lozza has left 57 comments

lozza comments on

OK, Morphus mate, first it's 'we know what's good for entertainment' and now it's 'all pointless anyway' - do you have a point, do you have a clue what you're on about or are you just a bit schizo?!?!

lozza comments on

'soccer' as only the yanks call it is actually called football in the rest of the world. They decided to call their own sport football (which they play with their hands!!!), and nobody else in the world actually plays it to any significant degree. The biggest single sporting event in the world is the football World Cup (and involves the whole world), when the world cup is happening, the whole world is watching (except the U.S.), when the world series is happening (which involves ALL the worlds U.S. teams!!), nobody is watching (except the U.S.).
Oh but sorry, you "know what's best when it comes to entertainment"!!!!
I absolutely love the fact i can go to any country in the world (except the States), not speak the language and actually connect with someone through the global language of football. Football violence is a problem but i've seen a hell of a lot more unity created through football.

lozza comments on

I'm a Londoner living in Medellin, love London, love medellin. There are crap things about both places and great things in both places. What do you do? Enjoy the positive and ignore the negative.
My missus (from Medellin) loves London, been there twice and both times for the long, shitty, winter stretches. She loves the food, company and diversity of London.
When people say 'oh, but it's so cold there, how can you take it?' she's like 'cold? everywhere has central heating and open fires' - problem solved.
As for bad food, yeah, you spend a few days going round the west end and tourist traps course you're gonna think the food is crap, why? coz you've been eating crap food! If you say London has the worst cuisine then your saying the whole world has crap food. My wife can't wait to get to London and think of any country in the world and there will be a restaurant serving food from that country by people from that country. Can you get that in Colombia? can you f* at k!
As for the unfriendliness, i think it must be pretty difficult for many arriving in London alone to make friends easily, but i've found that in most big cities/capital cities around the world that's the case. Again from my wifes point of view she has learned the majority of her english in London coz all my mates and family won't stop buying her drinks and talking to her (the drink alone always helps with learning a language eh!!).
What it comes down to, as well as the luck of your situation, is the strength of your own personality. How open are you to new/different things? Do you look for the positive, or are you always highlighting the things you don't like about somewhere? maybe other people seem unfriendly - how friendly are you? You will find that what you give is what you'll get back. And that goes for anywhere.
Still can't wait to get my wife over for a good summer holiday though!!

laters!

lozza comments on Someone please explain what "papaya" means other than a fruit?

It's nice to see this thread is more balanced on it's view of the 'papaya' culture as there have been previous threads where people have insisted that papaya is a way of life and anyone and everyone in Colombia will take advantage if given the chance. I don't find this to be the case, and though i am aware of opportunists, i am also pretty relaxed (to the point of dippy) sometimes but have never had a 'papaya' related experience. On the contrary, i would like to give a couple of personal experiences that i can remember which gave people the perfect opportunity to 'take' papaya (I'm guessing if you GIVE papaya, the other person TAKES it?!?!? - i'm getting too gramatiacally anal now eh!?!.
Anyway:

- Several times (usually after a few drinks) when i've been standing in street bars being told by people to put away the wads of notes hanging out my pockets.

- When getting off a bus, not noticing the several 100, 200 and 500 peso coins that i'd deposited in my seat, the young chicle seller who was doing the rounds, caught up with me to return my money.

- While spending the holidays with my parents (over from UK) in Santa Marta, my mum told me that one night, after they had returned to their hotel in Taganga from Santa Marta, she had left her new (fairly expensive) straw hat in the back of the cab (which they had hailed in the street). Half an hour after the cabbie had dropped them off he returned with the hat.

- Constantly being warned that my shoulder pack zipper is open (it's actually driving me crazy being told coz it's broken so i CAN'T close it!!).


Maybe I only notice these positive occurrences and that actually for every time i drop money and it's returned there are ten other times where it's pocketed, or each time a pocket full of dough is noticed there are ten times that it's half-inched!!! I like to think not.

