David Pristupa has left 130 comments

David Pristupa comments on Dollar at 2350 to the peso !

I got burned when I held on to some Canadian Loonies. I should have dumped the shit when it was on par or above the greenback. Iam not particularily interested in currency speculation like some folks. I have to live in the world of real money and right now US cash seems king. Given the problems in the states one might think the Loonie would be higher than it is. It has dropped in value like a lead brick. Given its volatility I would only use it if in Canada for daily use. I would put what I don't use daily in greenbacks. It is only good for a domestic currency.

David Pristupa comments on New owl discovered in Colombia

The Great Horned Owl resides in South America. There is a narrow swath going through central Colombia which widens as you go further South on the continent. Apparently this owl is considerably smaller than the North American species but is the same species. Barn owls similar to the ones in North America can be found as well. This is second hand information to me. Has anyone observed either of these up close?

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

Cristal, I would get in contact with a professor of economics at a university. They may be able to give you the information you need. They could also refer you to some one that has the specific information you need.

David Pristupa comments on

Health care in the states is generally better than Canada BUT few can afford it even with insurance. If you don't have insurance or are underinsured hid your cash and plead poverty. The health care in Canada is pretty good compared to alot of places. If you have Dental needs go to another country. Don't even think .....of Canadian Dentists. Ontario used to offer student grants similar to Pell Grants in the states now it is all bank loans. On that note it is better in the states I know from experience. More options programs scholarships and approaches to get your degree. If you want Yale or law school it is pricey. Canadian climate....yes the winters are too long and deep. I spent the summer in the south and the heat was too much. Winter is nice. Spring fall like. As for Canadian culture at least the English....it is to materialistic . To much emphasis on work. I like being around easy going simple party people.....BRAZIL !!!!!!

David Pristupa comments on eltoro

Hi, Are you working for Petersons? I'am considering coming to Bogota and have contacted them and other people that know them. From what I have heard they are a good employer. I want to make sure that when I come I will be happy with the people I work with and get the support I need from my employer. I have heard of HAGWANS in Thailand. They are like working at a kennel

David Pristupa comments on Pink Floyd

For the record the Doors never had a Bassist hence that tinny sound.

David Pristupa comments on Pink Floyd

Procol Harum has some real funky depressing music. I watched their 67 to 69 Black and White videos on You tube. I must say that they looked dated but the feel and talent far surpass what they got credit for. A guy did Emerson Lake and Palmer Lucky man collage. The track was accompanied by paintings. It was very disturbing but had depth. A lot of these early vids had cuts showing the audience or people dancing. In some ways it was a warmer more connected time. I wasn't a 60s fan but compared to now it was a vastly more interesting culture. I hope the youth in foreign countries discover this music and by pass present American music.

David Pristupa comments on middle class

Good morning...I awoke from a two day sleep. The flue shot I took must have missed the mark. I have heard that military personel are living on the Mexican side of the border. Apparently their salary didn't go far enough if you live along the border. I assume other people are thinking of working in the states and living across the border. Any views?

David Pristupa comments on Pink Floyd

If you like Floyd you would love King Crimson.

David Pristupa comments on

Westernized woman bore me so I avoid them. We couldn't hit it off anyway. If she becomes Americanized I immediatly drop her and leave. Material girls bore me. Possessions are a waste of time and money that could be put to better use.

David Pristupa comments on

Relationships with gringo women are business like. You have to set a time to meet and present yourself like a job interview. There is no romance or enjoying the present moment. Gringos are to obsessed with their possessions and careers. If you don't live in this paradigm a relationship with a gringo is abrasive with conflicting values and boredom. Gringo woman bore me. There are usually issues in Gringo relationships always some stupid little thing to bitch and break up over. Too much negativity...that my opinion

David Pristupa comments on Something sweet to read when you guys don't understand many things about Colombianas.

Lila....it sounds soooo romantic :) Try this with a girl in the US and you would get a very different story......

