gabo4ever has left 53 comments

gabo4ever comments on 'The World in One City'

Great article... Im Colombian and living in London, and i gotta say that was a great written article (although the Colombian interviee, has to take the applauds) But it was very unbiased and extremely enjoyable.

Although i dont agree with Ligia about the men, we aint all that bad, but shes got a great story to tell.

Last month a friend of mine who came to London 3yrs ago, was interviewed by 'Time Out' magazine who were doing a review of 'La Bodeguita' restaurant in Elephant & Castle.

She has been studying English for the last three years, and is now working as an assistant underwritter in an American Insurance firm in the city of London.

So to summarise i gotta take my hat off to these ladies, who against all odds and also against the general life lived by Colombians here in the UK, have been ambitious and have made a succesful transition from the usual low end jobs Colombians have here in the UK, to career girl in London.

gabo4ever comments on Something better to talk about

Dude.. Just be glad you found out NOW, rather than later when you were married. So consider it a 'blessing in disguise' (it may not seem like that now, but you will definetly know it in the future)

gabo4ever comments on Mexican Spanish vs. Colombia Spanish

Litost.. I agree with you, ive currently got my girlfriend on the case, trying to hunt down a tape i believe there is of the speech! I saw it about a year or so back, so really need to see it again, to get my facts right!

But it seemed a feasible theory at the time! I remember for some reason all the leaders of the Spanish speaking world were there, including Uribe, and they were shocked by what he said.

gabo4ever comments on Mexican Spanish vs. Colombia Spanish

This will rock the boat At the annual literature awards in Spain from 'La Real Academia Española' (a couple of years ago). An award was presented to a Mexican professor by the King of Spain on behalf of the Real Academia and to honour his contribution to the Spanish Language. It was in the acceptance speech by the Mexican professor, where he stated that he had found a book which confirmed that Spanish originated in Colombia as a way for the Indians to communicate with one another (all had different languages/dialects) and was adapted by the Spanish invaders, who saw it as an excellent language which could be taught back in Spain to merge together all the languages that were being spoken in Spain at the time, (Latin, Arabic, etc).

The professor had with him this book, which could clearly be seen to be very old and he read out loud from it, to emphasise and provide evidence to back his theory.

He then discussed how the Colombian Spanish, in its essence was the purest form of Spanish in the world at the moment and how it should be used as an example of the true Spanish language.

I regret that I cannott be more precise at this time, i have tried in vain to find traces of the ceremony on the web, but to no avail.

Il ask my in-laws who showed me the presentation, to see if I can at least get dates, and names to add to this comment.

gabo4ever comments on Condolences to Elmo

Elmo...Que Dios te cargue en estos momentos! Y por si se atreven: Watsamatamaracuya?

gabo4ever comments on Football

Rick.. America de Cali, was 'partly' owned by the Rodriguez and has now since been taken of the Clinton black list, as the property was to be given back to the state under the conditions set by the courts.

Have a look through eltiempo.com.co for more informacion.

There is definetly still a connection, but it is not so highly visible as back in the 80' and 90's.

gabo4ever comments on Again, Elmo's sexual orientation is questioned.

Kats... Gone on a tea break to try and regroup! lol

gabo4ever comments on "It's the Great Papaya Charlie Brown!!!"

Great one... Thanks bufalo, Green nice!!

gabo4ever comments on Again, Elmo's sexual orientation is questioned.

Kat... You must admit Elmo's winning a LOT of brownie points, seems he does have a few good arguments with which to entrap you!

gabo4ever comments on Again, Elmo's sexual orientation is questioned.

Hey Elmo Por lo menos tienen algo en comun Kat y tu! Y usted sabe que cuando tanto lo desgustan a uno, es porque adentro si lo quieren! jajaja

gabo4ever comments on Latin Authors

Pedro Juan Gutierrez Title: Trilogia Sucia de La Habana

Its NOT Colombian, NOT for everyone, but im sure Elmo would love it!

"Poverty, sex, and tourists in a third-world country, all serve to heighten the atmosphere in a book that shows the heart of Cuba with a total honesty...It's an intellectual and deeply introspective piece, full of passion and honesty." Time Out

gabo4ever comments on My experience: Safety in Colombia

DG, One last thing If the Colombians in the bar did not help you, it wasnt because they were shitting their pants...it was cus they were thinking 'dam stupid gringo, getting into such a mess, I aint busting my balls for him' which translates to a golden rule in Colombia, one which you with so much experience in Bogota should KNOW very well, Dont try to be a hero, in Colombia hero's get KILLED!

That im afraid, goes double for saving gringos, who should know better, than try to act like locals!

gabo4ever comments on My experience: Safety in Colombia

DG... Im sorry but what a load of bullshit you talk. There is such a good thing as having a good time and YET STILL have your senses awake and alert to possible dangers.

I now live in the UK, but when in Colombia I have a ball, but never drop my guard! It is the essence of 'street smart' as you call it, to be prepared and alert for the unexpected!

Unfortunately you were not, had you been, you would have NOT walked down the stairs, you would have noted the bolting of the door and have had an idea of an escape route in case of an Emergency!

I do it, wherever I go, whether it be in Cali, Medellin, La costa or in even 'Safer' Ecuador.

You didnt do it, and im afraid you were lucky to get out of there, I think we putting the enfasis on what they were trying to do with you, it was definetly something, but the enfasis should be on the fact that your were LUCKY, yes LUCKY that you got out of there, not smart or quick thinking.

Had it been a serious gang, you would be long gone!

gabo4ever comments on Laguna De La Cocha

Galecito I know you directed it to Kat, but 'Amor de lejos felices los cuatro' means In a long distance relationship the four of you will be happy!

In layman terms, you both will be cheating on each other, hence four people will be happy!

gabo4ever comments on My experience: Safety in Colombia

DG... Maybe if you re-wrote the experience we could understand better without the need for more questions. The description is sketchy at best, it almost seems like you were writting it straight after the event.

So the security asked you to go another route, where there other people from the bar leaving aswell, did they use the front door? What kind of a bar was it, a regular place you visit? in another barrio?

See at the moment, through your writting it seems that you were caught unawares and with your guard down.

No one is questioning your street smartness, i couldnt do that without seeing you in person and how you conduct yourself, im guessing the rest of the posters agree. But it needs a little bit more elaboration.

gabo4ever comments on Every time I go to Colombia, I notice they have one thing right

CHAVS Are the UK equivalent of american 'Trailer Trash'!

They love sport tracksuits, Burberry logo clothes and reebok classics!

gabo4ever comments on Is it easy to buy drugs in Cali?

ColombiItaliano.. Thanks for the correction! Its funny to think in Colombia such a big deal is made of Weed Smokers "mariguaneros".

But like you said, here in London its the norm! Its definetly a money spinner!

gabo4ever comments on 3 Million pesos no longer enough to live well in Bogota?

Miamimike... you mentioned "searching for money to pay the Basics(food, luz ect) All to make the Impression for the neighbors or the Wife.Sad"

I agree with you, but what I cant understand is how someone would need to Impress their WIFE in terms of buying or living a lifestyle that they CANNOT afford. Doesnt that make them wonder if their with the wrong person.

Your supposedly married 'in sickness and in health, for richer or POORER'.

Surely she should be able to understand the husbands Financial limits and support him apropiately. I.e. cutting down in spenditure as necesary??

gabo4ever comments on PBH Dating style

kat u forgot to mention " She is 18 I am 45 but she is so mature for her age, we have so many intelectual conversation" ... in my broken spanish and her miserable English!

gabo4ever comments on Is it easy to buy drugs in Cali?

The smoking of weed in public... DGringo you mention that it was shocking for you to see the openess with which the above was done, well here in London it is all too common to see the smoking of weed in public places. Since the government moved the classification of weed from a Class B drug to Class C (legal to consume privately but not to sell) you cannot go a day without smelling weed being smoked! So does that make London a drug capital and provide reasonable cause fot it to be labelled one? I dont think so.

Whilst I agree Cali has got its problems with Drugs, I can vouch for the simple rule in life that if you dont go looking for it, you wont find it. Whilst there are inevitable circumstances in which the above saying is not an absolut rule, you must take into consideration the factors such as friends and locations, as to why drungs were put in your way.

I grew up in Cali, head there at least once a year for vacation, I can honestly say that in terms of drugs consumption I have seen more drugs being consumed and passed aroung here in London, than Colombia!

You do see a lot more traquetos (obviously) but ultimetely it is up to you whether you are involved in any way with them. Long gone (hopefully) are the 80's and 90's era when traquetos went into a club and picked the girls they wanted for that night, whether they were with a boyfriend or not, and you were left dead on the floor if you said otherwise.

So Cali has done a lot to clear up its drug image, what it dont help is people heading down there, looking for something which they clearly havent lost, getting in trouble and then claiming they had a bad experience and recomending other people no to go there!

If you are heading to Cali for drugs, make sure your prepared for what you experience!

Att. Gabo

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Colombians in London

Im a Colombian living in London, and there are a lot of things she can do whilst shes here. A lot of Colombian clubs and restaurants!

Search on the website for past threads on London, you will get a list of club nights, reatuarant details which have been answered to in the past!

What is she in to? what is her scene? Theres a concert coming up in a few weeks, Maelo Ruiz, maybe you both might be interested in atending!

Drop me an email on the contact form if you need more details!

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Quiero aconsejar para mi viajar en los cuidades en colombia

check out this blog.. www.steveislost.com,

The blogger Steve, spent 6months travelling through S.America, he picked up Spanish classes along the way. He travelled through every city you mentioned and a few more. Research his site, it has useful information on hostels,travelling routes, passport&visa problems/solutions.

Regards,

Gabo

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Speed

Peter... The latest comments/threads link on the left hand side of the page has disappeared!

Have you temporarily disabled it?

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Shoe size conversions!

No problem.. its tuff finding nice stuff to take back home to colombia, but try store like Faith and Aldo in Oxford Street, always managed to find some nice shoes for my G.friend there!

Somehting that is the 'in thing' in Colombia are Sketchers, theres a branch in Oxford street, you should be able to find something nice there for a 12yr old!

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Shoe size conversions!

Its a 4 here in the UK! Its better to get her a four and it be a bit big, than a 3 and too small!

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on por favor......please help

UC You are correct, we all know what a Colombian would do. But M.dance is NOT Colombian, does NOT live in Colombia, nor does he have enough experience in Colombia, to act like one.

Foronce you are not being sarcastic or synical, but offering your advice and I respect that, but to suggest he goes in guns strutting, like a Colombian would do, would be foolish to say the least.

Some good advice has been given in regards to the legal route, and some good regarding the other route. But being a Colombian I must say, he must think first, rather than regret later!

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Peter....el jefe...our lord and master

thur.. Your right it isnt.

Im enquiring as the filipino guys post was hilarious in how some members (me included) responded to him.

We made it clear this wasnt the site for date searching, but had some good laughs along the way.

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Possible or impossible?

I think the main question is (expanding on what Mr. Hol said) is who told you, how did they find out and why is it relevant to you.

Are you involved with the lady in anyway?

Theres still more information needed to come to a conclusion on wether to believe or not.

Although one fact is clear...I have heard and seen worse actual events happening in Colombia, so this one based on that fact, could be true. (But after considering the above)

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

gabo4ever comments on Peter....el jefe...our lord and master

Gotta agree with you there... On Monday i was left scratching my head about were that post had gotten to.

Maybe it was deemed to be unconstructive to the website? But worth asking!

gabo4ever comments on por favor......please help

Moondance.. Seriously consider thoroughly the advice AGAINST the plan you've got in mind. Go through the courts, Aztec, summarised it perfectly above.

Give it some time, love is patient!

gabo4ever comments on Attn Peter: WAY too much of this lately on PBH

A suggestion... Peter forgot to mention it in the survey form your requested, but it would be a great idea to include a print function on the website. i.e. where a sub page is opened with just the script of the conversations.

Reason being theres times when theres a really good post i want to read later, and it would be great to just print it and read it later on!

gabo4ever comments on What to do with a depressed Colombian in smallsville, UK?

elmo.. tu si eres embarrada! I tell you what though, London is the pits, but the internet and PBH brighten it up tenfold whilst I await my exit out of work.

Upside is, theres a Bar-B-cue tonite, and maybe some girls from Miami who are over, might come round...so alls not lost in London!

Inglesa...look up Don Omar on google, he does Reggueaton, so not ur thing (i guess) but definetly go to the carnaval!

gabo4ever comments on "El trato" based on what story?

check this article out... http://es.news.yahoo.com/08072006/159/pelicula-denuncia-trato-prensa-narcotrafico.html

Came up on a quick search of google! where did you get the copy???

gabo4ever comments on I’ve hit an all time low, my life is almost over. Ready to shoot my nuts off.

gringolondinese... I agree with your 100% last week for the Colombian Independance I was with some friends in a Bar in Convent Garden, and i saw that scenario play over like 10times.

The worst thing is you even see them older and very ugly ladies, playing the field...in exactly the same way a Hot Colombian girl plays us when she walks into an English club!

gabo4ever comments on What to do with a depressed Colombian in smallsville, UK?

buy him the DVD but expect mixed results... On one hand it so hilarious the way your childhood and whole life is summoned in Andres Lopez's facial movements and actions, but on the other hand it gives you an out of world look at all that you are missing from back home.

It’s an overdose of nostalgia, which I for one cant handle. Its great to joke around with friends and family about the DVD, but another things is to sit down and watch it again...I just cant!

I wouldn’t say I cope, more like I survive, last week as you realised, was another wake up call to how much we miss out on here in the UK. Although there were a few club nights, there wasn’t anything great about being in London. It was just a normal Thursday with no festivals/concerts lined up for the weekend.

Upcoming is the Don Omar concert on the 4th August at Brixton Academy, which should be great, as I’ve heard he gives a good performance and the venue is brilliant.

For the romantics there’s the Jerry Rivera concert at Elephant & Castle Coronet on Sunday 13th August.

So you might want look into getting him a surprise pair of tickets for either one!

But all I can recommend is show him a hell of a lot of Love, and he will snap out of it. I get those moments to, and you learn to ride them out!

gabo4ever comments on Colombian Independence day - London

kat.. Un amigo me lo trajo el otro dia, pero no me lo alcanse a ver todo! Es una risa total, genial sus descripciones de absolutamente TODO!

Me imagino que lo disfrutaste mucho!

gabo4ever comments on Colombian Independence day - London

Your lucky to have found one event... I was thinking the same thing, not one single festival to celebrate our Independence. I’m meeting up with some friends in the west end, to celebrate it. But some sort of carnival should have been arranged.

About the Colombian couple, I saw them in La Mazorca a few weeks ago and their really good, nice spectacle.

Larumbera, don’t search Miami, celebrations because you’ll be depressed all year. Imagine a couple of years ago I was in Flashing Meadow Park in NYC, with thousands of Colombians, watching a FREE concert, celebrating our Independence, with the likes of Jerry Rivera, Victor Manuelle, Los Hermanos Rosario, Dario Gomez and loads more.

And today im here at work, counting the hours.!

gabo4ever comments on Chicas Aguilas Foto for May Required

In Motion.... Guys check the Chicas Aguilas in action below..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qiYPKGelg

gabo4ever comments on Screwed by Avianca - again

I got it easy then.. As my case was the other way round, i messed up and Avianca paid out for it. Booked a return flight Bogota-Cali, on the return flight, i had mistakinly put the date for 2007, instead of Jan 2006.

So when i got to the airport, they pointed out my mistake, luckily im good at causing a scene, making a fuss and generally being a pain, and they 'admited' it was their mistake and put me on the next available flight.

So in that ocasion, I could not complain!

But like Miguel mentions above, complain and you could find it was worth the hassle.

gabo4ever comments on Pelota de Letras DVD

Si vivo en londres, escribeme a gabsi4ever_at_hotmail_punto_com

gabo4ever comments on Pelota de Letras DVD

Kat, they dont unfortunately, their very small shops.
Only thing I can suggest is to send you it through the post if you want! Entiendo que de pronto por seguridad no quieras, pero es la unica sugerencia!

Lo unico es que no estoy seguro si estan vendiendo los originales o piratas..aunque la calidad de las copias por general es muy buenas.

gabo4ever comments on Pelota de Letras DVD

London - Elephant & Castle shopping centre! Hi kat,

Only place I know is in London, the Elephant & Castle shopping centre. There are a few colombian places selling the DVD.

gabo4ever comments on “My First trip to America�

Sadly.. It happens to all Colombians who live or travel in the exterior. I think its the same process every single time we travel, but i think the worst is having that done in El Dorado.

When supposedly your home, safe and with imense happioness, to be ushered into a room,make that rudely ushered into a room, to go through an xray machine and amillion questions about why I live in the Uk, etc.

But im glad you managed to keep it together, not show them that fear, and not give them the satisfaction of seeing you break down in front of them.

But like you said I too feel proud of being Colombian,and would not change my nationalities for anything in the world, even more respect at an airport!

gabo4ever comments on Where are we? Please put your "pin" on the map

Im in London... Although i must admit, im very very selective on the threads I participate in...jajajaja

gabo4ever comments on Help from the Salsa Experts

Canciones de la feria... Sorry to hijack this thread, But i've been searching for a song aswell!

The only informacion I got is that it was the theme of the Feria de Cali either for the year 2002 or 2003.

Ive searched in vain on google, nearly all the colombian sights, but cant seem to find a list of the winning songs.

Can anyone help?

gabo4ever comments on Fotografias

Regarding Fotografias.. I agree that it is definetly one of the things which bring a smile to me back home, going through all the fotographs packed into one cuadro.

I too may start one for my work desk..good idea!

gabo4ever comments on Fotografias

Colombian Restaurants in London PanosL1, there are two main Colombian restaurants which i would recomend, both are in South London.

La bodeguita is in Elephant & Castle shopping centre, there is also quiete a number of other Colombian businesses, travel agencies, cafe's, hairdressers and a shop where you can purchase colombian Products.

Personally i woul not recomend spending too much time there, the area is terrible, depressing and the "desechables" that hang around there can make it all too depressing.

The other restaurant is La Mazorca which is in Brixton, 5min walk from the station. This is a great spot on Friday and Saturday nights, as it clears some tables, offers a decent dancefloor and puts on good music til 3am.

Check out the link below as this has been explained by some other posters

http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/16481

Also check out this website, which has great information on the Latin activities happening in London.

http://www.encontactolondres.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=42

gabo4ever comments on get nice friends in cali

Out of curiosity.. Lilian, whats the purpose of your visit to Cali? Im from London too and spent xmas and New years back home in Cali!

gabo4ever comments on Colombia... En Mi Corazon

Romance.. I thing the thing i miss the most, is the essence of romance. You see it everywhere, from the school kids to the old couple sitting in a parque! Las serenatas which can happen any day of the week, (and the drinking that follows).

But its the small things which makes such a difference, Los detalles, las credenciales,los chocolatines..those small details that made such a difference when we were growing up trying to 'conquistar' our vecina, to doing it know in our 'grown up' relationships.

Just yesterday talking to my girlfriend about what it was like for both of us growing up in Cali - Colombia, and she mentions a time when a guy in her sisters class fancied her, and used her sister as the messenger to send the love poems and credentiales, only to discover her afterwards, that he had also sent bombones and chocolatinas, which her sister mistook for 'messenger fees' jajaja

gabo4ever comments on Colombian music

Need more info.. You really need to give some more details of the song. Narrow it down to an artist or at least a chorus!