lozza comments on Scarface - new DVD Edition

SCARFACE IS NOT ABOUT COLOMBIA OR COLOMBIANS. It is about a Cuban refugee becoming successful in the Cocaine business in Miami by not giving a f*#k about anything or anyone (except for the kids of course - "no focking kids"!!!). In doing this he comes across ONE gang of Colombians at the beginning and that's it, there are NO other clear portrayals of Colombians. The film is fiction, though i reckon it probably gives a pretty good representation of the shit that was going on in Miami at the time (apart from the fact there were probably more Colombians involved in real life - ironic that eh!). I've also heard that the Sosa character was loosely based on a Cocaine baron in Bolivia in the 70's/80's who basically controlled the Bolivian Government at the time - this is also illustrated in the film when the military and political bigwigs are all in Sosa's house worried about an attack on their cocaine business/national economy.
It seems to me some people have started watching the film, realized it was about cocaine so decided everyone involved is Colombian. This is YOUR assumption, which is your right, but not the intention of the film. But it is quite funny that on attacking a movie for its negative portrayal of Colombians you're actually exposing your own negative stereotyping of the same.

"I always tell the truth, even when I lie"

lozza comments on Scarface - new DVD Edition

Scarface is a quality movie. But to say it portrays Colombians in a bad light for geneations to come is a bit over the top. The only çlearly defined Colombians in the film are the guys in the motel at the beginning and Omar Suarez and his right hand man. Tony Montana, Mani and others are Cuban, Sosa and his henchmen are Bolivian and the mercenaries, well, could be from anywhere(mercenaries generally are!!). Maybe I haven't paid enough attention during the numerous times i've watched it, but it seems you're assuming the nationality of half the characters (which says something in itself). To be honest, considering the film is based around the cocaine industry through Miami during the early 80's it's pretty surprising how LITTLE Colombia is actually mentioned!!

"Whose the bad guy now,eh?"

lozza comments on England/Colombian Marriage Visas Granted in 2 Days?

I'm a bit confused - getting married in colombia and getting a Visa for the UK, from the Colombian Embassy - doesn't make sense. To get a visa for the UK you need to go to the British Embassy. If you've got married in Colombia you need a visa of some kind to get to the UK and pretty sure it'll take more than 2 days.But then again if your wife knows something I don't let me know it'll save me a lot of hassle. Oh, and your wife saying "England being different from the US", she's right - it's better!!!!

lozza comments on things Colombia has to teach us

3. Being able to go to a bar and buy A BOTTLE of liquor at a reasonable price to share between friends.

lozza comments on things Colombia has to teach us

A couple of things i'd like to import from Colombia to UK:

1. Domicilio from newsagents / off licence's (on that cold, rainy January night why take an annoying trip to the shops when you can pick up the phone and get the beers brought round!!)

2. More and cheaper taxis (it's hell trying to get a cab in london, then you gotta take out a mortgage to pay for it. Though I would like to export the knowledge of London cabbies to the taxi drivers in medellin who never have a clue where they are).

lozza comments on Something better to talk about

Morphus - the last picture: Is that a leapordskin shelving unit/minibar? WOW, classy!!

lozza comments on Getting married in Colombia

hi
I got married to a girl hi
I got married to a girl from Medellin earlier this year. yes the usual paperwork is involved, but it's not too complicated, the most hassle was because i'm not catholic so there was just that extra stuff to do. The getting married won't make it any easier to get a British Visa until you register the marriage with the British Embassy, which we still haven't got round to doing yet which has meant we have had to do all the same paperwork for a tourist visa to go home for Christmas.

Anyway, if you've got any other questions, mail me on:
laurencestanding at hotmail.com

good luck
Laurence

lozza comments on Ron Viejo de Caldas

Are all the shops closed where you are!?!?!?

lozza comments on watching soccer in colombia

I can see you're an intelligent chap Daniel, I think some of MENSA would have trouble figuring out the Colombian league system, seasons, quadrangles, qualifiers, reclasification etc. I thought they were doing crap now so that would be it! But then i am far from MENSA!!
Cheers

lozza comments on watching soccer in colombia

National will not be in the Libertadores next season - you have to win your domestic league first, and that ain't gonna happen to National this year. They've been playing shite!!

lozza comments on Bogotá-Cali by bus?

