corazon en colombia has left 125 comments

corazon en colombia comments on Colombian Cockroach vs Florida Cockroach

Scary cucarachas Forget Florida and Colombian cockroaches, the scariest ones I have seen were in Mexico, specifically in Acapulco. They are huge. I had the unfortunate experience of making their aquaintance while staying with some friends. I woke up one night because I felt something moving on my hand, it was a cockroach. Worst thing was when I recovered from the shock, I saw those wildabeast cockroaches were crawling all over the walls. Nasty!

Colombia = paradiso

corazon en colombia comments on Superstitions

It's not just older ladies lots of people wear scarfs in Bogota. They say cold air can give you a cold. But I thought colds were from viruses and bacteria.

Oh, I remembered another one. Do women in Colombia put a safety pin on their underwear like some Mexican women to prevent birth deformities?

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corazon en colombia comments on Quiero aconsejar para mi viajar en los cuidades en colombia

Search this site as there is a lot of useful info about all the areas you mentioned. For example, there were several posts referring to gringo dress in the last few weeks with good advice and a few laughs too... :)

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corazon en colombia comments on

Vicshere Speaking of where is everybody...Where have you been? I haven't seen you posting lately.

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corazon en colombia comments on

I think Elmo scared them off :)

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corazon en colombia comments on Superstitions

I can't believe no one has mentioned mal de ojo. Maybe someone can explain it better, but my husband says that some people have a really strong gaze. So if they look at a baby, they can scare them and they can even die from it.

Also, they believe you can get food stuck inside you, like if you eat too much bread or tortillas. That's called being empachado/a. Someone has to give you a massage on your stomach and you're not supposed to shower the next day.

I believe in natural remedies, but these things just don't make sense to me. I think that it's just things people come up with when they don't know about the biological processes and they don't have an explaination for why people get sick and sometimes die. Just like people have been doing for centuries.

My mother in law also believes that giving young babies solid food makes their digestive systems develop faster. She attributes her 6 kids health to this. But scientists show that their digestive systems are not ready for this food, and this can lead to food allergies...but there is no way of arguing with these beliefs, I have already tried.

I have heard the first two in Colombia also. Anyone else come across these superstitions/beliefs?

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corazon en colombia comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

Being alert just means you know what is going on around you. In Colombian big cities it's good to be street smart. Similar to in any big city. Does not mean living in fear...

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corazon en colombia comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

What about Cedritos? What about Cedritos in Bogota?

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corazon en colombia comments on Gringos in Colombia

That number really surprises me too. A couple years back when I was in Bogota for 6 months, I only ran into one lady from California. She was working at the same school I was. DonGringo, do you see many?

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corazon en colombia comments on Gringos in Colombia

14 years? I hope the pension you hope to receive is coming from somewhere other than Social Security cause I doubt there will be any of that left...

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corazon en colombia comments on Difficult for an American to find a job in B/quilla?

Hey, what happened here? Before I remember post after post about how it was relatively easy for a native speaker to find work in Colombia as an English teacher. Now on this thread it seems everyone is saying the opposite. ??? What happened?

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corazon en colombia comments on Back From Bogota!

I don't think I'd give the same advice Yeah, I love Colombia, but I don't think I'd tell people to forget everything they've heard in the news and take the first plane down there. As people are always saying on this site, listen to what you hear in the news and be cautious. I liked your pics. Brought back a lot of memories.

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corazon en colombia comments on

Thanks! I really enjoyed reading your post. It's good to hear the positive with the negative. I think your post will help people to understand what life is like in Colombia.

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corazon en colombia comments on where can i get good Ajiaco in Bogota?

Anywhere!!!! I have yet to taste an ajiaco that isn't sooooooo good! I ate it frequently.

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corazon en colombia comments on Escaping The Rat Race

Cities in Colombia I'm not sure about the city recommendation, that Bogota would be better. It depends a lot on the person. Me for example, I am from a city of less than 500,000 and when I went to Bogota, I really enjoyed it, but it was just too big for me to settle longterm. As far as nightlife goes, it also depends what you are used to. I'm not into the bar scene (although I love to dance) and lately I'm pretty much a homebody, so a smaller town in Colombia sounds good to me. Each person needs to balance their priorities and yes visiting several would be good.

Being able to adapt in a foreign culture takes patience and flexibility. There are positives and negatives of living anywhere. I would suggest an extended trip first to see how you like the culture and if you think the lifestyle would be acceptable to you.

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corazon en colombia comments on Anti-Spanish sentiments in Bogota

The connection was the name of the town, which although is pronounced differently than the Colombian capital, is spelled the same, and the discussion was about Spanish and bilingualism which is indirectly related to Colombia.

