PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

why'd you come to colombia???

i'm really curious what really brought all you folks down here. were you just on a tourist binge moving around different countries; looking for drugs; curious about the culture; seeking ladies; what was it?

the reason i ask, is because when i came here near 20 years ago...1989 to be exact, there were no foreigners in medellin. in the most literal sense of the word, it was lonely. i didn't speak spanish or at least not much more than 'hola', 'adios', 'como esta usted' and the like. moreover, i had no friends and knew nothing about colombia outside of the fact that the new president, caesar gaviria, had gone to school in my home town, fresno calif (my reason for coming, his enauguration) and that all the coke came from medellin and pablo escobar was mr. big in the dope world. that's hardly being well armed, arriving in a city which was probably the most deadly, at that time, in the world.

from day one, the constant sound of gunshots, bombs, sirens and general chaos, was non stop. escobar even blew up a wing of the hotel intercontinental--where i was staying--trying to kill (??) one of his competition...certainly not one of his friends. for the first week or so, i was afraid to venture out of the hotel. i would go to the lobby and when ever anyone of any importance would arrive or leave, they would have an army of guards, either in civilian clothes or military or camo. and i mean an army of guards...sometimes as many as 20, maybe 30. when i started to venture out...in the beginning, just to some of the restraurants close by on las palmas, patrons would have 8 or 10 sicarios on motorcycles waiting in the parking lot. especially the 'coke whores' (old ladies of the countless dealers) any body cought screwing around with them was in short order, dead. there was no law. guns were the law. and the bad guys had all the guns. or at least a shitload of em. it was akin to our images of the wild west...the only difference was they weren't using 6 shooters, they were 50 shooters. the best most deadly guns money could buy, stuck in their belts. the police didn't challenge these thugs. they kept their distance.

when i finally felt safe enough to actually venture out, poblado was the first destination--suggestion of a taxi driver--and at that time, many of the streets in poblado were dirt. and none of the glitter you're familiar with today existed then. none of it. there were funky bars a bunch of boutiques, really cool boutiques, art supply stores, a juice bar at the west end of parke lleras...not to be confused with what you know of as parke lleras today. it was no more than a block long patch of unkempt dead and dying grass, a few homeless laying around, a guy that sold antiques on the sw corner and another guy that would occassionally bring out some paintings. no restaurants, no stores, no boutiques...at least on the lleras side of cl 10. and there was a childrens store a famous american store that made little overalls for kids, i forget the name was at the east end of parke lleras. and from lleras, going south towards the creek, there was a bar, la casa de los cinco puertos. it is the only place that's still there. and it's as funky and cool as it was 20 years ago...i don't think the place has been painted in 50 years.

if you follow the road to he south of la casa, along the creek, up the hill to the east, past the tennis courts and weigh work out yard, you come to la eglesia de la davina euchristia. that was our church. the priest was a very old man and at mass he would envite all the children in church to come up and sit around the alter. the entire front of the church would be children sitting on the floor, packed around the altar. it was wonderful.

botero's son, had a gallery on one of the streets north off cl 10 next to the interior design studios of mauricio molino and alvero restrepo good friends of mine. on cl 10 on the north side about 4 blocks above oriental (ave poblado) was escobar's office building. still there. a block above was el portal panadaria (still there but much changed) if you followed 10 up and to the right (south) it took you to la cola del zorro. one of the deadliest streets in all of poblado/las palmas at night. a definite 'no drive' after dark. it connected poblado with las palmas up above hotel inter.

back on oriental, going to envigado, the block past the church on the park in poblado, was a restaurant on the south side of the creek. this was owned by my land lords alvaro vasco and adolpho podesta. that was the most famous restaurant in medellin or anywhere around. escobar ate there frequently, the governor and the mayor all ate there. and they would bring their army of espaldas. maybe half a dozen patrons and 50 guards outside. you had to call ahead to see if it was 'good' guys or 'bad' guys eating that day.

