Colombia-Jane has left 17 comments

Colombia-Jane comments on Colombianas in comparison to the American ( or gringa ) Woman

:) Hmmm...I wouldn't really know about Toronto. It scares me and I'm not from there.

And I agree. There are very many warm and cordial and welcoming people in Colombia. Being in smaller cities and towns there (especially) always made me feel at home because that's how it is in my own little tiny corner of the world. Minus the palm trees of course.

Colombia-Jane comments on Colombianas in comparison to the American ( or gringa ) Woman

Platano... Hey Platano... Good for you! :) I really like reading about your adventures, you've always got an interesting story to tell. Continue on...it's good for people to know different things about Colombia, glamorous or not.

I'm not out to threaten anyone. ;) Culture, in general, is just a really sensitive topic for me. I teach and do work with immigrants and refugees as well...so I'm sure you can probably imagine why I feel the way I do.

Colombia-Jane comments on Colombianas in comparison to the American ( or gringa ) Woman

:) Mmmm...try again. I think the whole point of my post was to encourage everybody to think outside the box? Calmese...no hard feelings.

(Speaking of judgement issues and thinking outside the box...do you think it's a North American issue? That's a judgement, no?)I love Colombia and its people. Maybe I just have Bogota feelings because I definitely feel differently in other regions of the country. But I've been discussing the following a lot with Colombians over the past couple of days: that people who are willing to open up their minds and hearts are a rare commodity (I'm talking typical Bogota. Not Colombians in general, relax) in the capital at least. There's an awful lot of un-necessary tension in this world. Having an open mind goes a long way.
And for the record, just because I find it concerning that some North American males are colombiana chasers (or that anyone for that matter, groups people of other cultures whether it be by personality or looks) does not make me judgemental. I'm a very worldly girl...the J definitely doesn't stand for judgemental. No need to get all defensive. :)

And by the way...where did I get my what? Boyfriend? We met in Toronto. Working at the same job.

Colombia-Jane comments on Colombianas in comparison to the American ( or gringa ) Woman

Booooo I see this kind of thread a lot...and I'm gonna comment...can't hold back anymore. :p

People are people. There are many distinct cultures but within those cultures are things I like to call, now listen carefully, *INDIVIDUALS*. They're like finger prints, they're all different. Mind boggling, I know.

Can I just add something else? (I know I'm not alone here, back me up, people!) I find North American males chasing after Colombian women very creepy. It's like...mail order brides. What are you trying to achieve, I don't get it. In the U.S. (Canada too), there are literally millions and millions of available women of all nationalities, body types, personalities, etc. Among them are many Colombian women...born and bred ones even. Explain to me why in a country of skillions of potential wives, you have to go to Colombia to get one.

My boy is Colombian. He's brown and beautiful and salsa dances like nobody's business but I love him because he's him and he's my best friend. The fact that he's Colombian very rarely crosses my mind. And in turn, he loves me because I'm me. Not because I'm white and have blue eyes and have a Canadian passport...he knows a LOT of people just like me. People have even offered to marry him to keep him in Canada and he's declined. Because he's a beautiful human and he understands (like we all should) the importance of humanity.

Remember...there's a final line between culture and individuality. Find that line.

Live, love, see, experience, understand. (ALL TOGETHER NOW!)


Thank you.
CJ

Colombia-Jane comments on Describe Colombia in Just One Word!!!

mesmerizing

Colombia-Jane comments on Worried about going back to Pereira

Thanks for the advice. :)

Colombia-Jane comments on Worried about going back to Pereira

HELP! I should probably start my own thread... but since we're sort of on the topic, I'm asking you all for advice!
I'm tutoring (read teaching) English to a 12 year old girl. She's been here for a year, is in ESL in school, but still can't speak a lick of English. I try hard not to speak in Spanish with her but it's usually necessary because she understands very little and never practices what I teach her or memorizes the vocab. Any tips on how to motivate her? She's a tough cookie. This case is just about the opposite of every experience you guys are talking about. She speaks Spanish all the time and only spends time with other Colombian children (who knew there were so many of them in St. John's!) I'm very patient with her but running out of ideas...help!?

Carlos: My advice to you is not to worry about what people will think of you in Colombia. Go, enjoy, relax, and soak up every bit of the experience you can. You don't know how lucky you are to be a part of two very special cultures, countries and have 2 languages. APROVECHA! I hope you (re)discover the magic of the homeland when you get there. Colombia will steal your heart. ;)

Colombia-Jane comments on How is the Postal Service in Colombia?

Air, ground, donkey... (Wow I haven't made a post here in ages!)

I live in No Man's Land, Canada (como dice mi bobio, vivo en la mi*3da) and somehow everything I've ever sent to Colombia has gotten there. Maybe the guardian post office angels are watching out for me. The problem is, and you're all right, that things get sketchy on the Colombian side of things. Sometimes I can send things and it'll get there in 7 days, other times it takes a month or more. As cheap as it is (at least from Canada), NEVER USE GROUND MAIL! I'm POSITIVE it goes by burro, colibri, caballo, etc...and takes about 289478714 years to get there.

I sent some gifts to Bogota for some little friends in el campo and I think it probably only got there because I had "Es MUY importante que este paquete llegue a su destino. NO PERDER POR FAVOR!!!!!!!" all over it. ;)

There is still mail waiting for me in Bogota that never got to me over the summer.

