jimmycr1 has left 46 comments

jimmycr1 comments on Question about usage of "Mi Corazón"

Man, why did you guys have to bring all of this stuff up? I have enough confusion as it is trying to decipher the TRUE meanings of these phrases. Here is what I have come up with (my opinions only, of course): mi cielo, mi amor, mi corazon, mi vida= casual greetings used in a fairly common manner. te quiero= I really like you and am interested in pursuing the possibility of more. te quiero mucho= I really, really like you and I think you could be the one for me. te amo= I love you and I am willing to do anything for you. This is the ultimate phrase, marking exclusivity anddedication. te adoro= I adore you. My experience is I would put this on the same level as TQM. Of course, I will be interested to hear others opinions. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Chinese product sources?

Mike did you check your PMs? jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Corruption Perception Index 2009

Finished worse than...GHANA!!! Wow. Also, of concern to me is Panama in at 84. Hmm. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Telephone problem..curious...

I have problems with VOIP. Where is she in the mornings? Is she in an area which might cause bad coverage? In an office building? An elevator? An area with tall buildings? Even a poor coverage area in her house or apartment. I have areas in my own house that cause connection problems. I wouldn't worry too much about the connection. I would worry more if she didn't answer at all. Many, many reasons for poor connections. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Translation por favor?

Well, I still have no idea what is being said. But, thinking about it, do you use a phone card to make your calls? On occasion, I get an unusual ringtone and then a message that I do not understand. I can always tell if my call is going through properly by the sound of the ringtone. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Colombian Cupid and Gieco Insurance.

Kingfish, I have several that I have corresponded with from MDE. I don't use any kind of restrictive filters. I figure, let them respond to me and then I will decide yes or no. Remember that sea is overflowing with fish. So, it is easy to say, "next." You have to give yourself the advantage of the law of large numbers. For as many women as I have talked with on that site, I have only found maybe 5 or 6 that have lasted more than 3 or 4 conversations and either they vanish or I do. I remain friends with a few and if something happens with the Barranquillera, at least I will still have someone to chat with. But...(slap me for my sensitivity), I am in love the the Barranquillera and even if it falls through don't have a "love" interest in the others. Just don't be so restrictive on your filters. Beautiful women all over Colombia. I'm sure I didn't need to tell you that. :-) jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Translation por favor?

Damn, I have no idea on this one. I have heard many a message. None ever even sounded close to this. Whenever I call and hear no ringing, it usually ends up going to voicemail. Correo de voz. The most common message (other than going to voicemail) is that the phone is out of the coverage area or temporarilary suspendido. Is the message a custom voicemail greeting? jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Barranquilla apartment for rent 350,000 COP per month- includes utilities - Video below

I have stayed at the Hotel Stanford, which is right next door to the Windsor. Nice area. Thank you. It appears from the video that the place is completely unfurnished. Correct? Jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Colombian Cupid and Gieco Insurance.

I met my girlfriend on Colombiancupid.com also. I have also talked to many, many, many ladies from that site. Yes, they get deluged with emails. I have asked many of them this question. Intros mostly from guys from Colombia, Spain and the USA. I have more women to talk with than I can handle. I should say that I HAD more than I could handle. I have since settled on one from Barranquilla. Anyway, what I would do is just go on the site and send interest to every single female who was online that appeared attractive. I wouldn't even read their profile, that would take waaaaay too much time. If I found one that I really wanted to talk with, I would click the "chat now" icon and try to strike up a conversation. From that point, if they respond, I would move to getting their MSN and talk to them there. If things go well, many times they will offer up their phone number. Thank God I speak pretty good Spanish. If you don't speak Spanish you are at a big disadvantage because my experience is that few speak any English at all. So, let me breakdown an unofficially give statistics of success. Oh, I did have the Gold membership, accurate picture and a true profile. No BS about it. So.... Randomly sending interest response rate: About 15% would respond back with interest or email. Clicking the "Chat" Icon hoping for conversation: About 25% (Remember, these girls are ONLINE and AVAILABLE to chat real time) Moving to MSN from Cupid Chat (if they responded on Cupid): About 85% Getting phone number on MSN: Of the 85%, at least 80% give out the digits. Never got a fake number either. After a few conversations, will they hint at needing money?: About 30% will plant the seeds for an RFM (Request For Money) How many speak any English?: Basic English: About 15% max. No English beyond "Hello": 60% I think the site is very legit. It has been said that it is filled with Prepagos and Gold Diggers. I really can not disagree with that statement but, you can find very legit women also. Just being frank, my girl would have to fall in to the "Gold Digger" category, if I were to have to place her in to a category. But, that is neither here nor there. Just be careful who you deal with there. Someone on another site said that Colombianas are the Nigerians of South America. Yea, I can see it. Only many of them are devastatingly beautiful. So, "buyer" beware and have a good attitude with your eyes WIDE OPEN. To the core of this post. Yes, everytime you do any kind of search for Colombia, the Cupid site will come up. It is simply banner advertising. The powers to be at Colombian Cupid are paying someone to have the banners show (or text ads) to show everytime someone searches for anything Colombia. May seem as this advertising costs alot. But, I ran 2 very successful websites and used banner ads a lot. It is dirt, dirt cheap. Why? The click through rate, if you are lucky is 1/2 of 1%. And for a banner ad, that would be a grand slam!! Usually the click through rate is much less. To put it in perspective, some of the ad companies sell these banner ads by the 100,000 impression lot. (impression means the ad showed up on a search page). So, yeah, it could save Geico some cash. Maybe they could save you 15.5% if they stopped the ads. LOL. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Best way to send money to colombia!

