droble77 has written 17 posts

Meanwhile, across the world. . .

Interesting FARC-related news. "BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- One of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested Thursday in Bangkok on allegations that he supplied Colombian rebels with arms and explosives, Thai police said." Here's the link to the NY Times to read the whole thing: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Thailand-Arms-Dealer.html?hp A notorious Russian arms dealer who seems to have sold a lot of stuff to the FARC. I wonder if Uribe and Bush are really on th ...

By droble77 on 2008-03-06 06:38:24. 1 comments.

Rosario Tijeras DVD . . . and WAR !! ;)

LOL, now that I have your attention, just a few op-ed sentences about my thoughts on this semi-crisis. The current situation is a reflection of the sense of distrust/dislike that Latinos from different nationalities have for each other. Latinos like to say how our wonderful language and cultural heritage unifies us all, but too often there are cliquish attitudes when it comes to what country so and so is from, a dirty little secret if you will. This site will of course promote the Colombia ...

By droble77 on 2008-03-05 09:08:35. 0 comments.

Venezolanos get kidnapped by FARC as well. . .

Lot of interesting news on Venezuela lately both in the general press and here in PBH. Here's another angle on the whole Venezuela-Columbia-FARC controversy. You can read the full article in the link below: Venezuelans Grow Bitter Over Abductions http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/12/AR2008021202762.html?hpid=topnews "People here -- from small-time politicians to cattlemen, businessmen to farmers -- say the FARC and a smaller rebel group, the National Liberati ...

By droble77 on 2008-02-13 00:37:50. 4 comments.

Amateur Bullfights in Colombia

Good morning, got jury duty today, so won't be able to comment and read for awhile. That's also why I'm up so early! :-) You might find this article entertaining: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/world/americas/24colombia.html Here's a quote: "A stream of men arrived with wounds out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting: intestines peeking out of a belly, bone protruding from a fractured shin, blood spurting from a gash in the buttocks. . . They were participants in the corraleja, a bu ...

By droble77 on 2008-01-24 05:07:37. 7 comments.

Some Ideas for Booking Reward Travel

With all the economic uncertainty, if you have miles accumulated, NOW is the time to use them before the reward seats get all taken up. I don't think you'll have much luck for summer travel without spending double miles (if they even have reward seats) or for 1st class but there's still availability outside peak summer travel. Anyway, here's a few things I learned: Avianca -- if you have at least 60% of the miles needed, you can purchase the rest and the price is reasonable. It takes 30K ...

By droble77 on 2008-01-16 16:29:05. 4 comments.

Will be in Bog this Sat.

I arrive Sat. for my 10 day visit, first time to Bogotá. I doubt I'll have time to meet any of the regulars here, as I'll be hanging out mostly with my buddy who lives there 4-6 weeks at a time and is staying with the novia. Still, would be interesting if there's a chance to meet some of the sexpats, oops I mean expats, in person. ;-) Rubito, are you in Bogota right now? Maybe I can catch you and/or your band perform. . . let me know the schedule if there's something going on this week, or ...

By droble77 on 2007-09-06 09:46:06. 0 comments.

Elmo, have you seen this? :-))

http://www.vbs.tv/player.php?bctid=823490101&bccl=NDcxODc0MzkwX19UUkFWRUw= "Asses of the Caribbean" Maybe this is old hat for the regulars here but I just discovered this video. I thought Elmo was exaggerating about the burras but I stand corrected, LOL! Costeños really are a bunch of crazy modefoques. . . :0) ...

By droble77 on 2007-09-03 14:02:03. 9 comments.

Interesting Op-Ed in today's WaPo on Colombia

The arch-conservative columnist Robert Novak has an interesting take on all the resignations going on lately in Colombia, in his op-ed titled "The Democrats Move Colombia" I'm not going to comment too much on his views. Although I tend to vote for the Dems, I disagree with their tough stance on Uribe as it seems to me he is the lesser of two evils, but most gringos have no clue about the complexity of Colombian politics or all the historical background. So with that I'm on Novak's side. . . b ...

By droble77 on 2007-08-27 09:08:17. 16 comments.

Suites Real 85 or 97 in BOG

Anyone have any info or advice, warning, etc. about these hotels? I'm thinking I'll stay at the one at 85 as it appears to be closer to the "Zona Rosa" or so I'm told. The rates seem to be a bit high though. Maybe I should call them directly and ask if they can give me a better deal? Also, I'm more worried than usual about security on this trip. If anyone can tell me what the situation is with the taxis (like name and #s of the more reliable companies) or even the # of a driver you think i ...

By droble77 on 2007-08-20 13:39:09. 25 comments.

Feria de Flores Question

http://www.medellin.gov.co/alcaldia/jsp/modulos/D_estamos/index.jsp?idPagina=1048

If I'm reading correctly the page linked above, the Desfile de Silleteros is on Aug. 12 this year. Can anyone confirm, as I might have to change my ticket w/ Avianca because I don't want to miss the main event. . . Thanks ...

By droble77 on 2007-06-15 09:19:46. 3 comments.

Hair transplant in Medellín?

Don't laugh too much, it can happen to you! :-)
I know Colombia is popular for certain kinds of plastic surgery and dental work but what about hair?

Now that I'm in my mid 30s, it's become apparent that I may end up pretty bald like my dad when he reached his 40s. So my question is do any of you guys know of a doctor or clinic in Medellín or Bogotá that specializes in hair restoration/transplant?

FWIW, this is not something I'm obsessed about but since I'm ...

By droble77 on 2007-05-04 17:56:03. 4 comments.

Poblado vs. Candelaria ?

First of all, thanks for your advice on my trip to Cali last Nov. I stayed at the Cali Plaza which was recommended here. With the only caveat being the noise from the Barril bar at the corner, I give the Cali Plaza a thumbs up. Now, I got a 1st time visit to Medellin coming up.

Did some online research, and I see a lot of furnished apartment rentals available in the Poblado area. . . and a few in a neighborhood called Boston which I believe is part of La Candelaria, according to ...

By droble77 on 2007-04-25 09:51:23. 4 comments.

Cali Questions

Hey everybody, this is my first post, although I've been reading PBH time to time for several months now.

I'm finally doing it. I'm going to visit Cali, Colombia! :-) Why Cali for a newbie like me? I've always wanted to visit the "other" salsa capital of the world as I live in NYC and am somewhat of a salsa aficionado.

First and foremost are the security concerns.

I understand Cali is potentially hairier than some of the other Colombian cities. If any ...

By droble77 on 2006-11-13 11:34:05. 7 comments.