cstew47 has left 339 comments

cstew47 comments on Chavez - Mentally ill?

Pastrana was incompetent. Chavez is crazy. I'm not sure who was/is more dangerous.

cstew47 comments on Medellin Help

The address format is for example, calle 43 no. 48-35, means of course calle 43, 35 meters from the intersection with carrera 48. This way you can pinpoint the location with the calle and carrera.

cstew47 comments on hoy jueves noviembre 12 DIA SIN CARRO

How about the cars that cruise with the roof-mounted speakers with advertisements at 120db?

cstew47 comments on Colombian peso DROPS to record low!

Maopp, yes, I will call you, thanks

cstew47 comments on Colombian peso DROPS to record low!

Huh? What am I missing??????

cstew47 comments on Envigado Unsafe?......

I hope you are hearing erroneous information. I live in Envigado and have seen only one robbery. It was in daylight and with the use of a gun. I routinely walk in the park area at night and haven't encountered any problems.

cstew47 comments on Recommendations for banks and foreign money transfers?

Makopp, I sent you a PM

cstew47 comments on Chavez changes tone, Colombia happy

Venezolanos must feel the same as the family with the crazy uncle.

cstew47 comments on Fresh Seafood in Medellin??

Thanks from me too MEDE, I'll give it a try also. Good tip.

cstew47 comments on Fresh Seafood in Medellin??

I was under the impression that the fish at Exito, Pomona and Carrefour were fresh. They have Grouper(Mero), Merluza, Tilapia, Salmon and Bagre. If it is not fresh, it is news to me.

cstew47 comments on La Familia de Pablo Escobar

Billy, what part of my statement doesn't make any sense? Do you disagree that there are still people here that revere him?

cstew47 comments on Barking Spider closing ?

This is a sad event but, unfortunately not a surprise. I have been to the Spider on several occasions and spoken with Albert. He put a lot of effort into the bar and the result, in my opinion, was very pleasing. Maybe it's just my gringo preference, but, to me, it was the nicest bar I have been in here. If this bar was in the US, I am sure it would do well if located properly. As a side note, in my visits to the Spider, I only met other PBHers one time. It probably wouldn't have made a difference but, I am surprised that there wasn't more support from members of the forum.

cstew47 comments on La Familia de Pablo Escobar

Yes, but, there are people in Envigado who still revere him. Just look at films of his funeral. There are some who think he was Robin Hood because he built a couple of soccer fields and gave money to the poor. Incredible naivete.

cstew47 comments on Best airline / airfare to get from Medellin to Lima?

I always went with Copa. It goes through PTY, but, since I am in MDE, its not much worse than going to BOG first.

cstew47 comments on IMAO ... and other internet slang ...

great post. I've been looking for this

cstew47 comments on who do i talk to to delete something

Is this Rip Van Winkle awakening after 5 years? What caused this epiphany out of the blue? He has made no intervening posts or comments. It is interesting, however, to read some of the comments made about Uribe 5 years ago. I am curious as to how many of the negative comments were made by people who had lived in Colombia under prior regimes. Uribe has changed given this country a thriving economy and, the last time I looked, Colombia still has a democratic government. Maybe Uribe's critics need to spend some time in Venezuela in order to experience the other side of the coin.

cstew47 comments on Overweight, socially inept, badly dressed gringos

Lp. you have to be putting me on. The food in Nawlins is the same as Colombia? What I wouldn't give for an etoufee or some crawfish here. Fortunately I have a good recipe for gumbo and I brought my own file, because I know it would be impossible to find it here. I love the food in your neck of the woods.

cstew47 comments on Overweight, socially inept, badly dressed gringos

lp, that's an interesting concept that I hadn't heard before. However, that doesn't alter the fact that the food is extremely fatty and lacking in taste. I believe that does more to diminish my appetite than anything else. I still remain amazed that, given the fatty nature of the food, there aren't more obese Colombians. I am convinced that there is a genetic factor in play.

cstew47 comments on Rosetta Stone and English teacher?

Fernando, do you have a FAX number? If so, PM me. If not I'll scan and e-mail it.

cstew47 comments on Overweight, socially inept, badly dressed gringos

I live in Antioquia and my feelings about the food after 17 years is that it is generally greasy and tasteless. (Sorry Monpirri). I qualify this by saying that I live in Antioquia and the food is somewhat typical for the area. Other locales may be better. As an ardent "gym rat" and health nut, I find it difficult to find food that is reasonably healthy and certainly not tasteful. I'm really surprised that there aren't more obese Colombians. Maybe there is a "Colombian Paradox" as is reputed to exist in France.

cstew47 comments on Rosetta Stone and English teacher?

Somebody initiated a post with the instructions for how to get the Rosetta Stone program gratis. I printed it before the post was quickly deleted. If anybody is seriously interested, I could scan it and e-mail it. I haven't tried to do it yet due to other time comittments.

cstew47 comments on teaching english.....need info.

If you are going to teach English, you had better brush up on your grammar a writing skills. Speaking language does not qualify you to teach it.

cstew47 comments on New cruise departing Colombia and can book from the US

Adrienne, I couldn't find the cruise on the vacationstogowebsite. How was it titled? Wetern Caribean? Any other info you can give me would be helpful. Thanks, Craig

cstew47 comments on Requirements for the civil marriage of a Colombianita with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course)

After looking at my Visa again, I see that they stamped "Invalid" on the Hogar. Apparently they did that when they issued the Proprietario. Interesting, The Proprietario Visa has code TC and has my business name listed below. So apparently the second one supercedes the Hogar.

cstew47 comments on Requirements for the civil marriage of a Colombianita with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course)

No comment was made regarding cancellation of the Hogar - and it does say Hogar on the visa. Maybe the Proprietario does supercede it, but, I am currently holding both. As you said, the rules seem to be very fluid.

cstew47 comments on Requirements for the civil marriage of a Colombianita with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course)

Gentlemen, for some reason there's is a large dose of skeptcism regarding my comments. Yes, I have two visas at the same time. When I went for the Hogar and Proprietorio, I didn't have the correct paperwork so I was only granted an Hogar. I returned a week later with the correct paperwork and was granted the second visa. Both of which are affixed to my passport. Yes, a Catholic priest performed the ceremony. The required documents were the usual, birth certificate, certificate of sinlgeness, past divorces or death certificates, cedula copies. C'mon guys, why would I make this up?

