CristalM has left 38 comments

CristalM comments on Cost of education

It is hard to compare to US because every state in US is different. My daughter, who is studying engineering, is going to school for free in Florida on a Bright Futures 75% scholarship plus another small scholarship. She had to have about B grades, a 19 on ACT (that is a very average score) and had to take a few required courses in HS. Oklahoma has very few state scholarships and the state schools are about 15,000$ per year. It really depends on the state.

CristalM comments on DERECHO A MORIR DIGNAMENTE

Love it!!! I'm gonna use this with my son and his x-box! Gracias!

CristalM comments on German classes in Bogota?

Thankyou!

CristalM comments on Juan Valdez IPO

Just an FYI, There was a news article recently that Starbucks is experimenting with the regular coffees for under 2$, that is why you aren't paying over 3$...You are an experiment!!! In OKC there are no drinks on the menu under 2$. I owned a small coffee shop for awhile and know my coffee, detest starbucks, always thought you are just paying for the name. Love JV and will try to buy in on day 1. Do you all know the profit margin on those latte's? Espresso shot....0.15$, milk 0.08$ (cappuccino size), syrups will get you...Tourani is about 0.25$ per shot. You do the math. I think there is plenty of room for someone to compete with SB.

CristalM comments on Need some info about monetary system in Colombia for a high school class

Thankyou for the suggestions. The web site was great. Apparently they have changed the website for the Bolsa de Valores and that was why I couldn't find it. But if anyone else has any further help, I can always use it. I will try to find a professor as you suggested, David, thanks!

CristalM comments on swimming://where to swim

There is another of those clubs that my friend goes to but I think you need a membership. It is called Club Campestre and it is on the autopista, north end, would have to look for the exact address. There is also one further up north, near where I work at autopista and 222. If you don't find anything e-mail me and I will ask at work, there are a few people who use it so it must be cheap.....we are all missionaries!

CristalM comments on joetexan

Personally, I found your ideas really interesting. When you find a place to continue posting let me know. I miss TX, own a house in San Antonio that is rented out. Am working in Bogota as a missionary teacher in an english speaking school for children of pastors and missionaries. Yes, religion is discussed on this forum, but admittedly not so much. Anyway, let me know if you post about this topic anywhere else. Cristal M.

CristalM comments on Bogotá Resident??

here for a year, 6 months to go. Autopista and 150 or so.

CristalM comments on Religious Marriage Ceremony in Colombia

My friend who is Canadian finally got all the paperwork to marry his Colombian fiancee. They did the civil service. The following weekend our colegio put together a beautiful wedding for them in the patio at school....put together in about 3 days, had over 250 guests, our school youth pastor presided and blessed the marriage. They did the whole exchange of vows as if it was the only ceremony that mattered (Spiritually it was the only one that mattered). I don't know Bucaramanga but I am sure there are tons of missionaries, evangelical or protestant churches where you'd find someone more than happy to do the service, that is just my humble opinion. If you can't, e-mail me, and I will ask around to the missionaries I work with.

CristalM comments on Urgently need GOOD teenage psychologist - Bogota or Ibague

My son just started seeing a woman dr. in north Bogota, she is a Christian psychologist, but her name and address are on my desk at work, if you don't get anymore help I will post it tomorrow, hopefully by lunchtime. She does speak english and was trained in the US. I can tell you her first name is Anni but can't for the life of me recall her last name. Will post tomorrow or you can e-mail me.

CristalM comments on

Enjoy the hike up the little old hill! We went this past week. My husband's comment was that it would be a really nice walk if there was air to breath (He just got here so isn't acclimated to the altitude) Love your pictures!

CristalM comments on Surprise

Get a taxi at the window where you exit the airport. I have never had a problem. Hope you have a great visit! Since your arrival is a surprise be careful what time you get in. My husband's flight landed at 9 ish pm and we weren't home to the apartment in northern Bogota until after 11:30 pm.

CristalM comments on Mercado Libre

He did that and it is up about 600%. But I was hoping to hear if anyone has used it, what they thought, sought of the "local attitude" about the company. I will post more as I find out. Thankyou for the suggestion!

CristalM comments on is it gonna be hard for me to get my hands on a rental car out there.(im american)

that is a good decision. In the states I was the typical "soccer mom" with the minivan and teens, drive everywhere. Been here 6 months or so without a car. It took a bit to get used to. Everyone asks everyone else for rides and they freely give them, drop you off on the way. Taxis are really cheap, buses even ridiculously cheaper. You'll be fine, just have to get used to it. The major problem is finding a taxi on Friday night when it is pouring rain...make sure you have an umbrella with you cause you'll be waiting a long time.

