mikecolombia has left 44 comments

mikecolombia comments on Cost of Living for 1 Month in Colombia

to jacobglobo I don't understand your point jacob. 10 porcient of Colombians can buy half of brazil, and the exchange now is 2,100 to the dolar. You can live just as cheap in brazil also. Brazil is not a rich country either. 2,000 dollars is way too much to spend a month. You wouldn't last long if you carried that much money with you. If you go all out, you will draw too much attension. You can still have a great time with half of that, and still have a nice place to stay and plenty to eat. I do agree that Cartegena is expensive for tourist.

mikecolombia comments on Going to Colombia in dec.. question

Good advise on the atm cards. My only advise to you is not to give too much informationr about when you are going to colombia, especially if your going to take somebody from EEUU with you

mikecolombia comments on LICEO CAMPESTRE DE PEREIRA - sci-fi?

Something must be wrong with you! I really couldn't understand the story you were trying to tell. You really threw me off when you said that you were denied a social life. That will never happen in Pereira. You must be talking about another city. If you were intimidaded by the women, you have no buisness being in Colombia. They are a strong people.

mikecolombia comments on Family Life in Dosquebradas

dosquebradas I lived in dosquebradas for almost a year. There are few nice parks and a few nice neighborhoods, but not many. I had alot of good times there with my wife and baby, but I wouldn't advise anybody to live there. There are alot of great places to live in Colombia, but I wouldn't want to live en Dosquebradas on a permanent basis. It is somewhat a suburb of Pereira. I would compare it to cuba en Pereira. It can be dangerous for an outsider. For some reason there has been alot of colombians visiting home from spain that have been murdered there lately. Personally I have lost a few friends in this city. There were 7 homocides in Dosquebradas this past satuday. they average over 300 murders a year mostly from gangs and narcotrafickers. there are good people there, and you can have a good time; but I would be extremely careful on who you get aquainted with. It has gotten alot more dangerous the last few years mainly due to the economic growth of Pereira which in turn caused a huge rise in the population. Gangs are pretty bad in this area now so be careful on who you chose as a friend. My brother-in-law was shot just for knowing the wrong person. My best friend was beeten and robbed by gunpoint in his own house, and threatend to kill my wife's nieces who were there if they didn't give them the money and valuables that his wife brought from Spain. They were followed from the airport. But I don't want that to deter you from returning, you have to be just a little more careful in Dosquebradas than Pereira.


Take care, mikecolombia

mikecolombia comments on NO ENGLISH NO GRINGO (A)???????

not one argument I wish that I could say that Dan. When I married my wife, I didn't speek any spanish. 4 years later, I wish that I hadn't learned. I was so much happier when I didn't understand her.........Michael

mikecolombia comments on Ibaque- Please tell me what you know

litost I agree with litost. Ibaque was my least favorite of cities to visit, but they do have a good university if you plan on studying.

mikecolombia comments on Contradictory reports..

contradictory reports Colombia has changed alot in the last 10 years. everything you read about Colombia happens but mainly in guerrilla territory. So my advise is stay out of guerrilla territory.

mikecolombia comments on Also Pereira Bound

in response to Hunter Your too vaque in what you are saying Hunter. If you wear expensive jewelry, clothes, and throw arround alot of cash; I would say your suicidal. I would listen to the other guys.

mikecolombia comments on hi again everyone!

Mrs. Gomez I'm sorry, but I don't know your history with your husband Mrs Gomez. What exactly did he do to you in Colombia?

mikecolombia comments on Cali and Pereira

I've been to Cali, Armenia, Medellin, Ibaque, Melgar, Santa Rosa de Cabal, Cartago, Bogota, and I actually lived in Pereira for 1 year. I enjoyed every part of Colombia especially when I was single. I think there is alot to offer in each city if you have time to see everything. There are actually 3 termales outside Santa Rosa de cabal and all of theme are great to visit. I figure that I'll go back to live there if I get divorced,and right now it's a real possibility. I personally liked Pereira the best, but I'm a little bias since my son was born there. But by all means, go to all of the cities if you can; you won't regret it. I've been fortunate enough to see many countries accross the world, and I can say that Colombia is my favorite. Anyway, be smart and you'll have the best time of your life, but if your not; it was nice knowing you..........Mikecolombia

mikecolombia comments on Is it common for a colombian boyfriend to financially support his girlfriend?

