FrankLeal has left 67 comments

FrankLeal comments on

Que envidia Zuan!! Que hubo Zuan! Que más?
Y eso donde fué tremenda foto, hablamos, suerte!
Francisco Leal

FrankLeal comments on Bucaramanga Experts?

Other good hotels in Bucaramanga Hi!
I am from Bucaramanga and I would recommend Hotel Balmoral (Cra 21 No.34-75) that is around $40000 per night or a better one but more expensive could be Hotel Guane (Calle 34 con Carrera 23) both in downtown Bucaramanga. Places to visit: Girón (15 minutes away), el parque del agua, la casa de Bolívar and vivero El Bosque, el parque Santander. There are lots of good cafes and discos to go, just let me know too. If you have more time you could go on Sunday to visit Sangil to practice rafting or to visit the beautiful Barichara (2 – 2.5 hours away). You can call me to 310-7745909.

Enjoy it!

Frank

FrankLeal comments on Moving to Cali

Maybe search at the local newspaper Hi viajera!

Im writing you from Bucaramanga - Colombia. Well maybe you can search at www.elpais.com.co this is Cali local newspaper, search in the section "clasificados". If you would like to work in Bucaramanga I have a contact because I have worked as English teacher in my city. Here you could also take dancing lessons, visit interesting towns and practice Xtreme sports nearby. You can contact me at franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Have a nice day!

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Search: Cali hotel, ~$30 USD per night

Also going to Feria de Cali Hi!
I will go to feria de Cali with a friend who is colombian but she is living in the States and a friend of hers. We are also looking for a good and cheap hotel to stay in Cali maybe in downtown Cali. Dont know if any of you have heard of these hotels: Americana, Mudejar and Apartahotel Ribera del Río, any advice would be helpful. You can write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Greetings from Bucaramanga,

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Barbosa

There are two towns called Barbosa in Colombia Hi Joe, I am from Bucaramanga. There are two towns called Barbosa here, one is in Antioquia state and the other in Santander, my state (departamento). As Vladimiro said, Barbosa Antioquia is located half an hour from Medellín, and Barbosa Santander is between Bucaramanga and Tunja. Travelling from Bucaramanga or from Bogota is easy by bus (best bus lines are Berlinas del Fonce and Copetrán). I have never lodged in one of those cities, I have passed them while travelling from Bucaramanga to Bogotá and from Bucaramanga to Medellín but I think you will have no problem if you are not going to buy any properties over there; some friends from Tunja have been asked to pay money from guerrilla because they own a farm there. Barbosa and Velez (Santander) are the place to eat guava sweet known here as "bocadillo". If the Barbosa you are talking about is in Santander, I strongly recommend you to visit Sangil and Barichara in Santander and visit the beautiful Boyacá region.

FrankLeal comments on Bucaramanga - Anyone been?

From Bucaramanga too! It's nice to see some more people coming to Bucaramanga, it'll be a pleasure to guide you around too. There are some pics I have posted before related to places near Bucaramanga if you want to check them.

Hey Vic, how are you? I havent see u lately, well I was working in Medellín and just came back some days ago, but I gotta call.

Francisco A.

FrankLeal comments on Fruit names.

Other fruits you should taste in Colombia! Well I have never taste a raspberry, cranberry or blueberry in Colombia. Some other fruits strange for americans or europeans are: lulo, tomate de árbol, guama, mamón, corozo (there are 2 types, the small red one from the coast and the brown one),badea, papayuela... dont remember more at this moment but I know there are much more. By the way if you know translations for these fruits that would be nice. Even badea is a fruit known in Santander but unknown in other regions such as Antioquia.

FrankLeal comments on Bus to Medellin

Hi! Hello!
Well I'm from Bucaramanga but have been living in Medellín and I can assure you that the trip Pereira - Medellin is completely safe. If you have any question related to Medellín of if maybe you come to Santander do not hesitate to write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Have a good time at Cerro Nutibara, Museo de Antioquia and Museo del Castillo. Bye!

