daver has left 408 comments

daver comments on Rain

paisa29,

Well for me it is the City of Eternal Spring! Where I grew up, Spring was always raining. The warm moist air of the Gulf of Mexico would do battle with the receding arctic air masses, and, the laws of physics being what they are, it would rain every freaking day!

April showers bring May flowers....

daver comments on Rain

Bickerss, sorry to bring you bad news, but:

I have been back in Medellin for over a month now, and I think there was only 2 days when it did not rain.

It has not rained yet today, but I am willing to bet it will.

It seems that at about 3pm, dark ugly clouds come from over the mountians above Envigado and El Poblado, and it either rains for an hour, or all night.

Although the locals complain it is cold (anything but 27C is too hot or too cold here) I am sure it is much warmer than Bogotá.

Dave

daver comments on Strategies for dating "good" Colombianas

GringoD, I agree, I was just sharing a couple jokes, and I wished the guy luck.

Ps. I don't want in on this People vs Morphus deal! LOL!

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

"It's one thing to assume that a group of nations that have had 500 years to develop unity and haven't are probably going to continue on that course"

Hmmmm. I guess that means European unity was impossible, since they spent about 2000 years doing their best to kill each other... and now we have the EU. Nothing is impossible.

daver comments on Strategies for dating "good" Colombianas

caulfield2,

Seems as though you want the "perfect" woman.

It reminds me of a couple jokes:

1. A perfect woman and Santa Claus were in a car, and it crashed. Who was driving?

No one. Everyone knows Santa Claus and a perfect woman are just a myth.

2. I guy I worked with a while back had a sign above his desk which said:

"Every great man needs one great woman... or a whole bunch of average ones."

Anyway, good luck on your quest, and despite the odds, I hope you succeed.

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

...and to add something, the USA seems to have a lot more success when they take things "seriously". For instance, they took the threat of the USSR VERY VERY VERY seriously, and in the end, the US was the clear victor in the cold war....

Had they simply looked at the USSR and said "well, just a bunch of stupid Russians", I am sure history would not have unfolded as it did.

Again, just a humble opinion...

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

"the US knows it will NEVER have to deal with Latin unity"

Don't forget though, the USA has "known" a lot in its past, and, as great a country as it is (and I mean that) the US seems to have history of underestimating potential problems.

For instance, the USA "knew" that the Iraqi people would welcome them as liberators, and the USA "knew" they could never possibly loose the war in Vietnam, and the USA "knew" that China would never be an economic threat...

Now that doesn't mean I think that Latin Unity is a sure bet, but to simply ignore what's happening because they think SA is just a bunch of corrupt Banana Republics, is not wise in my opinion. Just my opinion though, and I am sure as hell no expert on global politics.

daver comments on visa question

Jpine,

I don't think you will be stuck in South America for vactation plans. Although she will still need a VISA to travel to most places, she is MUCH MUCH more likely to get the VISA if she has a green card.

As a Colombian, they would normally deny the VISA. But just like a Colombian who successfully got a VISA to the USA (and returned home on time) has a much easier time getting VISAs to other countries, you soon to be wife, with a green card, will likely be able to get VISAs to most countries in the world. If she has residency in the US, the other countries are much less concerened that she will stay illegally.

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

"Speaking of,...remember when??? Just about 20 some years ago, people were fined and arrested for SELLING DRINKING WATER TO PEOPLE IN NEED ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, after a flood had put the place in severe crisis."

I think this had more to do with price gouging or (to hell with spell check) profiteering. The same thing happened in Florida with Hurricane Andrew, where people drove into the state from wherever and were trying to sell water at $5 to $10 a pint.

I know I am guilty of having posts that have nothing to do with Colombia, but bare with me for a second... This is Colombia related, you just have to be patient:

My country, Canada, has either the most fresh water in the world, or the 4th most (behind Brazil, Russia, and China) depending on the study. It is legal to export "bottled" water... the kind from glaciers or whatever, but so far, Canadians cannot export water in bulk. Under our trade agreements, the federal government has the authority to define what is a good and what isn't. Therefore they can prevent water from being sold in bulk, or on the flip side, if they let one company do it, they will have to let everyone do it.

One time my provincial government (Ontario) had a deal to sell water from one of the Great Lakes, and in the words of Jim Lahey, a shit-storm created shit-winds across the whole country.

I doubt Canada will be able to export water in bulk for at least the next 20 years, as any attempt will be blocked by environmental concerns...

So this brings me to Colombia, or other countries. What do you think the chances are of other "water rich" countries will be able to export their water in bulk? I mean, if the right people are making the money, it would seem that places like Colombia or Brazil would be able to make the deal go through, as they are more likely able to ignore any public outcry over such a deal...

