Mi_lukea has left 34 comments

Mi_lukea comments on Teaching - studying in Cali

teaching in Cali Hi

I was living in Cali, Colombia for 3 months this year and I discovered that you need way more then a TEFL to teach in Colombia at the above mentioned schools ... any American or British backed school is "highly" unliklely to hire a teacher who does not have a bachelors degree in teaching!

I had a wonderful conversation with 3 directors of very exclusive high schools in Colombia and they all said the same thing ... things have changed!

So I think if you are really serious about wanting to be a teacher in Cali, Colombia then get serious and get a degree!

SUERTE!

m

Mi_lukea comments on All about CALI

Carne y Madura en San Fernando I love this restaurant! I have gone for dinner 3 times already!

For clubs, my friends and I love to go to Bombelero (spelling??) on a friday night ... its small and dark, but cosy and intimate.

m

Mi_lukea comments on Cali impressions

Life in Cali Hi

I have been living in Cali for the last month and a half and I have to say that I love it here! The city is beautiful and I feel very safe. Though I should mention I live with friends and go everyone where with Colombians. So its a different experience from a tourist who doesnt know anyone.

I think like in any foreign city, you must always be aware of your surroundings. Cali is a BEAUTIFUL city. The mountains are just so pretty. The river at Pance. Everything about here I just adore.

I will return again and again!

Mi_lukea comments on Cost of living in Cali Colombia

$725 a month on restuarants, entertainment Hi

Im also living in Cali, in San Fernando. As a female I can see 100% where men spend there money. Girls here dont pay for anything! Still for $725 you have to paying for alot more than 1 girl!

Im from Australia, so its a new experience for me. I try to pay for the majority of my own expensives, but its hard. I rarely pay for alcohol or food, typically only when I go out with only female friends, which is once a week and other occasions.

So if you are a guy and you are coming to Cali and you plan on meeting girls ... bring ALOT of money!


m.

Mi_lukea comments on Is FARC blowback from CIA intervention in Colombia?

Creating FARC History will tell you that the FARC was created out of a combination of elements arising after La Violencia, the Cuban Revolution and the United Front, etc.

Many drops of rain create the storm.

m.

Mi_lukea comments on Article on differing views of Ingrid Betancourt

Until Death Do Us Part HI Desi!

That's the title of Ingrid's book in Australia. Though I think you know it as 'A Rage In My Heart'.

Yes, I have read it.

I am a HUGE admirer of Ingrid Betancourt and when I arrive into Colombia this April I hope to do a week's work experience in her mother, Yolanda's refuge for street children.

I want to work in grassroots level conflict resolution in Colombia and I believe that community development projects are the most effectual.

I found her book, amazing! I can't wait for her release and the sequel.

Suerte,

mishi

Mi_lukea comments on

Desi I agree! I got a distinction on my paper!!!!

suerte,

luka

Mi_lukea comments on

Thanks! Hi Dave

sorry about the delay. But thanks! The festival name should lead me to the name of the doco!!!

Muchas gracias ...

suerte,

luka

Mi_lukea comments on One way ticket....

One way tickets from Australia Hi

The Colombian consulate told me that you can not travel to Colombia on a one way ticket. You must have a forward destination.

suerte,

m

Mi_lukea comments on Colombians in Australia

Hey Dariaj Hey Daria,

I go to UOW and the majority of my friends are Colombian, as my boyfriend was Colombian. He is now back in Colombia.

Who is your boyfriend? Maybe, probably I know him. As we are all really close ...

Suerte,

m.

Mi_lukea comments on Colombians in Australia

Colombians in Melbourne Hi,

My friend Maria is Colombian and lives in Melbourne. If you send me a private message with your email address, I can forward your details or your friends details to her. She is great ...

suerte,

m

Mi_lukea comments on has Simon Bolivar been the problem of the last 500 years of bloodshed

Australia's Independence - the reality From an Australian's perspective I can tell you my home was colonised by both prisoners and those hired to stand over them, feed them and rule over them, creating the infrastructure of what was essentially the world's largest prison.

However, on release from prison - if you survived it! - you were given two pieces of paper - one was a deed to land, the other a map to where you will find it. So on release from Prison, you were set free but on what terms. Your family remained behind in England, some prisoners were children when they were sent here! Others mothers and fathers! There was never a return ticket from Australia.