alvaro, was akin and friends with the underworld and adolpho was akin to the socialites...he was a violinist in the medellin symphony as was his daughter. between them, they had medellin covered. because they were my duenos and very close friends, i was abreast of all the inside prattle of medellin. they didn't get along well and finally parted company. they each opened different restaurants. alvaro's son has a nice restaurant on cl 11 or 12 west of oriental. very nice place. and adolpho and his wife run a kinda swanky place a few blocks south towards oviedo, west of oriental.

oviedo in those days was a little place with a burger place outin front on oriental and a bic (bancolombia, formerly banko industrial colombiano) you could drive in, down to the bic, turn around and drive out. none of that complex that now exists. all that behind and south was fields. and across oriental, in front of oviedo, that biodegrading hulk of a building was an office condo being built by pablo escobar. it never got finished. we considered buying one of the units. good decision not to.

well, that was poblado, and the areas you know as down town hasn't changed much. it's stll down town.

i went for the enauguration and began manufacturing furniture and basically, never left. why did you come, what brought you to medellin

By dwmte7 on Jul 17, 2008, 18:56 in Friendly Talkzone.

Brian858 says on Jul 17, 2008, 19:36:

I came to meet a Barranquillera living in Bogota:

http://public.fotki.com/brian66/nazira_rangel/

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MaFe says on Jul 17, 2008, 19:41:

I was made in Colombia with LOTS and LOTS of love... and born there!

I am glad that my mami decided to have me in Colombia and not in my father's cold land..
The best gift that my mother ever gave me was to have me in Colombia, and to teach me to be a proud Colombianita..

I got to Colombia because it's my home land, I crave it, and I need to see my family.

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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joelg says on Jul 17, 2008, 19:48:

Just as MaFe said: Family! or at least for me, a family atmosphere

i left the USA in '86 and got hooked on foreign languages and cultures. started out as a chiropractor in Italy. next stop a kibbutz in Israel. then 6 years in japan translating Jap. to Eng. Then in '96 headed to SF and within 2 years opened a couple of 12-bedroom international guest houses, thought an international community in the USA would satisfy my need for foreign culture. Didn't work. In 1999 started spending 6 weeks a year in a different latin country every year. Costa Rica '99, Spain 2000, Argent. '01, Mex '02, Guatemala '03, Venezuela '04, Cuba 2005-7 (actually lived in Cuba and built bathrooms and kitchens for poor people). And I was done with the USA again...just doesn't have the family culture and social fabric that feeds my soul.

Then a close friend's wife's father moved to SF from Medellin. A nice gentleman...helped build a house for him in SF and we chatted in Spanish and he was so proud of Medellin and I liked the way he described it and contrasted it with Bogota. So last summer I came to Medellin - got ripped off by a gringo charging me 120,000 / night for a room - but Medellin seemed to have many of the best qualities of the other latin countries I had previously visited.

So, I'm here because of the friendly paisas, availability of all modern conveniences and food, the metro, the weather, relatively lower costs, excellent health care, just a great place to live. Now I'm hoping to be the first American chiropractor in Medellin. Wish me luck!

do what you like, take risks, build something

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george jung says on Jul 17, 2008, 20:38:

I learned about Colombia from exchange students at local university back in 1979. I met and learned about the insides and outside of a loving Colombiana, man that left a lasting taste in my mouth, the culture y the love. Then I learned about how much money I could make during the crazy days of college life without a job, white lightning y powder, now I am here.

"Men and fish are alot alike, when they open their mouths, they both get in trouble"

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kernow62 says on Jul 17, 2008, 20:46:

I wanted to see my wife's country and meet some of her friends and family that had not already visited us in the USA.