Food for thought (or water I guess).

Dave

daver comments on May 2nd Travel Advisory from the British Govt

UTC,

I can't get that one right. I had two cabbies on my first trip to Medellín who nearly shit themselves when I slammed the door shut.

OK, now I understand that Colombian assembled automobiles are about as tuff as all the fluff in your drier, but I try to close it gently and it only half closes. So I try again, and it only half closes, and then again, and then the cabbie is mad because I took 3 door closures of the life of his door.

My wife has it down to a science, but I just can't seem to find that perfect force needed.

daver comments on Customs in Colombia

"cult" classic.

Speaking of jealousy, I hate it when you have more "last replies" than me!

LOL!

Dave

daver comments on Customs in Colombia

UTC,

I don't know why, maybe its because you are from Canada originally, but I got a huge Slapshot flashback with your "put me in the game coach!". I could just picture the Hanson brothers trying to score with my wife.

"put'n on the foil coach, you want some?"

"Dave hit'm"..."Dave stuck'm"...."Dave hit'm in his fuck'n MIND!"

"And none of that stink'n RUT-BEER!"

LOL!

daver comments on Customs in Colombia

Yes, you showed me your wife's immigration file. It was about 3 inches thick... about half the thickness of my wife's file, but I guess you being a lawyer helped you to keep it leaner than mine.

Anyway, I don't know how long you and your wife have been together, but if she is good looking (I will assume she is) there will be a circle of guys in her past who have either dated her, liked her, been obsessed with her, stalked her, courted her, whatever.

Now that she is married, she should obviously cut those guys out of her life, but there is nothing you or she can do to stop the guys from calling in the middle of the night, if they are drunk or rude enough to do so.

According to what you said, she isn't answering his calls and that is whats important. Colombians do call each other more often to see whats up, but that is a little late at night if you ask me. But, that being said, my wife gets "what's up?" calls at 1:00am from female friends on weekends, and that doesn't make me jealous one bit....

My wife doesn't get calls from ex boyfriends, but rather what I like to call "backup quarterbacks". You know, those guys that will always be there, waiting for you to falter, have a bad game, get hurt, whatever, and they're ready to jump right into the game at a moments notice. She tells them off though, and tells them not to call, and she doesn't see these guys on social occasions or anything so I am quite OK with that.

Lets face it though, there will be guys in Toronto also, backup quarterbacks, who are going to want what you have. They'll ask her out at the mall, or get her number from one of her friends.... I mean, if you want to be totally free of jealousy, you'll have to marry a girl who is really freaking ugly.

Basically, she'll always have these guys lurking, and its up to you whether you trust her or not.

Anyway, enough Dr.Phil from me.....

Dave

daver comments on Customs in Colombia

mbest,

I think I met you at the airport in Medellin on your flight in. I was wearing a blue gutter splint on my hand and you were wearing a hockey shirt of some sort.

My wife has got the same sort of calls, and in my case, its Colombian men who don't care that she is married. Even though they know she is married, they don't see any problem calling her at 1am and telling her that she is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Whatever, I try to get past it. The same thing happens in Canada, but the guys try to be much more sneaky about it.

Your wife may like the attention (a lot of Colombianas like getting hit on even though they are in a relationship... it makes them feel good about themselves), but that doesn't mean anything is going on. I don't know though, every situation is different.

Its up for you to decide, but I would say that this is probably a guy who either dated her in the past, or who has some sort of crush on her and won't let it go. A Colombiana is more likely not to tell the guy off, but that doesn't mean she is going to hop in the sack with him as soon as you are gone.

She may have got rid of that cell phone, but how are you going to get her to get rid of the cell phone she bought the day after you left? I'd be more worried about her calling guys at 1am than worry about every dude who hits on her.

Just my two cents. I hope her application goes smoothly, and that you guys are happy in TO.

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

"Fort McMurray is looking better and better!"

I guess so. I was there a couple times last winter. We were drilling (exploration drilling) in oil sands a couple hours north of there for Husky Oil, and another job a couple hours further north still (and there is nothing North of Fort Mac).

Anyway, the boom is still on. You can't find a room to rent, can't get a hotel room, and trailers are selling for $350,000. McDonalds closes at 4pm becuase they don't have enough staff (starting wage at McDonalds in Fort Mac is $11.50 part time $13.50 full time per hour), and the yellow pages are full of "escorts" and the streets are flowing with cocainne. Great place to work, bad place to live if you ask me.