I have experience with just about all of the services mentioned. The easiest, if they have a BancoColombia account is to send using Xoom. It is quick, cheap and give a fair rate. Second choice is Moneygram, only because it is a little cheaper (maybe a lot cheaper depending on how much you send) than Western Union. Third choice is WU.

jimmycr1 comments on Barranquilla apartment for rent 350,000 COP per month- includes utilities - Video below

What part of BAQ?

jimmycr1 comments on Is there a US cell phone that can handle a Colombian prepago sim card?

I went to Barranquilla. Before I left I called AT&T and had them unlock my Nokia E71X phone. They had no problem in doing so as I was a customer with a monthly plan. When I got to Barranquilla, I put in a Comcel chip and it worked fine. Had to go to a Comcel store, my girl gave her info, then I gave 2000 pesos for a SIM card. Off I went. Worked perfectly. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Hey any PBHers currently in Chicago...

I live close enough to Chicago to make it. I just got back from Barranquilla yesterday. Hook me up with the details. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Looking for Furnished Apt. in Barranquilla

Send a PM to Turnmeon. I am sure, 100% he can hook you up. He's a good dude. He has done some work for me in Barranquilla. If you want his email, PM me. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Dollar broke under 2000 COP

Let me make a comment here. I am a currency trader. I'm not sure I read the original post correctly. But, in plain English..when the US stock market is strong, the dollar has been weakening. This is commonly called the "risk trade" or "commodity trade." When the US stock market is weak, the dollar has strengthened against foreign currencies. This conversely is called the "risk aversion trade." FWIW. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Single in Colombia

Prepago= you pay her for her company. Usually includes total satisfaction..if you know what I mean. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Need a room / apartment in Barranquilla

Elchoco...Turnmeon is a great dude. He will take care of you. He recently did some work for me and will probably do more in the near future. Hey, Turnmeon, my plans have changed. I will be there on August 11. I am looking for a short term place also. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on buying places in colombia

www.vivareal.net

jimmycr1 comments on Going into a bank and withdrawing using a Debit Card

I can't comment directly on this but...once in the Dominican Republic I used a debit card to withdraw $1000. I went to the teller, told her what I wanted to do, gave her my debit card and passport. She made copies of both, made me sign both, then ran my card. When she brought me back the cash, I also had to sign the receipt. As long as you have proper ID and available funds, I don't think you will have a problem. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on

Te Pienso jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Costa Rica to Barranquilla

You can take the bus from San Jose to Panama City for literally $20. Then catch a Copa flight for $328. The catch is that it takes you like 18 hours to get from SJO to PTY. You will have to pay the $5 fee for a tourist card when entering Panama. If you decide to do this PM me and I can give you details about the bus trip from SJO to PTY. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on How long have you been with your Colombiana/no

Six months. Started as an internet romance. Turned in to a face to face meeting in March. Second visit, T minus 3 weeks....and counting. No prometidas...yet. But, I can say no end in immediate site. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on How long have you been with your Colombiana/no

Six months. Started as an internet romance. Turned in to a face to face meeting in March. Second visit, T minus 3 weeks....and counting. No prometidas...yet. But, I can say no end in immediate site. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Looking for an Apartment in Barranquilla

I give thanks also. I'll be there 4 de Agosto. I have emailed some places that I have found on the internet but not gotten any responses. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Suggestions for 5 days along the Caribbean Coast?

If in Cartagena, I have heard Cocoliso Resort is awesome and might be just what you are looking to find. Never been but it's on my hit list for August. They have a website to check out. http://cocolisoresort.com/site/index.html jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Looking for an Apartment in Barranquilla

That makes 2 of us milo. I am looking for a short term apartment in Quilla also. If anyone has one available in North BAQ, PM me. Jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on And the winner is....