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El Vato Loco says on Jul 17, 2008, 20:48:

I'm curious to go see what life is like in Colombia, attracted by a significantly lower cost of living compared to the SF Bay Area, California in the U.S. (at least from appearances). I have been curious since around 2000, but I just haven't gone... I figured Mexico would be my main destination for vacations and future retirement, though things in Mexico are pretty sketchy with the drug wars being stoked up by the pinche presidente Calderon (who stole the election, sort of like Bush, his master). Areas that were never affected by the Narcos are now seeing a lot of activity and the local police are getting their rear-ends whopped. And things have gotten more expensive in Mexico -- too many billete verdes flowing in from the U.S. have made local inflation go up and up over the years and salaries haven't kept pace at all. The general population relies on remesas sent by family in the U.S.and without that money many families would be on the streets. It's still cheaper though, but Mexico has become contaminated by U.S. attitudes and behaviors... Mexico is now home to the 2nd LARGEST population of Gordos! (Mexico now ranks #2 in Obesity). Una gordita is not my idea of a girlfriend, at least not until I am old and gordo too...

And of course Colombia has the fame of having some of the most beautiful women in all the world AND that they age quite gracefully! Latinas in general I have noticed age quite gracefully compared to non-latinas and my guess on this over the years has been their diet and natural exercise from walking all over the place versus what happens in the U.S. and now Mexico (Mc Donald's Dollar Menu / "Mas Masa y Grasa Menu")

But what attracts me most is the cost of living -- I am more pragmatic, and given that the FARC is likely to go the way of the Irish Republican Army, the threat of being blown up in a random carbombing or busbombing is going to go way down. Plus the U.S. will implement a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and that is going to funnel a lot of investment into Colombia.

Mexico right now is entering a "Narco-guerra" phase... I don't see this easing up while Calderon is president (5 more years). I prefer his political party (PAN) to the old ruling elite dictatorship party (PRI) - the PAN party actually DOES improve the country, they build up the infrastructure, spend the money they receive for public works mostly ON the public works and not steal it to spend on prostitutes and for their own pockets like the PRI. But the PAN and the PRI take up the A-- from old "Uncle Sam"... the only party that would stand up to the U.S. is the PRD, the leftists who actually DID WIN the presidency but had it stolen by fraud (much like Bush's two elections)

So this saying comes to my mind about Mexico...

"Pobre Mexico, Tan Lejos de Dios y tan Cercas a los Estados Unidos"...

At least Colombia is not as close to the U.S. and that is a big plus culturally.

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Papi de Alejo says on Jul 17, 2008, 20:50:

Against the advice of my novia, who was living in the Dominican Republic at the time, I went to see her hometown/country. I went alone, met up with her brother, who took me to an artesania colony; where I started chatting with this particular artesana, who is now my novia.

PdA

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papiChulo says on Jul 17, 2008, 21:56:

ok I'll give it a go...

I went to Colombia in 2004. Couldn’t speak spanish either except the por favor etc…
I wanted a place to fly my paraglider/parapente during Vancouver Island’s winter. Had an amazing time flying and meeting new people that shared a passion. As Colombians they had mucho gusto for this sport so I made some good friendships. Had a couple of shots at a relationships but when they turned to LDRs… interest was lost. I’m not good with long distance relationships anyway.
Slowly picked up more Spanish from novias and amigos/ amigas. Made 4 trips in 4 yrs total time in Colombia 1 ½ yrs. When I return this year to live I’ll study at UPB. I hope my big stund Irish descendant head can learn not to speak like Tarzan in a year. Open a little biz… details to follow when the webpage is running.

paz

you'll never go before your time

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derailment says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:08:

More than anything else its people , I have been to Medellin twice met some of the nicest people, sad to say it but not even in my own country Mexico you are treated the way you are treated here. They make you feel welcome something that takes a little to get used to since I am used to live in the US and Mexico. Nice weather , beautiful women that aren't as materialistic as other cultures. That is why you see a lot of extranjeros all over Colombia

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:25:

I WENT.......... AS A FREEDOM FIGHTER.

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:25:

(AND... if you don't understand that, then ask Rubito)

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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Cheers Terry says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:35:

dwmte, fabulous original post...

Cheers,
Terry

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:40:

i go to see my family, friends and generally enjoy my motherland.

engage brain before opening mouth

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:54:

okay, so I went to see a hot-shot caleña/pastusa.