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

UTC,

Yes, the price of most metals is very high, and we all know about the price of oil. Canada is a huge net exporter of both of these, so let the good times roll!!!! Not only that, we came up with some sort of deal with the USA about softwood lumber. Canada has the worlds largest forrest industry, so that helps too. Now only if our Cows weren't so damn MAD!

The Canadian dollar is also rising against the Col Peso, so times couldn't be better for me. I just made a tiny fortune working in the oil patch so I could kick back for a few more months with my wife in Medellin, and now the loonie is going up so things are just peachy. To HELL with alternative fuels...LOL (I don't own a car either... I'm just LAUGHING all the time)!

There is a lot of talk that the Canadian dollar will be at par with the US dollar. The only real arguement is when. Some say at the end of 2007, while others are thinking 2010.

With our large trade surplus, and the Americans trade defecit, the Canadian dollar is in higher demand. Also, our economy is running slightly above its capacity, and the predictions are it will be running at full capacity through at least 2008. Also, our governments now are running balanced bugets.... not bad for the socialist nightmare known as Canada.

Here is a pretty good article about the Canadian dollar if anyone cares (It was at about 62 cents in 2002, now its at 90 cents)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/dollar_cdn/

It gives some good info about what affects the value of currency (At a basic level, good for people like me who don't know too much about this stuff)

Dave

daver comments on American Pervert Busted in Medellin

Holey SHIT!!!!

I know that guy. He runs some sort of credit business call centre in Patio Bonito. I know a guy who owns a bakery just around the corner from him, and I met this guy there. He seemed to be a bit rude, but I didn't think he was a child molester.

Again, HOLEYSHIT!!! Small world....

Dave

daver comments on Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

Hull is (or used to be...) is a city directly beside Ottawa, but on the Quebec side of the border (Ottawa is entirely within Ontario). It became a rather large city, as it got many Federal offices put there (need to keep a percent of the Government jobs in French Canada to keep everyone happy).

Anyway, to me it was a big shit hole and nothing more, but that is only my opinion. Montreal and Quebec City are two shinning examples of amazing French cities in "La Belle Province" aka Quebec, Hull is a shinning example of a big shit hole.

It has now amalgamated into the City of Gatineau... Hull was much bigger than Gatineau, but I believe they prefer the French name... Hence they went with Gatineau.

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

"Canada is a shining example of how NOT to implement a social democracy. We were so much better off before that fuckwad Trudeau got in and fixed what wasn't broke!!! Take a look at ANY statistic from Pearsons time compared to now, and tell me Canada hasn't gone backwards in every area!!"

What? I can't hear you. Speak up! I can't hear you over the sound of the Canadian dollar soaring through the roof! Or maybe its the American economy going down the toilet that is making all this noise.... Perhaps its Canada's trade surplus that is BOOMING so loud...

Just kidding.

Many of Canada's social reforms took place before PET, but I agree that he liked to fix things that weren't broke. He used Crown Corporations like Stalin would if he were a Canadian PM, but then we wouldn't have seen those bumper stickers out west that said "let those eastern bastards freeze in the dark" and that sir, is some funny shit.

Anway, I don't think you would have seen 3 South American anti-USA leaders banding together like this in the 80s. When there was any hint of a socialist takeover, the Americans would either sponsor some sort of regime change (Chile and others), or just invade (Panama). Of course Fidel had the help of the USSR, and America agreed not to invade Cuba as part of the Cuban Missle Crisis, so his ass is safe...

Whatever, there are better people than me to argue about forms of government, forms of economics, and Trudeau's dream of The Peoples Republic of Canada.... I'm just saying that this is a VERY interesting development, and I think this is only possible due to the energy crisis in America, and the US military being tied up in Arabia (so it cannot invade or support any kind of regime change in these SA countries)

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

ixent,

You are comparing apples to oranges. Capatalism is a form of economics, while communism is a form of goverment.

You should compare Communism to Democracy, or Capatalism to Socialism.

Communist embrace socialism as their form of economics, while Democracies typically embrace capatalism as their form of economic structure.

I don't feel there is anything wrong with socialist ideals. I am Canadian, and although not perfect, Canada has shown that socialism is possible in a democratic society.

I feel that ultra right wing capatalism breeds ultra left wing socialism. Both Canada and the United States, in my opinion, have certain levels of socialism in their economies, as almost a vacinne against Communism, but, I can't really argue at a level that I am comforatable with.

I see nothing wrong with South American countries having a more socialist form of economies. I simply stated that it something to keep an eye on.