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Colombian Penpal wanted!

Hello! Hi Beth!
Welcome to this forum about Colombia. I'm 29 and I'm from Bucaramanga, a beautiful and warm city in the middle of the country. That'll be nice to have you as a penpal, you can write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on NorteAmericano pidiendo ayuda

Claro que sí Adela Están bien tus indicaciones Adela, siempre es mejor prevenir y claro yo no soy gringo, soy Colombiano. Y otra cosa gringo, no vayas a usar bermudas estilo hawaiano de colores naranja, verde o por el estilo.

FrankLeal comments on All Colombians get "A"s on their studies in Colombia???

Girls in Colombia "tienen cuello", ja ja Just joking, just sometimes “ellas tienen cuello”. Well Greg not all people get good grades at universities. Maybe if you ask to people from private universities they have higher grades than people from public universities. I’d say that 3/5 in a public university is almost the same than 4/5 in a private university. I pursued my undergraduate studies at UIS (Universidad Industrial de Santander) a public university and we had some subjects where the highest grade was 3.2 / 5, this will never happen in a private university. Also I took some subjects where 90% of students failed at least once during the career, I mean you have to see two or three times the subject to pass it. And there are careers that are also much more demanding like mechanical engineering. We at UIS (and I guess in other universities too) always joked about Industrial engineering calling it coche-industrial. Girls love to study it and a lot of girls from other careers ask a change to Industrial because it really isn’t as hard as other engineering careers.

The level is therefore much more demanding at public universities. I had some partners who got PFU (out of the University because of their grades) from UIS and then they pursued the same career in a private university with outstanding grades (over 4/5 or A). Check if the girls you talked to study at public or private universities.

The opposite happens at high school. Private high schools are almost always better than public high schools.

Now an old joke but it must be in Spanish because in English doesn’t have sense: Cuál es la carrera más dificil de pasar en la Universidad Javeriana? La séptima, claro.

FrankLeal comments on El Rodadero

Maybe this interest you I can offer you good priced Spanish lessons in the beautiful city of Bucaramanga, well not too near to Santa Marta but I'm almost sure that there aren't Spanish schools there. Private schools in other cities can charge you three times what my classes cost. Feel free to contact me: franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Language courses

Spanish classes in Bucaramanga If you really want to learn Spanish take private lessons in Bucaramanga, this is cheaper than taking group classes in Bogotá or other cities. I am an English teacher at Centro Colombo Americano a renowned institution in Colombia. I can offer you 25 hours of Spanish lessons weekly. The price is $300,000 (Colombian pesos)/week. Private schools in Bogotá or Cartagena can charge you much more.

As I told before to other person in this forum near Bucaramanga there are many beautiful and more important safe places for practice of X-treme sports (e.g. rockclimbing, rappelling, rafting, paragliding, etc) or you could during weekends visit beautiful colonial towns. There are also some dancing academies where you can start at any moment of the year take tropical music dancing lessons. More info about my city: www.bucaros.com or www.bucaramanga.com

Any further question please do not hesitate to contact me, this is my e-mail: franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Best regards,

Francisco Leal

FrankLeal comments on NorteAmericano pidiendo ayuda

Hola! Pienso que no es ningún problema viajar por tierra a Fundación. La verdad he pasado muchas veces por ahí en camino desde Bucaramanga a Santa Marta y viceversa pero nunca he entrado siquiera a conocer puesto que no hay mayor cosa que ver o hacer allá. Fundación está a unos 90 Km por tierra desde Santa Marta.

