itaguifun has left 17 comments

itaguifun comments on Info about Cartago needed

I beleive that litost hit it on the head I was in Cartago 1 timelast year. My impressions were that it was very hot and not very safe. As far as the Pereira comments, I have a place there and enjoy it. It is far cleaner than Cali and more organized. The rain doesn't really affect me as it did not seem to rain everyday.

I would NOT want to stay any length of time in Cartago, but report back maybe I am mistaken. BTW-they have a saying in Pereira when they describe something big and ugly they compare it to Cartago:

"es grande y feo como Cartago"

itaguifun comments on Cost of Vacationing in Cali

hotels I stayed at Hotel Imperial downtown Cali in February. it was nice, clean and staff was great. We had a suite and it was 75,000 pesos a night ( at 35$ US) I would highly recommend it

itaguifun comments on Are Colombians Racist?

Mario are you sure a black compatriot is COLOMBIAN I thought you would have called him/her AMERICAN

itaguifun comments on HAAAAAAAAAY...La Carne No Sabe a Nada....

good point Mario you are correct on the usage of heretofore-bravo. It seems that people need to be told about correct word usage here. Some examples are heretofore and AMERICAN. I like the sun beaten rubber band comment-witty. It seems that many people on this site have a hard time with taking factual information from the standpoint of an educator ar anyone else for that matter. BTW-please advise me as to any grammatical/syntactical/word usage errors that may be in this post that way I don't need a dictionary/thesaurus I will have my own lacallo.

itaguifun comments on HAAAAAAAAAY...La Carne No Sabe a Nada....

So let me get this straight...CX If my name is John in the US I should be "Juan" in Colombia?

BTW-I find it hard to believe that I wouldn't have ANY repercussions if I hung an American Flag outside my house in Colombia. I still feel it is distasteful-as the cat in the hat would say:

I don't like it here
I don't like it there
I don't like it anywhere

Gomez has a flag in his office-that's different-personal space that's much more tasteful.

itaguifun comments on HAAAAAAAAAY...La Carne No Sabe a Nada....

Colombianox(not AMERICANOX) point made Your name says it all-

I saw no flags in Cali last month except at public and gov't buildings. The fact that there is a campaign underway for Colombians to touch themselves while they hang their flag is proof that NOBODY gave a shit.

As far as the jackass at customs "educating me" I think not. I will try to make this as clear as possible for our "special" readers:

While technically the "customs Jackass" (who will heretofore be referred to as simply "Jackass") was correct, his statement that he was South American was insufficiently specific. South American describes people and things from various countries including Colombia.

People and things from Colombia are referred to as "Colombian" denoting a specific geopolitical area.
To highlight Jackass' fallacious argument we could also refer to Colombians as "earthlings" however, again it is insufficiently specific in a more glaring sense.
"American" is the adjective used to describe people and things from the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Once again, technically saying "North American" would be correct and is used to describe certain things such as NAFTA. However, it is insufficiently specific to describe people and things specifically from the USofA, for it would include Canada, Mexico and Central American countries.

So for our first assignment COLOMBIANOX- can you pick out the word that would describe somebody or something from Canada?
1. mexican
2. north american
3. colombian
4. CANADIAN
How about-pick out the word that would describe somebody or something from the United States of AMERICA
1. North american
2. South American
3. AMERICAN
4. Mexican

In both of the previous examples North American would be insufficient since there is more than 1 country from North america as a possible answer.

As far as me being the "ugly tourist", I suppose ColombianoX found great offense at my stating AMERICAN, when asked my nationality. If that is an "ugly tourist" I must plead guilty. I wonder how Jackass and ColombianoX would react if I got off the plane waving an American flag and started telling everybody what a shithole Colombia is and that the US is better in every conceivable way-which I would never do or want to do(as many immigrants here in the US do). The reason I would not "fly my flag" in a foreign land is that I believe that it is disrespectful to the host country.

Since you brought my Colombian wife into the discussion AmericanoX WHOOOPS SORRY ColombianoX her exact quote NOT MINE: "Yo puedo limpiar me con esta hijueputa bandera y me quede cagada"

Finally about your buddy a few posts back. She sounds like a well intentioned but misguided apologist for being an American. I want to see if she still bows at the alter of "diversity" when her Colombian husband gives her "cuernos". Those Colombian flags will be a burnin'. And her argument that Native Americans should be called Americans-just flat out ignorant. Those cultures would prefer to be addressed by their traditional names (chibcha, maya..etc)However as a political force they chose to be called Native Americans.

