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PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post |
I have some european friends who think that latinamerica is a "whole country". they think this based on our language: spanish (except Brazil, of course), and some other customs that we have,such as familiy bounds,etc.
I've been told that spanish itself is not-that-easy language to learn.
I imagine how hard it gets for a foreigner to learn spanish and even worse when they travel to different spanish-speaker countries.
What I can tell you from my personal point of view (based on my particular experience) is that they are so f**** right!!! For me, the use of colombianismos, argentinismos and mexicanismos has been one of the most amazing and funniest experience that I have ever had in my life.
A friend of mine learned mexican spanish first, he was so proud of his spanish that he asked me not to translate the words for him when traveling to Colombia and Argentina.
He was so excited to prove himself that his command of spanish was good enough to survive by himself. We had planned to visit some relatives of mine in bogota and then go to visit my parents in Buenos Aires.
when we arrived to Colombia, he started to speak spanish fluently and had no problem at all expressing himself, but the next evening after our arrival he was asked what he would like to do that night and he said: "estaría muy padre si vamos todos en bola a un antro" or in colombian "que chévere si de pronto vamos
todos juntos a un rumbeadero".
"ir en bola" in Mexico means to go with a group of people while in colombia means "to go naked". Needless to say that my colombian friends laughed all night, after this modismo.
The next day, he tried to go to a park and he pretended to bring his laptop with him, one of my friends told him: "no dé papaya", my friend got mad cause "dar papaya" in mexico means to have sexual intercourse with a man (it is used only for women) while in colombia the meaning is completely different.
Then we flew to Buenos Aires and he dealt with "another" spanish, while in a restaurante he felt like having "cajeta" (a kind of mexican arequipe) so he asked the waiter to bring him some "cajeta" but in argentinian "cajeta" is used to refer to the vagina. the waiter laughed and said "che! vos podés conseguir cajeta a tan solo 10 cuadras, este es un restaurante, nosotros no vendemos cajeta". Then he said that he wanted to go to an "antro" (rumbeadero in colombian) and my argentinian friends didn't understand what he meant and he desperately said
"vamos a un rumbeadero" as he learned in colombia and said again: "un lugar para bailar por favor", my friends laughed and said:"vos querés ir a un boliche?", he nodded and said "yo no quiero jugar boliche, yo solo quiero bailar"
LOL
He ended up asking me to be his "translator",and swore to God that there was no other language more difficult than spanish (he also speaks chinese).
What I think after this experience is that:
I thank God my mother tongue is spanish...
LOL
By gabolicious on Aug 6, 2007, 16:04 in Friendly Talkzone.
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Leeroy says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:10: I arrived here from Spain thinking that my Spanish was pretty good.
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Simon says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:12: Great post Gabolicious! Yo también le doy gracias a Dios que mi lengua materna es el español. HERE'S SIMON!!!! 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Azul says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:43: Leeroy, that is funny. People always ask "Que mas?" to me, and I wonder the same thing "Mas de que?". jajajaja So when someone asks que mas?, what are they really asking? las cosas caen por su propio peso 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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critter says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:46: Verdad que si es una hermosura...cuando se habla el castellano, se canta "Spending eternity in a bad place is a long time!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Leeroy says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:49: As I understand it, it is almost equal to "Como estas?". I have a feeling it might be a little more colloquial, but I'm not sure.
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critter says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:49: Que mas?= What's up? "Bien o que?" (fine or what?) is often parlayed with it in paisa land "Spending eternity in a bad place is a long time!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Leeroy says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:53: To try and understand it from an etymological point of view, I wonder if it is some abbreviated form of "Que mas hay en la vida?" or "Que mas has hecho?".
