ConorC has left 112 comments

ConorC comments on

Why do the two Americans get full marks for attending the course but not the other 8?

ConorC comments on We look for some soccer players..

Nearly every company here has a football team or a league e.g. EcoPetrol, Compensar, BdeLR. Likewise most schools will have both a league for current students or alumni. If you're looking for something a bit more regular I'd suggest you maybe hunt one of these areas out in Medellin. You won't be allowed to play in their leagues but they may be aware of other 5 a side leagues or more open leagues. If you need any advice on where to look in Bogota just shout.

ConorC comments on Santa Fe vs. Pasto last night

Well that was a nice well balanced post :D

ConorC comments on Santa Fe vs. Pasto last night

And despite what everyone thinks, being Irish (well Northern Irish), I don't think it was referees fault. From the angle it looks like he could of seen it and nor could the Assistant. Contrary to popular belief, the referee cannot see everything on the pitch...

ConorC comments on Job hunting in Colombia....hard work!!!

"I understand what your saying LH but there's tons of people living in the UK or the US that can't speak english, live there, have work and survive.....it's just the way it is." Yes, but what type of jobs do they have? It's not the skilled labour you would be looking for. It's the Pizza Huts, the McDonalds and the cleaners of the countries you're talking about.

ConorC comments on Job hunting in Colombia....hard work!!!

It's hard but not impossible. When I applied to the firm here in Bogota we had numerous conversations all in English (although my Spanish is/was pretty good) and it wasn't until the first day I turned up and spoke Spanish that it twigged, so they were willing to hire me without that experience. However, a few things: My job was never advertised I found it through a foreigner working at the firm I was in the rather favorable position of having a skill that is both in demand at this time (due to a change in the law in July) and for which there is scarcely any local supply. Anyway, moral is it can be done you just have to know the right people...

ConorC comments on Iberia/BA article from CNBC

What are you talking about? Surely the London Luton to Trapani route is bustling with activity??? And of course he's a genius! He's an accountant! The whole story of how he turned Ryanair into the giant it is today is actually fascinating.

ConorC comments on Iberia/BA article from CNBC

It's an interesting one actually, because Ryanair won't give a crap about the long haul flights. O'Leary has always said the business model doens't work for medium to long haul flights (mind you I think Air Asia would have something to say about that). And in Europe, he's sitting moaning about higher prices and less choice. Well hang on just a second Mr O'Leary, shouldn't you be over the moon with that situation??? You can just jump right in and take advantage of it!

ConorC comments on Iberia/BA article from CNBC

Good old Michael O'Leary, always good for a laugh! Only ever flown Ryanair twice, and whilst it was a thoroughly unpleasant experience at the airport and on board, they were cheap (well so long as you have no bags and fly at 6am) and got me there on time so they filled their purpose. I've always found BA to be great and nowhere near as expensive as people like Mr O'Leary try to paint them as. Does Latin America have the equivalent of the no-frills airline?

ConorC comments on Cartagena and Colombia: First Impression

I wasn't saying it was racist. Look at the previous comment and you'll see I've copied and pasted it...the first two paragraphs are from the post above, the final paragraph is mine.

ConorC comments on Cartagena and Colombia: First Impression

"It was very clean with efficient staff who didn't look like they're from the ghetto - basically the total opposite of 99% of McDonalds in the US." That comment seems kind of racist.... I owuld quite happily say the same about every McDonalds, Burger King and any other fast food outlet in the UK. They all look like they dropped out of school at 16 with 3 GCSEs, and wear their hoodies and burberry like true Chavs (or for the Scots, they look like NEDs)

ConorC comments on We look for some soccer players..

Which city? Full or small sided? Moree importantly, need a ref? :)

ConorC comments on Remembrance Sunday

So back to the original point, does anyone actually know if there is a Remembrance Sunday Service in Bogota?

ConorC comments on Remembrance Sunday

UK Remembrance Sunday It's not a holiday in the UK so very much doubt it would be a holiday in Colombia! Plus it's on a Sunday :P

ConorC comments on Remembrance Sunday

Usually the closest Sunday to 11th November. 11th November remembers the ending of the First World War 1914-18, which ended at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Whilst the date marks the ending of the First World War, it's used to remember all those who have fought in conflicts around the world.