David Pristupa comments on BOGOTA LOOKS BEAUTIFUL TODAY

Such weather is inspirational for my music and art. The moody sky and colors sooth me

David Pristupa comments on What's a condo cost?

Question....why would someone move to Colombia to live like a gringo in big city America......or travel to Mexico and stay at a secluded resort with emenities? The weather is fine in the northern winter but why move to a foreign country and pay the same prices. The purpose to move for a many of us on this forum is immerse our selves..assimilate into the local culture. I can understand wanting comfort but does everyone need or want all that stuff we left purposely left behind? Prices are reasonable in San Antonio and it is a very wonderful city why move to Colombia when you can have all the amenities in the states at The same price. I travel and live like the local people that's the purpose of living in A foreign country for me......

David Pristupa comments on

Ikea?

David Pristupa comments on Poker

You could start a meetup on meetup.com if you can't find a venue or folks that play.

David Pristupa comments on What is it about this place?

6 years ago I talked with an unemployment counsellor. She worked with immigrants. She told me that she knew two sisters. One returned to Colombia because life in Canada was too expensive and lacked meaning. That was 6 years ago when The situation in Colombia was worse. Doing capacity building work in the states I understand why many immigrants would want to go home. Problems at home forced them to go abroad. It is too expensive to live in North America in a very materilistic culture. My point here is Anglo North America isn't as great as it is made out to be. People in so called developing countries get by day to day life goes on. If you have medical bills student loans there is no upward mobility in the states. I Would see no purpose in staying here. The choice I would have to make is which place would I go to. It is a tough shock to realize that you might HAVE to leave the US or Canada to improve your life.

David Pristupa comments on What is it about this place?

What's the point of living in the US if you aren't happy? You are surrounded by monster trucks monster houses have to pay medical bills rent car expenses etc. My point is that all this stuff is putting a fence between people. Your surrounded by A bunch overpriced junk you can't afford Yet you need in order to be part of society. There comes a point when you say screw it and leave. The majority of the world lives in 'poverty'. At least live in a culture where it isn't a stigma and people are happy with less. Life in the states is pretty bad these days compared to 20 or more years ago.

David Pristupa comments on I'm Scared!

The Bogota climate IS refreshing I spent The summer in New Orleans and Laredo Texas that was enough for me. Tourists in Montreal are weekend warriors from Toronto...... looser drinking laws and better strippers

David Pristupa comments on

If I can find a computer that will down load my picture you will be pleasantly surprised. #$! scanners

David Pristupa comments on I'm Scared!

Whether it Montreal New York or Paris etc. The place is filled with tourists with money. Its like running into a the same crowd over and over. They come from their home towns and make fools of them selves and throw their money around.. Bogota doesn't have that. The climate is gloomy for most part and there is no beach. You really have a purpose to go to Bogota.

David Pristupa comments on I'm Scared!

The strong Macho men fear not....the pussy footed weak and wanabees that want to try to impress can go to Cancun.

David Pristupa comments on who really Rocks?

I would say the Who. They were the most dysfunctional group I know of. Out of the fray they put out some bad bluesy ballsy music any p'ed off loner could relate to.

David Pristupa comments on VOLUNTARIADO!?

Transitions Abroad magazine has a comprehensive online listing of volunteer opportunities. Habitat For Humanity is in Bogotá and Cali they might need some help.

David Pristupa comments on NJ Singlehood Certificate

Do they have one in Colombia?

David Pristupa comments on Colombian Music vs. Pink Floyd

What bothers me about English pop and country music is the trite lyrics. These songs are about bad relationships that could be fixed or broken up. People have a chip and don't want to let go. The music itself might be Ok but the stories are shallow and subtract from the quality of the music that might be present.