I'm with Litost on this.
It is a myth that foriegners are 'targets' for the FARC or ELN, they are not. The targets are rich Colombians, known families that the guerilla groups have information on and will have less hassle getting the money from. The FARC and ELN generally do not make chance kidnappings, it is organised. The information the guerilla groups have on the population is extensive. They do not have so much information on foriegners and it is more likely to be an international hassle that they do not need.
Apart from perhaps a political statement (which was what the ELN claimed when they kidnapped the backpackpackers in the Sierra Nevada) why would an unknown foriegner be kidnapped off a bus when there are plenty of very well known rich Colombians to target. 'But foriegners have more money', yes foriegners usually are economically better off compared to the averge Colombian, but compared to a rich Colombian, i'm pretty skint - the last person who told me about a family member being kidnapped said they had to pay about $400million pesos to be released - now if i get kidnapped for that amount, i'll be staying with the guys in green, coz that kind of money doesn't happen in my life!!

lozza comments on its great not being able to speak spanish

Sometimes i PRETEND not to understand Spanish, like when the football's on and i'm asked to do some chore or other: 'oh sorry, i didn't catch that, i thought you said get yourself another cold one from the kitchen and relax' !!!

lozza comments on Travel in Colombia by overnight bus

Exactly. I personally don't feel at risk when travelling by bus as a foriegner, and i don't understand where the evidence is to suggest i would be.

lozza comments on Bogotá-Cali by bus?

Yes, I have known several people who were kidnapped, particularly when i lived in Valledupar. I have also had various students who had had family members kidnapped (often more than once)and sometimes killed.
I have heard countless stories of Colombians being kidnapped, usually rich Colombians, or political, and a couple of stories of foriegners being kidnapped - while on botany tours, or military exercises, or from powerful international companies etc. But i have never heard of a foriegner being kidnapped from a bus.

lozza comments on Bogotá-Cali by bus?

I always travel by bus. If you can afford it, fly, the difference in time traveling is immense. However, I understand why many people say don’t travel by bus it has been a voiced concern for years, but I have been traveling all over Colombia by night bus for the past 5 years between Bogota-Medellin, Medellin-Cali, Cali-Popayan, Medellin-Cartagena and for two years frequently between Medellin and Valledupar.
I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t travel by bus, I’m not encouraging or discouraging it, I’m just saying I have always traveled by bus, usually at night and have never had a negative experience, other than dripping air-conditioning, over or under heating, rancid food-stops, shitty stereos and terrible movies!! I have also met many other foreigners who do the same and I have never heard a first hand story of robbery or kidnapping.
I guess what I want to know is to whom are all these robberies and kidnapping happing. I have never heard of a foreigner being kidnapped straight off a bus, I have heard first-hand stories of The ELN or FARC stopping buses, checking ID and that’s it and I have heard first-hand stories of Colombians being robbed on the bus (some years ago now). The most frightening experiences/stories I have heard are those concerning bad driving and the accidents that have occurred.
As others have already mentioned, traveling by day is worth it for the scenery, although further north it can get a bit monotonous.
Just a bit curious about the ‘don’t travel by bus as a foreigner, you may be kidnapped’ voice that is so popular. How many foreigners have actually been kidnapped off the buses in recent years?

lozza comments on Travel in Colombia by overnight bus

I always travel by bus. If you can afford it, fly, the difference in time traveling is immense. However, I understand why many people say don’t travel by bus it has been a voiced concern for years, but I have been traveling all over Colombia by night bus for the past 5 years between Bogota-Medellin, Medellin-Cali, Cali-Popayan, Medellin-Cartagena and for two years frequently between Medellin and Valledupar.
I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t travel by bus, I’m not encouraging or discouraging it, I’m just saying I have always traveled by bus, usually at night and have never had a negative experience, other than dripping air-conditioning, over or under heating, rancid food-stops, shitty stereos and terrible movies!! I have also met many other foreigners who do the same and I have never heard a first hand story of robbery or kidnapping.
I guess what I want to know is to whom are all these robberies and kidnapping happing. I have never heard of a foreigner being kidnapped straight off a bus, I have heard first-hand stories of The ELN or FARC stopping buses, checking ID and that’s it and I have heard first-hand stories of Colombians being robbed on the bus (some years ago now). The most frightening experiences/stories I have heard are those concerning bad driving and the accidents that have occurred.
As others have already mentioned, traveling by day is worth it for the scenery, although further north it can get a bit monotonous.
Just a bit curious about the ‘don’t travel by bus as a foreigner, you may be kidnapped’ voice that is so popular. How many foreigners have actually been kidnapped off the buses in recent years?