You are correct. CR is expensive and has waaaay too many gringos there now. In fact one of the upscale suburbs of San Jose is called Escazu. It has now been renamed "Gringazu." Crime is rampant in all of CR, particularly in the Central Valley. I have a place in Cartago and it's still relatively calm there. But, I'm not 100% happy there either. It's much cooler than the valley and it rains every fokkin afternoon. Takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to SJ centro. Depending on traffic. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Going to Barranquilla

Throwingcopper..let me add my own unique perspective. I met a woman on colombiancupid.com as did another poster. She is from BAQ. (she isn't a prepago, but gold digger..maybe.) I have known her since January. Been to see her once, met the family, friends etc.. Communication with her has been what I would consider pretty intense. We talk on the phone 2 times a day and usually spend at least an hour on MSN with web cam. My Spanish, for a pasty white gringo, is well above average. So communication isn't really a problem. So, everything is great, right? Wrong. As other posters have mentioned, Colombianas (and many other latinas) have no sense of time. Being stood up for a date or being put on hold is pretty normal. I wouldn't take it too personally. BAQ...well, (no offense to the Barranquilleros) does kinda suck. Not the most scenic place in the world. If fun is your first priority, I really wouldn't chose it as my destination. And I agree that in order to really find love you are going to have to put in the time in the country. If you don't want competition from other men then I actually suggest you don't look for a Colombiana. You will be a wounded, bleeding fish in a shark tank and they will smell the blood and eat you alive. If you do insist on going to BAQ, yes, the north is quantum leaps better than the south. Spanish..is a necessity. My girl speaks a little English but certainly not enough to carry on a relationship. I mean really, how can you have anything of substance if you can not speak the language and communicate? I'm just being realistic here. I see that you met many women through the internet. Each of those women get probably hundreds of emails from foreign guys. I'm sure they invite others to come see them as well. If they make plans with you and something better comes along will they dump you? Yeah, probably. The internet is a double edged sword. It opens the world to you to find someone but, remember you are probably not the only one. In my case, I think (not 100%) that the girl I communicate with has a guy in BAQ and likely another online. If you can't handle the game of competition you might end up with a really broken heart, bro. Just be careful. As for the excuses given. I have found that people in Colombia do work alot of hours. Different than here. Yes, they have holidays but getting "vacation time" is very different from here. You can't just walk up to the jefe and ask for a vacation day. Seems the time off is around national holidays and Christmas. So, if the excuse is work...I think it's pretty legit usually. Just my 2 pesos. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Happiest nations ! top 10 List

Costa Rica leading the way. Well, a little insight. My handle on PBH is "jimmycr" the CR stands for Costa Rica. Happiest place on earth...hmm. Well, I could certainly make a case for or against that statement. Maybe we could ask a few residents of Desamparados or Barrio Mexico. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on Has anyone traveled from San Jose CR to Bocas Del Toro Panama?

Manuel Antonio, one of my most favorite places on earth. I recommend Hotel Mariposa in MA. Pricey but awesome. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on why do men have all the power in medellin

I agree 100% with El Expatriado. Just my 2 pesos. jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on why do men have all the power in medellin

I'll be extremely interested to see the responses to this thread. And if I may, when people respond, would the same responses apply to men in MDE as they would in a coastal city? I have read about the vast differences in culture between the interior and coast.

jimmycr1 comments on Colon, Panama to San Jose, costa rica by land

My ex girlfriend, who is Dominican by birth, living now near San Jose, CR had a room mate. Her room mate was dating a guy who was a border patrol agent at Paseo Canoa. It's true, that area is the wild, wild west. In fact, she is in PC now visiting her friends. I'm not a big fan of the frontera. Too many weirdos hanging around at the border crossing.

jimmycr1 comments on Colon, Panama to San Jose, costa rica by land

I agree, pretty green mountains. The best scenery, IMHO, is just outside of SJO. You go up the mountain and you can see down in to the valley. The worst part of the trip is from PTY to Colon. Nothing..I mean NADA. Same old same old.

jimmycr1 comments on Colon, Panama to San Jose, costa rica by land

Actually, I see you are travelling in the opposite direction as I had described, but basically it is all the same.