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:54:

I went to see...... if I could return to the EEUU alive.

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:55:

I went to see ............. the coca fields. (buena suerte, gringo tonto!)

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:56:

I went to see..... where the coffee comes from, that saturates my every cell.

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:57:

Iwentoc...... if... there really was such a place.

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 00:58:

Iwen2C.....if it was really true... about all de beautiful girlz!

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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miamimike says on Jul 18, 2008, 01:19:

Inexpensive Medical Procedures with high quality results,,,;As well as a trip through the fabulous Andes Mountains. Incredible sights

"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.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 03:20:

incredible stories, friends......now that these years have passed, the narco wars subsided and peace has begun to take hold, i can see why you all, nationals and foreigners alike, are taken by mother colombia's charm. she is really an awesome host and nurse maid. look at how she has taken you in and for those who sought more than the nightlife and rumba, has pulled back her veil and revealed her greater charm...her soul.

i dealt with the lonliness of those early years by emersing myself in my business--manufacturing furniture, collecting antique furnishings, restoring them and exporting all to our store in bev. hills west hollywood.--but as i had time to enjoy distractions, i realized that i had developed some of the best friendships a man can have. now, these many years later, the friendships have some gray hairs, i have family--mom,dad,brothers and sisters, tias, tios, et al, and have become emersed in that quagmire that is colombian family life.

i'm glad to see that so many of you have come and some of you have decided to put your backs to the plow and contribute to the healing of colombias war wounds and not just be one more exploiter to plunder the land and it's people. bienvenidos a colombia. may we all be worthy of what she has shared with us.

douglas

dwmte

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morphus says on Jul 18, 2008, 05:51:

Back in 2000 I watched one of Nacho Videl's videos. I liked the scenery of Cali and Pereira.

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august says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:04:

dwmte, interesting stuff about Poblado. It´s too bad that for those of us who only jumped on the Colombia train recently, we´ll never know that side of the barrio. I try to go there (here) as little as possible nowadays (ugh, aside from daily work obligations), but I could certainly see hanging out there (here) 20 years back.

That´s hilarious about Gaviria being from Fresno, I had no idea. I grew up in the Bay but have all kinds of family around and in Fresno - who knew?

To answer the question posed by the post: I came to Colombia because Panamá was too hot, too (US) American and too boring. I was in a pirate phase at the time and a cargo boat to Colombia just sounded a bit more exciting, I suppose.

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tasco66 says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:12:

Uribe, the best president in the world

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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mcheasley says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:34:

dwmte, what a great story... Through your story we can get a glimpse of what it was like... When i lived in Ft lauderdale i went out with a colombian woman a few times and after explaining that the chemistry wasnt there, she said that her sister in Medellin and i would be perfect for each other... after 2 years i finally emailed her sister and we talked via internet and then phone for a while (luckily she had a daughter that was learning english at the university to help translate)... I decided to finally go and meet her and check out the possibly of expanding my business into Colombia... On my first trip to Medellin i was fine until i got to the departure concourse at MIA... Music blaring in spanish at the bar and the announcements were in spanish only ( I didn't speak any spanish)... I hesitated, thinking i was making a mistake doing this trip... But then i remembered my luggage was going even if i didn't... I boarded the AA flight and 3 hours later MDE... Deboarding the plane i see only signs in spanish, and i decide to follow the crowd... I finally get to customs and again spanish only!! I then head for the bags and have a drug dog looking at me, which was fine since he was a cute puppy... I then get a red light when i push the arch button and time for a suitcase inspection... I was a little surprised at the soldiers all over that were heavily armed, but as i departed the building i finally see Claudia and her daughter and the trip was getting better... After 3 days of running all over Medellin and seeing the police and soldiers heavily armed i finally realize that this is a great deterrant and start feeling safer... I was welcomed by Claudias entire family and was treated like family from day 1.... The people on the streets were friendly and i was finding a culture that was simply incredible.... We traveled outside of the city and i was even more impressed with the beautiful country side... The response i got from businesses and people that saw a sample of my product was much better than i expected and I found myself not wanting to leave after 2 weeks and was not looking forward to the day i had to go back home... The architecture, the way of life, and the people make it easy to fall in love with the country... Now I make the trip to Medellin every 2 months and stay for a month or so and by the end of the year i will be there basically full time... By the way, we got married last december and that makes the move so much easier.... **** I just wanted to add that I have found a good number of post on PBH that have been a BIG help in this process and I do appreciate it... Thanks to all of the members on this site who really care............ Mark

