lpdiver has left 2354 comments

lpdiver comments on advice please from anyoneeeeeee

Thirty days. I would think that attending the school would be more beneficial. It is fairly rigorous from what I hear. You get out of it what you put into it. ts

lpdiver comments on Record High Oil Prices Threaten Latin America's Gains

What goes up must come down...IT IS not much fun at the moment though for many, I will agree. ts

lpdiver comments on advice please from anyoneeeeeee

I would take the CELTA/TEFL course in Bogota since you are planning on moving there anyway. ts

lpdiver comments on What does he need? Renewing a Colombian Passport in Chicago - Help

The CORRECT answer is THREE YEARS from the date of issuance of the green card (assuming marriage to a citizen). You may submit your application beginning ninety days prior to the three year day. It is currently taking about a year to process N-400 applications. Unless of course you marry a Cuban and can process under the Cuban Adjustment Act. ts

lpdiver comments on shopping

I can't shop for clothes for myself as I am too large by Colombian standards. I have only been mildly irritated. Sometimes I find it amusing to drive them crazy and keep asking for something a little different. It is amazing, they will run all over to the other shops to find you a matching belt or shoes or some accessory. I really like the stores that have the models that will model the clothing for you. All the while sitting in comfort on a nice sofa. ts

lpdiver comments on why'd you come to colombia???

I had been working in Aruba and met a lovely paisa there. I propose marriage and she accepted. We were married in Medellin. I hope to make Colombia my home in the future. Hopefully, sooner than later. ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

It really is a matter of personal preference. I COULD live very cheaply near my sister-in-laws in Doce de Octubre in Medellin or Villa Santa Maria in Bogota. I have done so for a few months at a time. It is a very different lifestyle and I COULD adapt; but, it would be a lower "strata" than what I am living in here in the USA. However, one needs to be very careful when making comparisons. In fact it is near impossible no make a fair comparison. It is like the language, there are just some things that don't translate. Cars for example. In Louisiana where I live every person of driving age in my household has an automobile. This would be absurd in Colombia. I would own ONE automobile if I lived in Colombia; perhaps, I might even choose to own NO automoblies. That savings alone would enable me to live nicely. Health insurance and health care is much more affordable. I would be comfortable being treated for all health matter in Colombia. Perhaps I might be leery of a major surgury like heart surgury. Add these saving to the automotive savings and AFTER purchasing my home I could live in Poblado if I were so inclined. I am very laid back and if they don't have it in Colombia, guess what? I DON'T need it! There are some people that want to transfer a luxurious lifestyle and it can cost more. It just depends on a lot of personal factors. For me, after adjusting to Colombian lifestyle I would live very cheap. Especially if thing continue to improve and I could live safely outside of a city as I would prefer to. ts

lpdiver comments on Input needed: keep house and stuff in U.S.?

insure it and burn it ts

lpdiver comments on Now I know why I'm having problems with stepson

As I implied earlier in this thread, the public schooling system has little to do with this problem. I would find and insist on counseling for all my household family members if I were in your shoes. good luck, ts

lpdiver comments on Colombian military used Red Cross emblem in rescue

"OK, so let´s all open up small Guantánamos and put americans into it withouty any judicial procedure." Isn't that pretty much what the FARC did my friend? ts

lpdiver comments on living in Colombia

Douglas, I am planning on an extended visit around Christmas of next year ( six week to the rest of my life). I will sure plan on it. I have only been to Rio Negro one time to some theme park to watch some folk dancing. We were supposed to go to El Penol but the taxi driver said it was too dangerous and suggested Rio Negro instead. It was a very nice day trip. ts

lpdiver comments on Input needed: keep house and stuff in U.S.?

jonny 305,,,what gringo loid said. I always make it a point to have lunch with my realtor, attorney,and accountant and document it well to cover my bases with the IRS. I also make it a point to make an appointment with my renters to have lunch and do a casual walk through of the property and document that as well. ts

lpdiver comments on Now I know why I'm having problems with stepson

Yes...but goldfish often live for sixty years or more if given the proper enviroment. Parrots can live to ninety. SHeesh my pets may outlive me. ts

lpdiver comments on

lpdiver

lpdiver comments on Now I know why I'm having problems with stepson

The bulk of education occurs at home. ts

lpdiver comments on

asdfn...could one assume that you would "mamar el pene for a price?" ts

lpdiver comments on Colombian military used Red Cross emblem in rescue

Colombia #&$*#$ up and used the logo Colombia apologized for this error. The Red Cross accepted the apology. Gee I wish all the conflicts in my life could be resolved in this manner. ts

lpdiver comments on Cheap beer

You guys got me thinking with the size thing. I'm gonna bring a few of the 24 ounce cans on my next trip. My Paisa's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw me with one of those the first time. lp

lpdiver comments on shopping

Gee, complaining about great service...move back to the Estados Unidos and try to get some intelligent assistance. ts

lpdiver comments on Obtaining K1 for Fiancee and 5 yr son.

"It can't be more than thirty days..." means that the letter must have been writted and notarized in the last thirty days...NOT that the child can't leave for more than thirty days. ts

lpdiver comments on Input needed: keep house and stuff in U.S.?

I would keep it for a number of reasons. * It is a nice fall back plan. Things change and it would be nice to have an easy return set up. * You may get a better price on your house in the future. * Your return trips home can be written off as a tax deduction. * It is nice to have a diversified source of income. The dollar is down now. I believe it will rebound. ts

lpdiver comments on Que Hubo? Sounds like Cuobo or in English, Q-Bo?