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Blacksheep was the next least expensive after Nexus. If I am disatisfied with Nexus, I will try Blacksheep. I appreciate the feedback and will return the favor after my first sessions next week at Nexus.

cstew47 comments on Passport Stamp Sizes

Where are you going to be in Colombia? If you are planning to stay in Bogota, you can go to the embassy and they will add pages while you wait at no cost.

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Thanks guys, for all of your input. Yes Ken, I agree with your comments. I have studied other languages and consider myself a pretty good technician in English, my mother tongue. I also consider myself an advanced speaker of Spanish and want to take the final step forward to full fluency. I have decided to try Nexus for a week at 2 hours per day and five days per week. The difference in cost between them and the other options, including Diego, is significant. I will report back with my experience with Nexus. If I am not satisfied, I will try one of the more expensive options. As a side note, Diego, Blacksheep and Nexus all responded very promptly to my e-mail requests for information. I get the impression that they are all very responsive.

cstew47 comments on Requirements for the civil marriage of a Colombianita with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course)

Ok, for clarification, 1) Yes, believe it or not, the church wedding was less complicated than the civil ceremony that was to be performed by the Notary that we talked with. The marriage was duly registered with a Notary and was the basis for my Hogar Visa. 2) We were married in 2007, but, I lived in the US for the following year and a half traveling back and forth until I got my affairs in order and moved to Colombia. I got my Hogar and Proprietario Visas in August. Now I am trying to begin the adoption process. I hope this clarifies my situation.

cstew47 comments on Requirements for the civil marriage of a Colombianita with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course)

I started going the Notary route but it was becouing very time consuming and complicated. We finally decided to to find a church. It was much less complicated. Even though neither my wife nor I are Catholic, we found a catholic church that married us with less complication.

cstew47 comments on Adopting A Stepchild In Colombia

Thanks FL, I appreciate you help.

cstew47 comments on Adopting A Stepchild In Colombia

I want to adopt the daughter of my wife. We have been married for two years and the daughter is 13.

cstew47 comments on iPod Repair

As a follow-up, I went to the Applle store and they looked at the iPod. The conclusion was that it was either a battery or logic board problem. They said there was nothing they could do because they don't have the parts in Colombia. The bottom line is I could send it to the US, but, the cost of repair isn't justifiable. It appears that Apple hasn't fully developed their support network here.

cstew47 comments on iPod Repair

Yes, I tried the reset (Menu, select) with no joy. I knew about the Apple store at San Fernando, but, I figured it would be expensive like everything else there. That may be my only alternative.

cstew47 comments on The Medellin that CNN doesn't want you to see!

I was kidding in my earlier comment. I in fact I feel just the opposite. Colombia can become a major tourist destination as well as a strong environment to attract foreign investments. It's the only way it can truly escape the drug induced crime that is retarding its growth. We expats doing business here will benefit as well. A rising tide lifts all boats.

cstew47 comments on The Medellin that CNN doesn't want you to see!

Aw c'mon Simon. Now we're going to be flooded with gringo's. I tell everybody how dangerous it is here. You're ruining the mystique. Nice photos though.

cstew47 comments on Uribe

Damn, I thought it was blue cheese. Oh well, that's the internet for you. I also heard there was another Elvis sighting, but that was from an unkown source.

cstew47 comments on Shakira on SNL

There is no record that I can find that indicates that Marine Jahan died.

cstew47 comments on Colombia Dollar Sales in Market Finished for Year, Zuluaga Says

Yes, the exporters that I know are suffering a lot. This will turn around.

cstew47 comments on Estimated Costs for living in Bogota

You're going to eat for $8.00 per day? Mucho suerte.

cstew47 comments on stupid question...

I see a lot of shorts worn in Envigado. It is especially popular on weekends. A lot of people, myself included, like to take walks and shorts are the uniform of the day.

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

That's very true. I also think it is easier to learn another language if you have a good technical knowledge of the grammar of your native tongue.

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Thanks Flat, I am reading some textbooks everyday and trying to expand my vocabulary. The grammar is tough and there are a lot more verb tenses to deal with. I, like you, am self-taught. I figured it's time to get serious. I do like the idea of finding some helpful chicas though.

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Thanks Ken and Bickerss, you have been extremely helpful. I have contacted Blacksheep and Nexus and am waiting for a reply. Ken I assume the fluency-enhancing beer is Newcastle Brown. Maybe we can enjoy one together some day.

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Thanks Bicker. I'm glad to hear a positive review of Nexus. They seem to have a good program and the costs are the lowest among the schools I checked out. Blacksheep is a school?

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Thanks Jim, I'll check it out.

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Thanks Ken. At what level did you start and how did you feel about your fluency when you finished? How many hours/day and days/week did you attend? I live here and want to find an intensive conversational course. The grammar can come later. I appreciate any comments you can give me. Thanks again

cstew47 comments on Looking For a Review Of Spanish Classes In Medellin

Yes, I looked at them also. They are a little more expensive than Nexus. That is why I am asking for comments. Thank you for your advice.

cstew47 comments on A question about facial hair in Colombia

El Ex great tip. That's better than the one I was using. I love PBH.