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critter says on Aug 6, 2007, 16:55: And if you happen to speak any English to paisas that don't understand it, they will often respond with, "Jes, vetty well mondongo!" It doesn't really mean anything of value...it's just their way of saying, "Uh...yeah right, whatever!!! I have no idea what you just said...how 'bout speaking some Spanish right here right now...that's what they speak around here, in case you didn't know!!!" "Spending eternity in a bad place is a long time!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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podborski says on Aug 6, 2007, 17:49: best if you don't suggest trying 'to 'coger un taxi' in argentina too
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gabolicious says on Aug 6, 2007, 18:03: Leeroy, same happened to a mexican friend of mine, in Mexico "que mas?" is not that polite, on the contrary is disrespectful, is like saying: "if you got what you wanted, go then" Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 6, 2007, 18:12: oh BTW "que mas?" is like asking "que más me cuentas?" or "como te ha ido?" Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 6, 2007, 18:14: sorry! Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Robert Jorge says on Aug 6, 2007, 19:44: Chi chi in Colombian is a child's word for urination. Chi chi in Mexico means tit / boob. --"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 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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critter says on Aug 6, 2007, 19:53: "Chi chi in Colombian is a child's word for urination. Chi chi in Mexico means tit / boob." Hey RJ, I see that you have more important topics to discuss than the mysteries of faith...sigue pues...que pecado!!! "Spending eternity in a bad place is a long time!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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capitan_centella says on Aug 6, 2007, 23:23: Just another one. The truly "bogotano" or "rolo" (paisa land guys thought that´s despective) or "cachaco", (the caribeans or "motilones", "costeños", thought that´s despective too). . . In my city, Bogotá, it quite normal use "que" instead of "tu". A few examples: "When you open your eyes, you turn around with the world, But it can change, if you only close it, and see a dream to yourself." Me. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 00:56: If you say "esta jodido" to a spanish person they look at you like, what! how rude! And then they go and say "culo" as if it is the most natural word to refer to the derrier. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Aug 7, 2007, 01:25: Mona... go check... didn't you just write a comment under this thread, (but is is posted under the thread entitled: ................" MFE, D) The PBH Voluntary Code of Conduct to Protect Womenfolk and Youth" I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 01:32: Huh? Ok i'll check, I left a comment for todo podo about how to talk to his thieving trabajadores in the MFE,D thread.. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Aug 7, 2007, 01:36: Okay. I guess not. But then... I guess the mod's have been busy since I checked out earlier, .... extracting someone else's comments, in between I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 01:39: Ooops maybe! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 7, 2007, 05:08: you have a point there Robert, however the pronunciation is different... Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 05:14: Sometimes I say "chichi" to describe something rubbish or "chichipato" jajaja Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 7, 2007, 05:25: ah sí mi madre tambien lo usa, tan chistoso! Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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vicshere says on Aug 7, 2007, 07:03: doesnt chichi also mean something that is cheaply made listo 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 07:04: Yeah it can mean that. Chiviado is something fake as well. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 07:19: Hey on the topic of how wonderful spanish is, let's compare it with english in the love department. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 7, 2007, 08:08: One of my friends calls her boyfriedn "mi cuchurrumin precioso" she is mexican, "cosita", and other colleague calls to her boyfriend "perrito", "flaco"... "chiquito" or "chiqui" Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 7, 2007, 08:46: La Mona, Your boyfriend or husband needs to expand his vocabulary, if he's into pet names, that is.
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 08:56: you mean chuchi face too? Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:02: I suppose you are right about the tone you use in saying these words though, that is important too. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:29: In general, I agree that these pet names sound more soothing or romantic or poetic in Spanish because almost all them end in a vowel. As for variety, I think that's up to the individual, regardless of his/her language.
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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:38: correcto Tinto! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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podborski says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:42: spanish and french sound better in this regard.
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houstongal says on Aug 7, 2007, 17:18: I am not a romantic person and I dislike sappy love songs (i.e., Celine Dion, Lionel Richie), but romantic love songs in Spanish are a different story. Romance and love just sounds much better in Spanish than in English. For example the Enrique Iglesias song "Hero" in English is awful, but I think "Heroe" is beautiful..... Culture is language and language is culture - Dr. Annamaria Napolitano 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 7, 2007, 20:39: chucha in most of Colombia means B.O while in Peru, Ecuador and the coast of colombia it is a word to refer to a woman's private part. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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john_stark says on Aug 7, 2007, 21:39: "I should have compared the way they sound and not the variety, however I still think that while there is alot of variety to be found in the english language, many people stick to the better known terms of endearment, while in spanish it seems there is more variety on an everday basis. English people could use a whole lot more terms of endearment and don't but that could be different in EEUU."
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Robert Jorge says on Aug 9, 2007, 00:42: I didn't learn the word in Colombia. But I learned "chucha" as pronounced chocha. I was in Miami, so I guess it is different there. However, my rola information source says she always knew chocha as a bad word for vagina, and chucha was body odor. So that is pretty consistent with my education in Miami. It is interesting, because the people I learned chocha from were Cuba, Mexican, and Puerto Rican. The Colombian costenos must have their own pronounciation and spelling of the word, with "chucha." My source also said she has never heard the word punani. (sp?) --"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 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Aug 9, 2007, 00:49: "they can all be "mi amor" and you never have to remember anybody's name." I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:19: Oh no Dominicans use chocha trust me. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:21: My face turned blood red that day, and I am not an easy person to embarrass. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Man Tequila says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:25: I thought I was being insulted the first time a Colombian told me ""que pena contigo", but this is pretty small papas compared to the OP and Colombiche's sancocho surprise. 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) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:28: Colombiche omg come onnnn!! Que si comen sancocho en una chocha? juajuajua Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Man Tequila says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:33: I was taking a picture of an agauapanela stand. A Colombiana walking by did not want to be in my picture, walked well out of her way and said que pena contigo. I had never heard the expression and thought it meant "what a pain you are" rather than "what a nuisance I must be to you". Insulted is probably too strong a word, but it is a very strange expression and it took me a bit of time to understand it. 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) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:38: I can imagine your face Man t, yes that is a widely used expression but my friends from other latin countries don't get that expression, they say "pena" is something you say for example when someone has died. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:45: Colombiche omg come onnnn!! Que si comen sancocho en una chocha? juajuajua Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:49: Tell me something guys in english happens this situation as well? Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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ColombianoGringo says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:50: Too funny. I had the bola thing happen to me in high school.
