jorgegdiaz has written 44 posts
Colombia the 3rd happiest country in the planet
http://elespectador.com/noticias/actualidad/articulo-colombia-de-nuevo-el-tercer-pais-mas-feliz According to some study by U. of Michigan`s ISR (Institute fo Social Reserach) Colombia is the 3rd happiest country on earth and first in Latinamerica. Colombia, de nuevo el tercer paÃs más feliz Por: Agencia EFE - Elespectador.com Dinamarca, Puerto Rico y Colombia son, por este orden, los paÃses más felices del mundo, según un estudio divulgado en el que se constata que la felicidad ha ...
PANACHI cable car will be ready by December
http://www.vanguardia.com/2008/6/21/pop.php?foto=feco3_1.jpg&pag=fot&num=0
Bus terminal in MDE
How much could be a cab fare from the terminal to the airport in Medellin? Does anybody know of a shuttle service for that trip? ... Even better, any of you good hearted PBH`ers in MDE would give me a ride? ...
New Yahoo Colombia
Yesterday Yahoo opened an exclusive portal for Colombia. http://co.yahoo.com/ Seems pretty stripped down and most of the news content are directly linked to Yahoo-Telemundo (latinamerica). In my opinion, it still has a long way to go to be close to its Mexican, Argentinan or Brasilian siblings. It was opened along with other portals for latinamerican countries. ...
Paisajes santandereanos cautivaron a periodistas de la National Geographic
Seems like there would be a National Geographic edition featuring Santander. Let`s hope for that. http://www.vanguardia.com/2008/6/10/eco4.htm Paisajes santandereanos cautivaron a periodistas de la NatGeo sonia isabel rojas dÃaz Después de su llegada a tierras santandereanas, el fotógrafo de la National Geographic, el chileno Carlos Villalón, no encontraba excusas para dejar de disparar su cámara. La belleza de los paisajes de Santander y los exquisitos platos tÃpicos de la reg ...
Mc Cain in COL
El Tiempo is announcing that Mc Cain will come to Colombia to meet with Uribe soon. I don`t recall a US presidential candidate coming to COL. For hi political gain or whateer, I think puts COL in the spot, especially for the TLC, anti-drung war, and to send a message to the wacko next door. http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2008-06-10/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-4244808.html ...
OUCH.... Guy got his p*nis reconstructed in surgery which was damaged by a mine..
http://www.eltiempo.com/salud/noticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-4236473.html
Airlines to charge by passenger`s weight
El Tiempo announces today a new initiative by ATA members to start charging passenger tickets by weight... In the US sure it makes sense. In Locombia... hmmm ... are they going to go broke ? ... LOL The idea is based on how cargo tariffs work according to an aviation consultant. I can`t find the original source (Bloomberg) where El Tiempo got the news from though http://www.eltiempo.com/economia/2008-06-04/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-4233146.html ...
Parque Tayrona, Santa Marta, and Taganga Trip Pics
Parque Tayrona, Santa Marta, and Taganga Trip Last weekend we went to parque Tayrona, Santa Marta, and Taganga. Here there are a few pics. We got bus tickets in advace each at $45.000 /person from Bucaramanga. Arriving at the Santa Marta terminal about 7:30 AM w headed to the park entrace via Wayuu buses (the company). We had to take a cab from the terminal to the Mamatoco gas station ($about 3000). The bus fare was $5000 each. The ride to the park is about 40 mins. Foreigners pay $25.000 a ...
Good news?
Bolivian senate approved a this morning a referendum to revoke Morales term. If this happens, Hugo will loose one of his feuds. I wonder if that will happen in Ecaudor too? when is Venezuela going to wake up? http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?p=14014 ...
Bogota Police advises of a new scam targeted at gringos
This may not be useful for the ones already living there but for tourists as that is a hotel zone. This is how it works: Thugs on the streets with fake police IDs stop foreign looking people, aske them for their passport and then ask for their money (dollars of Euro is their preference) in order to "verify its authenticity". After that they just take out... http://www.eltiempo.com/bogota/2008-05-08/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-4149745.html Con engaños hurtan a extranjeros en la 116 ...
Going to school while on TC visa?
