DavidM has left 23 comments

DavidM comments on IN-N-OUT OR HAMBURGUESAS DEL CORRAL?

El Corral by any other name is still just a glorified Burger King burger. Those that worship at the altar of El Corral (i.e. Burger King) have never tasted a Chili's burger (U.S.A.), Mason Jar Burger (Houston), McGuire's (Pensacola, FL). Get off your butts and try a real burger. El Corral - Hah! Nothing but Burger King. Ps. My soda was very cold but had no ice.

DavidM comments on What is A Paramiltitary Group?

My Conclusion: I guess paramilitaries are like cholesterol. Some are good; others are bad. It depends on their purpose, and how they function.

DavidM comments on IN-N-OUT OR HAMBURGUESAS DEL CORRAL?

Andres Carne de Res is nice. It is all about the atmosphere. Dark, rustic and festive ambience is what attracts people. They even pay actors dressed up as famous people from the past (Marx brothers, Marilyn Monroe etc.) to come around and entertain you informally as they travel around the Restaurant. It's a lot of fun but expect a big Gringo bill ( > $25.00/person). I can't remember the exact amount I paid, just that it was pricey by Colombian standards.

DavidM comments on IN-N-OUT OR HAMBURGUESAS DEL CORRAL?

El Corral Hamburgers are nothing but a glorified Burger King burger. Colombians swear they are better than any American Burger and what they mean is that they are better than any McDonalds Hamburger. Our Real burger joints kick their Colombian El Corral's Butt. Try their Pizza from Jenos, it is even worse yet Colombians eat it up.

DavidM comments on Sending Money from Colombia to US

What's wrong with Western Union? I use them.

DavidM comments on Living in Bogota..

Yeh, you can live there but not without some risk. South Bogota is less safe than North or Central Bogota for sure. Once people figure out that you are living there and know where you live, you could be targeted. How old are you? How strong do you look? If you look like an easy target, you are more vulnerable. Even if you're sturdy looking, you are still no match for a gun. Consider living in amongst others with money (i.e. Central to North Bogota). That way, you will be less of a target. It will be a lot more expensive. but can you put a price on safety. My fiance lives in Soacha (just south of Bogota, like a suburb of Bogota), and I walk on the streets on the streets all the time, but I do not live there. Even so, Yolanda (my fiance) has cautioned me not to share too much information with strangers because it could make me/her a target. Ps. Yolanda's father is a professional photographer and is employed by one of the news stations in Bogota. He lives in Central Bogota. Two weeks ago, some lady he was acquainted with step out of his house to get something from her car, and in entered a couple of men armed with a gun. It was a setup; very clever might I add. After tieing him up and taking away the walker of the 95 year old grandmother, they stole about $3,500 in camera equipment. They knew right where to go. They didn't even check the second floor of the apartment home. Yolanda's half brother is still a child and lives with her father. She thinks one of his friends or someone else who had been in the home before must have provided the thieves with information. Eyes wide open all the time when living in a place like Colombia or any other third world country.

DavidM comments on dog attacks

Colombian dogs understand the meaning of a rock. Any time you are approached by an aggressive dog just pick up a stone, or fake picking up a stone. The dog will usually run away. My Colombian fiance taught me this. It even works in Costa Rica. While traveling alone in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica,I was attacked by a dog. I just faked picking up a rock and the dog scrambled to get away. I guess it's a Latin thing.

DavidM comments on If I was a Moderator...

Silly Robby, names are for kids.

DavidM comments on cheap places to stay in Santa Marta? during semana santa? suggestions?

Go to the Lonely Planet's web site. You should find a lot of cheap options listed.

DavidM comments on President For Colombia

I voted for Mike Huckabee but believe the best answer to your question is John McCain. He is a decorated war veteran, is concerned with the image of the U.S.A. (America, not North America is in the name) within the world and has a strong position on the war on terror. Hope this helps.

DavidM comments on Need English Teachers for Immediate Start!

Is the pay the same as it was 6 months ago? If it has been adjusted upwards, I may be interested.

DavidM comments on LUXURY HOTELS IN SAN ANDRES??

Yeh, was just there. There are a number of all-inclusive Decameron Hotels on the Island. Staying at one entitles them the right to enjoy the facilities of any of the Decamerons on the Island. Great for old people who are into more of the packaged hotel experience. There is what I am told a FIVE STAR hotel on the Island. My fiance's mother and brother were just there. It's located on the main walkway abutting the most popular beach area. It's painted white and for some reason I believe its name is something like White House. I'll speak to my fiance tonight and get back to you.

DavidM comments on rent rooms and beds in the north rea of bogota

How much are rooms and how convenient to services?

DavidM comments on

Under your profile it says you are a male. The photo is of a female. Which are you male or female? Had to ask.

DavidM comments on work and volunteer in Bogota

How much are you paying for American (from the United Sates of course) with no TOEFL certification?

DavidM comments on Donating to Colombia

There are a lot of Training Centers and Universities in Soacha and other areas that would probably be happy to have the sewing machines. My Fiance is a professional seamstress/Artist (she already has three machines) and resides in Soacha. I will speak to her tonight about this. Maybe she knows of a place that is willing to pay the shipping. Ps. Nicaragua and El Salvador are places of greater need, and your charity would be greatly appreciated by such a poor people.

DavidM comments on Teaching English in Colombia

Name of School You Work For? Would you please provide this along with the type of pay a person can expect teaching English for your organization.

Thank you,
David M.

DavidM comments on Great jobs in Colombia

Native English Speaker to Teach. I am interested in living and working/teaching in Colombia. I eagerly await your response.

Credentials:
Citizen of U.S.A.
Masters Degree

DavidM comments on Rules for Colombian Traveling to other South American, Central American Countries

Thank you! This helps a lot. Do you know a web site that provides this information?

DavidM comments on I Want Advice for Vacation in Covenas.

To: colevalleydave Thank you for your comforting advice.

Ps. What is "Tijuana on the beach" like (i.e. what does this mean)?

DavidM comments on Anyone been to Tairona recently?

Playa Crystal Was Spectacular! This is one of the beaches in Parque Tayrona.
Like swimming in a pool with live coral and exotic fish 15 feet from the shore. You're swimming with the fishes. Great experience. The beach was beautiful. The sand is a tan color.

Enjoy!

DavidM comments on Travelling to Columbia for the first time.....

Columbia is a State of the USA?. Wrong! Hey Larumber... get your facts straight. You're just making a greater mess of an already messed-up mess.

DavidM comments on Advice to Gringos

"Advice to Gringos" is Excellent! I do not make it my goal to stand out as much as possible when in Colombia as some others here seem to enjoy doing. Why attract additional attention? The wrong kind of attention is dangerous and foolish.

I dress to blend, no white tennies when in Colombia.

So let's say you like to be unique and do your own thing. That's great! Now, do you abnoxiously expect, no demand, that others embrace you as such. If you do then grow-up.

I find it rude and abnoxious in America when some American kid serving at Burger King has oversized pants with half his butt exposed or everything and anything pierced on his body. It says a lot about the person and the management. First it says I did't care enough about this job to remove all forms of prejudice when I applied for this job. Second, it says I could really give a crap what the customer thinks. It's no mistake that this person is working at Burger King. After all its all about me. Yes, have it my way. Third, it says management expects very little from its employees; just show up and management is happy.

The point is if your aspiration in life is reaching the Burger King standard then fine do whatever you like. If not, then to what level do you aspire? Once you've answered this question, it will be clear how you should dress.