JWB has left 23 comments

JWB comments on I Need Help With Choosing An X-MAS Gift & Dealing with Delivery Issues For My Novia

Thank You So Much For The Suggestions Thanks so much for all the suggestions. After reviewing the various posts I think I'm going with the "La Tienda de Las Rosas" website.

Sandra: By the way, how did you like the flowers and chocolate from your boyfriend?

Feliz Navidad,

JWB

JWB comments on What's the Possibility of My Novia Receiving a Tourist Visa??

Her Family Does Own Property Her family does own a home in Cartagena. It is located in a very poor barrio and is not expensive, but they do own the home. How would that be added to a tourist application to prove that she would return if she is not the one who owns it?

Thanks a lot for all your comments. I really appreciate them. Keep'em coming.

JWB

JWB comments on Working In Columbia-Suggestions for Phone Service and Internet

Really???? Tell me some more please Hi:

I have a research/statistics consulting business that is heavily dependent on telephone activity so that when my customers call me in the US using my US phone number (so that they don't have to incur any costs), I need to have my phone to ring in Cartagena in real time. I've read on this site a bit about the VOIP system but I don't fully understand what is involved. Verizon in NY wants to charge me $1.20/min to receive and make calls which is pretty expensive and they can't even guarentee that I can use their system in Colombia.

If anyone can give me a general overview of this system, it would be really appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Jeff

JWB comments on

How about Papacito Rico Mi novia llamarme "Papacito Rico." Me gusta cuando ella llamarme este nombre.

JWB comments on Cartagena?

Bocagrande and El Laguito I personally like the more touristy areas of Bocagrade and El Laguito..the Hilton is right down the block and you can work out in their gym for very cheap. There a ton of cafes, restaurants, and other places to hang out in and you're only a 10 minute ride by Taxi (approximately $1.50 US Dollars) to El Centro. In addition, the apartments you can rent in this area are SPECTACULAR. I typically rent a 2 bedroom apartment on the water with full kitchen, satelite TV, balcony, washing machine and other ammenities for $45-60 US a night!!!

JWB comments on

Yeah, I would love to know too...

JWB comments on Cartagena?

Cartagena is the best!!! I've been to Cartagena 3 times since August of 2003. It's incredibly inexpensive, the people are very friendly and for 20 bucks, you can: take a yaht to a private island where the water is as blue as you can imagine, with open bar and unlimited food all day long...can't beat it!!! I'm going back in November!!!

JWB comments on

Who Checks In Luggage Anymore? I haven't checked in luggage in almost 4 years and have travelled for extensive periods of time in Colombia and Europe. I also would never check in valuables, carry on is the safest method for bringing valuables like computer equipment and electronics. The plastic tie method reviewed in this post sounds like the best way to go if I had to check in something valuable though.

Thanks for the ideas,

Jeff

JWB comments on Colombiana Hips

Born and Live in NYC Hey, I live in Brooklyn (work in East New York and Brownsville) and grew up in Queens (Jamaica, Queens) so I know the deal.

Colombianas rule..hands down!! They are so romantic, sweet and genuine I couldn't believe it until my 3rd trip. There are "gold diggers" but they are very obvious about their intentions and don't even know they're being obvious. If you can smell the desperation (and usually you can sense it pretty quickly and see the result in what they ask for), you know to run for the hills immediately.

JWB comments on Colombiana Hips

it's just nuts...the overlearned swivel is like a tornado. Can't go back to US women ever again...

JWB comments on The questions that needed to be asked about Colombian Toilets?

I'm an american from NYC and my novia is from Cartgena, and I could never understand why she used the bin all the time until I visited her barrio. Her barrio is very poor with a sewage system that leaves much to be desired.

Jeff

JWB comments on Why not Venezuela ?

Like Bjorn Said... Like Bjorn said...it's because of the Colombian people. Just got back from Venz a few weeks ago...the women of Colombia are prettier (in my opinion of course) and they're much more open and friendlier. I'm heading back to Colombia for a nice long vacation to visit my novia in about 2 weeks.

Jeff

JWB comments on Women from Colombia

If it's been a few dates and you still don't know... If you've been on a few dates with her and you still don't know if she's interested in you...she probably isn't.