ConorC comments on ECOPETROL - An excellent dividend yield, but why so high in comparison with other companies?

My understanding is that the Government is still the largest shareholder (89.9%?) and depends on the dividends for "tax" revenues, therefore you would be pretty sure of receiving a healthy dividend from Ecopetrol. I doubt oil revenues would fall so drastically as to put the dividend in doubt, especially given what I've just said.

ConorC comments on Beginning salary?

COP$1.2m for starting job with one of the Big Four in Audit...roughly...

ConorC comments on Work in Colombia

Some indication of what type of work you are looking for would be helpful.

ConorC comments on BRUNO in Colombian cine?

Sasha Baren Cohen is an absolute genius. His humour may be crude and offensive but who cares it's supposed to be comedy!

ConorC comments on Chicago & Tokyo Out - YEAH!!!!!!!!

Yep, the London games have gone way over budget, and the Culture Secretary admitted a year ago, that if they had known what they know now, they wouldn't have entered.

ConorC comments on Telmex or DirectTV in Bogota?

I'm sensing a strong anti TelMex vibe here...

ConorC comments on Overstaying the 180 day tourist visa by 4 days - a problem or not????

I've heard of the situation as well of DAS turning people away at Security clearance as they haven't paid the fine for overstaying. This particular person had to leave the airport, go to DAS, pay the fine, then repurchase a one way flight back to the UK costing near GBP 1000.

ConorC comments on Buying real estate in Bogota

:) Fair enough!

ConorC comments on Buying real estate in Bogota

Surely, isn't Chapter 4 saying the lease agreement itself may not contain a gurantee. The second paragraph of Chapter 4 then says this gurantee may be completed outside the lease agreement through an indtermediary.

ConorC comments on Buying real estate in Bogota

*Be Aware A security deposit is illegal in Colombia. * Eh? Is this true? Never heard of that before (it being illegal)

ConorC comments on New Law Muscled through by Hotels to kill Furnised Apartment Rentals

This is a very nice speech but at no point do you actually say what the proposed law will actually do or allow readers to make up their own mind about it's impact...

ConorC comments on What's all the fuss about...

May surprise people to know there are reputable companies out there :) It's a multinational. And I'm on a local salary before anyone has a moan...

ConorC comments on Once paperwork for a work visa is submitted at a Colombian embassy/consulate in the States, how long will it actually take to get the visa?

Again, in the UK I rocked up early, waited patiently in line with my number, like the good Brit I am, watched a half dozen people walk in off the street after me and get served then they called my number. On the phone I was specifically told I don't need an appointment.

ConorC comments on I want to go live in Colombia

There are always jobs out there, you just got to know where to look...

ConorC comments on Once paperwork for a work visa is submitted at a Colombian embassy/consulate in the States, how long will it actually take to get the visa?

At the Consulate in London all I had to do was wait half an hour and that was it. Wouldn't see the States being any different.

ConorC comments on Scottland Releases Terrorist on terms of Compassion ?

"And you all are surprised to find that the most common birth name in Grey Brittain is Muhammed." So?

ConorC comments on Scottland Releases Terrorist on terms of Compassion ?

Tasco - fair enough, but particuarly in the 70's and 80's US interest groups were more than happy to pump money into less than pristine organisations, inc. Sinn Fein back in the days when they weren't the nice "clean" organisation they are today...

ConorC comments on Scottland Releases Terrorist on terms of Compassion ?

"Hey, as far as I know Brits don't consider themselves part of Europe" Really depends on who you speak to and your political point of view. I think perhaps the more prevalent view is that we are British/English/Scottish/Welsh first, then European second. Whereas particularly in Western/Central Europe the opposite is true. As for needing a different visa, if you have a British passport then for 99% of the population there should no issue moving from country to country. I remember reading somewhere that with the introduction of the Schengen zone in Eastern Europe you could travel from the tip of Portugal to the border with Belarus and not be asked for your passport!