David Pristupa comments on Cost of living in Colombia

The cost of living is high in most places. The difference between the US /Canada and Colombia is that you don't have to surround yourself with a bunch of consumer junk, monster trucks, monster houses etc. If you don't have that junk you are looked down on. You NEED a car which is an expense in most places. Living A simple life is looked down in North America these days. You have to spend beyond your means to be socially accepted

David Pristupa comments on looking for friends to meet in bogota

Meetup has a group of people that get together regularily. It is a mix of locals and new comers that have an interest in the city

David Pristupa comments on Whats the best way to find a dependable job for the summer(June&July)

I don't mean to be harsh towards you hun. The point Iam stressing is that in Colombia culture (others as well) people want to establish a relationship with you first. If you are a good friend then they will consider hiring you. I have been done this road myself. Family and friends come first work second. If you do make $300 per month it will go a lot further than in the states. This is not tied and dried it my experience. Hostel might have information On some kind of season work that doesnlt Require the formalities of other jobs. Other people on PBH probably can fill you in better on this.

David Pristupa comments on Whats the best way to find a dependable job for the summer(June&July)

It really irritates me when foreigners come in and brag about their university degrees and credentials and expect employers to throw money at their feet. If you manage to get enough money to put a roof over your head consider yourself successful. If you have a needed skill and someone is willing to pay you enough pesos to live a very simple life consider yourself successful. This is Colombia not the US different values different culture .very different I like It that way.

David Pristupa comments on Colombia

Dubia rocks? I haven't been there. Any place rocks if you have the dought. If happiness and the party spirit is contingent on ones income any place will do. My point is I want to be in a place where a party erupts and people dance and revel regardless of how much money they have. Why restrict your joy according the the rules of some one else rules or money system?

David Pristupa comments on bamapits

Your view of Colombia is interesting. I Havenlt been there yet. I have hear rhat The cities other than Bogotà and boring If it wasnlt for the woman there wouldn't be anything worth seeing. Bogotà seems like the only interesting Place although the climate is bad and the People to be reserved and alike....I heard the woman have no sparkle in their personality. I also heard that the coastal cities are expensive tourist traps like Cancun. In short Bogotà is interesting but the people are boring. In the coastal cities The woman are beautiful but the cities are expensive with no intellectual stimulation. Am I correct...perhaps I should consider Brazil....more fun with some kind of flavour.

David Pristupa comments on

If you are dining at Hooters, waiting for a bus in Vegas, sitting in a classroom, in church or just at work chances are that a maniac is going to go off the deep end. Welcome to the US.

David Pristupa comments on MaFe

Hi, I felt closer to strangers in other countries than family in the US and Canada. I have travelled a lot. There Is a lot of interesting things to do in the states but if you are alone always and can't afford the lifestyle demanded by the culture you live in it is best to leave. There is enough to keep you busy in other countries. I canlt tolerate the Alianation. I lived in places that were a Different culture than Ilam used too yet I felt more at home even though I didnlt Assimilate

David Pristupa comments on Miami: Undocumented(illegal) Workers Bemoan Immigration Crackdown

I have heard that Puerto Rico is another port of entry for illegal residents. However to my knowledge this doesn't make the news. Another item. Mexican residents both legal and illegal frequently return home. They hadn't anticipated the hardship of living in the US. Could someone eloborate on these items. Are they factual?

David Pristupa comments on

Happy New Year Nati !!! :))))

David Pristupa comments on "So, what do you know about Bogota?" Y tu, Que sabes de Bogota?

Bogota ....... New Jersey? :)))))

David Pristupa comments on

Colombia is heaven. When a guy is surrounded by an ocean of beautiful women why would he want to go anywhere else? There is this 'danger' of ending up married and love it :)

David Pristupa comments on Hello...

Try coachsurfing.com . It is a bulletin board where people put up others for free or very cheap. I haven't used them but heard they are useful.

David Pristupa comments on i'll be damned....

Mogen David Sherry.....I didnt finish the bottle and I nearly passed out. For 3 days after that I was feeling no pain. That stuff is STRONG!

David Pristupa comments on Call Center Business Growth in Colombia

Maybe we should outsource our political leaders. Better government, better fiscal responsibility at a lower cost.