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 09:58: CG vamos a salir en bola, y te empelotaste? jajajaja Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:05: CG es verdad!!! Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:17: Yeah, it was bad because my clients were all men, there were like 6 of them dominican tigres and then me, the little colombian lady who represents some big ass multinational and there I was, asking them if they like to eat their sancocho out of a chocha, telling them how good it tastes when you eat it from a little chocha. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:20: I"m off to London in two weeks on business again. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:23: Colombiche jajajaja Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:25: Ha ha ha, I'll keep an eye on that bloody pad! No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:26: Yeah on the train it is close, how long will you be here for? Maybe you, Ck and I could meet up? We'll paint the town red... Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:30: Ohhhh here is another funny one from Dominican Republic. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:33: MOna at this point I don't know how long I'll be there, I might buy an open ended ticket, it might be a week or two. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:36: El guayabo londinense ji ji ji. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:37: Colombiche como que te sono lo que el te dijo no? Le estabas pelando mucho la muela jajaja Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:41: sounds like you girls are having fun together!!! Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:42: Ah tan lindo gabito pero pilas por aqui anda CK! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:55: Mona te encargo a CK bueno? que no ande coqueteando con ningun tipo, bueno con su novio si... jajajajajajaja Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:56: Pelando muela... no nada mijja yo seria como siempre. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 10:59: soy la seriedad en pasta. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 11:00: soy la seriedad en pasta. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 10, 2007, 11:08: De pronto cuando esta dormida es seria ja ja ja Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombiche says on Aug 10, 2007, 11:12: When I am asleep I look very harmless. No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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john_stark says on Aug 12, 2007, 04:47: It could be worse, you could be learning Spanish from the borricuas' reggaeton.
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gabolicious says on Aug 13, 2007, 10:57: I've heard some spanish speaker people living in the US say: "Norte Carolina" instead of "Carolina del Norte".... Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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ColombianoGringo says on Aug 13, 2007, 11:27: The mutant NewYorican version of boricua speak is even worse.
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gabolicious says on Aug 13, 2007, 15:46: ColombianoGringo, desde mi punto de vista, como siempre con comentarios tan buenos y tan acertados!!!!! Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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john_stark says on Aug 13, 2007, 18:41: I love reggaeton! I hope it conquers all of Latin America and spreads its mutant mongrel tongue everywhere, defiling everything in its path.
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gabolicious says on Aug 13, 2007, 18:52: John you like reggaeton or the girls who appear on the videos...? Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Aug 13, 2007, 22:18: jeyjey....where's the ESL bad boy? I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:13: "what, with all those private lessons, eh?" which private lessons? Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Cerealkiller says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:23: Colombiche, I didnt know you were coming to enjoy these tropical latitudes...Seriously, Sutton is pretty close to where I live so just send me a PM when you get here and we'll figure something out. I am starting a new job tomorrow (yay me) so I am not sure how my schedule will be working, but surely I will be game for alcohol, you know me :) Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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LA_MONA says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:25: CK nooooo you'll regret it trust me ;-) Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Cerealkiller says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:30: I have a lot of experience handling drunk people...german grandpa only managed to pass his ginger minger locks and a blessed liver...so if youre thinking of getting me drunk you are screwed. I have just stolen the taxi card my neighbor keeps in the bulletin board...just for you. Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:39: Mi amada CK... Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Cerealkiller says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:49: Yo bien Gabo, pero a los novios se les trata de Tu no de Usted...estamos en pleno siglo XXI, tampoco tan frios!!! Por ahi te tengo un regalo, pero esta sujeto a condiciones. Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 14, 2007, 06:59: ah bueno lo que pasa es que yo soy muyyy respetuoso!! Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Cerealkiller says on Aug 14, 2007, 07:03: Por ahi te tengo un par de fotos sin bikini...Pero yo jamas envio dos correos seguidos, por aquello de no parecer muy desesperada, tu sabes... asi que me tienes que dar un motivo para enviarte uno...Un motivo largo y entretenido :) Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 14, 2007, 07:57: ja!!! sin bikini pero seguramente con algún otro tipo de ropa no??? Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Aug 14, 2007, 15:17: gabo, you been drinkin 2 much tequila! I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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gabolicious says on Aug 14, 2007, 19:24: LOL GS Elección no canonización.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
More posts by the same author:
Jolines Tío! que Xenofobia tan Hijueputa! 1
Colombian Spanish for english speakers 13
El lado intimo del hijo prodigo.. 1
La bandera mas bonita del mundo 10
El apellido de la madre primero que el del padre 6
no La_Mona, no Elmo (?)... who else is leaving us? 40
Good or bad? 23
does somebody know when La_Mona is coming back? 108
Those colombians living in other countries... will you change your nationality? 54
How many of you PBHers live in Medellin? 89
In my humble opinion I would say that... 3
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