Mailing woes is just a part of the fun! Enjoy.

Colombia-Jane comments on Nicknames

Nicknames make me smile My favourites to call my novio: PAPI, papeh, papito! Uyyy!
But as for nice cute names, amor, amorcito, tesoro, precioso, mi vida, mi cielo, and if you're feeling *really* cutesy, mi osito.
For girls a lot of those work too...but princesita is a must. ;) I like bebecita too.






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Colombia-Jane comments on Where are you from and where do you live?

Canadiense 21 years old
Hometown: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Lived in Quebec City for a year and spent a beautiful 3 months in Colombia with mi noviecito who is bogotano, left him and a huge chunk of my heart behind. Can't wait to get back to Colombia...what a great country to fall in love with!

How I feel about the word gringo/a:
It offended me big time when I was there. To me there are certain esoteric and non-esoteric connotations behind it...and a lot of expectations too. I can't even count how many people were fascinated to discover that I understand and speak Spanish, am actually quite human, and am not fat. hehe








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Colombia-Jane comments on Am I another North American manimpulated by the media??

No worries! I know what you must be hearing. You'll be kidnapped, stabbed on the bus, taken to random dumps and killed by taxi drivers, and that "narco-terrorists" will slip drugs in your pocket when you're not looking.

All I have to say is....PFFFFFFFFF.

Unless you plan on hiking through the jungle by yourself, you're gonna be fine.







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Colombia-Jane comments on Information on Manizales? (and special note to Vildkatta)

Manizales Hi there! I'd definitely reccomend driving from Bogota to Manizales. It's about 6 hours away and other than all the damn curves in the roads, it's a great drive! I know Canadians require driving permits so I would assume it's the same for everyone else.

Manizales is great! If you need a place to stay I suggest Termales del Otono. Beautiful cabins with amazing service and thermal jacuzzis (say hello to my Tias Tonia and Dorita for me! They run a beautiful spot.)
I wish I could remember the names of the places I went when I was there but they're so popular that I'm sure you'll find out no problem. There are several nature parks with great guided tours and el nevado is a huge attraction. You'll also be sure to see the famous statues and the cathedral. Go to Don Juaco for the best chicharron in the world! :)

Manizales was pretty chilly in August so be prepared for cold and maybe even hot. It's also near la zona cafetera if you're up for a great roadtrip. :)

Have fun!





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Colombia-Jane comments on Where to go in Colombia?

Where to go It would be really hard to choose between la Zona Cafetera and the Caribbean Coast. The Zona Cafetera is beautiful. El parque nacional del cafe is definitely worth seeing, so is Panaca and other nearby cities such as Pereira and Manizales (Manizales has the nevado and a really amazing hotel with thermal jacuzzis called Termales del Otono). The artisans in la zona cafetera are among the very best. That's where the best chivas are sold...it's worth the 7 or so hour drive from Bogota just to buy one. :)





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Colombia-Jane comments on Enough about women, what about Colombian men?

Colombianos preciosos y guevones It's hard to generalize but there's all kinds of boys in Locombia!

1)Your typical Latin Lover. Lots of guys would stare at me and ask me to dance even when I was with my boyfriend. Like anywhere else in the world, it's easy to spot a sleeze bucket.

2) El caballero, not to be confused with latin lover. The whipped momma's boy, for example.

3) Regular Joe. I have some very close Colombian male friends who are just...very normal. LOTS of fun, very energetic, and some of the best friends I've ever had.

4) Guevones. Nuff said.

I HEART COLOMBIANS!

Colombia-Jane comments on What to expect???

Things have apparently changed quite a bit. The TransmiLLENO as I call it (or Transmimierda as my boyfriend calls it) is pretty much the pride of Bogota at this point. It's packed but it's fast and will get you wherever you want to go.

My favourite places for nightlife are Usaquen (pretty romantic place for a potential date! hehe) and what is it...la 82? La Zona T is pretty fancy...it's even just found to walk around at night and look at all the different places in that area.

La Candelaria and Parque Simon Bolivar were also among my favourite places in Bogota. If you like small town adventures, hop on a bus (at the Transmilleno station) to Chia or Zipaquira. It makes for a really fun Sunday adventure.

Have fun!

Colombia-Jane comments on Going to Bogota

Go without expectations! Bogota is FANTASTIC!!! I won't tell you anything about it other than that. From the moment I got out of customs at the airport all I could say was "Wow! Is that normal!" What a lively city. It's crazy, you'll love it!
My only advice is: Don't be stupid. Like in any other large city, you need to be careful. Watch your wallet and be careful of where you are. If you're with a local you'll have no problems. If you're as obviously foreign as I am to look at, you will probably get hassled more to buy things where things are being sold (which is everywhere!). People will expect you to have more money (all foreigners are rich you know!) so if you're in a place where you need to bargain, it's best to get your lady to take care of business for you so you don't get ripped off.
Have an awesome time!

Colombia-Jane comments on Have you changed your appearance to visit Colombia?

Ser Colombiano It's hard for an east-coast Canadian not to stand out in Colombia! Especially in rural areas. With the help of Naf Naf clothes and dark hair with red streaks I fit in well...from behind. It's the skin that gives it all away. "Mira la gringa!" If you want to fit in more in Bogota, Puma from head to toe (booo!) is a good way to go. And for the girls...nails! I don't remember seeing many girls without a manicure. hehe.