David Pristupa comments on Cuba verses Colombia...

Colombiche...did you say snow or is it a rumour? Send some down. It doesn't snow in the south.

David Pristupa comments on On foreigners and integration

Perhaps the guy didn't want to assimilate. Some people are posted by their companies to foreign countries and have to take the assignment. Some cultures require a person to reinvent themselves which can be next to impossible. I have experienced that myself. If living in such a situation causes such discomfort I would recommend leaving. The sight a monsterous cruiseship in Cartegna is akin to a middle finger being pointed at the poor people of that city. Although political colonization by richer countries by force isnt always happening by force. (That's another heated debate). My concern is economic takeover. Foreign landownership, forced consumerism are effective in this diasapora of cultures. The US gets the brunt of the blame but Canada is no better in this respect. The culture of greed has established itself in North America since the 80s. Now People are poaching on 'less developed' countries. The wealthier countries attempt to package foreign cultures and sell it at an inflated price. North American business culture laudes about the 'successes' in foreign lands and take the credit for work done by these other people The most 'capitalistic' countries can't live within their budget and have to poach off other countries. My purpose of going to foreign country Is to make it better and try to assimilate. I do like modern amenities but can live with out the excess baggage of excessive consummer goods, monster houses, SUVs, I hate that stuff..........

David Pristupa comments on Cuba verses Colombia...

Terry you had an interesting experience. I spent part of the summer in Laredo Texas. I had a fascination for Tex Mex culture. Laredo is a fascinating city at least the downtown. Although it might Not interest most tourists it is worth Checking out. It has a lot of the wild west personality. I have a lot of stories to tell. It did not dissapoint. The downside was the people. They were very cliqueish and did not mix with strangers period. I was expecting a culture more outgoing. On the otherhand the people were generally much better dressed than other North Americans. There wasn't a feeling of confrontation and intrusion that is characteristic of Canadian and Anglo American culture. Being surrounded extroverts can be very irritating after awhile.

David Pristupa comments on Call Center Business Growth in Colombia

How about outsourcing on-line college courses? In the states a 3 credit hour course can be close to 1000$ for out of state courses. I took courses from India for one tenth of that with the same material covered.If the accrediting agencie and departments of education would give credit or acknowledge these studies a person could get a degree for a fraction of the cost now. You pay a fortune yet classrooms are as crowded as a Greyhound Terminal and windbag professors rattle on about nothing.

David Pristupa comments on GRINGO BOYFRIEND NOT GOING TO COLOMBIA

Whether your waiting for a bus, sitting in a classroom, shopping at the mall, going to church or working at night in a convenience store.....it is safer in Colombia than the states. I told my dad that I have plans to move to Colombia.....he was felt it would be a good move for me.

David Pristupa comments on Training mechanics...

Car Mechanics? Does it take a lot of Skills to fix a car right? No. In new cars the 'mechanic' plugs a computer Into the car and gets a diagnostic readout. The 'mechanic' then replaces a module according to a code on the screen....that easy and still they don't do it right. Life in America......

David Pristupa comments on GRINGO BOYFRIEND NOT GOING TO COLOMBIA

The problems in Colombia are presented in a distored context and hyperbolized. There is a lot of bad stuff in the states too. In the states we are told the problems in other countries are always worse than ours no matter how bad they are.

David Pristupa comments on Record stores?

Try Tower Records. They still have affiliates in Colombia although the main chain closed in the states. They Have a Colombia website but it is down for maintenance.........? They have a motly selection of independent artists. Tower bought on consignment in the states....Iam not sure how Tower works in Colombia. I worked at Tower in NYC. They carried everthing that people wanted but wasn't available elsewhere.

David Pristupa comments on Volunteering in Medellin

Habitat For Humanity is always open to help. Transitions Abroad has a good portal for volunteer opportunties. Orphanages run by Catholic charities is another possibility. Paying to volunteer is not right in my book.