the place SUCKS!!!! Kansas, Arkansas and East Texas(from my view) are no better. Also, take into account the women and the overall culture. There is no culture left in those areas. It has been replaced with meth! I am ignorant to the ways of Colombia for the most part but I hope that it can be better than the places that you gave as examples. This is only my opinion and am not trying to be offensive so, please, there is no need for a full-on verbal assault. LOL!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Jan 7, 2007, 19:57:

at Southern151...they have a HD dealership in Bogota... get a new one, OR, being true to yours, you can ship yours in parts, (maybe 3-4 sections) kind of like the factory does to get around the import laws there...ever see how they fit in the little box when shipped from the factory? they have that shit down pat!!!! jajjaja....

Just my opinion...and brought to you by a kinder and gentler

Miguel_Clavo =).....Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

southern151 says on Jan 7, 2007, 20:04:

Good idea MC If I do have the great fortune to reside there some day, I will have to remember that about the bike in pieces. Is there no registration process there? How would that work?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Jan 7, 2007, 20:09:

ONce you reassemble it again, you can register it as long as you convince them that it was not brought in as an intact used MC, which is prohibited from importation......maybe grease the palm of a local MC repair shop to claim they built it from parts, etc, would be one example.....me, i just plan to order a new one from the Bogota dealer...you only live once, besides, i just sold my RKC and will use the money to buy a another one....

Just my opinion...and brought to you by a kinder and gentler

Miguel_Clavo =).....Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

southern151 says on Jan 7, 2007, 20:15:

I would have a hard time letting go of mine. I have had it custom painted and it "survived" Sturgis, South Dakota, with me. It was a helluva week together! LOL!
Here is a link to my memories of Sturgis '06. They are pictures and the only reason that I remember any of it! HAHA!
[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/album/553106538fqmMIU][IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/57/757/3/15/38/2542315380088847061vVwAuJ_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on Jan 7, 2007, 20:29:

Why I'm in Colombia "take into account the women"

The women of course.

You've been around this site long enough to know that. Where else can you find extremely attractive women who think ANY foreigner is a status symbol?

That is the ONLY reason I can think of to be in Colombia,, do you know Colombia would have almost ZERO tourists if it wasn't for the women ???

Why anyone would move to Colombia with their WIFE is beyond me.
This is like eating a sandwich while watching gourmet food served to everyone else.

Unless your wife is COLOMBIAN I can't imagine ANY woman wanting to live where other women will steal their husband if given a chance. You also should know this is NO JOKE.

PS: I think I mentioned that it was a good idea to look at your beans before you throw them into the cooker.

This is a bean beatle, bean and small pebble. This were removed from beans purchased at a grocery store. Things are worse at the run of the mill bean vendor. Good thing dental work is cheap in Colombia.



The bores aren't bad,, a little meat with your beans is good for a person.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Jan 8, 2007, 06:06:

There is no culture in Oklahoma and there is in Colombia? Give me a break. I lived in Oklahoma and we used to go to the ballet in Tulsa all the time - they had a very fine little company there. Colombians have almost ZERO interest in any culture other than their own. Okie rednecks may have country music but Colombian rednecks have vallenato.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Jan 8, 2007, 06:09:

Moving as a means to discovering personal happiness has limited potential. If you are miserable here, chances are you're going to be miserable anywhere else as well. There is no reason that one has to be on a hamster treadmill chasing material goods unless that's your trip. Nobody's forcing to buy all this crap. And as I have discovered, Colombians, given a chance, are the most materialistic people on the planet.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2007, 07:23:

Just talk about yourself, poco and not on everybody else's behalf. What about the hundreds of backpackers that travel through Colombia every year, enjoying the great countryside, mountains, the adventure and the beauty of Colombia. They're not there chasing women or photographing teenagers' behinds or cleavages.