I was wondering if one can go to school (credit classes) under a TC (spousal ) visa. Furthermore, can one go to school in any visa status (except tourist, of course)? Thanks
Chavez to send troops to Bolivia
According to El Nuevo Pais, published in Noticias 24, Chavez may send troops to Bolivia to block the referendum in Santa Cruz province. The manuver is based on a pact signed in 2006 right after Evo took office. The deal called for military assistance in case of "general crisis" and "oportune national events". Seems like Cuba and Venezuela want to make of Bolivia a new Vietnam according to the site. http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?p=13824 Noticias24.- La crisis en Bolivia, en el que ...
Meat cuts
I was wondering if foreigners living in Col and participating in this forum have had trouble with meat cuts. The other day I was translating a menu for a steakhouse here in Bucaramanga and had to look up the words. From my experience a cow is cut differently here than in the US and other places too (but I don´t know it personally). Does that create a problem when shopping for a BBQ (besides of the obvious language barrier)? We know that a guy buys his meat, right? http://www.virtualweber ...
Why TASCO´s avatar makes sense
This came up on a Venezuelan newspaper (from Maracaibo). Chavez spends (on average) 4 Venezuelan minimum wage salaries per second. That includes trips to 176 countries since he took power, clothes for the "presidential family" (didn´t his wife leave him, and he has no kids?) Out of the sudden, Tasco´s avatar makes complete sense, althought I don´t agree with him half of the time. Here it´s the original link from the magazine (PDF) http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/wp/wp-content/uploads ...
Bogota has two English newspapers
This is on EL TIEMPO this morning. Any PBHer know about it? (one is about to be first printed) Abril 13 de 2008 Una revista y un periódico en inglés, ambos gratuitos, ya circulan por Bogotá Foto: Andrea Moreno / EL TIEMPO Richard Emblin, con un ejemplar de 'The City Paper' en una terraza del norte de Bogotá. Foto: EstefanÃa Colmenares / EL TIEMPO Finley Garside, con un ejemplar de su revista 'The Mono' en la Av. Jiménez, en el centro.The Mono, que vio la luz en marzo y ...
Flick on Colombia
I thought this was pretty interesting: http://www.flickr.com/people/fotocolombia/ Flickr`s page with a bunch of Col pictures groups
Foreigners can now leave the country even owing taxes.
I thought this would be of interest to foreigners living in COL. Now you can flee DIAN but still a no for child support says Constitutional court. http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/2008-04-05/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-4075665.html Abril 4 de 2008 Extranjeros que deben impuestos sà pueden salir del paÃs, sentenció la Corte Constitucional Para la Corte, impedir la salida del paÃs a extranjeros que tienen deudas de impuestos impone un trato desigual frente a los nacionales.El tri ...
Equatorian official´s head
News reported that Correa blamed his Inteligence chief for not informing him of the Locksmith activities. http://www.eltiempo.com/internacional/latinoamerica/noticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-4066373.html Caso de ecuatoriano muerto con 'Raúl Reyes' les cuesta el cargo a altos oficiales de Ecuador El presidente Rafael Correa relevó de su cargo al Director de Inteligencia del Comando Conjunto de las fuerzas Armadas de su paÃs, General Luis Garzón. Franklin Aisalla murió en el o ...
Uribe talks about peace.
Uribe talks about peace El Tiempo and Telesur published it. Could it be his trying to entice a weakened guerrila?. I do hope they see the oportunity. El Tiempo. "Si quieren hacer la paz, para nosotros mejor. Estamos listos. Aquà hay toda la disposición, sin odio, para arreglar con estos grupos", dijo Uribe desde un consejo comunitario en Popayán, Cauca. El mandatario colombiano invitó asà a los grupos violentos a negociar "rápido, sin cálculo, sin malicia (...). Desde Popayán, ...
details on H1B recepients published
I know this doesn´t have to do directly with Locombia but there are people here who want to look for a work visa or are working with an H1 or students who want to change from F1 to H1. For the ones who dont know, getting one is not easy (65.000 per year + 20,000 extra for people finishing higher education degrees) it costs about U$3500 + lawyer fees. The whole idea of that visa was to bring people to the US in fields in need (teachers, engineers, nurses) and to retain foreign students fin ...