So yes, Castro is a Communist, but he is also a Socialist.

daver comments on Traveling to DC with my 4 month old Puppy

I tried the Tuna Catserol, and it was purrrrfect.

daver comments on Trying to Understand

Morphus,

I have keeping an eye out for you ever since you gave us that description of yourself. I haven't seen and Don Johnson or John Travolatas around... perhaps I'll keep a closer eye on the high-schools and day care centres.

Dave

daver comments on Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

I am not an Ottawa native. I was born in St.Catharines Ontario, and grew up in various places in the Niagara and Wentworth Regions.

I moved to Ottawa when I was 18 to attend University (The greatest single day of my life!!!!!!!)

Ottawa is a beautiful, amazing city, labled by most tourist as being insanely borring. I lived there for 7 years, and although I loved it, I doubt I'll go back (to live that is).

University of Ottawa (U of zero) is located right next to the Byward Market, and I lived mostly in the student Ghettos in Sandy Hill, so I spent many a night, intoxicated by one substance or another, hanging around the clubs in the market. Lots of fun.

As I got older I started to appreciate the finer points of the city, namely the bike paths, parks, and the great outdoors which is only an hour away in any direction.

I could care less for Hull (we simply called it "Hell") but I did love to go to Quebec for the canoeing.... I only fished on the Ontario side, as I couldn't be bothered getting the Quebec fishing license.

Anyway, I would recommend Ottawa to anyone who wishes to see a great Canadian city, so long as you don't call it borring.

Dave

daver comments on New Socialist Bloque in Latin America?

That is sort of my point. Of course they are sovereign nations, but so was Panama, and so was Iraq. The days of South America being the USA's iron curtain are over, but unless the US wants an intolerable ¨((sic) I am sure) situation in their own back yard, they should perhaps pay a little closer attention.

I mean, if the USA has to deal with Latin unity, it may as well be a capitalist bloc, and not the one that seems to be forming now.

And if we can't call Castro a socialist, than I am affriad the word "socialist" no longer has any meaning.

I am not too worried about this situation, nor do I oppose it, I just think it is something worth paying attention to.

And the Bush, Blair, Anzar trio easily became a duo with the Spanish running away as soon as their noses were bloodied. As if you couldn't see that coming.

I think the US also needs to pay closer attention to the foriegn sources of oil nearer to its borders. The US will never produce enough to feed its own needs, but they seem to be too tied up with Arabian oil. Canada represents the most stable source of foriegn oil to the US, yet they seem not very interested in jumping into the oil sands projects in Alberta, and they haven't done a very good job in keeping Venezuala on their side either. I guess they are betting on Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia....

Anyway, I am clearly no expert, but it is definitley a situation worth paying attention to.

Dave

daver comments on What are my chances of dying if I am a........

Rubiazo,

I remember my father giving me the lecture of making a really tight fist, and not breaking the bone that holds the pinky knuckle, but I think I was 10 years old, and I am not the fighter my Dad was.

I think he was teaching me how to fight in hockey... he was a bit worried the 11 year olds would push me around....

Anyway, I don't like to fight at all, and when I do, it always seems to be in Northern Alberta, and I come out if it with either a swolen head or some sort of stupid injury to my hand.

daver comments on Daver!

Well, this store sold us what they said. My wife litterally ran to another jewellery shop and had it all appraised... she was worried too.

Anyway, they had given us the correct info about the gold and the diamonds. My "issues" have to do with workmanship and their "limited" gaurantee.

daver comments on Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

johna,

You know us Canadians too well... One beer would just be an insult, but two, thats cool.

I'm still working on "The Mother of All Safety Posts" and its not easy. Be sure to read it though. The trick is to take in as much input as you can about Medellin, and then so your best to seperate the wheat from the chaff. You won't be a stop and go tourist, so its more important you know some of the ins and outs so that you can enjoy yourself a lot more here.

Oh, I don't mind the Colombian necktie joke, but you may want to keep that to a minimum down here. In Medellin, if you say anything at all, it better be nice. Very proud people here.

I have seen some tourist who come down here and want to talk about Pablo Escobar with every Paisa they meet. I guess they don't see the rolling eyes and the "I don't want to talk about this, with you" look that everyone gives them. Then, they go to his grave site with sandles, shorts, and Hawiian shirts and take pictures of his grave. I don't suspect that you are this person, but the necktie joke wouldn't get too many laughs down here. No biggy...just a friendly FYI.

I imagine your girlfriend is coming at the start of the semester? And you are coming shortly after? Let me know when you will be here.

Later,

Dave

daver comments on Daver!

Hey man,

Sorry for not getting back to you. I don't have the address, and my wife, although she knows exactly where it is, does not know the address either... not even the street... its in Laureles, and its very confusing there.