On second thought crazy4cali, I believe that I changed my mind about you now that I've read all of your postings. I don't believe in everything you say about gringos. I don't think Colombians are different than gringos when it comes to women. I don't think a man in Colombia is anymore capable of figuring out the woman than any other man in the world. The woman is the most complicated unpredictable creature on earth. I think the difference lies in the fact that there are 3 women to every man in Col., and the colombian male doesn't stick arround long enough for it to get too complicated. Sorry if I insulted you on the earlier postings.........Mikecolombia

mikecolombia comments on Is it common for a colombian boyfriend to financially support his girlfriend?

I can tell crazy4cali that you don't know too much about gringos. A matter a fact,I don't think you know too much about the world either; and most gringos that write to this site are a little higher on the maturity level than you are apparently. We've played this game your talking about since you were in diapers. The gringos on this sight just choose not to play this game. The women you're talking about are still little girls still trying to find out who they are and where they are going, but don't know how to get it.

mikecolombia comments on Is it common for a colombian boyfriend to financially support his girlfriend?

So you think she's a pro, Mike? No, she's just a woman! I'm not saying she's a pro nor a bad woman. If a person is being abused financially or whatever, I personally put the blame on the person themself. Use your big head instead of your little one, and If she is a good woman; she'll respect you more for it. In any relationship it is "give" and "take", and it has to balance out. I married a Colombian woman, and I had the same problem you have now. I did the exact same thing you did, and it caused alot of problems when she came here thinking that I had alot of money; which caused alot of problems our first 2 years of marriage. But it in the end, we grew together and now have balance in our lives. She contributes just as much as I do now.
I really don't want to give you any advice on this woman, because I really don't know her. She might be a good woman or bad woman, or you might be a bad or good man. Who knows? hard to say from a computer screen.
But it doesn't matter, $200 a month will suffice until your atleast married. .

mikecolombia comments on Is it common for a colombian boyfriend to financially support his girlfriend?

Your comment about Americans Most Americans aren't stupid enough to work for a little money.
As far as the question asked about how much he should send, $200 is more than enough until they get married. That is a month's wage in Colombia if your not a professional, and apparently she isn't.

mikecolombia comments on spousal visa for the US

marriage visa I was in your place 2 years ago. I married in Colombia also. You have to file the marriage through the courthouse in Colombia. I had to come back here and file for a marriage visa through the nearest Colombian embassy which for me was in Atlanta, GA. The marriage visa last for 6 months. I then flew back to Colombia to put in the Direct Consular Filing (DCF )at the U.S embassy in Bogota and had the inicial interview with my wife. They then gave her the same day an appointment to come back three weeks later for the physical exam, proof of shot records (the yellow form ), and etc. And on the second appointment, They stamped her passport to come here; all within 3 weeks of putting in the DCF. Good luck!

mikecolombia comments on I-134 Affidavit of Support

taxes take all your documents on how much you made, and pay all of your back taxes.

mikecolombia comments on help with living in colmbia

Residency It doesn't take 2 years to get your residency. You have to be a resident in Colombia 2 years married to a Colombian woman to be a citizen. I don't know how long you have to have your residency in Colombia without being married to be a citizen.

mikecolombia comments on AT WHAT POINT DOES FIANCE GET ANYTHING

A lawyer is such a waste of money. If you can read, it is better to do it yourself. At least, you will know what it is going on. A lawyer is going to drag it on as long as he can to make the money.

mikecolombia comments on Getting a Colombian Spousal VISA from within Colombia (Bogotá)

The spousal visa only last 6 months. If you want to stay, you can always apply for residency in Colombia. You can go to the embassy webpage and find all the info. that you need.

mikecolombia comments on Pre- Packet 3 (K1) questions

you have to have it notorized and apostled in the U.S. What good does it do you to have it notorized in Colombia?

mikecolombia comments on New Jobs in Colombia

What are you wanting to know? Are you looking for people?

mikecolombia comments on Is anyone located in Atlanta, GA?