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vladimiro says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:38:

my employer sent me to work in colombia

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Saltador says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:55:

dwmte7,
Thanks for the history lesson, great post.
I read about Cartagena and Colombia in a travel magazine about 5 years ago. I took the plunge and spent a weeks vacation there. I've since been a dozen more times and also San Andres twice, Santa Marta twice, Barranquilla and Manizales once. Recently bought an apartment in Cartagena and have many people I consider friends there.

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nueva york bombero says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:23:

Great story D!!!
My partner tried to get me to go to Medellin for 10 years and I said NO!
We had traveled for years to far out places, but Colombia was too far out for me.
Finally, one day I broke down and said OK. So, off to Medellin we went.
It changed my life forever and I thank him for it. Now I want to see as much of Colombia as possible!
BY FAR, THE BEST COUNTRY I HAVE BEEN TO THUS FAR!

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:41:

not to get mysef booted from this site
i'm gonna be less than honest

to see family
great museums
beautiful churches
beautiful beach
wonderful restaurants
peace and quiet

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:45:

yeah right :S
translations
family (hookers)
museum (motels)
churches (bars)
beach ( is there a beach?didn't notice)
wonderful restaurant (el chuzo de la esquina)
peace and quite (what's that?)

engage brain before opening mouth

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:47:

kat mi reina, you should be my wife, no one knows me better

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:56:

oh i forgot elmo go to La troya to find peace and quite and meditate.

engage brain before opening mouth

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:01:

My brother dragged me along to Colombia as he was going to work there for a year I said, yeah, why not.

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

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:06:

mi amor es la TROJA and this is where i do my best writing and for some peace and quiet

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:11:

I was drawn by the pan flute.

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papiChulo says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:12:

on a side note... I worked with South Americas in Australia years ago. I asked who are the friendliest people in S.A.? Always it was the Colombians.

dwmte... I am so envious of your experiences in Colombia. I was 1st going to go to Colombia 20yrs ago but my job etc...

you'll never go before your time

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:29:

i also enjoy the beaches in curramba,
There i find tranquility and harmony with mother nature.
see below

if you guys ever wonder what your barrio girls are doing on weekends in barranquilla, here they are!

enough of that!!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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lpdiver says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:31:

I had been working in Aruba and met a lovely paisa there. I propose marriage and she accepted. We were married in Medellin.

I hope to make Colombia my home in the future. Hopefully, sooner than later.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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nueva york bombero says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:02:

Yo Elmo.... I thought someone was impersonating you or your handle was kidnapped....
But Kat figured you out quick!

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tomass says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:53:

I was sent here to work. 94-97 visited about 10 times but only for about a month at a time. Returned to work for 8 months about 2 yrs ago and just stayed. Now working again for 1 yr contract, probably renew. No desire to return to europe or anywhere else. Not that im terribly enamored with the place - just tired.

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tomass says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:12:

but colombia is better than the rest. Though thats not saying a great deal about the seres humanos.
Now time to catch the bus and spend a relaxing weekend in Abejorral

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:27:

i could get off my ass right this moment and go hang with tim ban tu, el man ese from egypt on a fokin camel or go up the rifeL towel in paris or freeze my ass in the hyamleyas
BUT NOOOOOOOOOOO
this is where i chose to go ALL THE TIME

i always look for peace and quiet

this couple looks like your typical 2nd or 3rd generation currambero turco (arabs)
If osama bin ladin could only see what his people turned into in barranquilla that modefoque would bomb us instead, for being party loving, dont give a chit about the koran infadel

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:54:

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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MaFe says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:14:

dwmte7 says on Jul 18 (today): flag

bienvenidos a colombia. may we all be worthy of what she has shared with us.