Thomas Gordon: Farc was looking for Uranium in Romania
Probably you guys, with more experience in "intel", know this guy better. He says that Rolex Reyes went there with a Venezuelan passport. This supports what came from Rolex Reyes computer. http://www.elespectador.com/impreso/cuadernilloa/judicial/articuloimpreso-raul-reyes-busco-uranio-rumania Agentes del M16, división de los servicios secretos de inteligencia británicos, establecieron que Raúl Reyes, comandante de las Farc, grupo narco-revolucionario, muerto en un bombardeo en su ...
Dr Alvaro Ruiz, probably the Colombian who speaks the most...
simply wow ! I´m struggling to learn Portugese... http://www.eltiempo.com/credencial/credencialmarzo/ARTICULO-WEB- NOTA_INTERIOR-3983465.html# El médico Ã?lvaro Ruiz domina lenguas tan remotas como el sánscrito y tan complejas para un hispano como el ruso. Perfil del hombre que encarna a Babel y en cuya cabeza revolotean 28 idiomas. Si Babel existiera, habrÃa un colombiano que podrÃa ser nombrado maestro de obra para construir una ciudad y una torre cuya cúspide llegara al cielo ...
Fav Colombian movie
Some people started threads for places to visit or food. I do not know if you foreigners watch Colombian movies. What`s your fav Colombian movie?
Fed up with this guy
I`m absolutely fed up with this Cassini character. So, in order to not let him get through my skin, hence achiving his objective, he`s is in my ignore list. That means I won`t be able to see/respond to the trash he`s got say. How come someone, who has never been affected by that beast`s actions, can even remotely dare to write an eulogy for a criminal like that?... B/c it`s so easy to play devil`s advocate? So I join the club of the-ignore-CAS-club. When is the new-member-induction party ...
Many bussines deals closed at the Footwear and the Tourism fairs for Santander
Many bussines deals closed at the Footwear and the Tourism fairs for Santander. It´s nice to read these kind of stories. Different travel angencies from around the world were impressed by what Santander has to offer for tourists. About 30,000 people from US, Perú, Brasil, Venezuela, & Spain, attended the travel fair (vitrina turistica de ANATO). 80% of them never heard before about the region and said will include its destinations in their tourist packages. http://www.vanguardia.com/2008/ ...
Colombian ancentor´s astronaut will give Uribe a Flag he took to the moon.
For me, who as a kid wanted to be an anstronaut but when visited NASA´s museum in Houston was very dissapointed, this is pretty cool. http://www.eltiempo.com/vidadehoy/2008-02-29/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3979757.html ...
BBC`s FARC: A fading force
This appeared on BBC`s site today. I agree on it somehow. ANNCOL has been busy digging up and writing even more thrash now they got worlds attention after the "kind" gesture of liberating whom NO ONE ought to take! But moreover, I think they need the hostages so they won`t get wiped out. Can`t use civilians as shields, so let`s abduct congressmen ! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7217817.stm ---- By Jeremy McDermott BBC News. The Colombian government says that the country's lar ...
cheaper by the dozen?
Have you noticed that some stores charge more for a 2.5 Kg bag of (insert fav grocery here) than for the equivalent 2 lbs one? It´s brilliant! People think the more they get the cheaper it is. Gotta look for the price per kilo. Exito is pretty good at it. ...
FARC`s decadence in Europe according to SEMANA
Interesting artilce in how support in Europe has declined in Uribe`s terms. http://www.semana.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?idArt=109423
Chucha-chasing or exercising ?
This is pretty interesting, especially for all the chucha-chasers here. You even burn some calories, now scientifically proved... http://www.eltiempo.com/vidadehoy/2008-01-31/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3940044.html ...
More about recession
Many people have been wondering how the US recession will affect Locombia. One think that strikes me is that the Germans were able to uncript him... http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080130/pl_afp/germanyuseconomygreenspan;_ylt=AsTI_iCM.GD.89df3Fs50l6s0NUE Former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan cast doubt on the ability of the central bank to prevent a US recession in an interview to appear on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Greenspan told the German weekly Die Zeit that the Fed or polit ...
The Geography of Bliss.
I think I`d love this book. http://www.newsweek.com/id/96107 I`m trying to find his list online to see if PBH has really the right name... lol Here it is the top 9. Where is Locombia? http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/A087EB52-E6EB-442E-93ED-170C36BFB6B0/ Seems like happiness is raltive to every individual (wasn`t Goethe who said something like that?). ...