FrankLeal comments on need some advice

Spanish lessons in Bucaramanga I am an English teacher at Centro Colombo Americano a renowned institution in Colombia. I offer you Spanish lessons in the beautiful, safe and warm city of Bucaramanga during the time you desire; it could be one, two weeks or more time. I can help you getting accomodation within a family. Just contact me for further details: franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

FrankLeal comments on Teaching Spanish in Colombia

Spanish course in Colombia If you really want to learn Spanish take private lessons in Bucaramanga, this is cheaper than taking group classes in Bogotá or other cities. I am an English teacher at Centro Colombo Americano a renowned institution in Colombia. I offer you Spanish lessons during the time you desire; it could be one, two weeks or one or two months. I can help you getting accommodation within a family. Just contact me for further details: franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

FrankLeal comments on LO QUE CUESTA UNA MOSA!! Esquchen muchachos!

Muy buen cuento Ya lo había escuchado pero es muy bueno. Ah y la ambientación es en Bucaramanga, creo que fué hecho por alguien de mi ciudad lo cual refleja nuestro buen humor.

FrankLeal comments on Anyone in NYC want to plan a trip to Colombia?

Hello! Hi Julie! (is that your name?)

Well I have some friends in Medellín and Bogotá who could help you if you need something. I live in Bucaramanga for whatever you need here. Take care, bye.

Francisco
franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

FrankLeal comments on I'm looking for a spanish school, beaches, Salsa and rockclimbing

The best and cheaper place for Spanish classes is Bucaramanga Hi Salsero!

I'm writing you from Bucaramanga a city between Bogotá and Cartagena; Bucaramanga is 35 minutes away from Bogotá by plane and 9 hours by car. I am an English teacher at Centro Colombo Americano a renowned institution in Colombia. I offer you a very cheap plan to learn Spanish during the time you desire; it could be one, two, weeks or as you maybe want two months.

I can offer you 25 hours of Spanish lessons weekly. The price is $300,000 (Colombian pesos)/week. In total a 4 weeks course (100 hours) will be $1,200,000 COP. Lessons are normally given 2 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, Monday to Friday, but anyway the schedule is all up to you. These are values in Colombian pesos (the official rate change is at this moment 1USD = 2379 Colombian pesos (COP):

Why do I recommend people taking a Spanish course in Bucaramanga rather than Bogotá or Cali?
- Bucaramanga is much safer
- Transport, food and everything is cheaper in Bucaramanga
- The city with its surrounding places has a population that is less than a million people, very different to Bogotá that is about 8million people. This means shorter distances in Bucaramanga.
- You are going to find more friendly people in a small city.
- Bucaramanga is 1000 meters above sea level and for this reason the city is hot all over the year

The lessons are one to one and are given by young people who have a good English knowledge (et Français aussi si tu a besoin de qqn qui parle Français) and even some of them are students finishing their careers in education and some others are professionals in other areas.

Near Bucaramanga there are many beautiful and more important safe places for practice of X-treme sports (e.g. rockclimbing, rappelling, rafting, paragliding, etc) or you could during weekends visit beautiful colonial towns. There are also some dancing academies where you can start at any moment of the year tropical music dancing lessons including salsa, of course.

Lodging is not going to be a problem, I can help you get a good priced accommodation within a friendly family.

Please take a look at what Robert (Roberto99) said about Bucaramanga, the Spanish lessons and my family (he was our guest last September here): http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/4781

Sincerely what I recommend you is to come here during 6 weeks and then you could go to visit Cartagena and Santa Marta and finish in the Cali fair the last week of the year.

For further questions do not hesitate to contact me at franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Best regards,

Francisco Leal

FrankLeal comments on Does someone here travel to Santa Marta or Tayrona park during last days of December/2004?

I am aware of that Yes, I knew what happened in 2003 but I still believe Tayrona is not a dangerous place. I'll be there with my family two nights, but anyway I'm looking for a good hotel to stay other days in El Rodadero or in Santa Marta. Where is that Mira Mar hotel located? Is it good priced? do rooms have air conditioning or abanico (I mean fan)?

Gracias amigos, bye!

FrankLeal comments on New Industry Opportunity for Colombia?