I loved everything you wrote and share Doulas,,,gracias!! I really loved the last line...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:48:

damn, friends, i'm so damned home sick, i wanna cry. really. all your lovely thoughts and sharings.....it's not important that you didn't see the early days, it's how you enjoy and use mother colombia today. oh, i assure you, she loves all you lovers and watches over you and feeds and nurtures you all....even when you don't know it....or don't appreciate it.

my eyes are wet and my heart is lonely....stellita and i and laurita are so far from home...not in heart, but in our siderial world. the families there, the house is there, the brothers and sisters and friends are there....and most of all, colombia is there.

in all the truly incredible, unbelievable experiences i've known there, i still cannot put into words why colombia is so incredible, so warm, so loving.......you'll just have to trust me.

thanks for your sharing.....douglas

dwmte

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goin_south says on Jul 18, 2008, 23:02:

I was just trying to find my way to Puerta Rico, and I ended up there (in Colombia)

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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papiChulo says on Jul 18, 2008, 23:05:

going south... maybe you took a wrong turn at Albuquerque?

you'll never go before your time

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dwmte7 says on Jul 19, 2008, 05:08:

were you hitch hiking, southbound?

dwmte

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jorgegdiaz says on Jul 19, 2008, 06:05:

If Colombia ever becomes an inmigrant´s country we know where to find testimonials now.
Great stories !!

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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dwmte7 says on Jul 19, 2008, 06:31:

jorge...are the "inmigrants" coming?

dwmte

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jorgegdiaz says on Jul 19, 2008, 06:40:

I was implying that if in the future Locombia writes an inmigration law (like Canada, Australia) and there is a need to sell the country to potential inmigrants, this post could be quoted in brochures.
I think they are all great stories !

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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Lon7 says on Aug 4, 2008, 17:44:

I came to save Ingrid and someone beat me too it. Now I wander aimlessly in a drug induced fog around P Lleras all day looking for nuts to feed the squirls!

Great post by the way Douglas. I'm surprised it only got 58 comments and then into oblivion. You could and should write a book about your experience. I voted for your post to be in the "Best of PBH".

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Lon7 says on Aug 4, 2008, 21:44:

Probably one of the best post EVER on PBH...and yet it just sits. Whats the French saying....Se La Vie (sp?)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 5, 2008, 04:07:

I have a friend (A Colombian male from Bucaramanga) who says that only people with a legitimate reason to be in Colombia are welcome to his country. He means people who can contribute with something,something positive are welcome to stay. He says tourism is one thing, settling in his country is another one.

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

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morphus says on Aug 5, 2008, 04:28:

HIS country? Why, just because he was born there?

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morphus says on Aug 5, 2008, 04:45:

Colombians come to the US and steal millions of high paying gringo jobs. As a gringo i'm justified for going to Colombia for whatever reason. Even to be a monger.

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morphus says on Aug 5, 2008, 05:23:

Imagine gringos going to Colombia and stealing jobs. They'd be dead.

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Cerealkiller says on Aug 5, 2008, 06:09:

Morphus 'stealing jobs' sounds a bit hmm possessive to say the least. If people are better qualified or suited for a job then they are not stealing anything as it is rightfully theirs. Gringos in Colombia are FAR from getting all the high paying jobs in Colombia as most don't speak spanish and many of the ones down there don't have a formal education, so no need to kill them.

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

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morphus says on Aug 5, 2008, 06:37:

Better qualified? Where I work, the supervisor of maintenance makes $27 an hour and he does'nt even speak English.

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morphus says on Aug 5, 2008, 06:42:

Plus overtime....his paycheck for the week is $1500...WTF?