I live an hour west of Atlanta

mikecolombia comments on Follow-up re: Colombia Spousal Visa

Go to the U.S embassy in Colombia website, and you will find any information you need. I have now been married 2 years to my wife, and I did all of the paperwork myself. Don't waste your money on a lawyer especially in Colombia. Just double or triple check ever paper you fill out.

mikecolombia comments on Importing laptops into Colombia.

I have taken about just anything you can imagine to Colombia, and I never had any problems but one time. All I had to do is pay the taxes on the electronics that I had. The majority of the time I reported it as gifts for the family, since my wife is Colombian I never had any problems but that one time.

mikecolombia comments on Adive for a woman traveling alone in Colombia?

My advice being a gringo myself is not to go alone especially since your a women. Too dangerous for a person that doesn't know the areas to avoid. Where you might think is a good area will turn out to a bad area. Colombians take very good care of there property so you can't judge by how the houses look.

mikecolombia comments on i´m in pereria NOW, what´s there to do??

prostitution I've been to Pereira 7 times in my life, and I've seen more prostitution here in the U.S. than Pereira. Atleast the whores take a bath there.

mikecolombia comments on any human rights/development workers out there?

Very dangerous job. I hope you have good insurance, because your going to need it.

mikecolombia comments on Colombia's Place in the World: The Economist Rankings

The only reason Colombia is no.2 in not getting divorces is because the catholic church doesn't allow divorces.

mikecolombia comments on Another one needs advice on buying property (Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena?)

It's not dumb to invest in property right now. If you are looking for a long term investment. Now is the time to buy while the prices are low. Just be smart and buy where there is potential for growth.

mikecolombia comments on Living in Colombia

Never send personal checks. I don't think you'll ever see the money again. If you wire her the money, she should receive it within the hour.

mikecolombia comments on Pereira or Cali? Etc...

I'm a gringo, and I have seen just about all of the larger cities of colombia. I lived in Pereira for 1 year. I can say good things and bad things about the city, but it is no different than any part of the world. Take people that know the city, and you will have a great time. I would say "Why not visit all of the cities?" I personally fell in love with the whole country. Take the good with the bad, keep an open mind, and you will have the best time of your life. Be safe though, use a little street smarts.

mikecolombia comments on Heading To Pereira in a week!

Your parents are conflicted, because they've seen the good and bad of Pereira. Just listen to what people tell you, and you will be alright. There are alot more homeless people so be especially careful at night especially arround the bad areas. For you I wouldn't worry too much since you are latina, but your husband needs to be a little more careful. If you travel by bus, it is better that you don't travel at night. It is a great city, and you will have a great time. Be smart and stay safe......... mikecolombia

mikecolombia comments on Liceo Campestre experience

Get over it. Colombians are no different than anybody else in the world, just different ways of expressing it. You have to take the good with the bad and learn from the experience. If you didn't have good experiences in Colombia, I would say you didn't look hard enough. Not everybody lies, cheats , and steals in Colombia so it sounds like you didn't adopt very well to the culture. better luck next time if you return.

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mikecolombia comments on Also Pereira Bound

I've been to Pereira 7 times in my life. I even lived there for a year, and everybody gave you good advice in my opinion but Hunter. Forgive me for saying this Hunter, but I don't think you need to go back to Colombia until you learn a little more street smarts.
I've been there as a tourist and also a resident. I've seen a few people robbed, and a few people killed. If your smart you will have the best time of your life, but if you are stupid you will have the worst. Dress down, don't wear expensive jewelry, and don't show alot of money, and you will have a great time.

mikecolombia comments on riding the bus in COL..