I don't know why Elmo can talk day about hemmroids all day and no one complains, but bring up something that might have some substance and they start telling me I'm off topic...it was just amusing to me that in Bogota they are expressing anti-Spanish sentiments. Doesn't that seem ironic to you?

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corazon en colombia comments on Definition of hispanic and latino/a?

Another question about this... I talked to a Colombian guy the other guy who left me a little confused about something. He was explaining to me that Italians were Latinos, but not for the reason I thought (the language, in the Latin family) but because in the time of Spanish colonization Italians were taking control of southern South America, or something like that. Now I'm confused, but what I learned in my Latin Civ class was that it was the Spanish doing all the atrosities and herding up the indigenous people and slaughtering them...where do the Italians come into the picture? I know there is a lot of Italian influence in Argentina, but I thought that wasn't until later. History buffs...what can you tell me about this?

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corazon en colombia comments on Anti-Spanish sentiments in Bogota

So much for... Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

From what I am hearing from people lately looks like we are going to have to change this. I thought what made us Americans was the common belief that all people were created equal, that people should be treated justly, and that all people (even the wretched refuse) deserve a chance. I thought that was what America was. I think we are sending the wrong message, either that or we have come along way from the ideals we were founded on.

Maybe it should say, Give me your ethnocentric, rich and monolingual yearning to dominate.

Obviously not all Americans think like this, so I'm not trying to generalize anyone. I'm just really frustrated...what happenned to equality, justice, dignity?

Colombia = paradiso

corazon en colombia comments on Anti-Spanish sentiments in Bogota

If I'm walking down the street... If I'm walking down the street in a diverse city, I am not at all insulted to see signs in Hmong, Sudanese, or any other language because I know that people in this country come from many countries and that is beautiful to me. Obviously, we all speak English here to communicate, but I see the ability to speak more than one language as a special gift not an attack on America. In the U.S. we do speak English, but (thank God!!!) there is nothing that says we must speak ONLY english. Unfortunately many people in this country think one must lose their native language and culture to become American. I do not. Neither do many people from other cultures, for example Latinos will often tell me that the person who speaks two languages "vale por dos." That is valued to them, so don't tell me they do not want to learn English. They do, but they also love their mother language. Our lives would all be richer if we knew another language and culture, I know mine has...

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corazon en colombia comments on Anti-Spanish sentiments in Bogota

The text of the
The text of the advertisement in Bogota reads "Un frente helado se aproxima. Nuevo café helado," which means "A cold front is coming. A new iced coffee."

Suuposedly, according to the mayor this is "offensive" and "devisive."

"The true things that bind us together as neighbors and community is our belief in the American flag and our common language," Lonegan said. "And when McDonald's sends a different message, that we're going to be different now, that causes resentment."

Hmmm, I thought the beauty of America was we are different, but we are all Americans. I didn't know to be American you had to swear fidelity to one language...dang, does that mean they are going to kick me out...

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corazon en colombia comments on Advice to Gringos

Those are the ones I have. They are awesome! Expensive, but they last, and they are way better than any store bought because they fit perfectly your feet. You will be able to wear a variety of sensible shoes and feel probably more relief than the tennies. They did wonders for my feet and also helped with lower back pain. It's weird how everything is connected and if not properly alined can mess you up. Seriously get the supports custom-made and you will be asking yourself why you put up with pain for so long...

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corazon en colombia comments on Anti-Spanish sentiments in Bogota

No they didn't outlaw spanish, but the fact that the mayor was advocating against spanish being used on a billboard directed toward the latino population is just ridiculus! it's called marketing - they can do it how they want as long as they are not infringing on anyone's rights, which I don't think having some diversity would kill anyone.

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corazon en colombia comments on Advice to Gringos

There are other ways I also have problems with my feet, but I have orthoditics which I can put in different shoes, tennies or more dressy shoes. While I can't do high heels or trendy boots, I can wear something other than tennies. Have you looked for other ways to provide support other than tennies?

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corazon en colombia comments on Travelling to Columbia for the first time.....

Isn't one post enough? I know that some people want to make sure they are understood, but geez, I get the point already!!! ja, ja, ja Why so many of the same post?

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corazon en colombia comments on Advice to Gringos

Tennies are out? I wore my tennies in Bogota, and I thought I remember seeing others in tennies with jeans, especially the youth/college age crowd. Am I wrong?

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corazon en colombia comments on help with teaching tips & strategies

Very nicely said. I think you sumed it up very nicely. Thanks for your contribution David...