Overseas Democrats can vote online now
If you want to support Obama from Locombia. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080121/ap_on_el_pr/overseas_voting;_ylt=AiSpJpU z51P5XSEOXUBQuo2s0NUE
Overseas Democrats can vote online now
If you want to support Obama from Locombia. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080121/ap_on_el_pr/overseas_voting;_ylt=AiSpJpU z51P5XSEOXUBQuo2s0NUE
Bribe a cop, go to jail
This was on El Tiempo.com this morning. Wow! I remember most people in the southern US having the image of Mexico, hence all Latin America, of a place where you can bribe a cop with a couple of billetes verdes. http://www.eltiempo.com/bogota/2008-01-16/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3921671.html 4 years in the clinck if the offered money if not enough for the cop? I don`t think I`ll be willing to find out how much their new limit is... ...
New development in Jane Cuddy Oviedo´s case
New development in Jane Cuddy Oviedo´s case http://www.vanguardia.com/2007/12/29/jud1.htm (friday) The guy who pulled the tigger declared himself guilty. The driver did not. http://www.vanguardia.com/2007/12/28/jud1.htm (Thursday) ...
Killer captured last night
I could`t find the original post to do a follow up, so here it is: http://www.vanguardia.com/2007/12/27/jud2.htm The killer of Jean Cuddy Oviedo was arrested last night, according to the local newspaper. ...
Xmas in COL?
I wonder what foreigners do in Locombia for xmas? Do you go crazzy at the loud music, people everywhere, fireworks going off starting on dec 8th? I´m just curious...
Chiquita brands executives involved in an investigation by la Fiscalia
I hope they get indicted and convicted. It is the same company that promoted the 1928 masacre (back then called United Fruit Co) cited in many Garcia Marquez novels. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071218/us_nm/colombia_chiquita_dc_1 ...
NJ KILLS ITS DEATH PENALTY
I thought I`d never see the day. http://www.nypost.com/seven/12182007/news/regionalnews/nj_kills_its_death_penalty_588125.htm Next is TEXAS .... jajajajaja
NY Times and Washington Post
This was on El Tiempo this morning. Pretty nice: http://www.eltiempo.com/bogota/2007-12-10/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3852933.html
ECOPETROL Shares
I wish I had had more devaluated pesos to invest ... http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=amTqv5mdsNqc
Social Security going up by 2.3 percent
This was today on the news. Somehow makes me happy I won´t be paying higher taxes... By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON - Come January, Social Security benefits for nearly 50 million Americans are going up 2.3 percent, the smallest increase in four years. It will mean an extra $24 per month in the average check, the government announced Wednesday. The cost of living adjustment means that the monthly benefit for the typical retired worker in 2008 will go from $1,055 ...
American soldiers accused of child molestation in Melgar.
This came in El Tiempo today. I hope they get caught, bring to justice andd if found guilty get treated "accordingly" in jail. http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/2007-10-08/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3756858.html Investigan a dos militares de E.U. por violación de niña de 12 años en Comando Aéreo de Melgar Se trata del sargento segundo del Ejército de ese paÃs Michael J. Coen y su hombre de confianza, César Ruiz, que prestan servicios a personal estadounidense acantonado en la bas ...
Need a job?
I guess it´s silly to offer people a job, especially to a bunch of retired gringos living la vida loca in south america, but here it is, just in case any of you guys qualify: (remember, 1 ft = 30 cms) http://www.computrabajo.com.co/bt-ofrd-6472313-75924.htm In case it doesn´t open: Necesito personas enanas que midan maximo 80-90 cm. Activo, agil, dinámico con ganas de trabajar. Responsable y Comprometido.Por favor presentarse hoy en la calle 59 No 32-79 Barrio Conucos, con Hoja de vi ...
Col banks ?
I´m a Col citizen who just moved back after many years in the US. I´ve found that banking fees are so *&/%$ high, i.e. ATM card = $7500/month, $900 each time you pay utilities, $550 to check your balance over the phone, and so forth. You guys are wizards with this stuff. Does any of you know the best bank HERE ? By that I mean no fees for ATM (yeah, right !), lots of ATMs, no fee for an ATM card. Anybody knows about HSBC yet? George PD: I know , I know, I am spoiled by American banks ... ...
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