I am not sure if I can recommend that place anymore. The little shoulder diamonds on her wedding band kept falling out, and now they are renegging on their "gaurantee" and I am not too happy about them in a lot of respects. I will try to find the address, but I don't exactly like giving businesses a bad rep...

There are lots of jewellery stores in Medellin, perhaps someone else knows of a place that is better than this one.

Dave

daver comments on What are my chances of dying if I am a........

UTC,I am a wuss in Colomb UTC,

I am a wuss in Colombia, and I am also in one piece, and I enjoy my time here, happy and ALIVE. Right now I am trying to type with a gutter splint on my right hand because of a boxer's fracture that I obtained due to me taking exception to something my co-worker said in Alberta during our drink fest after the last day of the seismic drilling season (It turns out the fifth bone of my right hand took exception to hitting his jaw bone at 100km/hr). But in Medellin, I would have walked away with my tail between my legs. It doesn't bother me one bit.

My wife doesn't have a lot of good stories to tell. They are mostly bad. The same stories your wife could tell, with different names, places, and dates, but with similar outcomes I am sure.

Aren't all married guys wusses in one sense or another...

Dave

daver comments on Trying to Understand

"Was my friend misguided not to ask about the boyfriend, or do people in Colombia not think it is important to mention this if all they want is a friendly social relationship?"

This sort of thing happens all the time, in every country.

I mean, if she gave the guy a couple hand jobs, then said she didn't a relationship because she has a boyfriend, then yeah, he got royally hosed.

If buddy gets all upset because she went out on walks, but didn't want to give it up, then he is a little bit of a cry baby.

Jesus, why come to a public forum to discuss the sort of thing that happens all the time, regarless of where you are from

Dave

daver comments on Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

kernow62,

Just so you know, during the American revolution:


"saddled with improper spelling" got changed to "Can't spell worth shit"

and

"Daft bugger" got changed to "Stupid Mother Fucker"

johna,

I forgot to add that I did meet many very cool Americans during my 2 years there, and I try not to judge a book by its cover. I graduated 3rd in my class of 60 (mechanical engineering, U of Ottawa) and, I often come across as quite uneducated when people read my posts because I'm "saddled with improper spelling" (Just kidding, I can't spell worth a shit".

I'm not as up tight as my posts make me out to be either.

Dave

daver comments on Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

Johna, I don't think you are dumb.

I just don't like it when Americans call it the "British" spelling. It is in fact, the American spelling that is often the exception to the rule, and not the other way around.

I got attacked a lot too when I worked in the USA. And would hear things like "Why y'all call it zed up there" and I would have to point out that its actually the way everyone says it but Americans... this along with all the comments about us having dirt roads, black and white TVs, that we worship the queen, we all speak French, that we are "commis" or "pinkos", that we are a "2nd world" country, the "51st State".

Tit for tat I guess. I didn't mean to offend Americans, and it doesn't bother me at all that you changed the language, it just bothers me a bit when Americans refer to "British" English like it were some strange exception to the rule.

Oh yeah... we could be NEIGHBOURS soon here in Medellin... so don't be getting all upset at me! :)

Cheers.

daver comments on What are my chances of dying if I am a........

saftey johna,

Safety in Colombia is a topic that has been beat to death (no pun intended) on this site. A couple hours ago, I was responding to your post about cabs, and I really caught fire. I wrote the "Colombian safety" post to end all Colombian safety posts.... the mother of all safety posts.... I would have won the Nobel Prize in Literature for my compelling safety post about Colombia, but I guess I got logged out before submitting, and I don't have the energy to re-write it.

Anyway, I'll keep it short. Of course you are worried about your girlfriends safety, but its much more important that she worry about her own safety. Safety, should always be the first thing on your mind when you are new here, and soon it will become second nature and you don't have to worry about it.

Medellín is way safer than in the 80s. My wife tells me stories about a time here when she would hear 3 or 4 car bombs a week. So and so would do such and such to whoever, and whoever would call their paramilitary friends, who would spray such and such's home and business with bullets, and such and such's family would have to hide out in Manizales for years, while calling their own paramilitary friends to go back and shoot whoever.....

Anyway, the fact is Medellin is not the safest city in the world... but has gotton WAY safer, especially in the last 5 or 6 years.

I have yet to hear gun fire, see a murder, hear and explosion in all the time I have lived here (on and off.... totalling well over a year), but I assure you, bad things can and do still happen.

Anyway, as far as flagging cabs. Many people here will tell you its no big deal, but many people will tell you that you should always call and not flag one down.

My opinion, it is much safer to call a cab or catch one at the depot (sort of the HQ of the cab company) than it is to get any old cab off the street.

