johna has written 15 posts

This has been covered but................

........ could anyone who has taken a Spanish course at EAFIT give me impressions? I want something that is relaxed and hopefully a little fun, while I brush up on some of the nitty gritty grammar. My spanish level is intermediate. But I really want to take the course to meet Colombiana people at the Univ., and get involved with the University/city as I hope to stay for a while. Do they have athletic groups that a temp/visiting student can get involved in, esp. soccer and basketball?
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colombian music recommendations

So who are some of the big names in colombian music? And I know Shakira, but who else would you recommend? I like Salsa ok and merengue, I recently heard "porro" music and liked that, also some kind of cuban sounding music with horns. What are other types of Colombian music? I bought one album called "carmelina" the singer was Toto la Momposina, and I really liked it, if that helps with the recommendations. Thanks ...

decent articles and photos on Colombian conflict

http://hotzone.yahoo.com/colombia;_ylt=AgsEcHmDL3Mjxd9SfMJ1n7.wEcsF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjamtzcG1mBHNlYwNoei1zdG9yeQ--

La Sierra screening

BBC is going to air this May 9th, as in tommorow. It is on BBC not BBC America. Also it is not being called la Sierra but "Gangs of Medellin". go to bbc.co.uk to read about it. I think if you have fancy cable you may get this outside of the UK. ...

train travel

Are there any passenger trains in Colombia? One of the fotos in the photo section is a shot from a train. Anyone know where? HAs anyone been on the train in colombia? What is it like? Any really scenic routes. I am not looking for the Ritz, but I really like taking trains to see places. Thanks for the input ...

Travel plans in Sept. any suggestions

I will be coming into Medellin to live for an indefinite period. Before I get too settled in I would like to go see other parts of Colombia. So I have been reading a bit on areas and have a rough plan, but wouldn't be against getting any advice/suggestions that you have.
I was thinking of taking the bus from Med. to Cartagena and staying in the city for a couple of days. Then going outside the city to check out some of the towns nearby (I could use some suggestions here) I don't th ...

Happy May, Communist, Solidarity, and whatever else day.

So it is May 1st and I am just curious how many people on here did not go to work today because of the boycott. Not me, I am a sucker sitting in my little office typing away. I want to wish an extra special day to Miguel, because I know this is his favorite holiday! It is only about 7;30 am here but life doesn't seem to have come to a standstill. ...

What are my chances of dying if I am a........

bicyclist....
I know that there are some colombians who do very well in bicycling. They must have practiced somewhere and not gotten killed or maimed too bad. I have read many posts about the chaotic traffic scene in Col. So my questions are; is bicycling common in the cities, do you think that this is a sucidial way to travel, how much do you think a decent bike would go for. By decent I mean not totally rusted out, with a decent chain, and two inflatable tires. Nothing fancy. I am spec ...

Thanks to allfor helping out the MedellinNewbie

So a while back I posted my situation (as in why I am moving there), and a couple of questions. I am very grateful to everyone for the responses. But now I am wondering about your stories. how did you end up in Medellin? Also I will be coming in August/September and would like to see if anyone would like to meet up, drinks on me. So Caslug, Colombiaboard, paisa, gorgonabob, or whoever drop me a line.

Also to Miguel_Clavo I read one of your posts that said you live in San J ...

WI Fi in Medellin?

Are there wi fi hot spots in the city? if so do people use them. I imagine it is not a good idea to be lugging your laptop around, but not sure if it's done much? Can you get wireless in an apt. and how much? Thanks for the info ...

Nuclear material

Not to long ago there was an AP story that said that Colombian security forces raided some place in Bogota and confiscated nuclear material that some people where trying to sell. There has been little to no more news coverage in the US, big surprise, huh.

I was being sarcastic, but after I wrote it, I thought: actually it seems like a situation that the Bush admin. would jump on to hammer home the "terrorist threat". Are color coded threat level did not turn magenta though. B ...

Mompox (sp?), been there?

I was reading about this town that is a UNESCO world heritage site on the Magdalena river. It sounds realllllllllly isolated and hard to get to. Has anyone been? how did you get there, and what was the journey like? What were your impressions of it. I pretty much want a reaally slow cheap place to relax and write, and would be going alone. What were the people in the area like? Did you feel welcomed? It doesn't sound like many people make it out that way ...

has anyone taken courses and gotten a student visa with Universidad EAFIT in Medellin?

I am wanting to take some Spanish courses at this Univ. and wondered if there were any opinions out there? Also has anyone gotten aa student visa to study in Colombia? What is the health insurance requirement, did you have international health insurance? How much did the ins. cost you? I got a quote for $590 US from a firm in London for their standard package outside excluding the US. Also what do you think are the chances of getting caught tutoring people in English without a work visa? ...

What type of Visa?

I am going to Med. with my girlfriend (not spouse). she has a teaching job lined up and the school will get her a work visa, but not me. I have a BA and will have a TEFL cert., but I am wondering should I go down and look for work and hope to get a work visa. Or should I sign up for a class or something and try to get a student visa. Or should I just say F*! at it and go. If it matters I am a US citizen. Thanks for the advice. PAZ ...

Medellin info for a newbie

My Girlfriend has signed a two year contract to teach grade school in Medellin. I would like to come with, and will,but I would like to know if I will stick out alot. I lived in Korea for one year and being caucasian was almost like celeb status. I don't think I would like that kind of attention in Colombia. I am about 5'8 and 170lbs AMerican(i know not using metric really gives away nationality) have Blue eyes and brown hair with a olive/mediteranean skin tone. I speak spanish, but don't plan o ...

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