As far as your "Pobrecito tough guy routine" save the bullshit for when you are face to face with someone tough guy.

itaguifun comments on about money

I HOPE...... Caulfield IS NOT teaching math.

itaguifun comments on First time to Colombia

Come on comparing Bogota to New York... Guys-thats my opinion, I'm sure you could find someone-ok, people, who like Bogota for whatever reason. What I said was not ignorant, I have been to these places and if I haven't been I said so.


Are you going to argue that Bogota isn't dirty and crowded, and it doesn't have crappy weather and intense air pollution (MUCH worse than New York)?

I guess Barranquilla is clean and a great place to go to the beach just like Buenaventura. I have never been to these 2 places but many Colombians have told me that they are port cities and as such are dirty.

Medellin and Cali-lets cut to the chase, great cities to party and get laid, not much else to do past that, unless you consider cheap food and lodging a reason to go.

Oh I guess I was ignorant in saying it's a dangerous country, that speaks for itself. Sure, it's safe to go hiking around by yourself looking for wildlife.

I'm not sure why you were insulted, perhaps because you are Colombian. I like Colombia, I may one day live there, but that doesn't change facts, or for that matter my opinion. Simply put I don't think Bogota, Medellin and Cali are vacation destinations. Just as I don't think Des Moines, Detroit and Pittsburgh are vacation destinations.

You guys are too sensitive-lighten up.

itaguifun comments on First time to Colombia

Alone hiking around Colombia with elementary Spanish?? I would not advise going to Colombia at all for "hiking around". Colombia is a dangerous country, especially for those who are alone and ignorant of the local goings on. Certainly those who go in search of "flora and fauna" are prime targets for kidnapping. I would definately stay away from any bus/taxi travel outside of the city. Guerilla activity has been on the increase and I am certain you do not want to get spanish lessons from them. If you do not know someone or have a contact down there it would be fool hardy to go freewheelin' cross Colombia, you are definately NOT in Kansas anymore.
That being said my personal 2 cents:
Bogota??? why would anyone want to go there? Bad weather, dirty, horrible air pollution, crowded.

Medellin- you can see everything worth seeing in about ummmm 30 minutes. Nice climate, nice people, good food. Not alot to do if you are not a party guy (drinking/chasing women/dancing)

Cali- Same comment as medellin only it has a tropical flair-additionally, guerilla seems REAL active in this area (Valle del Cauca)

Manizales-never been but heard that the Parque Nacional de Cafe is awesome

Cartegena- Now here we go-beaches sun and fun a real vacation place,

Santa Marta- I have never been, Plan on going next trip. I think it could be better than Cartagena

San Andres-Carribean Island, no security concerns, blue water
"ya mon"

Barranquilla-never been but heard it was GROSS-port city, DIRTY
Buenaventura- Same as barranquilla

For the type of trip you describe I would recommend Costa Rica-

itaguifun comments on NO SHAME

Utopia may I ask what nationality you are? I think if you go to a pharmacy you may be able to get something for that vomiting disorder. Because as I stated earlier you have NO CONTROL over the situation AKA POWERLESS(except to address your pukin'). Maybe you need a younger woman? have you been victimized by these "viejo verde gringo perverts" have they stole your woman? Why all the hostility? Are you a WOMAN? are you truly utopiacowGIRL? HMMMMMMMM....inquiring minds want to know...

As far as "gringo perverts" go I guess there are alot of them if your definition is an older guy hooking up with a younger woman(18+)I specify age because you seem to get easily confused with the adjectives young/younger/jovencita. BTW- would older colombian or european guys going with a younger woman(18+ to avoid losing you)be "colombian or european perverts" or is it a "Gringo" thing?

As far as not being able to get it at home, that is most likely a true statement, so these adventurous souls go to where they can find love/romance as THEY (not you or others) define it.

itaguifun comments on NO SHAME

Clarification-women NOT girls My comments were directed towards men/women 18+.

It did not even dawn on me to mention that until Utopia so quickly brought up the topic of where to find 13 y/o girls. Utopia's post reminded me that there are true perverts in this world. And what should be unthinkable gets thought of by some VERY QUICKLY.

itaguifun comments on Disappointed

I will not parry swords with you sir-gotta luv that line That is a classic and I will forever be in your debt for presenting it to me. I greatly admire the way an educated Englishman writes/speaks.

I would not have taken issue with you on the grammatical usage point had it not been for your condescending grammar lesson a few posts back. We have a simple saying for a fellow such as yourself: If you throw enough shit at a wall something's got to stick.