JWB comments on Marrying a Girl from La Dolce Vida

Warn Your Friend Warn your friend that marriage to a prostitute is never never a good idea. Look what's he's spending already! He's bound to spend more. There are so many other, really nice women in Colombia that he can meet and marry.

Just my 2 cents!

Jeff

JWB comments on Just Got Back - Cartagena and Santa Marta

Any Suggestions for Santa Marta Do you have any suggestions for places to go in Santa Marta? Do you still need the Yellow Fever Vaccination to go to Tyrona Parque??

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

JWB comments on US dollars in Colombia

Stick To ATMs Stick to the ATMs. They're your best bet. You lose a bit when you change up your USD at the Casa de Cambios. Trust me...this is your best bet. Oh yeah...a lot of credit cards that allow you to use them as ATMs charge VERY HIGH withdrawl fees so be careful (10-15 USD a transaction!!!). I stick to my primary bank's ATM card (Washington Mutual) who only charge no more than $3 USD a transaction. I bring the Mastercard and Visa for emergencies only and would probably use them to get an advance on my money through a bank.

Just some suggestions..

Jeff

JWB comments on

There's So Much Truth To This Post There's so much truth to this post it's absolutely incredible. I think the term "trophy women" can have so many meanings..what one considers a "trophy" can be quite variable. I for one, consider the shy attractive woman in the corner who isn't looking to dig the gold out of my pockets, the true trophy, as opposed to other, more aggressive women who may have other motives. It's true...it's almost impossible to shake off Colombian women so I suggest that it's probably best to decide on just one that you really really care for. Oh yeah...it really isn't necessary to hang out with the "Gordita" in the middle of the dance floor in Colombia to meet other more attractive women.

After several trips to Colombia, I found an amazing woman who is the sterotypical shy-type, who is extremely loyal and can be trusted fully. I live in NYC also, and have lost my taste for self-serving, disloyal, "what have you done for me lately" women. After meeting my Colombian amor, I broke up with all the women I was dating in NYC as soon as I got out of customs at JFK.

Viva La Colombia!!!!!

Jeff

JWB comments on Women from Colombia

Vic's 100% Correct!!! I agree 100% with Vic. There will be no doubt in your mind if a Colombian women is seriously interested in you. Saftey fear AND a First Aid Kit will be needed to deal with the aftermath. I'm not kidding.

Jeff

JWB comments on Trip Report: Cartagena - Part 1

Thanks for the suggestions Thanks for all the suggestions for places to go in Barranquilla. During my next trip in August, I plan on revisiting the city with my novia who lives in Cartagena.

Jeff

JWB comments on Trip Report: Cartagena - Part 1

I Visited Barranquilla... Rene:

I visited Barranquilla during my last trip to Cartagena and didn't really see that much there. Maybe I visited the wrong sections and I visited during the day only. Where are the bars and clubs located? Can you recommend any specific bars/clubs and their locations? During my first trip to Cartagena I visited Tu Candela and had a GREAT time. A really cool place and the bar downstairs was really great too.

Jeff

JWB comments on I need a cheap way to call Colombia

INC Card I've been using the INC card and it reliably gives me 85 or 90 minutes for a $5.00 card. Connection is pretty good but it seems to lose its value quickly (high connection fee?) if I make multiple calls on the same card. I typically will use the whole card up on one call. I think I'll try the IDT card next to see if I get more minutes from it.

Jeff

JWB comments on How is "te quiero" and "te amo" used in Colombia?

I agree with you Desi. It's the behaviors that count the most. What people say and what they do are rarely congruent. When they are, they're probably experiencing affectively what they're saying verbally. I firmly believe that it's the consistancy of behavior that is more important than what people say (process over content).

Jeff

JWB comments on How is "te quiero" and "te amo" used in Colombia?

I was recently confused when my Colombian girlfriend said "te quiero mucho" and eventually "te amo" after a short period of time together (a few weeks). I was pretty suspicious, because in the US culture, the phrase "I love you" is used as a preview to marriage. She told me of a long history of absolutely horrible and disconnected relationships and was overjoyed that I demonstrated a lot of affection and was very concerned about her. She seems very genuine and honest, almost overhonest. I agree with the comments above that there seems to be a definite cultural discrepancy in the use of "te amo" between the cultures. I would greatly appreciate additional information on this topic and a further description of this cultural discrepancy. Thanks a lot!

Jeff