the bus I've been to Medellin, Bogota, Melgar, Armenia, Cali, Cartago, Ibague, Santa Rosa de Cabal, and every small town in between stemming from Pereira. My only advice is pray before you get on ( they drive very different), and don't travel at night. Being a white boy from North Alabama, U.S.A ; I never had problems until I traveled at night-- a bad mistake, but you learn the hard way.

mikecolombia comments on passport

passporte As long as your passporte is valid for atleast 90 days,it will not be a problem as long as you have your residency card; or if you are a naturilized citizen, you should have a blue passport that says you are a U.S citizen. Forgive me, but I have no idea what these other guys are talking about. I've been married 3 years to a colombian citizen, and we have been to Colombia 6 times; and all she needed was her residency card with her passporte. The residency card also has her maiden name on it.
And if you are a naturalized citizen, all you need is your U.S passport.Unless you want to use your Colombian passport to enter and leave, but then you will also need your U.S. passporte to prove citizenship.
Lo que necesita es su tarjeta de residencia con su passaporte de Colombia. Si eres una ciudadana naturalizada de los E.E.U.U, lo que necesita es su passaporte de los Estados Unidos.

mikecolombia comments on american buying property in colombia

My only advice is that you don't need a bank account in Colombia. It's alot safer here, and less likely somebody can track you finances. You really don't anybody to know how much you make especially there. If you need money,go to an ATM machine or to a bank to withdraw money. you should be able to withdraw whatever amount you need daily. You can withdraw between 300,000 to 600,000 pesos daily, or go to a bank to withdraw more.

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

U.S prolonging the war? Not a very smart comment. Greed on everybodies part and self preservation is prolonging the war. Nobody wants to give up the money or power. Don't put it all on the U.S's head. If you're saying that the U.S is prolonging it for the drugs, that's just plain stupid. There is just as many coca fields in Bolivia and Peru. You have to look at the world on that aspect. You have all of Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and everybody else that benefits. Everybody wants a piece of Colombia.

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

You don't know too much about national security or even too much about the world. U.S, Colombia, or cualquier country or even that matter terrorists groups. They're just trying to maintain there sovergnty and implement there ideaology, and hopefully the best man wins!

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

I do believe it's 3 billion over 5 years, but that's not incluiding other military support from the U.S. Correct me if I'm wrong please!

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

puppet Uribe is all man. He calls the shots. When I was down there during the elections, they tried to kill him 2 times. When He believes in something, he doesn't back down. Just ask Hugo Chavez when they extracted a Gerrila leader in Caracas. Chavez demanded an apology and for the return of there naturalized citizen, and of course Uribe said "there is nothing to apologize for, and there is nowhere that the enemies of Colombia can hide." Uribe is nobodies puppet!!!!!!!!

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

collateral dammage Talking about collateral damage. There has been collateral damage for the past 50 years since this war has been going on by the hands of the FARC, ELN, AUC, EPL, and about 50 more factions in between including the multitude of Cartels - Cali cartel, Medellin cartel, El cartel del norte del valle and ect.,etc,y ect. It's time for change and in any war change comes at a price. Colombia is headed in the right direction, but it takes time and alot of sacrifices on both ends.

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

los padres de colombia Apparently you don't know too much about Colombia or you haven't been back for awhile. They've been killing priest every year for the last 50 years. It's part of the polotics that the FARC uses. Just go down there for a few months and I'm sure you'll here of a few more being murdered by the hands of the FARC.

mikecolombia comments on Bush Re-Authorizes Shoot-To-Kill in Colombia

I agree with what you say, but the U.S has supplied more than just inhanced radar. There have been U.S special forces fighting there since the early 80's combating terrorist groups, and I'm not talking about groups just from Colombia. Just 2 years ago Alquaeda tried to negotiate with the Cartel to poison over a ton of cocain. They caught 2 from the IRA 3 years ago teaching the FARC how to make homade rockets and bombs, and also 2 germans teaching the Farc on chemical weapons. We've had a base in Melgar for the last 20 years, and another in Santander the last 3 years so I would say it's just a little more than just inhanced radar.