What about people like myself, who visit Colombia on regular basis, visiting the family, enjoying our holidays on the beach and resorts, historical cities and colonial towns? We don't travel to Colombia to sit in a café and drool at the sight of high school girls walking by.

What about people who travel to Colombia because they want to learn to dance salsa in Cali, Spanish in medellin, arts in Bogotá, culture and history in Cartagena?

What about people that are involved in charities, NGOs?

Don't we count?

Or is it just a bunch of womanizing old gringos and sex tourist that count as tourists?

Cheers,
Desi




"Soy el que siempreanda de noche en el vecindario, sé cuando ladra el perro, sé cuando canta el gallo sé cuando estan dormidos los muchachos de mi barrio..." (From the joropo "El pajarillo")

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

podborski says on Jan 8, 2007, 08:10:

I just got back from Galveston texas which is supposed to be nice, and there is no amount of money in the world you could pay me to live there. Ugly and boring, unless your idea of a nice place to live is near the giant box stores beside the highway.

I can only imagine what Oklahoma or Arkansas are like.

Why on earth would anyone choose to live in Arkansas over Bogota or Buenos Aires is beyond me. Obviously many people have no choice as it is hard to get a good job down here.

Personally, I love being able to learn new things, meeting new people, seeing new places every day.

I spent the entire day yesterday exploring la candelaria and it was a great experience. Kids stopped me to ask to have their photo taken, random strangers called out 'bienvenidos' and then tried their few words of english, 'my...name...ees...Marcela...nice to meet choo' as their other family members laughed out loud.

(I'll post some photos soon).

I also found it incredibly liberating to sell all my mountains of useless stuff (2 cars, boat, jetski etc.etc.) and escape the 9 to 5 world for good.

I am able to start a business (in BsAs, but could have been Bogota)with far less capital than if I tried to do it in any other major city in the world.

The beautiful women are a very nice fringe benefit.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Jan 8, 2007, 09:51:

Desi, you know that Poco (like Morphus, Elmo, Utopia, etc.) has got his character and follows his role in any post... there is more than that tough...
Anyone living somewhere JUST and ONLY for women would be certainly underbrained and I suspect that Poco is not... ;-) Don't take him too seriously!

what we do in life... echoes in eternity.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2007, 10:48:

You're right, robi, and yet I feel the need to cut in when they say things that are obviously untrue. I believe all these characters, including Elmo, retain quite a bit of the true personalities of their creators, it's like the funny, infantile, crude, dark side of their real-life personalities, augmented and embroidered to a charicature.

Cheers,
Desi



"Soy el que siempreanda de noche en el vecindario, sé cuando ladra el perro, sé cuando canta el gallo sé cuando estan dormidos los muchachos de mi barrio..." (From the joropo "El pajarillo")

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on Jan 8, 2007, 11:16:

"Go to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, East Texas". Who the #! at &* would want to move into these areas?

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on Jan 8, 2007, 11:25:

Percentages What about the hundreds of backpackers that travel through Colombia every year,

This group and the others you mentioned make up a SMALL percentage of visitors. FOR SURE LESS THAN HALF, I'd bet 10%. There is another group seeking cosmetic surgery,, that might be a high number. Expansion of the medical industry is what Colombia should be doing to attract "tourists",, I think TINTO mentioned talk of a "medical free trade zone",, if I had time I'd think up an appropriate name.

Who fills up the airplanes ? Hummm, I'd guess Colombians TRAVELING to other places,, NOT tourists.

Anyone living somewhere JUST and ONLY for women would be certainly underbrained

You give me too much credit. Indonesia is MUCH better but it is far too distant and the tickets use DOUBLE the amount of frequent flier miles.

Nope,, the woman,, or in my case one woman,, having more than one in Colombia will lead to problems,,,

I can look at others.

That is the only reason I'm in Colombia,, PLUS she owns her house and does not ask for money. I'd assume everyone knows why women don't ask for money ?