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gringoloid says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:06:

i'm a descendant of some of the first conquistadores that bedded an aztec maiden. i'm just doing whats in my genes.

as soon as i find some work as a maid or a gardener i expect my sweet ass to be deported.

it's imbedded into the latin psyche that gringos are here to pillage the land of gold, silver, oil, bananas, coffee, pussy, etc...............but i haven't received any hate stares lately.

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morphus says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:48:

Me too...I have a little Spaniard in me from way back due to my Sicilian ancestry. My mother's maiden name is used by Italians and Spaniards.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:04:

*Loid, I thought you wer Croatian. When did they bed aztec maidens? In their dreams?

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

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gringoloid says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:44:

let me tell you what happened.................ADD runs in my genes also and one of my ancestors thought he was heading east for caviar in oddessa when he was actually heading west and then crashed in to the rock of gibralter. he was picked up by a spanish expedition to the new world and the rest is all history.

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bhill says on Aug 5, 2008, 15:44:

For my first trip, I went to improve my Spanish. After previous trips to Mexico where my opening remarks in broken Spanish were greeted with a response in good to excellent English I realized that I had to go elsewhere. One of the more interesting surprises during that first visit was all the people I met who told me I was the first foreigner that they had met in their lives. The same may not hold true these days though.

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poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 17:51:

Quote: He means people who can contribute with something,something positive are welcome to stay. He says tourism is one thing, settling in his country is another one.
=============

So,, my guess is that those living like kings on $1,000 per month are doing something positive,, I mean,, living like kings,, don't kings employ people ? Just think of all the folks employeed that serve them warm Poker,,

Oh,, I almost forgot,, the bug zapper repair service,, there should be a need for bug zapper repair,, oh,,, when they get tired of drinking beer and being entertained by the bug zapper and of course watching the paint peal,, then someone needs to repaint so there is more pealing paint to watch and there you go,,, more work for the poor.

I saw some bug zappers at Home Depot,, need to checkout the price,, maybe I can pack a few in my luggage next trip and sell them to Gringos ?

"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

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goin_south says on Aug 5, 2008, 22:48:

I went to Colombia, because: It's the True Land of Enchantment

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 22:54:

Quote: I went to Colombia, because: It's the True Land of Enchantment
===================

What does that mean?,, How does Enchantment relate to Colombia ? Transfixed by the cell phone holders?

"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

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elmodefoque says on Aug 6, 2008, 03:14:

"I went to Colombia, because: It's the True Land of Enchantment" GS

enchantment my ass!!!!!

lets be real here, WE ALL go to colombia for one thing and one thing only.
easy acces to unlimitted culo
And there is nothing wrong with that!!
That or stay home chocking the chicken

thank you!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Aug 6, 2008, 03:23:

i started going back to colombia on regular basis after my culo supply in NYC began to dwindle, about the time i hit my late 30's.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Aug 6, 2008, 04:21:

"Come to Colombia"

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aztec says on Aug 6, 2008, 05:32:

Work related and planed to leave as soon as possible. Totally memorized by the Country and it's people. So much so that I called my boss and asked for another week! All it took for me to fall in love with the Country and that was 19 years ago.

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manINred says on Aug 6, 2008, 16:42:

A good swedish friend of mine needed to renew his Ecuadorian visa, and thus needed to leave Ecuador. I went with him.

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gatogris says on Aug 6, 2008, 21:00:

I went to learn, to goof off, to work and to escape from sorrow. Only the former really happened the way I wanted it to. I think its cool how this post broke down the traditional boundaries of internet posting and allowed people to get truly personal in an anonymous realm.

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goin_south says on Aug 6, 2008, 22:52:

Okay,... Okay!! I went to Colombia.............LOOKING FOR CELL PHONE HOLDERS :-))

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Aug 6, 2008, 22:54:

AND, ... .found them

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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goin_south says on Aug 6, 2008, 22:55:

manINred

I guess that was pretty tough assignment, eh?
God Bless!

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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