Very interesting! Hola Adri!
I think this could be an excelent business opportunity, at least I haven't heard about floors made with bamboo.

FrankLeal comments on Aura y Calipro

Aquí no nos meten los dedos en la boca Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con BxUnika, Gerbil y mad_lion, y en total desacuerdo con la manera de pensar y actuar de Calipro, aquí no nos venís a meter los dedos en la boca con que las noviecillas solo quieren a un man que las dobla en edad por que sí, eso no pasa ni acá ni en Cafarnaún. Se nota el tipo de viejas que son ellas y lo que es usted. Hey aquí en este foro debería haber algo así como expulsión a personas no gratas, no creen?

FrankLeal comments on

From Bucara! Hey, nice picture on the way to the airport!

FrankLeal comments on

No fregués Ave María que mujer tan hermosa, definitivamente tocó hartar Cristal hasta el amanecer a ver si aparece un angel así. Hey Isaac where is she from? Manizales? Who is Angélica? Would you mind answering me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Francisco
Carolina's fans club president

FrankLeal comments on travelling to nuqui

volunteer opportunities You can volunteer with Sistema Nacional de Parques Naturales administered by Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, you should contact them. Take a look at www.parquesnacionales.gov.co or call or write them to:
Unidad Administrativa Especial del Sistema de Parques Nacionales Naturales en Bogotá (Cra. 10 No. 20 -30, Piso 4 Oficina de Ecoturismo y Atención a Visitantes, Teléfonos-Fax: 2433095 – 2431634 - 2434174 – 2432009. Correo Electrónico: ecoturismo at parquesnacionales.gov.co )

Bye

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on

Santander cigars Hey guys Monseñor and Chicamocha are the main brands here in Santander. Chicamocha is exporting cigars to different places around the world. To tell you the truth I don't smoke, but people who has tasted them say they are great. If one day you come to Bucaramanga tell me to take you to Chicamocha's factory. Piedecuesta is just 15 minutes from Bucara.
Bye!

FrankLeal comments on planning a trip for March to Bucaramanga

Adri..... Como estás Adri? ah que bien que tu mamá sea de Bucaramanga, le das saludos. Cuando vengas por aquí me cuentas, ahí arriba en otro mensaje está mi email. En que ciudad de Canadá estás?

Te cuidas, un abrazo, bye!

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Going to Medellin 2005

Hi Douglas! Well I am from Bucaramanga, I lived in Medellín in 2000 and 2001 and now I'm back in my city, do you know Santander?
Maybe I'll go this June during some days to Medellín, just to visit some friends over there and have a good time. I would like to know Jardín, because when I was in Medallo I never went to that beautiful town. If you want write me you can do it at franklealt at yahoo.com.ar
See you, bye!

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on

Hi Vic! Nice picture! What a surprise to find you here, I didn't know you also used to come to this website, how are you and Esperanza? How's everything going on? I've had a lot of work lately but I have to call you and go to visit you. I have the pics I took the Sunday we went to el club de pesca on the way to Ruitoque, but I dont have your email, please give it to me. Mine is franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Greetings, bye!

Francisco Leal

FrankLeal comments on Going to Medellin 2005

Proud to find someone interested in Eafit Hi!
I'm from Bucaramanga - Colombia and I lived in Medellín 1 and half year while I studied Finances at Eafit. Eafit is a great university with a wonderful campus, and as D.W. Martin said, LlanoGrande is also wonderful, the landscapes overthere are amazing, I used to have classes on Friday nights and Saturday mornings there, the only problem is that it is quite far from Medellín and the road from Medellín to Llanogrande is not safe if you take it at night. I guess your classes are going to be in Medellín, but anyway you must visit one day Llanogrande. By the way what are you planning to study in Eafit? One more thing to say, besides being one of the best private universities in Colombia specially in what concerns business administration (actually they're going to start the first PhD in business administration in Colombia), Eafit is the place with more pretty girls per square meter (or per square foot), you'll see that :-)

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on planning a trip for March to Bucaramanga

Adri, are you from Bucara too? Hi Adri (Adriana??), how are you? Eres de Bucara? Donde estás ahora?
Yes, food in Santander is delicious, Cabrito con pepitoria, mute santandereano, tamales, arepa santandereana, sabajón de Guane, obleas... díiígame, mucho lo buena, ja ja.