jimmycr1 comments on Colon, Panama to San Jose, costa rica by land

Yes sir. I have done it 2 times. Took the bus from San Jose, Costa Rica to Panama City, then on to Colon. I have no freaking idea why you want to do it but... here it is. You leave San Jose, CR at 11am from the Tracopa Bus Terminal. It is a few blocks south of the Presidente Hotel (major hotel in SJO). Depending on travel conditions it will take about 7 to 8 hours to get to Paseo Colon. This is the border town between Panama and CR. On the way down, you will make one rest stop to eat and use the restroom facilities. Last I remember, the name of that town is Buenos Aires, CR. Ok, so when you arrive in Paseo Colon, you will dropped off basically right at the border crossing. When you depart, you will then go to get your passport stamped at immigration. This will be on the left hand side of the street. You will only recognize it by the street vendors outside selling bottled water, etc.. After you get the passport stamped, proceed south back toward the border crossing. There, you will purchase your tourist card for Panama. This building is righ directly on the border and slightly to the right hand side of where you departed the bus. Ok, from there, you will need to show your return documents to another agent. This window is in the same area, just about 20 feet further south of the window in which you purchased your tourist card. MAKE SURE YOU CAN PROVE YOU ARE RETURNING. I FORGOT MY FLIGHT ITINERARY AND HAD TO PRINT IT OFF AT THE INTERNET CAFE ACROSS THE STREET. Ok. so now that you are ready to cross the border, you will then need to buy a bus ticket to Panama City. That building is across the border, in Panama, and on the left side of the street. It is not easy to find either. But, you will figure it out. The bus from Paseo Colon to PTY leaves late in the evening. I really don't remember exactly. But I'm talking 10 or 11PM. So, you will have a few hours "layover" in Paseo Colon. No worries, plenty of bars and restaurants. But, I never had a real easy feeling being in Paseo Colon. Even though I have friends there. Ok, so now you are prepared to get on the bus to depart for PTY. Here is the best advice I can give about the whole trip. Even though the temperature outside might be in the upper 80's or 90's even at night, the bus to PTY blows serious air conditioning. This is not a joke. I'm talking absolute arctic temperatures on the bus. This is no lie. WEAR JEANS AND A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, NO FLIP FLOPS AND BRING A COAT. NOT A JACKET, A COAT. It is incredible how cold that bus gets at night!!!!!! The trip to PTY takes another 8 hours. Again, you will have a stop over for food and restroom along the way. Ok, so now dawn is breaking and you see the skyline of Panama City. Beautiful. You will be dropped off at the bus terminal. The bus terminal is very large. I has many indoor shops and is connected to a large shopping mall. (Oh, BTW, your total travel time to this point is about 18 to 19 hours.) Now that you are in the terminal in PTY, you will simply go to the window and buy a ticket to Colon. That is ANOTHER 2.5 hours of the most boring drive in the history of man. I don't know why you are going there. But if it is to visit the Zona Libre, don't waste your time. Things are not that cheap and I think it is full of counterfeit items. And, the place is located in quite possibly the poorest area I have ever seen in my LIFE. Hope this helps. The biggest obstacle you will have is getting everything you need to cross in to Panama. The places are not at all well marked. But, if you do go....WEAR A COAT ON THE BUS. SERIOUSLY, IT IS FREEZING!!!! jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on US flights from Barranquilla

Back on topic. I use ORD and have never, ever found a discount fare to BAQ. The best you can hope for is an ORD-FLL-CTG fare, then puerta to BAQ. In my particular case, I have a zillion FF miles on Delta. I use those to fly from ORD to PTY. Spend the night with my friend, then take Copa to BAQ. Cost for me is $45 to PTY using the FF miles, then about $320 from PTY to BAQ on Copa. But, I have also searched long and hard to find a discount fare to BAQ. To my knowledge it does not exist. BAQ really is a pain the butt as a "destino final."

jimmycr1 comments on

I think the DR, Argentina, Peru is still not to bad 3 to 1, Ecuador I heard deal in $'s and is pretty cheap... What I want to know is that: Mexico is 13.5 Costa Rica is 579 Chile is 565 But I wonder what can you buy for that there, in each perspective country? P/C Lover..if you need Costa Rica info. PM me. I have been many times and have a place there. As for prices, as usual YMMV, depending on what you want to buy and where you buy it. Beer= in most local joints 600-750 CRC, tourist places 1500 Lunch= in a local tico soda 1200-1500 CRC (plato tipico) taxis= make them use the "maria" but from downtown SJ to anywhere in SJ about 2500 CRC PM me if you want more specifics. I do have a very good knowledge of CR.. thus the name jimmyCR jimmycr

jimmycr1 comments on English Speaking Driver in BAQ?

Thanks, got it.

jimmycr1 comments on English Speaking Driver in BAQ?