lozza comments on watching soccer in colombia

Many people seem to think that the Brazilian league is one of the best, because it is Brasil. It is not, at the moment it is a shambles, many of the stadiums are condemned, all the best players quickly leave for Europe, Argentina or Mexico where the system is more organised and they pay better. The Argentian League is good but consistently dominated by just two teams. Mexico has a good league, lots of money and many good Brazilian and Argentinian players. Colombian football can be 'interesting' if you like 'bounce-ball'!!! and don't forget Uruguay, which always has some pretty strong clubs. There may be a couple of South American teams which could give the Euopean teams a good game, but in terms of 'leagues' they don't compare with the English, Spanish, Italian of even German leagues. This could be considered a biased point of view, but the Euopean leagues are of such a high quality partly because they have so many Argentinans, Brazilians, Uruguayans, and yes a couple of Colombians, playing in them. But, watch a Colombian league game then turn over to the Premiership or La Liga and you will see the difference.
By the way, Fox sports is great for the Premiership (i get to see more games in full than back home), and for the Argentinian and Mexican Leagues. ESPN shows lots of La Liga nad Dutch and Italian league games.

lozza comments on UK Calling Cards

another option Try this number - 0870 144 1234 - and you get international calls at national rates during the week. I don't know exactly what the national rates are now but i do know that i have spent hours on the phone several times a week over the past year and not received an outrageous phone bill.

lozza comments on what sports in Colombia?

Real football 'what the non-latin world call soccer'...?!!?
It is only the North Americans who call it soccer, because they have their own game which they call football (don't know why, they don't use their feet much!!). If you say 'football/futbol' anywhere in the world outside of North America people will think you are talking about real football, the most popular sport in the world (by far), and the one which predominantly requires the use of 'feet' and a 'ball'. The other game is called 'American football' basically because it is not really played anywhere else except the States and probably never will be. So there.

lozza comments on England 3 Colombia 2

To be honest, for a friendly it was a pretty good game. Yes England put a team out with about 3 first team players and the rest were youngsters being tested. But Colombia also put out a less than full strength team because they have a couple of important world cup qualifiers soon and wouldn't want anyone getting injured. Overall, although Colombia looked comfortable in possession and definately had us on the back foot a few times (Rey was class up front) I think England looked a little more in control of the game (though one of our goals was definaely off-side).
Don't forget Colombia have some quality players playing in Argentina, Mexico, Italy, France, Spain and England - if they can get the chemistry right they could develop a very strong team.

lozza comments on Valledupar - what is it like?

Hey

So you're as baffled as i was when i found out i was gonna teach in valledupar!! I ended up staying two years and had a great time. I'm assuming you will be teaching in the colegio bilingue which is where i was, it's an excellent school and got the best exam results last year in the whole of Colombia.

Anyway, Valledupar is definately an experience. It is a place that very much lives by it's own unique culture - you will get used to ridiculous heat, constant Vallenato music and copiuos amounts of scotch whisky. The city has about 400,000 people and is very laid back and has a local town feel. It is a bit limited which was what got to me, though it is only 3 and a half hours by bus to the Carribbean coast which is great on bank holiday weekends.

Again i'm assuming that you got your place through the British Council. Let me know if you are at the Bilingue and i can tell you a lot more and sort you out with contacts and info.

I'm in London at the moment - call me if you want - 07883756536

Later

Loz

lozza comments on are colombians open minded?

Hey Mrs Gomez
Where were you out on Saturday in London - where is that photo in the club, i was out with my girlfriend and friend at the 'ministry of Salsa' - had a great night, very Colombian, drinking ron viejo de caldas and club colombia all night.

lozza comments on British Airways no longer flying to Colombia

I've always found Iberia pretty good (cheaper than BA anyway), a one hour stop in Madrid. My girlfriend didn't seem to need any transit visa either.

lozza comments on Real Gringos/Fake Latinos

In Britain people say 'American' and 'yank' is just a nickname we use.

lozza comments on Real Gringos/Fake Latinos

Of course that's the reason - but if you say 'American' to a lot of people in Latin America they don't immediately know you're specifying people from the United States.

lozza comments on Real Gringos/Fake Latinos

"gringos are American"
Any Latin American will be confused by this - in Colombia i have been taught not to call people from the US 'Americans' as 'America' refers to anywhere from Canada to the southern tip of Chile. Problem is in English we don't have a name for people from the US, they have made 'American' theirs - and technically it's wrong: Mexicans are Americans, Brazilians are Americans, Bolivians are Americans, Colombians are Americans etc. etc. So now i just say 'yanks' or 'Gringos' (niether meant offensively) for people from the US - any other suggestions!?!?

lozza comments on Racial Mixing Causes Instability in South America?