FrankLeal comments on planning a trip for March to Bucaramanga

From Bucaramanga Hey, what's up?
I'm from Bucaramanga, any info you need about my city do not hesitate to contact me, franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on San Andres

Colombian cigars Why searching for cuban cigars in San Andrés if the best cigars are made in Piedecuesta (Santander, Colombia).

FrankLeal comments on Traveling to Medellin

in deep explanations Hi everybody!

I lived in Medellín almost for two years and the time I was there I used to read “El Colombiano” newspaper and believe me that almost every week something happened on the way Medellín – Bogotá near the San Luis and Cocorná zone (bad news came from that zone, not from “la patética zona de distension del Caguán”). Those were Pastrana’s times and I’m sure the situation has improved in all the country but risks still remain.
At that time I had university classes Friday nights and Saturday mornings near Ríonegro (Antioquia), which is just 1 hour by car from Medellín and my “paisas” partners and I usually decided to stay Friday nights at a hotel or somewhere in Rionegro or El Retiro because they said that the road to Medellín was dangerous specially when traveling at night, so I would say this is not paranoia, it’s just being a little realistic. And for being kidnapped you don’t need to be a presidential candidate, I have heard of people driving an old Renault 4 who were kidnapped.

I do recommend visiting Medellín, there’s a lot of fantastic places to visit: El pueblito paisa, El museo de Antioquia, El parque San Antonio, El museo del Castillo, El edificio inteligente de EPM y el parque de los pies descalzos, Centros comerciales (El Tesoro, Oviedo, San Diego, etc), and much, much more, and as always the most important thing to know is "the people". But as a Colombian (and I’m sure 98% of Colombian people would answer the same) if I am asked by a foreigner, Do I take a bus from Bogotá to Medellín or do I take a plane? Doubtlessly I’d say “Take a plane”.

If any of you know French I recommend the next link with recommendations about Colombia, I find it very good and I haven't found something similar in English, if you find something like that please let us know:
http://www.angelfire.com/ab/petitparadis/vudesantarosa/vacances.html

Have a nice day, bye!

Frank
(from Bucaramanga)

P.S. No he leído aún el libro de I. Betancourt pero la escuché hablando más de una vez y tendía a hablar mucha carreta.

FrankLeal comments on What are the business opportunities in the film/broadcast TV industry in Colombia?

Thanks a lot Mad_lion thank you very much for your suggestion, someone mentioned me that book but I didn't have the author, I'll try to get it. Bye!

FrankLeal comments on What are the business opportunities in the film/broadcast TV industry in Colombia?

How to write a script? Now that you are talking about movies, I'd like to write a drama script but I don't know much about it, my background is in engineering but sometimes I got ideas on writing, even I write some poetry. Which internet sites or books would you recommend that will help me starting in this? Thanks a lot,
Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Where to go in Colombia?

Hi! I am from Colombia and the best places I would recommend to visit are:
- Cartagena
- The coffee zone (Quindío, Risaralda, Caldas)
- San Andrés Islands
- Boyacá

I would prefer to visit Villa de Leyva and Mongüí in Boyacá than going to Popayán. Any further info don't hesitate to ask me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Best Regards,
Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Traveling to Medellin

You should take into account statistics not personal experiences Guys I'm from Colombia and I would sincerely recommend you to fly from Bogotá to Medellín, and more if you are several foreigners. Anyway if you decide to travel by bus take a day bus, but if you can don't take risks, statistics don't lie and I'm sure that Bogotá-Medellín is not a safe road. Maybe some of you have been lucky travelling during the night but not everybody has been as lucky. It's not only the guerrilla problem but also the robbers. As we say in Spanish "no se metan a la boca del lobo" (don't go to the wolf's mouth). Remember what happened to Ingrid Betancourt, she wanted to be a brave person and decided to travel to guerrilla zone and as you maybe know, after some years she's still kidnapped.