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corazon en colombia comments on help with teaching tips & strategies

Let's clarify... While you may be able to do some good, and even though you might be able to find a real job (yes, teaching is a real job) teaching at an institute, that does not make you "qualified to teach." If you want to be qualified, you need to have some knowledge and training beyond just being able to talk. There is a lot of interesting information you could learn about linguistics, language, and teaching strategies. These areas are fascinating! This could do you a lot of good. I understand what you are doing is just a temporary way to earn some money, but please do not make it sound like being a teacher is so simple that any guy off the street who speaks a little english could teach it. Or even worse that you are qualified to teach it. You are offering a service that is needed and for that you are receiving money. The service is in high demand, and therefore some people aren't looking for a highly qualified professional to teach them. Leave it at that and do the best you can with what you have. But I highly recommend getting some information. Do some research. You will be enriching your own life with knowledge and you and your students can only benefit from this!!!

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corazon en colombia comments on Attn Peter: WAY too much of this lately on PBH

this happened to me yesterday plus it's been running really sloooooooooooooooooow!

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corazon en colombia comments on No need for advice but a thought

Where is the line? Where is the line between trusting and stupid? I might trust the first time someone asked for money, maybe even a second, but all the time, no way. Evidently the guy doesn't care if he's throwing his money away. If he has so much and is dumb enough to throw all that money to a girlfriend he hardly sees and knows little about, let him do it. Obviously he has enough to do so. Some rich gringo has extra money to throw around, and some Colombians are getting a job out of what for him is migajas. Eventually he will see her true colors if he is actually looking. Of course there is always the chance that he is one of those that got the love bug in Colombia, "I met this Colombian girl, she is beautiful, I'm in love, yes I hardly know her, but I want to marry her." In that case, poor guy doesn't know what's coming, but I have the feeling he does.

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corazon en colombia comments on Curious about living costs

Cost of living How much you live on depends very much on your comfort level and "extras." It also varies a lot from city to city. It is possible to live on much less. Most Colombians make much, much less than 50,000USD a year! They rent, eat, and send kids to school. What is normal USA style anyway? An SUV? Expensive clothes? A brand new house with granite countertops and top of the line appliances? I think the best way to know how much it is going to cost is to ask family members/friends who live a comparable life-style to the one you will be living what it costs them. 50,000 sounds like more than enough to live off of in Colombia, actually you could live off less and give some away to organizations working to help those who have less.

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corazon en colombia comments on help with teaching tips & strategies

Teaching English if you are working one on one with someone who already has a knowledge of English and wants to practice conversation, I don't see a problem with that as long as they know what experience you do or do not have, I would not put a ad for english profesor in the paper if I was not one. Let people know you are not a teacher but a native speaker who wants to help them advance in English. You do know more English than they do, so you can help them learn something, which is better than nothing. However, if you do want to make a profession out of this, I would suggest getting some training, but if this is a way to maintain a traveler for a short period of time, go for it. Just be honest to your students about who you are. Talk away, talking is a much better way to become fluent in a language than studying a book. (Although grammar is necessary, it does not produce fluency.) If you are looking for conversation topics, there are so many...daily life, differences between cultures, recent world events, his/her profession, family, food, hobbies, interesting stories of things that have happened to people, etc.

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corazon en colombia comments on For the newbies only. How to land trophy Colombian women?

Maybe they don't... Maybe they only think your checkbook is cute :) Anybody dancing around like a chicken looks like an idiot, I don't care what country you are from.

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corazon en colombia comments on help with teaching tips & strategies

Hmmm, that's a hard one. Sounds like you don't know what you're doing but you want to look like you know what you are doing, well I don't think my suggestions will help that much, I'm afraid if you want to look like you know what you are doing, you have to actually KNOW what you are doing. There is a reason teacher's study how to teach...just a little friendly sarcasm from a teacher's point of view.

One thing that might help you is that teaching things in isolation (words, phrases) is not the best methodology to use when teaching a language. Neither is the grammar approach, learning every grammar rule in the book does not make you a fluent speaker. However, most Colombians really want to know grammar. I suggest you buy a book on English grammar as native speakers rarely know grammar rules for their own language (english or otherwise).

Brain research has shown that the best way to learn anything is by making connections to existing information and teaching it in context. For example, look up a little information on a subject in English, simplify it if necessary, and talk about it, perhaps make a list of the things that you already know about the topic in english and than add any new things you learn. You could do this for any topic of conversation.

Try not to translate everything. Use pictures, hand gestures, and other words to simplify language.

You could have the student make "a book" about themselves with simple phrases like: I was born in..., I have __ brothers and sisters., I studied to be a _________. I work for a company that...., My job is to..., My hobbies are..., Someday I would like to..., etc On each page you could write other phrases to remember that have to do with the same thing like Where do you work? What places have you visited? How many people are in your family? You can help them enhance their book with other phrases they will need and vary it according to the student's present level of english.

You could also go through a process verbally, to help with verbs(in present or past). First I do this...Next, Finally,

Just a few quick ideas I have used. I don't really know what else to say. You will have to be creative. There should be a lot of information on the internet for TESOL or ESL. Do some research, you will find there is a lot out there.