North America - racially homogenous - you're having a laugh!! The U.S. is probably one of the most racially segregated countries i've ever been to.
Colombia definately has a lot of racial prejudice and you will see that all the positions of financial, social and political power aswell as the TV presenters, models and any image of glamour or intellect will be filled by the fairer skin. The poorest areas of Colombia i.e.Choco, Narino, Putumayo are departments with black or indeginous majorities - this is a prejudice instilled in much of Colombian society and seems very much accepted. The sons and daughters of the elite would never be seen to marry someone from a lower strata much less of another colour (though shagging the maid is OK!!). This can also be seen further down the ladder and many lower strata people i know look down on 'los negros' (particularly in terms of partners) even if they themselves are of mixed latin desent. It is something that seems engrained in society in Colombia and i see very little going on to change it (i'd be interested to know of any 'equal opportunies' voices in Colombia).
But to say thay racial mixing causes instability, bollocks! the majority of Colombia is mixed race, and the majority of them are economically between the 'poor black and indigenous' and the 'rich white European' there are many more reasons for the instability in Colombia, racial mixing is not one of them.

lozza comments on What does it for you?....

A cold beer wherever i am is always a winner. Aguardiente always seems to end up being drunk - against all sound and rational judgement (it really is filth!!). Whiskey is popular on the coast (even if it is 40 degrees outside!!) but it has to be the rum that wins on overall quality - and you can keep your Coke - nothing nicer than rum with ice and a squeeze of lime.

lozza comments on WHY IS THE FOOD AND HYGIENE SO BAD IN COLOMBIA

From another male from London My girlfriend from Medellin studies diet and nutrition and knows what is a hygienic restaurant and what is not (yes there are some bad ones in Colombia, as there are everywhere) but we still get to eat most places with her approval!! Believe me, if you think England's restaurant kitchens are all spic'n'span, it's just because you can't see them and like to believe that. At least in Colombia you can see a lot more inside the kitchen and what's going on and it's not all behind a closed door (you don't know what's going on behind those doors boy!!)
Also, since my lady has arrived in London she has commented on how much meat she's been eating since being here and the effects on her body of the increased protein (though she's not complaining).

However, to all you dissing the food here - you have been going to the wrong places - the range and quality of food in London is incredible, and it doesn't have to be expensive. If any of you are in doubt, come round to my mums for a proper dinner!!
Obviously i am biased about the food, but again my girlfriend has been loving it, desperately trying to get all the recipes to take back to Colombia and she's been gaining healthy and enjoyable pounds to the barriga!! It's all about where you go, who you know and how much you really appreciate food. Her pleasure has been recipricated (don't know how to spell that - and i'm an English teacher!!)though, a bowl of mondongo the other night and a bandeja paisa coming up soon.
Anyway, just to say, the original post was ignorant and mis-informed, but a lot of the replies have been the same about England (how about a bit more information for this young man about where to go to get a good bit of grub in Colombia - specific places, restaurants etc.) - enlighten the poor fellow.

And finally - I am English, i rinse my dishes, shower twice a day, have always been told by the dentist i have perfect teeth (not a filling in sight) and i've got more rhythm than a New Orleans Jazz quartet!!

Later

Lozza

lozza comments on The dumb, ignorant, funny questions you've been asked about Colombia

different places - same sillybollox questions, i've had Colombians asking me if you can drive to England from Colombia or "oh, you're from England, isn't that the capital of Paris?", i've had Yanks telling me about the horse and carts, top hats and cobbled streets of London and amazingly "do you have cows in England?" And i've had the english asking me if i've met the guerillas and what are the top mafia men like to meet!?!?!?

It's all ignorance, we all do it, sometimes funny, sometimes annoying but all you can do is educate and enlighten.

lozza comments on The dumb, ignorant, funny questions you've been asked about Colombia

Sorry, i think my english slang may have threw you a bit. I was just saying that everyone here seems to think that they will go to Colombia and everyone's taking Cocaine. The fact that i get offered more on 1 night out in London than i do in a couple of years in Colombia seems to throw them a bit!!

lozza comments on The dumb, ignorant, funny questions you've been asked about Colombia

ACBlessing - you seem to be having a conversation with yourself on this post, are you mad!?!

Funny question i get "ahh, so you've been in Colombia, do you speak Colombian?"

