ConorC has left 18 comments

ConorC comments on USD - COP 31st March

For future reference check www.oanda.com then on the left hand side click FX History.

ConorC comments on

Democracy is the worst form of government. Except all the others that have gone before it. Winston Churchill Take a look at "The Mystery of Capital" by Hernando de Soto. Heavily simplified thesis is that for capitalism to succeed property rights must exist.

ConorC comments on Pros and Cons of Moving to the UK

200,000? You're a bit optimistic! I was back home in Belfast last week and was shocked to see two bed apartments (one bathroom) in commuting distance to Belfast going for that price, so I dread to think what it's like in central london. Mind you, I live in the nice tax haven of Jersey, where I'm not even allowed to buy a house! I was thinking if you were in the fortunate position of buying a house/flat outright in Colombia then your monthly salary (two with the wife) would leave you in a comfortable position (depending on job of course)

ConorC comments on Pros and Cons of Moving to the UK

So what is the level of income tax in Colombia? I've heard Corporation Tax is crippling.

ConorC comments on London to Colombia

I'm booked on the same Virgin flight via Miami to Medellin in June for £807 but that's via Jersey (the Island, not the turnpike!). My tickets were electronic and booked via Expedia. Do you have to provide an address if you are going straight through to Colombia?

ConorC comments on English School for Sale

How many teachers do you have on the books?

ConorC comments on To all Brits living in Bogotá

I know in Medellin the British Consulate has monthly meetings for ex-pats but I don't know anything more specific than that as I didn' get involved whilst I was there so speak to the embassy in Bogota and as adrimm says you may find the same deal.

ConorC comments on if you're in the UK or get bbc1

That was my first thought! They managed to spell it right on the intro but not when the President is on! I personally thought it was a waste of time. I thought the objective was to highlight the suffering it caused in Colombia, yet we were introduced to a mule who didn't give a toss about what he was doing, drug dealers who were happy to supply and "How to" guide on cocaine production. A wasted opportunity me thinks...

ConorC comments on if you're in the UK or get bbc1

If you go to www.bbc.co.uk there is a banner saying "Making the unmissable, unmissable" and it's called Iplayer. From here you should be able to watch Panorama from Tuesday.

ConorC comments on FARC Release some, then Take some

Is it normal for the FARC to rob people (as mentioned in the story)? I remember that the IRA in Northern Ireland never did anything like this (supposedly) so as to prevent it's image from being tarnished by petty criminals and to keep more as a political organisation.

ConorC comments on Rental costs

mmm.....with all the question marks after the question it you sound surprised?! Well I'm just looking at the moment. Sabaneta is just one of a number of places I'm looking at. Loking to be close to Poblado without actually being in Poblado if you get what I mean, so I'm looking at Envigado as well. If you know any nice little towns outside the city on the side fill me in. I know Rio Negro and Llanogrande can be quite pricey though.

ConorC comments on Go-kart tracks

So I'd be right in assuming the choice around Medellin is rather lacking?

ConorC comments on Spanish Course Medellin

There's also EAFIT, Berlitz and Loquella Language Centres. Loquella is fairly new and I'm using it when I head out to Medellin in September. The website provides most of the details you need. http://www.loquellalanguagecenters.com/

ConorC comments on Flights from UK

I'm flying with Avianca from Madrid to Medellin via Bogota. All in it was £486, but then Avianca changed their flight times so I had to spend €80 changing them. And to get to Madrid I used BA which cost about £160, so all in it was £640, which I didn't think was too bad. Anyone get lower than that from the UK?

ConorC comments on Irish visa - major problem!

This is probably of absolutely no use... But I was speaking to an Irish teacher in Medellin who was telling me that ever since the 3 IRA guys were caught the Government is incredibly strict with anyone on an Irish passport (ironic since they were travelling on British passports). So chances our you'll need something even if it is only a transit.

ConorC comments on Ciudad Perdida

Travel Insurance I was in Medellin for the summer and I asked a number of agencies about organising a trip to San Augustin and TierraDentro as they are World Heritage Sites but noone I spoke to would actually offer me the deals as they said it was too dangerous.

On CP, you should probably check your travel insurance. Most policies become invalid if you travel to an area that is the FCO advises against going to, so if you lose your camera or something they may not pay out. Mind you, I wish I had gone to CP!

ConorC comments on Andeas Escobar's Murderer goes Free After 10 Years in Prison

Or In Northern Ireland anyone can murder, claim it was a terrorist activity and go free after 6 months

ConorC comments on UK - Colombia plug converter

Hey,

Cheers for the info. The phone is no longer the issue as I found a charger for it lying about the house I´m staying in. Issue is now to charge my camera (Canon IXUS 400) and it uses Canon´s special batteries (kind of rectangular using their special charger. If anyone knows if that´s what they use over here that would be great as I´m heading to Cartagena on Monday Morning and a recharged camera is always useful!

Cheers

Conor