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deathnova has written 18 posts

I'm looking at possibly purchasing an apartment in Medellin in the future and would like to know if anyone has good web sites listing them for sale. I'm not exactally keen on rentals since the rates basically end up more than I pay for a mortgage in a middle class neighborhood in VA. I'm interested in a luxury type penthouse, 3 bedroom. What's the best way to secure financing? I have a credit score of about 740 - 760 at the moment. ...

Please explain "chimba"

My lady uses this to describe almost everything that is really good, as if she's calling it "badass" or something. What does it mean specifically?

Hold music

Every single business i've called in Colombia has circus-style hold music. What's the deal with that? It's the same exact music!

Immunizations for U.S. immigration

Does anyone have an idea the total cost of the immunizations needed for U.S. immigration and which have to be obtained in advance of the exam in Bogota (eg. those in a series that cannot be done on the spot at the exam?) ...

Airport tax (CTG)

Could someone please give me the straight dope on how/where/when to pay this? I understand I have to have a stamp in my passport before approaching the airline ticket counter but i'm fuzzy on the details since my lady handled this for me last time while I waited in line (and it wasn't CTG so she does not know either). ...

Duty free in CTG?

Is there a duty free in CTG or should I buy my alcohol elsewhere before rolling out? Any recommendations? I'm looking at picking up some decent local booze.

Debit card question

I'm currently in Cartagena and have two debit cards (Schwab and CapitalOne) and both are declined at Bancolombia and some other local bank whose name escapes me while they seem to work at Citi and BBVA. This is fine and well for here in CTG, but where can I use these (especially the CapitalOne) in Pereira? Is there any logic to which banks will accept the card? I'm mostly concerned because i'm not sure if there are Citi or BBVA in Pereira? ...

Prepaid data

Is it possible to purchase a prepaid SIM and use it in say a Treo 750 to obtain data service?

Tourist visas to Spain

Difficult?

Incorporating in Colombia

Does anyone here have any resources? Perhaps a government site or two outlining the process?

WARNING: Spirit Air

I brought this up in another post but you might want to read this before considering that airline: http://www.my3cents.com/companyOverview.cgi?code=22

MIA to CTG

How far in advance would I need to buy these tickets for July to ensure availability?

Brief COP analysis

There is much discussion on this in other threads, as a professional currency trader (among two other hats that I tend to wear) I have some insight on the marketing (seeing how I trade and make a habit of watching the live pips rather than just check Yahoo! from time to time). Nonetheless, for simplicity we'll use the Yahoo! board: As others were kind to point out USD/COP has a gradual decline on the 5yr: The 3mo however isn't so fo ...

Banking environment

One of my businesses deals in money transmissions, much of which occurs by wire transfer. U.S. banks absolutely hate us because they're under the assumption that a company doing $1-2M in wire transfer volume overseas (as 90% of our business is in EU) must be funding terrorism. We're operating here clearly but the banks stare us down hard. One of our three banks recently suspended our online access due to an unsolicited EFT consisting of stolen funds. We don't even accept EFT. Tried taking thi ...

Larges packages (por Navidad)

What has been everyone's experience with sending large packages from the U.S. (say 30 - 50 lbs). I'm looking to possibly ship a computer. Costs? Best carrier to use? I've had good luck with FedEx but they're charging $100+ for much lighter/smaller packages so I can only imagine what they would want to charge for this. Also, would it be advisable to conceal the nature of the retail carton from common observation (eg. wrap in brown paper so no brand names are showing?) ...

Stamping of U.S. passport

I understand U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter Colombia. Is the passport stamped upon arrival?

Passport for my Colombian girlfriend

I'm in the process of trying to arrange a vacation for my girlfriend and I to Aruba but we're running into a little difficulty. She had been deported from Panama for working illegally and later told me that there was a problem with her passport and that she had to apply for a new one. She speaks only Spanish and my fluency is intermediate so I had a bit of difficulty ascertaining exactally what was the problem. She applied for a new one on Monday and was told today to come back tomorrow, ...

Americas:

Mexico

Cuba

Colombia (travelguide)

Africa: