griffbos has left 219 comments

griffbos comments on

you can also go to set.fx they have the trade rates there

griffbos comments on

sorry about the hard time you had Brian. most Colombians I know in Medellin don't let the money out of their hands until they are 100% sure they aren't geting screwed some how, take money out at a bank they will not count the money once not twice but three times before they leave the window and when they get home everyone in the house is asked to count it to make sure they have it right. When it comes to handing money to anyone in Colomia I have not had an issue, they have always done with it as I have instructed , but then I know them well , I don't just give money to anyone there, any more then I would here in the USA. I wouldn't call it that Colombia is messed up, the fact is scams are pulled everyday here in the States, The diference is we have better recourse when it happens in most cases but not always, in time Colombia will improve, many of the things you see there use to be the same here

griffbos comments on Yea!!! Climbing Strong Again! I was getting nervous when it was approaching 2200, NOW at 2480

Colombianogringo where do you buy cows? I have heard of investing cattle but have never been able to find out infomation on how to go about it.

griffbos comments on "Tipping" isn't a place in Colombia.

okay I have to ask what this serivce charge is I have never noticed it . Aslo I always tip the taxi driver, it usually like 100 pesos, unless it is late at night and driving me far I givem 1000 pesos. THe guys that cut my hair I always give 1000 pesos, the place charges only 3000 pesos, and I never see the colombians there tipping anyone there, but this one place cuts it how I like it every time, my first trip to Colombia my wife and I took a large group out for dinner, the bill come to 100,000 pesos, the waiter was there the whole time for anythiogn we needed, we tried to get those that lived in the area to tells us how much we should leave for a tip, they said nothing, so the wife( she waits tables in the States) usally tips well and we gave 20,000 pesos( they guy waiting on us didn't cover any other tables for the 90 minutes we where at the resturant.) when they people we were with saw this they tried to make the waiter give the money back, we refused and said he earned it,, the waiter went and bought 4 shot glasses inthe gift shop with the tip money and give them to my wife and I.

griffbos comments on Where have you eaten the best Bandeja Paisa in your life?

hmm I can find it in Boston, NYC, but many places in centro Medellin at a decent price.

griffbos comments on 24 hour diner or munchie spot in medllin ?

in the parque Envigado you can grab something late at night not sure what time they close down I have been there at 2am before, also in front of the church San Marcos there is a vender cart open on the weekends atleast late. not sure around the clubs in Poblado

griffbos comments on Moving to Cali Colombia.. Long Term...

you should go to a Colombia Consulte before going apply to a temp resident visa which is good for 2 years, you will need to renew it once because you have to be a temp resident for 3 years living in Colombia( you can do mulit enteries, but can not be out of Colombia longer then 5 months 29 days or the vise expires and you have to start all over), after 3 years you can apply for permant resident in which you can be absent from Colombia as long as it isn't more than 2 years other wise that expires and you have to start all over. That is what I have ben told and doing.

griffbos comments on

never heard of it and if injectable in the States you need a Dr to prescribe it. your a young guy why are you playing with this stuff?

griffbos comments on Disrespecting the family. - Looking for some cultural etiquette clues.

sounds like the blonde cousin is either known as the family slut or the others are just jealous

griffbos comments on US chains in Medellin

I know there is a BK but I don't remeber where it is,

griffbos comments on Universidad del Norte

not sure how good it is today, it was once consider the best on the north coast, but it's admisson standards were lowered, they claim becuase of government requirements that they open up to those from poor barrios. I knew of two students there and the english classes material was okay but being given to students how couldn't speak any english, and reading was not much better.

griffbos comments on Marriage for Colombian paperwork

Just because you marry doesn't allow you to automtic t work in Colombia ythey mor ethen likey will mark the visa as house wife or house husband, unless at the time you file you have the righ tpaper work for a profession title.

griffbos comments on Colombia's New Extradition Ruling Stokes Worry In The USA

I believe there was a later story that was still sent to the USA on drug charges, since the crime wasn't committed in the USA the court ruled it was not grounds for extradition, The crime happened in Colombia so it must be tried in Colombia, it wasn't a shift in the Courts rullings, all that have been sent the USA have been based on drug related crimes, which the USA has grounds to charge on. Trinindad was sent not just because of Kidnapping.

griffbos comments on Best Chinese in Medellin? In China? Zunga? Asia? Something else?

there is a place in centro I forget the name sorry, by the way what is it with people posting just the word bump??? what gives

griffbos comments on Two genuine job opportunities in Barranquilla

if it is a private school 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 pesos a month is the range in Colombia

griffbos comments on any big events coming up around colombia?

Santana is playing a gig in Bogotá's El Campín stadium on March 12 and March 13.

griffbos comments on Bogotá to Bucaramanga

great point beisbollover,

griffbos comments on CELL PHONES IN COLOMBIA!

you can my a sim card from 5,000 pesos to 15,000 pesos at most any vendor even at the airports( the higher the price more credit you have, it is not based on minutes but on pesos value, in which for each minute( or part of minute)ythey deduct some many pesos), unless your buying a phone the don't ask for ID in most cases, there is Movistar( considered the chepaest rates) Tigo close in price and Comcell the most expesnive phone sevice, rates are cheapest when calling another cell on the same service, rates are higher to call other srvices cells and landlines. income calls are free as are incoming text messages, the sender is the only one charged, you wil also see on the streets many vendors selling minutes, soif you need to call a cell number that is not on the same service it is cheaper to place the call with them in most cases. I can't speak of the other services as I used mostly Tigo, on Fridays is the time to charge , but a card to charge it yourself, or the vendors charges it for you, If your in Medellin the Ganas( lottery) will charge your phone with new credits , just tell them the number and the amount. Not sure about other cities as Medellin is the only place I have done this.

griffbos comments on Bogotá to Bucaramanga

the buses are not bad I have done 24 hours Barranquilla to Bogota before( yes it took us that long to get there) it depneds a lot on the personin front of you as sits recline and the go back to the point of resting on your knees, and the person in front of you could careless, I have to say that is the one area Colombians are rude, otherwise they are rather polite.

griffbos comments on Colombian Fashion Trends?

it varies in Colombia but very rarely will you see guys wearing there jeans down to the knees like in the States, That trend has not hit Colombia just yet.

griffbos comments on Serious question about Colombian Customs

I can't speak for Colombia customs , but travel on a USA plane I m curiuos how you get it on the plane you can take it as cary on, and what are the dangers of COs cartigae exploding while in the the cargo hold? If one does explode what is the damage potential?

griffbos comments on MY FIRST DAY IN BOGOTA

jbd in case you didn't notice the cops are all in uniform in Colombia. sounds like all three were in on it.

griffbos comments on Multinational Chiquita Accused of Massacres in Colombia

It is nothing more then trying to go after Chiquita deep pockets, if Colombia a seruoius about sending a message of paying protection it has failed to go after Colomba compaines that have been doing so for years in Fact set up many of thses groups who then went around extorting money from Multinatonal companies. Talk about calling the ketle black.

griffbos comments on Looking for a room in Medellin

there are a few Hostels in Medellin you could try

griffbos comments on Base moving to Colombia

The US has been informed they have to close Manta, Colombia this week offered to allow use of it's bases by US forces, this offer was made by Defense Minister Santos in Washington. As to the details it is not known at this time. As for Manta, Correa wants to turn it into an International airport.

griffbos comments on English Tutor Available / Tutor de Inglés Disponible

David your rate is okay, teachers I know that give private classes are charging 25 to 30k in Medellin.

griffbos comments on LIFE IN COLOMBIA

shannonH, it is not easy , most that work do so by opening some typeof business or teaching English

griffbos comments on Colombians in US beware....

if you looing for jobs in Colombia try this site http://www.computrabajo.com.co/

griffbos comments on Job prospects (in Cali)?

thanks Desi I was going to say the same, Most all the big US firms all have branches in Colombia, not sure if any have offices in Cali.

griffbos comments on

Bigmac if Colombans are so lazy when it comes to sports then why has Major League baseball signed one and regulary scout now on the coast where there is a very active Baseball league? If they are so lazy why has the America Soccer League in the past month signed 3 Colombians to play this season. Your accusation doesn't play out to the facts. When have you gone to see a Colombian soccer match, in fact when was they last time you even watched a game on TV,it seems those from the USA are so lazy they sat all day in front of their TV getting fat that they are called Armchair Coaches.

griffbos comments on Colombian Spanish

Judges, I have heard some claim that while Pasia Spanish is the purest, many can't stand hearing it as the tend to have this nasal accent added to their speech which drive others crazy. But then it might be pure jealousy such claims.

griffbos comments on clearing customs while on misdameanor probation arrive@ 10pm this friday

Canada only started getting hard ass a few years ago, I forget the exact date, you can't even enter if it's a misdemener, I know of a woman in NH who has family up there and turned back at the border becuase she had one speeding ticket.

griffbos comments on advice for employer's letter for working visa

gamm2 do you have an e-mail address for the Consulte inBoston, I think the one I have is not any good any more:(

griffbos comments on Staying beyond the 60 day tourist visa

depending on the country your from you can extensions, I think you can stay up to 6 months a calender year. so you have some time, look maybe for some charity group where you can do volunteer work they might help you with a visa longer ter, you wil hve to pay the whole cost. I know someone inMedellin who volunteers at a program there and last Agust he went and got a special visa so he can stay in country with out paying for new visas every 30 days.

griffbos comments on U.S. Tax Deudctions

te bank fee I don't believe you can but if you pay a tax on income you can.there is a form you have to file, it and the information on filing can be found on the IRS website, if you still have questions I think you can submitt question via the internet.

griffbos comments on My Wife Got her US Tourist Visa Today

Glad to hear

griffbos comments on Inexpensive Hotel or Apartment walking distance from Zona Rosa

try this person it is a post on here from last Sept. A couple of rooms for rent in Pontevedra Bogotá The apartment is located about 20 minutes from Zona Rosa by car. Five to 15 minutes to Bulevard, Iserra, Cafam Floresta, Iserra 100, Pasadena, Andes, La Colina Campestre, 25 minutes to half hour to Chapinero, 40 minutes more or less (depending on traffic and (la pata del conductor :-) ) El centro, la Candelaria . Anyone interested sent me a Private Message By webmanco on Sep 15, 2008, 11:36 in Friendly Talkzone.

griffbos comments on Advice On Finding TEFL Employment

if your still looking check out this site http://www.computrabajo.com.co/ you can search job posting, it seems there are a lot of teaching english jobs in Bogota right now.

griffbos comments on News Sources in Colombia

Yeah I like Colombia Reports also, they are about one year old and it is in English.

griffbos comments on Direct Deposit of SSA in Colombia

panthdave if yu have more info about doing this please post, I know people are always loking for a way to have an account in the States and transfer money direct with out hassle or a bunch of fees. I haven;t seen any solutions posted any where yet.

griffbos comments on Cocaine prices fall... indication of war on drugs failure?

okay where is the law that says possesion is legal, I have seen a few times cops in Medellin patting down someone and taking either coke or weed from the person and the person away in cuffs.

griffbos comments on

if your willing to share this place in Poblado I have a 3 bed apartment close to Oviedo Mall, Poblado. 2 rooms are available for rent at $550,000 COP per month including all utilities. The apartment has great views, cable TV, free local calls and wifi broadband. I’m not looking for a party animal or someone who likes prepagos and lines of coke for breakfast. Occasionally, the apartment will be visited by my cute and slightly mischievous fox terrier puppy. Price: $ 550,000 Contact: Jamie Medellín Send an Email the link to the ad is http://www.colombiareports.com/classifieds.html?page=show_category&catid=1&order=0&expand=0

griffbos comments on Colombian Woman Fights back In Landmark Erie, Pa Divorce Case--7 Week Internet Marriage Ends Between 53 yr old Dentist & 34 yr old Colombiana

wow this post is getting a lot of action, my take is the guy is a loser control freak, He never told wife number 4 about wife number 3 up front and then tried to lie about it, He has been seeing another woman inColombia while still married to wife number 4, which appears to have started before the night of Oct. 17th, He paid the lawyer for the pre nep, yes she got a copy in spanish with all it's legal terms, How many on this board understand most legal docs written in English and it being your native language, let alone understand something translated. to change that how many of you understand fully Colomba laws written in spanish, or translated into english , things get lost in translation one and nost people when they sign these things are not thinking what might happen down the road??? I Hope if things move futher with woman number 5 INS denies his request for a visa, he signed on INS doc with the promise of support for three years and has failed to do so, can't be trusted again. I also hope DAS finds a way to refuse entry into Colombia for this guy. For those agruing they were married only a short tiem, this relation is more then 7 weeks old, it is about a year old, he wanted to mary here with in two weeks of knowing her, and she said no and wanted to take the time to know each other before they married. some parts of the story Blaine Bell met Martha Isabel Lopez Ramirez in November 2006 Blaine Bell flew to Bogota in April 2007 to meet the woman who would become his wife. The information about Blaine Bell's third marriage came up at a custody hearing in Colombia, Martha Bell said. She said she learned of the marriage through her mother in the summer of 2007. Blaine Bell, Martha Bell said, at first denied he had been married a third time. She said she broke off the relationship for about a month, in July 2007. The two were engaged in Panama in September 2007. "I am looking forward to marrying her and having her with me for the rest of my life," Blaine Bell wrote to U.S. immigration officials in October 2007. Under oath, Blaine Bell swore to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Oct. 2, 2007, that he would support his future wife and her daughter "for a period of three years," according to the affidavit.

griffbos comments on

EAFIT is expensive and hte program is bad from what I am told, everyone told me to stay away

griffbos comments on In Chicago and have $45 burning a hole in your pocket?

is that what they are charging, in a story I read about him going it made it sound like he was going to meet with Colombains living there, I guess his tour is a paid tour

griffbos comments on

Simon who would that be? Simon says on Feb 20, 2009, 13:14: "where is mafe, travelingirl, houstongal and the others?" MaFe betrayed us and left us for the 'other site', you know, the one ran by some Colombian-hating fat fok. "Decent people don't sell or do drugs"-----Simon

griffbos comments on Going to Cali, Colombia for the 1st time

Been to Cali a number of times fun city great place to see, just keep your head on straight and you will be fine. I have a number of friends there.

griffbos comments on Banking in Colombia

I read somehwere that Banc Colombia and I think Banc Bogota have agreements with SS for deposits of SS payments. That you can sign up at the Embassy in Bogota for this.

griffbos comments on Best deal for internet and TV in Medellin - no phone required

UNE and Telemex are the two companies in Medellin, UNE is conected to EPM I beleive.

griffbos comments on tired of being ripped off, need a good deal on a apartment in Bogota

They issue is there are very few furnished apartments in Colombia for rent, they are priced for the tourist, I don't know any Colombians that rent a place furnished unless it is a vacation, Sinc these apartments are for tourist they charge tourist prices, So you pay close to what one would pay in the USA for a hotel. Until there is more competion that is how it will stay.