I'm far too poor to get involved with a woman WITH KIDS in the United States,, gezzzz can you imagine saying,, "tough luck woman,, I'm not helping to pay for your kids education",,,, 4 years university,, what? $150,000,, plus she might have TWO kids !!!!!!

WORKING FULL TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED !!!!!

Can anyone imagine WORKING FULL TIME,, by choice ????

and I wouldn't get breakfast in bed and other benefits toooooo numerous to mention.

Thanks for reminding me of why I'm in Colombia.

PS: One of my projects is essentially finished. This is the BACK side of the bar,, damn I love the purple stripes on the top.



Bar Top

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Blondie says on Jan 8, 2007, 11:57:

Nice woodwork!! How did you meet your colombiana? in the states?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on Jan 8, 2007, 12:27:

Good Question How did you meet your colombiana? in the states?

I'd suggest that a COLOMBIAN find a suitable Amante for a foreigner. In my case I worked with a Colombian in the refinery construction trades. He went HOME for Vacations,, the Venezuelans DID NOT go home because it WAS NOT SAFE. That was five years ago !!!! and tells one a lot about the situation in that area.

I could travel with him to check things out,, like window shopping, except there aren't any windows. Plus, I paid for his plane ticket,, NO SELF RESPECTING COLOMBIAN DOES SOMETHING FOR NOTHING.

PS: Both the wood and brick project are 99% finished. That last percent will take a year.

Night time erection:
(anyone know what these guys are doing?)

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2007, 12:43:

I'm not convinced People traveling for medical reasons or to get a corrective surgery/dental care/plastic surgery would be around, perhaps, 1-2 % of the people filling up the commercial flights between Colombia and the rest of the world. People traveling on company business would make up a couple of % too, ordinary tourists including backpackers would be a small group and lovelorn gringos maybe, half a procent...if that. (I'm talking about flights originating any place outside Colombia, not just USA)

The great majority would be either Colombians on a holiday or a shopping trip or descendants of Colombians re visiting home country.

I estimate that about one fourth of the planeload would be made of normal, ordinary tourists, including gringos, Colombians and second or third generation Colombians living abroad, Europeans (mostly backpackers, about 3/4 would be Colombians returning to their own country after visiting USA, Europe... and your gringos thattravel because of Colombian women would be one or two on each flight, if that.

Cheers,
Desi


"Soy el que siempreanda de noche en el vecindario, sé cuando ladra el perro, sé cuando canta el gallo sé cuando estan dormidos los muchachos de mi barrio..." (From the joropo "El pajarillo")

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Blondie says on Jan 8, 2007, 19:20:

It looks like he is eating an orange!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Jan 8, 2007, 21:52:

Rubito, the people in Bogota are probably different and more cosmopolitan than your ordinary down home Colombian. Your ordinary Colombian just wants to listen to vallenato all day and has absolutely no interest in anything beyond his own little horizons. In this sense they aren't too different from the much maligned people of Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma - they're just Spanish-speaking rednecks who aren't interested in anything other than the next trip to Wal-Mart (or Exito) and a bottle of whiskey (or aguardiente).

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 8, 2007, 23:34:

I'd say that guy holding the square is hoping that his Wall Forms(concrete) have held and haven't slipped (or let loose at the bottom).I've seen some of the methods they use in Col to secure their forms at the base(not like 2x4 Kickers every 16" the way we do here)and I think they use the Prayer and Hope method the wall forms don't let loose and seperate sending that stiff concrete all over or at the least a nice Bulge at the base. In this Case it looks like the guy is checking to see the concrete hasn't bulged unevenly from top to bottom giving the wall the appearence of a Funny house mirror. Actually its too late(way too late) to check and see if the forms slipped as the damage is done by this time LOL. It would be interesting to know how the guy vibrated the concrete evenly from top to bottom, if this was even done, with an open form on the end. I have never observed a Vertical concrete form open(this high) like this one so whatever the guy is checking is must be a dandy. Some do it on a low 4-6" curb form with super stiff concrete. I wouldn't say this is a standard concrete forming practice here in the states,,,Hope he has a Nice 6' Level to check the plumb of his walls LOL Hope he isn't planning to restart that wall the next day as he will have a weak non waterproof joint where he restarts a new pour, here something like this would be continous(a pour on vertical walls) so it never has a joint,,,