I will try to re-create my Mother of All Safety Posts in a day or to. Watch for it! LOL! (There is no better way to get flammed than giving your views about Colombian safety on this site!)

Dave

daver comments on Suggestions on exchanging Dollars for Pesos

My CIBC card (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) hits me only with a $3CAD for each transaction, and you don't get good rates here with Canadian dollars, so its easily the best way for me.

Dave

daver comments on Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

Labour is also correct for Canada, Australia, South Africa and all other English speaking countries other than the USA.

It would seem that American Independance needed not only a revolution against the English empire, but against the English language too.

Someone told me the story about how an American changed certain words, probably to help create an American identity. I can't remember the details, but "it ain't so bad" if you ask me.

I still enjoy the funny look I get from my Colombian students when I say "Zed" and not "Zee"

Dave

daver comments on Suggestions on exchanging Dollars for Pesos

I agree with using ATMS. You will get the best rate possible, minus the $3 foriegn withdraw fee. I think you can take 400,000 pesos out, 3 times a day (or something close to that).

Also, its safer than having a shit-load of dollars or pesos on your person.

daver comments on What are my chances of dying if I am a........

UTC... Thanks. Dito. I don't know what made me weep more, that comment above or the song you posted for GIB! (LOL!!). If you can be the "bringing my wife to the USA expert" I'll be the "Minister of Public Transportation, Medellin".

Johna... I enjoy writing to people who are coming to Medellin with more on their minds than getting laid. This city is unlike any other, and with a little advise and help, can be a really really fun experience. I have been fortunate to have a Colombiana wife as a guide, saftey instructor, and fashion consultant.

If spending a few minutes writing here will help someone enjoy Medellin to its fullest, then its time well spent. This is why this site is here in the first place.

You asked about El Poblado:

El Poblado is the wealthiest, but also the largest (by area) barrio in Medellín. It is high in the hills, but it is also down by the river too. It is the barrio furthest South-East in Medellín proper (Envigado, a different city, is directly south of El Pobaldo). El Poblado stretches South from Envigado northwards to barrios that seperate El Poblado from downtown. It stretches eastward from the river (about 1500meters elevation...the lowest level in Medellín) all the way up the hill (2000+meters).

So, much of El Poblado is up the hill, but much of it is not. The two main carreras or avenidas(SP?) are Las Vegas and El Poblado, and they are both on lower sections nearer to the river.

As a generalization (which never quite works) the lower sections are older, more dense, and more commercial, while the upper sections are newer, comprised mostly of very expensive high rises and other wealthy residential areas. There are malls, shops, and restaurants up the hill, but there are fewer of them, and much more "ritzy" than those down the hill.

This is just a gerneralization, and should be treated as such.

The Columbus school is way up the hill, in the mountains really, and I believe is outside the border of El Poblado, and Medellin for that matter.

Centro Colombo Americano is in the downtown core (El Centro).

Don't go wondering downtown by yourself as soon as you get here. Have some sort of guide (like a resident of Medellin) take you. You and your girlfriend should be extra, extra, extra safe when you first get here, and you can slowly losen up once you have learned the ropes a bit.

Dave

daver comments on What are my chances of dying if I am a........

Johna,

The smog is a little different than say LA, where millions of highly efficient cars create an immense yellow cloud.

In Medellín, it would appear that there are millions of cars, but thats because the main streets are conjested near the river, and the buses and trucks have no catalytic converters and pump out ugly black smoke.

Do to the nature of the valley, they thick smoke tends to hang near the river. Perhaps about 2 days a week is the breeze enought to make it clear at lower elevations.

As you progress up the hill, the problem is reduced greatly. I live maybe 150 meters higher than the flat portion of the valley, and the air is much cooler and cleaner (well, its not yellow anyway). But, I do notice a layer of soot when cleaning.

Transportation. The busses are everywhere and should be able to take you where you want to go. These are not city owned busses, but rather lots of privately owned ones that have there own routes. You cannot transfer from one bus to another (very few exceptions with regard to the Metro). They range from about 45 cents to 60 cents USD. They have no schedule (it'll get there when it gets there) and no stops except for a few highly used areas. You basically flag them down from the street like you would a cab. On the main streets there will be hundreds of buses that pass every hour, and a many different ones will take you to the same place. There is a general list on the front of the bus that tells you where it goes, but you will have to have a grasp of the city to undersand this.

You might see this:

Las Vegas
Parque El Poblado
Oviedo
Envigado

The bus fair will be posted on the front. Give the money to the driver and he'll give you change when he has the chance to. Watch your head!! He'll gun it the moment you have two feet on the entrance stairs.