Best regards,
Francisco

FrankLeal comments on Learning Spanish

Private spanish lessons in Bucaramanga Hi!
I can offer you one to one Spanish lessons given by people who have a good English knowledge and even some of them are students finishing their careers in education and some others are professionals in other areas.

I can offer you 25 hours of Spanish lessons weekly. The price for 2005 will be $300,000 (Colombian pesos)/week. In total a 4 week course (100 hours) will be $1,200,000 COP. Lessons are normally given 2 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, Monday to Friday. If you ask me I could find you cheap accomodation within a family, that is also the best way to learn more about colombian culture and reinforce what you learn in your Spanish classes.

Why do I recommend people taking a Spanish course in Bucaramanga rather than in Bogotá?

- Bucaramanga is much safer than Bogotá
- Transport, food and everything is cheaper in Bucaramanga
- The city with its surrounding places has a population that is less than a million people, very different to Bogotá that is about 8million people. This means shorter distances in Bucaramanga.
- You are going to find more friendly people in a small city.
- Bucaramanga is 1000 meters above sea level and for this reason the city is hot all over the year.

Near Bucaramanga there are interesting places for practice of X-treme sports or you could during weekends visit beautiful colonial towns.

Last September a person from Dallas (USA) came here during three weeks and at the end of his stay he was completely satisfied about our city and the Spanish lessons he took.

Do not hesitate to contact me for any further question at franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Best regards,

Francisco Leal

FrankLeal comments on Colombians , the happy people

algo más Esto también aparece en el artículo, muy cierto a propósito.

¿Por qué los colombianos hoy nos consideramos tan felices? Tenemos muchas razones: somos alegres y comunicativos por naturaleza. Tenemos una inteligencia natural propia. Vivimos en un paraíso terrenal con mares, bosques, flores y montañas y, como si fuera poco, con miles de pájaros, mariposas y frutas de mil sabores.
Los problemas nos han hecho y nos siguen haciendo madurar como personas y como colombianos. Hemos tenido que fortalecer la paciencia, la esperanza y la humildad y hemos aprendido a trabajar más con los verdaderos valores: los internos. Aprendimos a disfrutar las cosas sencillas.
(Por Margarita Rosa de Uribe)

FrankLeal comments on La hormiga culona de Santander

Hi Robert! It's nice that you have published the funny article about our ants here. See you,
Francisco

FrankLeal comments on

Spanish lessons in Colombia Hello!
I don't know how long will your travel last but if you want to take some private Spanish lessons in Colombia just write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar and I'll give you further information.

Best regards,
Francisco

FrankLeal comments on

I could have you the right person in Bogotá Good afternoon!
I organize Spanish Lessons in Bucaramanga, but if you want to take some lessons in Bogotá I have also a person who could help you there. Please write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar and I'll give you further details.

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on

El Parque de las Nieves de Girón As Mad Lion said this is not only esthetics, is to protect the trees against different bugs. Nice pic of Las Nieves park.

FrankLeal comments on Colombia right here in America.... Forget Travelling Down there....

something else I forgot to mention ayacos, chicha de maíz, chicha de corozo, masato. By the way the ones who are in the States or abroad, have you ever tried these beverages and food there?

FrankLeal comments on Colombia right here in America.... Forget Travelling Down there....