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Blondie says on Jan 9, 2007, 01:37:

Actually, thats exactly what i was gonna say Miamimike!! but i thought i'd comment about the orange first! ;)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

podborski says on Jan 9, 2007, 07:46:

you're scaring me mike the guys restoring my place in BsAs are doing all kinds of tall supporting columns pouring them from the top, just tapping the casing with a hammer, lots of joints, and I am not sure they are always using the chemical they are supposed to to join the day old concrete...

BUT, I think the guy above MIGHT be using the square just as a straight edge to level off the layer of revoque, as I have seen the guys do at my place all the time. They make two channels like the one in the photo and level them and then when they 'plaster' (revoque) the whole wall they use a long straight edge between the two channels to make the whole wall flat.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 9, 2007, 08:01:

How good does that Bonding Chemical work? I've used it on flat work(patches) but never had much faith in it even if the application instructions were followed to a "T". In the case of tapping the walls(high ones like this) to settle stiff concrete I'm willing to bet you have a LOT of Honeycombing scattered throughout the length of the wall. Hammering is not an acceptable method(at least not here) to insure an uniform pour on a vertical wall but if there is no other implement guess you have to make do. Not my wall! LOL If that guy is using his square to rod off that concrete bet its seen its better days as a square! LOL WHatever works!

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

podborski says on Jan 9, 2007, 08:54:

Wish I could tell you mike but don't really know (yet!)

I've seen some pretty big projects in both Bog and BsAs where they don't seem to use vibrators, but even my rudimentary knowledge of concrete tells me it should be done...

But they just don't have the tools. You should see the crappy handsaws they have...useless, as that guy's square will be!

I am travelling heavy right now, because I am hauling back some decent handtools. Hard to find even in a big city like BsAs.

Of course tools are available all over, but the quality is horrible.

Surprisingly I have been able to buy some decent makita power tools at about the same cost as back home, which is super expensive for down here, but worth it I think.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Jan 9, 2007, 09:28:

mike what your looking at in the photo is the "freza" or a close application like the old plaster we use to use in the old days....here they use a cement plaster and it is drypacked to the walls.....the rules are put plumb and then filled by the guy throwing the mixture at the wall...it actually sticks to the brick or concrete wall....then they cut it off and rub it down to make it smooth...after it dries they apply a second coat of "gizio" like stucco this closes all the small hole on the cement plaster and after that dries its ready for paint


listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 9, 2007, 11:21:

OK-it looked to me like those walls were filled with Fresh Stiff concrete as there was no Plywood covering the end of the form where the guy was placing his Square across. When I finished concrete in the 70s we called that process "Rubbing" where we used a 1:2 sand to concrete mix and prewetted the walls with a Brush or by hosing the wall down to be Rubbed. We troweled on the Mix and then rubbed the concrete out with a cork faced or Rubber faced Trowel. Some finishers used A piece of Folded Burlap also. We used it cover vertical walls on bridegwork, exterior bldg walls, bridges ect. Hard Damn Work also! One can cover a multitude of Sins with this rubbing process which I suspect in large part is why it is done in Colombia. I have watched at length some of these guys laying Block in Bogota and from a distance I could see the blocks running up or downhill(at least an inch or more) from a 100 yards away so this rubbing nicely hides errors like this. They do sell Chalklines in Bogota don't they?? LOL

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Jan 9, 2007, 12:04:

thats it because they freza the walls and almost any surface is the reason they don't have to pay attention to straight or even plumb walls and brick/block work....some of my walls in my house have 1/4" of freza on the bottom and 2" at the top......I rather build with drywall but that shit is dam expensive here.....it appears to be a very old technique but everyone knows how to do and the materials are pretty cheap....