The Metro. This is the jewel of Medellin. One of the best mass transit systems I have been on, the best in Colombia, and perhaps the best in South America. It travels from the cities south of Medellin to the cities North of Medellin right through downtown. You can transfer at downtown to a second line that runs from downtown to San Javier (which means nothing to you now, but its a great way to get to Laureles, which you should definitely see). You buy a ticket (multi trips are available, but the discount is almost meaningless) and the cost is about 45 cents US per trip (you can transfer downtown to the second line for free)

Taxis. About every 4th or 5th car on the busy streets will be a cab. They have a meter that tells you the exact peso amount you owe, so you do not have to negotiate or anything. You do have to tell the person where you are going, and English is not really an option. Neither is an adress in a lot of cases. You just have to be a good actor and learn how to say, next right, next left, straight, and here please. Pare, the Spanish word for STOP, is a little rude I found out.

Anway, the meter starts at 1200 pesos, and the minimum fare you must pay is 3000 pesos, regarless if the meter says, for instance, 2650, you have pay at least 3000. You can go half way across town for about 5000 to 7000 pesos ($2.25 to $3.25 USD)

Walking. Medellin is not really pedestrian friendly, but I find I can walk to most places, and I am still alive.

As far as me working at Columbus. No. I just got back from Canada, I was working in the oil fields in Alberta. I am waiting for my wife's immigration papers to get her to Canada, and that's like waiting for an Oak tree to get big.

I am looking to teach somewhere. I've had an interview at UPB, and have contacts at Columbus and Centro Colombo Americano, so I will have to see. I may just go back to Canada and work again for a couple months (the price of oil is sure giving people lots of work up there)

So, the narrator was from Canada? Did he say "Take off, eh?" at the end?

If you need any other info about Medellin, don't be affraid to ask. Keep it on a public forum, because if I, by mistake, give you the wrong info, someone will likely jump in and correct me. This can be a confusing place, especially for newcomers.

Later,

Dave

daver comments on Tribute to GringoInBogota:

franko_44 Nice of you to tell this side of the story, but I think GIB earned not only his praise, but also his critizism.

I mean, if you didn't agree with what he said, he would lash out at you with totall contempt.

If you were Colombian, he would say that you didn't know what it was like to be a gringo in Colombia. If you were a gringo in Colombia, he would lable you as someone who didn't know what you were talking about, like a tourist who didn't know as much as him. And if you were like me, a person who is a gringo (Canadian gringo if there is such a thing) who lives and works in Colombia, and who is married to a Colombian, if you DARED to disagree with him, he would say (I can't remember the exact words) that you "were like all the other idiots he met from the USA who didn't know what they are talking about".

He did have very good, and very stupid things to say, but he showed total contempt for anyone who disagreed with anything he said.

Not only that, he was very brash and said some very ridiculous things (I am guilty of this too on PBH). For one, I recently (looking through old posts as I was working in Northern Alberta for some months) read where he said Canadians pretend to be Americans in Colombia to get attention. This is totally ridiculous. Often I get cold looks in Colombia from people who think I am American (and I don't agree with this at all) only to recieve ear to ear smiles when I tell them "No, soy canadiense"

I also remember a post where he declared that the Panama Canal was completey obsolete because new super tankers can't fit through it (someone, hunter I think, posted that they are actually making the canal larger). I do believe he referred to me in a very negative way about my claim the canal was important.

This is not really the point, we all say stupid things (I for one do it almost every day) but the tone, language, and contempt he would show for anyone who disagreed with him (whether the post be legit, or totally stupid) was the main contributer to his reputation. I can't see how everyone else is to blame, and not him.

Some on this site agree with him, others totally despise him, and he is the person responsible for both of these opinions.


Nuff said.

daver comments on What kind of housing is available in Bogota?

"Are there some areas that are better than others?"

I take it you have never been to South America before.

Give that question a big YES! Its very important you select your neighbourhood well, as there is a HUGE difference between neighbourhoods in Bogotá, and all South American cities for that matter.

daver comments on

Since we are speaking about lookalikes, if you go to my image gallery, I am an exact cross between the guys you see in the first two pictures in my image gallery.

Dave

daver comments on

UTC Just so you know, at least I'm laughing at the Chapelle reference. I've been trying to tell everyone that he's the funniest person on earth, but the only people who agree already have his DVDs.

"I wish I had more hands so I could give those titties four thumbs down!"

"Milks gone bad bitches!"

And, I have been trying to get into the "Player Haters Club" but I can't find their number.