Also......"I bet EVERYONE'S bang on the charly in Colombia" and that's from Londoners where everyone IS bang on it.

lozza comments on Touring by Bike in Colombia

I met a Japonese guy that was cycling all over Colombia for several months and i don't think he had any problems till the way back when he had his bike nicked - but that can happen anywhere.
I have also met a guy that was cycling from Venezuela to Argentina and passed through Colombia.
Another fella i met in Medellin was motorbiking from Vancouver to Buenos Aires.
Nutters, all of'em complete nutters!!!!!

lozza comments on maestro card

You shouldn't have any problems, i have used my AV Villas card in England, only problem is you can't get your balance up or a receipt (and that can be dangerous seeing as getting a tenner out is like 50,000 pesos!!!).

lozza comments on Where are you from and where do you live?

North London Alright,
Born in Devon, South West England, but have basically lived in North London since the age of 4 (now 29). Several years ago i spent a year travelling all over The Americas, spending most of the time in South America, during which time i met a lovely girl in Medellin. Stayed friends for a year while i was back in England, then moved back to Colombia where we got together on a more serious level. I was teaching in a school in Valledupar for 2 years, have recently returned to England and am working in a school here with kids with learning difficulties. She has made it over here on a 5 month tourist visa and i hope to be back in Colombia by the summer - then on who knows!?!

lozza comments on A positive Visa story

Hey Lizzie
Nice to hear from the new blood in the Bilingue, glad to hear you're enjoying it, i had a great time for my two years there. Can't believe you're already hooked up with a Vallenato (is it you that's with Jasson, or the other girl?) Say hello to him - he's a good man, sorted me out enough cheap bus trips!!
I guess you're all involved in the Christmas Show mayhem and organising the schools 25th birthday at the moment - I miss doing those Christmas shows.
Give my love to everyone there and tell them i'll be in touch (i'm a bit rubbish at that, but i'm thinking of them). I'll definately go back to visit, probably summer next year, it'll be nice to see the 10th graders, there are some lovelies amongst them too, but i'm not allowed to say that eh!!!
Anyway my e-mail is laurencestanding at hotmail.com, so drop us a line anytime.
Love to all
Loz

p.s. tell Mr T he's a sillybollox!!

lozza comments on A positive Visa story

Hey Will

Sounds like you're doing all the right things and i'm sure it will be fine. Though if it is just a tourist visa you will have to make sure your lady has adequate proof of a reason to return to Colombia i.e. a steady, well paid job or in the middle of her studies - you will have problems if she is not doing anything and wants a tourist visa to Britain. I don't know much about what goes on in the Embassy as my girlfriend went on her own and actually had no problems.
Have a great time in Valledupar - i have great memories too - though i'm enjoying drinking whisky here while it's cold outside more than the shots of good Scotch they drink there in the mid-day 40degree sun - nutters!!!!

Anyway, hope it goes well and let me know what happens - good luck

Laurence

lozza comments on I love Vallenatos but...

3 days and you wanted something else - try 2 years living in VALLEDUPAR!!! where they play nothing but, and if you ask for a change in music (just a couple of salsa tunes or something) you are looked at with complete disgust as if you have raped their inner soul and offended their reason for living.
But, saying that, outside of La Costa, i hear Vallenato and get quiet sentimental and i have brought a good bit back to England with me (in fact my mum has learned the words to Diomedes' "Hija" - bet there's not too many middle-class, 50-something, English ladies who can claim that!!!)

lozza comments on Street Kids, to give money or not?

Alright, enough of the handbag throwing. Point is, if you are going to give these kids something, buy them some food - Giving money may be fine and may be used in a healthy/constructive/beneficial way - but then it might not, whatever generalizations you maight have or things you've heard, you don't actually KNOW what that individual will do with the money. It is also common for the younger kids to be used by adults (often parents) as a sympathy vote, then the adult takes the money and uses it as they wish and the kid still has nothing. Older gangs of kids also mug the younger ones for the money they have made. Sit a kid down, ask him what he wants to eat/drink and get it for them - they WILL be grateful, it WILL be something they need, they WILL NOT lose anything and you won't need to worry about whether your charity has gone to something good or just to something that will screw them up even more.