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on Jan 9, 2007, 12:37:

"Your ordinary Colombian just wants to listen to vallenato all day and has absolutely no interest in anything beyond his own little horizons. In this sense they aren't too different from the much maligned people of Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma - they're just Spanish-speaking rednecks". This is false. While I agree that many colombian men like to do that, it is mostly in the country or rural areas where you would mostly find this type of behavior. I can tell you in Cali, people would rather be dancing all day. In Medellin, people would rather be working and listening to Vallenato all day. Considering that 70 percent of the population live in the cities your statement holds no merit.

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johann911 says on Jan 9, 2007, 18:29:

hey southern151 what's a turnaround? where does a guy gotta go, what's it pay?
nice springer by the way.
if you liked sturgis you might like
little sturgis (humboldt, iowa)
smaller venue, but you won't pay $4 for ice water!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johann911 says on Jan 9, 2007, 18:29:

hey southern151 what's a turnaround? where does a guy gotta go, what's it pay?
nice springer by the way.
if you liked sturgis you might like
little sturgis (humboldt, iowa)
smaller venue, but you won't pay $4 for ice water!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

southern151 says on Jan 9, 2007, 20:20:

Turnaround(shutdown)... In a refinery, when they bring the plant down for repair, they call it a turnaround or a shutdown. It is the same thing, really. All I can say about where a guy has to go is pack your bags and be willing to live "on the road." I do not spend much time at home and really, for me, I don't have a reason to be home(no one there).

What it pays depends on what your qualifications are; no experience you are probably going to start around $21/hr and x1.5 after 8 hrs and 1.5x all weekend. There is also per diem and travel pay that averages $.44/mi(to and from your home) and $60-$80/per diem. The money part comes in because we work so damn many hours! We average 84-91 hrs per week! Is not that bad once you get used to them. The best part is that you get in, make your money and get out.

If you want more details, feel free to email me. You can do it through PBH. I don't want to tie up the forum too much on this.
It is a good field, if you don't mind long hours, and the industry is certainly short of help. Anyone interested, drop me a line.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

southern151 says on Jan 9, 2007, 20:22:

by the way... Thanks for the props on my Springer! I'll keep Iowa in mind because it is not near the drive and yes, water was like $4 bottle.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BxUnika says on Jan 11, 2007, 19:56:

Curious Maybe I sound like a hypocrite, but I have to ask...

I have not really posted too much on the boards lately, but as of yesterday I am here in Bogota indefinitely. I worked my ass off for 7 months to acquire the capital to fund my trip, plus having family friends who live here helps. I hear about how some people on this board just come and go in a drop of a dime. Is it that you are independently rich or own a business or sold all of your stuff to have the time and money for your trips?

My money will go fast and I don't think I'd want to live here on a permenent basis. The food is good as are the paisajes y comidas, but it is just not New York. I really cannot imagine anyone from the US moving here permenently unless they were 1) ready to retire 2) were from small towns or rural areas, or 3) are young and are only here temporarily. I think I am spoiled because I am from NY, but I'm not sure that even Bogota could keep my mind occupied forever. I would agree that maybe Colombians are more culturallly isolated than other groups. Hmmm...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Jan 12, 2007, 07:19:

Could not disagree more! "I would agree that maybe Colombians are more culturallly isolated than other groups." BxUnika

We, obviously, are looking at a different Colombia. Spend some time in the major/larger cities especially Bogotá.

Some of would go so far as to say that the Colombian culture is one of the worlds treasures. Too many gringos in Colombia will destroy what is left. (I am a gringo)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Jan 12, 2007, 19:04:

BxUnika this site may help. Good luck. http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=es%7Cen&u=http://www.bogotaturismo.gov.co/

0 funny, 0 helpful.