Peace Beotches!

daver comments on What are my chances of dying if I am a........

johna,

I live in Medellin, and I used to ride all the time in Canada, but I won't here. I'm a little too scared, and I don't exactly have money to be buying stuff that I will only use once in a while.

But, that's not to say you shouldn't try.

If its a means of cheap transportation, don't bother, there are plenty of cabs and busses here that are very cheap.

If its for recreation, then sure, try it out, but maybe wait until you are here for a while before you decide.

The only good places to go out and give'er a good rip are on the hills, but you better be in shape. And you better be careful of the cars and busses. And, if its a very nice bike, it wouldn't be unheard of for someone to pull up beside you in their moto or car and decide that the bike is now theirs.

I think the best bet would be to scout the city out first. I can show you a couple good roads you may want to try once you are here.

Dave

daver comments on Tribute to GringoInBogota:

UTC,

Not too sure what's up with the lentils (thanks for the spelling correction) but HOT DAMN! I love them! My wife is quite sick of them now, and she actually makes a vomitting sound in the bean isle of the Exito when be pass the 2m high stacks of those delicous little seeds.

I'm not sure if I've told anyone on PBH this yet, but after living here for a while, the most dangerous thing that ever happened to me in Colombia was the first time I used the pressure cooker. My wife was giving me directions over the phone (I was making beans, not lentils) and she told me to make sure all the steam was out before opening. What she didn't say was after all the steam was out, wait another 10 minutes then open.

Anway, los frijoles were frikk'n all over the damn place in less than the blink of an eye. Including half way up my arm. Anyway, I lost my pride, and all the hair on my right arm, and I got some not so serious burns from my thumb to my elbow.

I held my dog (puppy at the time) up to ceiling to clean the mess that made it up that far.

daver comments on Tribute to GringoInBogota:

GringoD...I take more risks too now tha I take more risks too now that I've been living in Medellin so long. For instance, I ate lentle soup BEFORE going to a job interview at UPB. That could have been deadly.... I was too nervous to let go at the interview, but the people on the Metro were not impressed on my way home.

daver comments on Tribute to GringoInBogota:

¿Colombia is dangerous? Geeze! Why didn't anyone tell me this before I moved to Medellín! To think I've been walking around El Centro with my bank statements hanging out of my back pocket, whilst taking pictures of the police and flipping the bird to these "paras" or whatever people call them.

You think someone could have warned me....

daver comments on

Tinto, should a new character be created just for "los Simpsons"... John Smith, the marriage agency owner?

Dave

daver comments on legalizing drugs...In mexico..

"Go to Pakistan! ANYTHING you want over there. "

Except for toilet paper in public bathrooms......

daver comments on

Clyde17,

I think its a product of Colombians never really being exposed to people who cannot speak Spanish properly. Being Canadian, I hear broken English almost everyday back home, so its no biggy. We are also taught to be tolerant due to racial issues that are common in English North America.

Look, Colombia is composed almost entirely of native born Colombians who speak Spanish fluently. They are racially diverse, but almost the entire population is from there, and speak Spanish. They have never heard someone butcher their language before.

In Medellin, when people start talking to me and I give them the old "No hablo español" they look at me like "what the hell? why not?". There are several children in my apartment complex who, if they see me, run over only to ask me a set of simple questions they know I understand, only to here my response, so they can jump up and down and laugh to point where I think they are going to wet their pants.

Sometimes I laugh at them when I say "no intiendo mucho" and they simply repeat what they said at twice the volume. "MEE-STIR....MEE-STIR" they yell, and laugh.

Remember, Colombians are street smart and generally keep to themselves when they have a negative feeling about someone, so open laughter can be interpreted like this "I like you, you are a friend, you speak Spanish funny".

Is this rude? Where I am from yes, but here, I don't think so.

Dave

daver comments on White Poodles

More serious note on poodles I have never really liked poodles, but I find its the owners. Show me a bad dog and I'll show you a bad owner.

Its similar to the American Pitbull, which can be a wonderful pet, but most people who get them are idiots who want a bad ass dog. Remember, dogs aim to please their owners.

The problem with most poodles is their owners want to feel sophisticated by having such a dog, and they let their little fluffy companions run the household. Hence, you have a dog that most people would rather torture than own.

I've always preferred big dogs, and never was fond of poodles, and my wife one day brings home a poodle-terrier mutt that is about 1/2 day from starving to death.

Anyway, like I said before, if you treat your dog, regarless of the bread, like its just a normal dog, it will act like one.

Most poodles in my complex I can't stand. I can hear one right now yapping off the balconi near my window. Yet, there are some poodles in my complex that go about their day like they are just a normal dog.... even if they look like rats that have got stuck in a huge cotton ball.

Dave