ConorC comments on Scottland Releases Terrorist on terms of Compassion ?

Another well considered remark... I keep forgetting, which nation was it that all the IRA ran to when the SAS were closing in on them?

ConorC comments on Scottland Releases Terrorist on terms of Compassion ?

I don't know much about the original case as I was about 5 at the time, but many of the victims families do not believe he is responsible for the bombing and believe he should never have been incarcerated in the first place.

ConorC comments on Several Positions in Bogota

Internal auditors are hired by companies to essentially audit the internal controls and processes of the enterprise. They'll test the adequacy of these processes, identify if further measures are required and make reccomendations. Typically, because they have to remain independent of the processes they speak primarily to Senior Management. IA tends to more pedantic than External Audit as they are focused on getting everything right and exact first time. EA is concerned with materiality. That's a brief simplified view of things.

ConorC comments on Several Positions in Bogota

Plus, what sector does it operate in? I would doubt very much if it was solely based in Colombia. Highly unusual for IA jobs, particularly for multinationals to be based in one area. Generally, you are placed on assignments on anything form 2-8 weeks anywhere the Company has operations.

ConorC comments on

Sent you a PM with some info.

ConorC comments on Flying to Colombia in December/January

My Airfrance from Bogota to Dublin over the Christmas period was £800 return when I booked it two weeks ago. In that space of time it's gone upto £950...

ConorC comments on Bancolombia S.A. initiated with a Neutral at Goldman

Can you post the link to the research report please?

ConorC comments on British Pension

Christ some harsh words on there and a lot of ignorance surrounding offshore financial centres. Anyways, cheers for the link.

ConorC comments on British Pension

Yeah, that was my first thought but I've told the payment has to be made to a designated pension account and a standard savings account won't suffice. I'm loath to pay into a pension which would become a serious hassle to draw out of and otherwise it may just end up being dead money. I'm still with HSBC at the moment and never had an issue with them so hopefuly I can continue to pay into that if they do let me do it that way.

ConorC comments on British Pension

Well my problem is I can't get a UK pension at the moment as I've been non-resident for 3 years and I didn't have one open when I left the UK and if I tried to open one it would be a false declaration. My option at the moment is to set up an offshore pension in the Isle of Man but looks like it could prove fairly costly given the amount of money involved.

ConorC comments on ATMs in Colombia

Nationwide used to do charge free foreign cash withdrawls but I received a letter in May saying this policy would be changing and fees would be introduced. Other than them I don't think any UK banks are charge free.

ConorC comments on For foreigners looking to rent apartments in Medellin from an agency: Certificado de Ingresos and Carta Laboral

Personally, ethical is ethical no matter where you are and it is the individual that determines the ethics and to blame it on the culture is just to deflect blame from oneself. At the end of the day we are responsible for our own actions.

ConorC comments on For foreigners looking to rent apartments in Medellin from an agency: Certificado de Ingresos and Carta Laboral

"will certify income for the required double amount of the monthy rent" So basically he'll sign off any income you want to get the apartment. I hope I'm not the only one that sees parallels with self certified mortgages and the housing crash? And clearly this gentleman isn't aware of professional standards or a code of ethics? And finally, just because "it happens" doesn't mean it's acceptable.

ConorC comments on Ecopetrol shares

From an income point of view they are pretty decent. My understanding was that because the Gvt still owns a substantial share and uses Ecopetrol to finance part of the State sector, a healthy dividend yield was almost guranteed.

ConorC comments on

"And if it was not for the Yanks, you Brits would all be speaking German!" Another well constructed arguement...

ConorC comments on

I second the Iranian Embassy siege! Also the rescue from the jungle of Sierra Leonne of the British soldiers in 2000 was pretty impressive although one SAS lost his life. As flatline mentioned important to remember the bad with the good. As the quotation goes: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

ConorC comments on kat1, What in the world is going on in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

I would put these papers (and the other red tops such as the Star and the Sun) on a par with Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh in terms of appealing to the lowest common denominator to sell newspapers, breaking down most articles in a god vs. evil, we're right you're wrong argument.