Colombia = paradiso

corazon en colombia comments on Gringo shot & wounded in Medellin

Don gringo The attitude of some people me cae muy mal. Yeah, first they put a big target sign on them by their clothes and their habits(like being obnoxious, insulting and waving their money around), then they refuse to take precautions, and then they wonder why things happen to them...I wonder if they still are feeling so powerful when that gun is stuck in their face? I'd probably be peeing my pants. Like I have said before...dress like the natives to blend in, keep a low profile(no money waving for me, I am very discreet and polite), and follow safety precautions for heaven's sake!!!! This is not directed at all gringos, but just the ones who need an attitude reajustment about security in Colombia. It is a wonderful place, but some people need to take the blinders off and quit believing it could not happen to you. Anyway, I prefer to be safe than sorry.

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corazon en colombia comments on Why I Love my Wife

I wonder what the statistics are... for the success of Colombian with US partner marriages vs. the general population in the US? I wonder if the statistics are any different if the Colombian spouse is the husband vs. the wife with a US citizen? I would think the success rate is about the same in general though I'm not sure about this.

I think any marriage is doomed for failure when one or both go into the marriage with self-serving attitudes "what this person can do for me" vs. "what I can do to make the other happy" I think the majority of marriages break up because of selfishness. Selfishness is at the root of most problems. There are definately other issues, but when a couple is considerate, kind, paciente, respectful, positive, and loving that is a good start!

I am so glad to hear that you guys have five years together and are still very happy. I have two with my husband and people always tell us that our happiness will "wear off" in a couple years. I don't believe them!

Colombia = paradiso

corazon en colombia comments on

Don't get me wrong I am not in favor of divorce, but there are some situations where it is healthier for the family. It is not good for kids to hear parents arguing, see parents crying or sad because of things happening in the marriage, or that dad is not present much because he is having an affair, or hit mom, or somebody has a drinking problem. All these things affect kids too. It depends on the age of the kids, but even young kids can see when a parent is depressed or physically sick because a marriage is going bad. The best solution is always finding a way to make it work and counseling can help. But when things are really bad, sometimes it's worse for the kids.

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corazon en colombia comments on

My mom stayed with my dad for many years. She was very unhappy and now has a lot of trauma to deal with as a result. Of course all children want their parents together, but I wish my mom would have got out a lot sooner than she did and looked for some happiness for herself. Maybe she would be mentally and physically in better shape because right now she's a mess. I would be better off if I had not watched my mom go through a mental breakdown.

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corazon en colombia comments on ¡Qué viva Pasto, carajo!”

Cold? Okay so because I was curious I checked out weather for Pasto this week highs between 75-78. Is this cold to y'll? Where are you living? Sounds good to me.

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corazon en colombia comments on Desi's list

I'm sure he has more love for Colombia in his heart than the average person, so heck why not?! :) He can wear it right next to his Defensor de Mexico badge. J/K G5, you are still one of us even if we don't always agree with you. Your warnings serve to keep the unwanted gringos out of Colombia, oops how did morphus get in? BTW, where is morphus?

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corazon en colombia comments on ¡Qué viva Pasto, carajo!”

How cold? Colombia = paradiso

corazon en colombia comments on Desi's list

I wouldn't call G5 a Defensor de Colombia but even he helps keep the balance of the force...ooops I mean gives balance to our opinions.

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corazon en colombia comments on who deleted elmo??

Ooops! Wrong girl, you should of told me she was in Gitanas. I was thinking of Ivonne Montero. If you google Anita no te rajes, you will see who I'm talking about. Ana de la Reguera is much better looking...

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corazon en colombia comments on Where can I get a list of

THX! Colombia = paradiso

corazon en colombia comments on why should we change the way we dress?

Mysteries? Is this a catholic thing? What are mysteries?

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corazon en colombia comments on who deleted elmo??

Anna de la Reguera??? Wasn't she Anita no te rajes. She is not that good looking, is she?

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corazon en colombia comments on why should we change the way we dress?

Or maybe they really do have headaches...you never know.

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corazon en colombia comments on why should we change the way we dress?

Didn't you know Women use headaches as excuses to get out of lots of things...

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corazon en colombia comments on ¡Qué viva Pasto, carajo!”

Every country has one group that they like to make fun of, Pastuso jokes in Colombia are like red-neck jokes in the US.

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corazon en colombia comments on ¡Qué viva Pasto, carajo!”

How cold is Pasto? Colder than Bogota? Colder than Canada? Please define cold...

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corazon en colombia comments on All the males

You mean the ones with their mind in the gutter are... girls! LOL!!! That is hilarious! I just get done writing about how nice it is to see some girls on here this afternoon (well afternoon for me, what time is it there?) and then I read your post. So you are trying to tell me that all this time, the ones with their minds in the gutter are females!

Colombia = paradiso