Well, my Spanish is more than passable. If he is reliable and reasonable, I am interested. Let me know. jimmycr1

jimmycr1 comments on Financing propery in colombia...dealing with banks

Thanks for the info and clarification. Banks can not lend more than 30% of value? Or 70%? Either way, I guess I need to consider just paying cash...then the issue of getting the funds there. :-(

jimmycr1 comments on Financing propery in colombia...dealing with banks

Viajero, I understand your confusion. Yes, I guess I meant that the financing would be very easy. Given that 40% of the price would be upfront and the remainder over the next 2 or 3 years. Seems the banks would have very, very limited risk. As opposed to here when, during the boom, you could buy with virtually nothing down. But, the one question left unanswered is this...is it common to have an amortization of only 2 or 3 years?? What happenes if you fork over the down payment and the project never completes (think Costa Rica real estate scams).

jimmycr1 comments on Financing propery in colombia...dealing with banks

When I was in Barranquilla back in March I looked at a few properties. The properties were not quite completed, almost though. The sales rep put together a spreadsheet for financing. The required downpayment was 40% with the remainder being paid over the next 2 or 3 years, I don't remember exactly. The remaining payments, however, started rather high then declined over the remainder of the loan. Is this normal??? And with this type of downpayment and monthly payment is financing guaranteed? I asked this question on another board and got no responses. I think this forum is much more active.

jimmycr1 comments on

Wendell, going out with and having a relation with are two very different things in my eyes. But thanks for your input.

jimmycr1 comments on

Well, let me add a bit to my post. As mentioned, I have a lot of experience with latin women, living in their native country. Many of these women DO keep local novios and have one or more extranajeros on the line as well. I was not meaning to generalize or make blanket statements, in the event anyone may have thought so. I, personally, was just wondering if anyone else on this forum has had similar experiences. As a single man, looking for the woman of his dreams, looking in a foreign country is a dangerous game emotionally and potentially financially. As mentioned previously, I have no experience with Colombianas on an emotional basis. I know a few, but nothing more than acquaintences. The woman that I met in Barranquilla would seem to have everything that I was hoping to find...no, it's not just her beauty. I've always had attractive women, just none with the whole package. The reason I posted to this thread is twofold. First, because I have always wondered why these beauties are looking elsewhere outside of Colombia. From what I have discovered, most feel that Colombian men want multiple relationships and have no desire to commit. They feel men from other parts of the world are more suitable for that sort of thing. Second, the real truth is that I have seen a few red flags that give me some doubts about whether or not I am her only interest. I have some gut feelings that she might have a local novio. But, I do not convict on "doubts." So, this thread intrigued me by the title. She seems pretty legitimate. I joined this forum to learn more about the culture and the way people (particularly the females) from Colombia think. It could be that things I wonder about are completely normal in Colombia. Seems all of Latin America has adapted the Costa Rican motto of "Pura Vida." Pure Life, or aka, who cares or aka, I'll get to it when I get to it or aka, so what if I'm 3 hours late, I'm here aren't I? Jajajaja. Peace

jimmycr1 comments on

This is an interesting topic. I am currently in the "courting" stage of a certain Colombiana. Met over the internet in January 09 and I have been to see her once (March) in Quilla and am returning in July (at least that is the plan). We talk daily on the phone, usually twice and spend time on MSN messenger with webcam everynight for atleast an hour. I am 45 single father of one daughter who lives with me. She is 34 and lives with her mother, father and 3 other sisters. She has a very, very full time job, college educated and beautiful. Of course I know that no Colombiana would ever lie (jaja) but she has indicated that she is not at all interested in a Colombiano because they are not interested in commitment and don't take relationships seriously. I am what you might call semi-fluent in spanish. Communication is not a problem, the food is not, we enjoy the same music, I can make her laugh and I always think of her family. So, none of those things are the problem. Here are the problems....my clothes. I dress like a typical American. Jeans and a polo or jeans and button up shirt with collar and tennis shoes. She doesn't like the wardrobe. No problem, we can fix that. Next problem..actually, she and her sisters feel that American men "need" too much attention. For example, if she does not call when she says she will call, I call her. They like to spend time with their friends and family, and sometimes we feel like second place. When, of course, they will tell you that you are not and you "need to understand me." How many times I have heard that one. jaja I have definately shown my passionate side with her in both positive and negative ways. Deep down, I think she actually likes the constant attention contrary to what she may say. Oh, and it's true, I can not dance. But have fun trying. Ok, so my serious question. I have a lot of experience dealing with Latinas. I know from an old Domincan g/f that most latinas keep one local novio and have one or more foreigners that they deal with. Does this hold true for the Colombianas? This is my first experience with a Colombiana. Look forward to the replies.