CristalM comments on soon to arrive

Don't know much about Tunja, but do know about the visas. The school has to get the information and forms for you for the work visa. They have to be apostillized here in Colombia. Then you need to take it, along with a bunch of other things to the consulate. They used to do various free visas up until about a year ago, but no more. you have to get a work visa that will be about $205.00 US. You will need a records check from your local police department, birth certificate, your passport, and probably something that shows you could support yourself if the school didn't pay you. You also need a bunch of pictures. Most of these things have to be apostillized....you have to go to your state's Secretary of State office. Depending on what state you live in it will be under 2$, up to 50$ per document. (it is 20$ per document in Oklahoma, 2$ in Il, and 50 in CA) If you have any dependents they will need to get what is called a "beneficiary work visa", also $205.00 each. Depending on what state you live in determines which consulate you go to. Most you have to go in person. If you can go to the Houston one, you can do it by mail. The best, number one, piece of advice I ever got is, if you want questions answered, file a form. Even if you don't have all the documentation with it, they will have to talk to you to tell you what else you need. It was the only way I was actually able to talk to anyone, and they actually called me!!!!! Best of luck! It will be worth it. I was an adjunct at a few schools in the states and am now with a missionary school here in Bogota, it is great. Forget calling them for info., you will never get a straight answer.

CristalM comments on Anyone know...

I enjoyed the food conversation and do miss NYC (lived in Hoboken for 4 yrs) but the news channel is still out at my house, if anyone knows if it is just my apartment or what I would appreciate the info. Will attempt to call the cable co with my broken spanish tomorrow, hope they will understand me!

CristalM comments on Anyone know...

Still off today. I have lived here 5 months and this is the first time I have seen it off. Hope it comes back....Don't know if I can deal with Katie Couric too often! Oh well.

CristalM comments on Moving to Bogota w/ high school kids, dog (and husband)

Left my e-mail and school website on your profile...comments,....whatever that page is!

CristalM comments on School?

Our school is on the US schedule but have to abide by Colombian holidays. This will be our first full week of school in a month, 2 puentes and then thanksgiving. Now there is only 3 weeks left in the semester...YEAH!!!! But we do the full 180 days as per US. Colombia system apparently goes by hours so it is actually a little harder to fudge the time....cant count a little over half day as a full day. But the crazy schedule does wreak havoc for kids who really need the consistency. Cristal

CristalM comments on maryjo

School website is www.elcaminoacademy.com Welcome to e-mail me at cristalmiskovich at yahoo.com

CristalM comments on Moving to Bogota w/ high school kids, dog (and husband)

Do your kids speak spanish? I am here with two teens, 16 yo son is bipolar, but a really good student. they are in an english speaking Christian school that I teach at. The teachers are mostly american and are really accomadating when he needs something. Have no idea about other schools, but even the ones that say they are bilingual, from what I have seen, aren't what I would have called bilingual. maybe people here have another opinion on that one. Where are you moving from? Feel free to e-mail me privately. On the animal issue, I brought two cats with no problem, they went in the cabin with us on mexicana. I supposed dogs wouldn't be much different, but remember you will most likely be living in an apartment. You need to have an international health certificate and within a few days of travel have it stamped/signed by your state's dept. of agrigulture office. You DO NOT need any special paperwork from the consulate which is what the airline kept trying to tell us. BTW Medellin is really nice, but my job is here in Bogota, oh well.

CristalM comments on Bogota's Weather

Summer? What summer? There is summer here? :) I am sitting in my apartment with my laptop on my lap keeping me warm! The last couple mornings you could see your breath but it went up to about 70 and then poured rain by 6 pm. The average temperature year round is like 67 deg. F. Now, you go an hour outside of the city to hot country and it is in the 80s and then 90s. But Bogota is basically cool. No AC or heat in most apartments....use an extra blanket. So bring a jacket. People do wear scarves and gloves in the morning Also need an umbrella. Hope this helps!

CristalM comments on Anyone else have bankcard problems today in Bogota?

That is the thing, this card has ALWAYS worked and all of a sudden, actually, neither one of my cards works. One is a visa bankcard directly connected to my bank account, the other is a credit card. Both have always worked til last night. It is weird. Both banks say the cards are fine.

CristalM comments on Colombian hot dogs

One of my students just introduced me to frying the hot dogs in small pieces and mixing them with the butter popcorn. At first I thought it would be gross but it is actually pretty good! I have never had arroz con pollo without sliced hot dogs either!

CristalM comments on My Observations on the Level of English in Colombia Schools

The accent thing.......am totally gringa but learned spanish at age 16 in Medellin for a year. Been back in Bogota for 2 months and got mistaken for French! But my spanish teacher says I sound like I am from medellin.....and it's been 25 years since I spoke spanish for any length of time. Personally, I think getting rid of an accent is easier for some than others, some just don't hear themselves. After speaking spanish for awhile I end up with this singsong accent when i go back to my very native English. Then, listen to my accent after i get off the phone with my mother....pure New York! I think it just takes practice and attention.

CristalM comments on volunteer opportunity in Colombia

Interested in Christian organizations? I have lots of friends in different ministries....homeless, indigenous people, orphans, unwed teen mothers, pregnancy couseling, ESL for christian educators. Let me know what you are interested in.