I hear my Paisa bride say it as a greeting when ever she calls her mother. She says it as two syllables. What does it mean exactly? ts

lpdiver comments on Wathing Anthony Bourdain! Colombians eat Pig Ears?

Yes, but to use it to make blood boudin (morcillio) a licensed meat inspector must be on hand when you slaughter the pig. Very few people want to bother. Entonces, blood boudin is getting to be a rare item here. Unless you know someone who slaughters their own hog and will save some for you. Yet another of the plusses for living in Locombia. ts

lpdiver comments on living in Colombia

douglas, I'll put it on my list. Have you written about it in the past and do you have any pictures? ts

lpdiver comments on Cost for bilingual schools

What about good quality non bilingual schools? ts

lpdiver comments on Wathing Anthony Bourdain! Colombians eat Pig Ears?

I haven't seen any chicken feet in the swamps of Louisiana. However; you can get any part of a pig that your heart desires, except the blood. It is harder to get the blood. ts

lpdiver comments on Thinking about living in Medellin - Reality check please

minini, what strata would you say most of Doce de Octubre is? I would guess one or two. I never asked my in-laws. ts

lpdiver comments on Thinking about living in Medellin - Reality check please

This gringo has spent much time in all of those place and felt comfortable. Of course I spent a lot of time in doce de Octobre and Santo Domingo and felt comfortable as well. ts

lpdiver comments on Thinking about living in Medellin - Reality check please

Catfish...really...I have spent 4-5 weeks in Medellin on three different occaisions and I don't recall lots of rain. Bogota was a different story though? ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

Of course another definition of extravagant for me would be to take a cab everywhere...this is waaaay cheaper in Colombia. ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

And to insure, maintain, and operate it? ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

So to live elegantly and extravagantly in Colombia you will need twice as much money, no? ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

How much will a Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet run you in Colombia...that would be the fun car. And then for the "family beater" how much for an M class benz? (MY definition of elegant and extravagant) ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

Living an "elegant and sophisticated" livestlyle is probably 33% MORE expensive in Medellin, depending on YOUR definition of "elegant and sophisticated". ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

It depends on WHAT you want to buy. Fresh vegetables? You will buy a mountain of them in Colombia compared to a molehill in EEUU. The equation flops in the other direction depending on what product you want. Scotch would be one that is cheaper in EEUU than Colombia. ts

lpdiver comments on Obtaining K1 for Fiancee and 5 yr son.

Also there are three sides to every story. His, hers and the truth. I'd sure hate to think anyone would be listening to anything my ex had to say about me. Oh what the heck...she says he is an evil bastard...lets hire a hit man and assignate him! You go dude! ts

lpdiver comments on Mexico seizes drug submarine in Pacific

Actually, " the entire govt orchestrated dffort of the DEA and their correlaries..." is what drives the cost of drugs up. The war on drugs drives supply down and keeps prices up. ts

lpdiver comments on Thinking about living in Medellin - Reality check please

Rent first. ts

lpdiver comments on 10,000 US Dollars = How many Colombian Peso's?

At an exchange rate of say 1777 10,000 peso equals $5.63 US dollars. If you cannot figure out the math google up an online currency converter like... www.xe.com ts

lpdiver comments on Is the word "Ahora" only used in Colombia to mean "Later on"

pronto? ts

lpdiver comments on Obtaining K1 for Fiancee and 5 yr son.

SO you going to take your wife away from her home, country, family, forever. Yeah, that will make giant stride towards a happy, lasting, harmonious, matrimony. Good luck on your second anniversary! ts

lpdiver comments on Is the word "Ahora" only used in Colombia to mean "Later on"

listo? ts

lpdiver comments on Colombian military used Red Cross emblem in rescue

Also it MAY be the lone independent act of an individual. I'd hate to be judged as a nation on the acts of an individual. ts

lpdiver comments on living in Colombia

Lorena Bobbit is a pacifist next to Clara Harris. She "accidently" ran over her husband about five times and she is from Colombia. ts

lpdiver comments on Obtaining K1 for Fiancee and 5 yr son.

You guys crack me up, You are not from there and are going down to hire a hit man because they are cheap and easily obtained (says you). Well he is a dead beat drug user and you never suppose that he could out do you? Get his asking price to sign and then low ball him with threats of physical violence. What fifth grade mentality! You don't suppose your casual sicaro aquaintance is going to approach him and say, " Dude you got some gringo wants to whack you, want to pay a little more and have him wacked? Hmmm?" Or here is another gem, Hey lets forge his signature! Yeah, real intelligent! Then try and return to Colombia and leave again. Internation kidnapper thats a resume builder for sure! ts

lpdiver comments on Teaching ESL (English as a second language) in Colombia

There is a TEFL class in Bogota...google it up. ts

lpdiver comments on US Minutemen/vigilante border patrol = paramilitary?

dwmte7..."heh, lp...what happened to the rice cookoff?" Google up Poo Poo Broussard and look for his Alien Dat video...that is where my "cook some rice" by line originates. It is some funny stuff. He is a co workers neighbor. ts

lpdiver comments on Colombian military used Red Cross emblem in rescue

Well that is stand up. He should be found guilty and fined steeply. Oh something in the range of say ten pesos? ts

lpdiver comments on Colombian military used Red Cross emblem in rescue

PETA= People Eating Tasty Animals...no? ts

lpdiver comments on Buy Colombian!

Wal-Mart sells clear glass piggy banks made in Colombia for ninety nine cents. I buy a few every so often and keep them around until they are full and store them away. I joke with my wife that they are for her "nuevo tetas grande". I think she thinks I am serious. jejejeje ts