I have always found it a bit distasteful when a man cannot admit he was wrong and tries to hide behind blustery language and worthless titles. The following is a good example:

"I have no knowledge of the status of the pronoun or indeed that so simple as the indefinite article, to me it is a question of the antediluvian coherence of the idiom, this has to be in apportion with the formulation for the ear as well as the perusing eye when uttered, rather than the grammatical exactitude."

So I guess you said (for those of us who don't speak arsehole) "I didn't know what the hell I was writing about when I corrected you." You see, James, this is not about grammar it is about trying to be something you are not, in this case it happened to be a grammar teacher. There can be no doubt that you are a highly articulate and literate man, but lets cut the bullshit.

My we have come a long way from "grab your ears and pull your head out of your arse"

itaguifun comments on NO SHAME

Gringoinbogota clearly is no old fart Hey Gringo the use of the term "old fart" was tongue in cheek and was a response to previous posters who used it. I don't know what the deal is but there is something about a guy going out with a younger girl that freaks some people out. Following I will describe several types who may be threatened by such a relationship:

1. A poor young guy who can't step up to the plate economically for his woman
2. A cheap young guy who thinks his looks and premature ejaculations will pay his woman's bills
3. A middle aged american feminazi woman-nothing scarier than this one- some of their comments might be:oh my God how disgusting, he's an old pervert, gross...on and on ad infinitum
4. A panty waste of a man-truly a woman masquerading as a man

In all of the aforementioned personas the connecting thread is CONTROL. 1,2,3 no longer have any and 4 likes to be controlled. I would like to address the #3 scenario-These woman can't stand the thought that a man might actually be able to exert some control over his life and find a young attractive woman who makes him happy. Nothing makes the domineering, demanding and controlling middle aged feminazis more angry than that!

I know that this is going to anger some in the audience, but there never seems to be the same angry response when someone belittles or degrades a man for simply dating a younger woman. And can you imagine some women actually PREFER an older more mature lover.

Back to Gringo- I will give you the drinking and fighting but never the women.

VIVA LAS JOVENCITAS

itaguifun comments on NO SHAME

Soprano wannabe's You guys have been watching too much T.V. You act like there is some kind of honor to defend here. If we are going to stereotype about people getting "whacked" in Colombia, it's just as easy (or easier) to stereotype the "La Paisita interesada" You guys talk as if this is something strange. Some grandmothers practically sell there daughters/grandaughters to the highest bidder, and many of the girls go willingly to the "old fart".

Your girlfriend is probably gettin' boned by this "old fart" unless you are paying all her bills. Wise up, get used to it or move on. Fighting over hot women in Colombia is like fighting over ice in Alaska. As far as sicarios, typically people who use them end up victims of them.

All you other "wiseguys" chill out get a beer and try to get laid-much better than violence.

itaguifun comments on Disappointed

Hello JAMES.... I appreciate the time you have taken to air your thoughts on human resource management. I have taken nothing personally and am always open to learning. That being stated, upon reflection, the simple truths outlined in my original statement are more palatable in an economy such as that of the US or the EU. They are substantially uglier truths in an economy such as Colombia's, however, truths they remain.

Certainly I did state them in a kind of sledgehammer way, my view tainted by the hordes of lazy workers in the US that I have encountered in my life. With all your experience James, I am sure you know the type; they feel like they are doing you a favor when they show up for work and they want a raise every three weeks.

Thank-you for recommending me the book and the class. I have read the book (it was mediocre at best) and as far as the class is concerned-all done with classes my friend. Life experiences, literature and communication with others are my teachers now :-).

I consider myself fortunate to have provoked such an accomplished individual as you, forty-five work related disciplines, all I can write is WOW. I look forward to any and all further exchanges.

James do you live in Colombia or get there often? I would like to live there one day and would find your insights invaluable.

Finally, I would challenge your observation on my use of "whomever". If I remember correctly, "people" was the subject of the sentence rendering "whomever", the correct objective pronoun. Additionally, you gave "whomsoever" as an acceptable replacement for "whomever", they, my friend, are synonymous.

What’s the matter anyhow, don’t you speak American? :-p

itaguifun comments on Disappointed

Hi JamesVH I am interested to find out which part of my statement you find most shocking or gives you the impression that I am an alien? The idea that people who get paid to work should do as they are told or find another job? SHOCKING stuff. And by the way-what is the problem of which tou speak?

It would be easy for me to jump to conclusions about who you are and what you do(or don't do) by your flowing prose, however, I think it best to maintain a level of decency when expressing my opinions so as not to drag the conversation into the gutter.

Take Care

itaguifun comments on Disappointed

Great that people know there place Workers are paid. They should do what they are told. People who pay them should be able to hire whomever they like. Workers are able to leave their jobs and look elsewhere.

Seems great