Litost and Pointofview I agree with you I totally agree with you: Miami, Orlando or any latin neighborhood are never going to be the same than Colombia. And if you find arepas maybe they are not made with queso campesino colombiano and they'll cost you there four or five times what they cost here. And if an ATM gives out $40000 (what actually is not true, they give $400000 or more a day) is just because that quantity is more than enough for your expenses per day.
Even I doubt it, maybe you can find hormigas culonas, tamal santandereano, cabro con pepitoria, caldo con arepa amarilla, carne seca, mazapanes, maizenitas, deliciosos and some others of our delicious dishes (I just mentioned Santander typical food) in Miami, but you’ll never find there our mountains nor you will feel the human warmth you live each day being in Colombia.

FrankLeal comments on Length of stay in Colombia

If you plan to study Spanish... Hi Peter!

I'm writing you from Bucaramanga, the fifth city in Colombia. Bucaramanga is 35 minutes from Bogotá by plane and 9 hours by car. I am an English teacher at Centro Colombo Americano a renowned institution in Colombia. I offer very cheap plans to learn Spanish during the time you desire; it could be one, two, three weeks or more.

These are the values in Colombian pesos:

1 week 2weeks 3weeks
Lodging (with a family) 130000 195000 260000
Spanish course (25 hours per week)275000 550000 825000
3 meals 105000 210000 315000
Other expenses (transport)* 25000 50000 75000
Total 535000 1005000 1475000


* Transport in the city is going to be paid by you. Local bus fare is $750

The lessons are one to one and are going to be given to you by young people who have a very good English knowledge and even some of them are students finishing their careers in education.

Near Bucaramanga there are interesting places for practice of X-treme sports (e.g. rafting, paragliding, etc) or you could during weekends visit beautiful colonial towns.

Last week a person from Dallas, Texas (USA) was studying Spanish here during three weeks and he left the city completely satisfied with our classes and all the friendly people he met here. You can check some pics I have published doing click in my nickname. For further questions do not hesitate to contact me at franklealt at yahoo.com.ar


Best regards,

Francisco Leal

FrankLeal comments on travel in colombia

I think there aren't I am from Bucaramanga and as far as I am concerned now all flights between Medellín and Bucaramanga go first to Bogotá. I even checked Aerorepublica web site (www.aerorepublica.com.co) and Avianca's (www.avianca.com.co) and couldn't find a direct flight. But anyway you should call a travel agency to be sure. When coming to Santander don't forget to eat a good "tamal santandereano" and have breakfast with "caldo y arepa santandereana". Arepa paisa has no flavor!!
Anything I may help you in Bucara write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar , I work at Colombo Americano as English teacher and I also organize Spanish lessons here in Bucaramanga.

Francisco

FrankLeal comments on

Nice picture! Hi! Where are you from?
I'm from Bucaramanga. I have also published some Santander pics including the beautiful Barichara. If you want, write me to franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Bye!

FrankLeal comments on Living and Working in (Bogota) Colombia

From Colombia! Hi Rachel!
I’m writing you from Bucaramanga, the fifth biggest city in Colombia. I agree with other people comments but I think that if you don’t come to study your budget could be around USD$700 in a big city like Bogotá or USD$400 in a smaller city like Bucaramanga, or even less if you plan to live in a family house. About working here in Colombia, first you must have a very good Spanish level and the first probable job is to give English classes. If your Spanish level is good and if you plan to work in social services or human rights you could contact some NGOs (ONGs en Español “Organizaciones No Gubernamentales”) and maybe they can offer you something, well I have never been involved in an NGO here, but as soon as I am concerned I’d consider working for an NGO a little bit risky, that depends also in what type of NGO you look for.

I offer one to one Spanish lessons in my city, so if you are interested do not hesitate to contact me to give you further information. This week a person from Dallas, TX ended a three week stay learning Spanish and knowing around and he was completely satisfied with our plan.

I’ll also be glad to give you any other information that you can need about my country or state (you can see some pictures doing click in my nickname “FrankLeal”). My e-mail is franklealt at yahoo.com.ar

Colombia is a marvelous country. I hope you come to visit us soon!

Francisco