Cheers

Loz

PS. Tinto, 'marijuana, cocaine and prostitutes (all of which are legal in Colombia)' ?!?!?!
Is that true? don't know about the prostitutes but i'm sure cocaine and weed aren't legally accepted in Colombia - but interesting to know if true.

lozza comments on Travel visa

If it is just a tourist visa which means she will not be allowed to work or study, then you send a letter of invitation from the person who will be suporting her financially and giving her a roof over her head basically. Obviously the more formal and established this letter i.e. headed, personally or professionally, the better. You basically need to include the reasons for her invitation, how long she'll be staying, where she'll be staying etc. etc. The more complete and honest you are the better. It is also good to send any other info. For example your parents may be the financial sponsors and owner of the residence, but you should also send a letter explaining the situation. The Embassy will probably also want to see proof of assets (bank statements etc). Also, make sure you give precise dates of intended travel, and don't mention anything about her studying or working - different visas - she's on holiday nothing else.
It's all a load of red tape bollocks, and is a right stress and hassle, but if you just include as much info as possible, and make sure it all looks reliable and honest then it should be OK. But even then who knows, at the end of the day it's up to the geezer behind the embassy desk on that day!!

Anyway, good luck, hope it goes well.

Loz

lozza comments on To move or not to move to Medellin?

No doubt - do it. But if you decide not to, and the jobs up for for grabs (i don't know what it is) but i'll have it!!!!

lozza comments on Dancing to another beat?

There are actually 4 main styles of Vallenato music, different rythms, and accordian style, so you can dance a more up-beat variation. It is a very close dance, but it is not complicated. I do love to dance Vallenato, but after a couple of years living in Valledupar where there is little else it does get waring, and you crave a bit of variation. At the moment Vallenato is very popular all over Colombia and i have noticed the change over the last few years - 3 or 4 years ago in Cali = Salsa with bits of other music, now it seems there is as much Vallenato as anything, it is definately 'la moda' at the moment. although you will hear it all over, away from the coast and Valledupar it is far more commercial. There are definately websites on Vallenato, just a question of finding them.
I must admit, accordian music never seemed attractive to me before, but it did grow on me and it is an impressive sight to see a 9 year old play the accordian live like Jimmy Hendrix played the guitar. Check out festival Vallenato - end of April.

lozza comments on NBC snubs Colombian delegation during Olympic Opening Ceremony

The world Salsa competition held in Cuba earlier this year was actually won by a British couple. Hurrah!!!

lozza comments on Valledupar and Riohacha

You will have no problem finding interne, cable, cel phones etc. in Valledupar, it is limited, but it is a normal city. There are a couple of flights per day fom Bogota, both leave in the morning, and to fly back they leave about midday.
Yes here is a lot of Arabian influence on the coast, especially maicao, Riohacha, Valledupar and Barranquilla.
Loz

lozza comments on Valledupar and Riohacha

no jodaaa! Hi there

I’ve been living in Valledupar for the past 2 years, I recently quit my job basically because the place is a bit limited for things to do and my girlfriend lives in Medellin so the travelling was getting a bit tiresome.
I felt as safe in Valledupar as anywhere (in or out of Colombia) it is a sleepy, laid-back city, nice people and very, very hot. It is only 3-4 hours by bus from Santa Marta, 3 from Barranquilla.
It is a good base to visit the Sierra Nevada and the indigenous villages, but you should get local advice on the safety and an invitation from someone who knows the Indians.
Unless you know someone there to stay with, I reckon you might get a bit bored there for more than a couple of days, and definitely better to visit at the weekend or on a Festivo/Puente – Festival is the most lively time (end of April) and the place becomes heaving with people from all over Colombia.
Apart from people at The Red Cross International I know only 2 other Europeans/gringos living there (my ex-boss at the bilingual school who’s been there for about 18 years and a Welsh farmer who’s been there for about 40 years) other than that you’re unlikely to meet any other foreigners.
I had a lovely time living there and now have many Vallenato friends, and will definitely return to visit. If you want any other info/advice, let me know.
Loz
P.S. If you like Vallenato music , you should definitely visit Valledupar, you will hear little else!!

lozza comments on How is Medellin?

hey Pablo
You're gonna love Medellin

Sounds like your hotel is on the hillside of the Poblado district of Medellin (the rich area) and you will probably up on the hillside which means you will have incredible views over the whole city.
El Tesoro is a huge shopping centre (mall) also on the hillside and contains all the fasionable retail outlets, restaurants, pool hall, ice rink etc. and also has a great panorama of the city.
Exito is one of the major supermarket chains in Colombia, it sells everything from food to clothes to household goods and is very popular in Medellin, there are a number of them in the city.

Enjoy

Lozza