CristalM comments on I'm a minor in colombia (IMPORTANT PLEASE ANSWER PLEASE)

Everything I have read and everyone official I asked tell me that non-colombian minors do not need permission to leave the country. I teach at a school with lots of american national kids and they never need permissions to leave the country. It is only children of Colombian nationals who are traveling on colombian passports that need this letter. Hope this helps...My kids are going alone to the states in a few weeks and their dad is in Saudi Arabi and I am here, so they better not need anything!!!!

CristalM comments on

We lived in South Korea from 1996-98 and friends would ask how safe we felt. Here is what I would say....We had moved there from Albuquerque, NM which had (has) bad gang problems and drive by shootings were all too common. In that respect i felt much safer in Korea. On the other hand, we could easily by nuked by the North Koreans at any time. Didn't really have much concern where we lived in NM over this issue. So were we safer? Depends on your perspective. Life happens everywhere and most times we are not in control of it. Here in Colombia, (north Bogota near the autopista) I listen to the locals and friends who have lived here for awhile. I try to teach my teenagers how to not be so obviously gringos....not sure it is working. We try not to have to go out individually. Just had to send my kids (16 and 14) to exito without me cause my back is acting up and can't walk well. I am a little nervous about it, but I think they will be fine. (They went in taxi, they don't go by bus unless with me or colombian friends) But last night about 9 pm we did hear what sounded like a bunch of rifle shots nearby. Still don't know what it was. So "them there's my thoughts" on the saftey issue. I think that GIB is just being real. Thanks!

CristalM comments on Money exchange help please.

Also never had a problem with ATMs here. I used my visa debit card as well as cash advance on mastercard. Not one problem ever except that with the 500 $ withdrawl limit per day I have to get the money for rent and utilities over a period of days.

CristalM comments on WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN BOGOTA?

I was not able to walk too well last night so sent my kids out to get something for dinner (not too good on the phone with the domicilio thing yet!) Anyway, thry brought me back this steak dinner for 10500 that was incredible. Meat was tender and done medium like I like it, about 3/4 lb it seemed, fries and a little salad. It is a hole in the wall place that is pretty new down the street.....near autopista and 149 on 149. If anyone wants the exact directions, e-mail me. Next door is one of those icecream/fruteria places with incredible fresas con crema for 4000. Food was great but ambiance is non-existent.

CristalM comments on Energy Drinks

They are 6000 at our little corner store. My son likes it and he is fine the colombian substitute that is much cheaper. Guess you just have to try it. Be aware, RB in the airport is over 8000.

CristalM comments on WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN BOGOTA?

Granted it was one of the first restaurants I went to here and it is owned by my friend's brother-in-law, but I absolutely loved the cozy atmosphere and the food was fantastic and cheap. Cafe Crepes Dg. 108 #9A - 11 Tel. 214 5312 or 236 2688

CristalM comments on Food Question....

Rubito....I am jealous! About the only thing I miss from the states is good cheese that doesn't cost a fortune. I paid a ridiculous amount for a little block of feta that I just finally could not do without any more. It was heaven! But if that is the only thing I miss, who can complain. For the most part the food here is fantastic. Thanks everyone for the input, I will try to find that cheese in Carrefor.

CristalM comments on Kilo's vs pounds in Colombia

Maybe cause of the altitude in Bogota they think a kilo is just 2 lbs.! (I am only kidding, good luck with your bet!)

CristalM comments on Walking in another man's moccasin.

Why is it bigotry and hatred to want others to follow the law? I don't get the connection.

CristalM comments on Actual telephone knowledge

I use Lingo. It is about 20$ a month and you can call anywhere in the states at any time for the 20 bucks. I think it is fantastic. You can choose your area code and if you haven't disconnected your phone yet, you can even transfer your existing number. If you want, e-mail me and use me as a reference.....you get cheaper rates if you refer people. cristalmiskovich at yahoo.com

CristalM comments on One way v Return ticket

I arrived in Bogota 6 weeks ago on a 1 year work visa with my 2 teens. We had one way tickets and no one asked anything at all. I did try to get round trip but they didn't sell tickets 1 year out. I flew Mexicana airlines and arrived on a flight from mexico city. Hope this helps.

CristalM comments on Recruiting Christians

I have been here for about 5 weeks so far (here for a year) teaching in a christian school. The first week I went downtown with a missionary friend who visits some very poor indigenous people, especially a small blind woman, who apprently lives in the streets. She had been visiting this particular woman for a few weeks and this day was the first day the woman would speak to her. She brings her food and simply asks how she is doing. What I was really curious about were the looks on the faces of the colombians as they walked by, glancing over to see this american (I am assuming they could tell) in jeans sitting on the sidewalk talking with this poor, blind woman. I didn't see either disgust or approval, but surprise. I am still not sure what they were really thinking. My friend said she believes they just dont ever think about stopping, this woman is just one of thousands. I also would like to know what they really think. Hope you get some more informed opinions instead of the opinionated rants. I am looking forward to reading them!