Alone, in a foreign man's land. In a harsh but beautiful country. They became farmers and industrialised my history. Creating this rich nation with low unemployment levels, strong educational facilities; a society built around law and order - or you shall receive the consequences!!!

However, whilst white Australians may have benefited from the 'peaceful' idependence from the "motherland", England - I hate that saying, by the way (btw). Our indigenous population was slaughtered and eradicated like plagues from day one. So our relations with England where not so "peaceful" for our original dwellers, the Aborigines. History should not forget this.

Colonisers were cruel - whether they were British, Spanish, Portugese, Dutch or Roman to the people who they had the least right to be EVER cruel too! The indigenous people of the lands they stole.

(On a side note: in our history Australia has had only one rebellion, the Eureka Rebellion150 years ago, its lasted only a few hours at the goldfields and under 200 people were killed. end of lesson)

Mi_lukea comments on Teaching - studying in Cali

Shane Hi

Where are you from? What area of Cali are you considering living in? What area will you be working in?

lukita

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

Hi

Soy Australiana. Soltera y no los hijos. I have travelled somewhat. But have only ever lived in Sydney.

After completing my masters this year (my masters thesis is on conflict resolution in Colombia) I am moving over to South or Central America.

I was planning on living in Colombia, but those plans appear to be falling through now. I will still be there for two months from May onwards in Cali. But sadly I am now looking to be living in Mexico.

Mi_lukea comments on Interested in a Colombian guy

Can I speak to ... Is "Puedo hablar" as acceptable as "Podria hablar" ... is the only difference familiarity?

I have always said "Puedo hablar con ...., por favor". Was I wrong?

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

The majority of Australians did not vote for Howard! As an Australian who did not vote for Howard I just want to clear one thing up, Howard won with 40.9%.

In Australia, the ruling government of today is actually a coaltion of two parties, combined they won office.

Howard alone, still beat Latham. But I just wanted people to know that 59.1% did not vote for Howard!!

http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/results/default.htm

Sorry for this disruption ... lets get back to Colombia.

besos

Mi_lukea comments on colombian food

Hi Jaffa You said you live in Australia, but arent Australian.

Out of curiosity, Where are you from?

I live in Sydney, near Bondi Beach.

suerte

mish

Mi_lukea comments on Have you changed your appearance to visit Colombia?

As an Australian its hard to blend in .... I am with Emily.

Though I am yet to arrive into Colombia. There is no dye, tan or makeup that could make me appear any less "gringo".

Like emily, I have freckles. But I have brown hair with pale skin.

So I am never going to blend in. But I come from the land of multiculturalism and so I dont really feel the need too.

I just bless my fortunate life ... and hope that it will continue so.

Besos

luka

Mi_lukea comments on Learning spanish in Cali

Emily Hi

It would be great if you could post comments about your experiences with language schools after you arrive in Cali, as I will also be attending spanish school in Cali. But I will not be arriving until June.

If you are still there, which I am sure you will be, it would be great to meet up with you. Being from Sydney, I am sure we will have lots to chat about, in spanish of course! ja ja

But seriously, I will know only a handle full of people living Cali (around 5 of my friends from Uni live in Cali). But they will all be working, hopefully!

So I will have plenty of time free.

Suerte

mish/lukita

Mi_lukea comments on Length of stay in Colombia

Student Visas I know that for a student visa in Colombia you must be studying for a minimum of 6 months and you must be fully self-reliant. For a student visa, you cannot work! Thats what stopped me staying for 6 months!

You must really talk with your consulate. As visa's are more complicated to change maybe then you think.

Buena Suerte en su viaja.

Luka

P.S I hope my spanish was correct. Im trying to practice more!

Mi_lukea comments on Any Australians visiting Colombia ?

Colombians in Australia Hi Kiwi

I can answer that! Of my social circle, the majority of my friends are Colombians. I would say I have over 20 Colombian friends at my university and over 10 Mexican friends. I have about 3 Venezualans, 3 Peruvians, some Chileans and a Brazilian friend.

So Spanish is everyday for me! I guess it all depends on the friends you make. My boyfriend is Colombian and my closest girlfriends are from Colombia, as well as Spain, France and Kenya. We all met at university.

Hope that helps ...

Mi_lukea comments on I think Cali is safer than Sydney

hmmm ... As a Sydney person going to Cali for her first time next year. I cant claim anything about Cali. But I have lived in Sydney my whole life and have never in anyway been mugged, raped or even threatened.. sorry. But I think you are taking small incidents and creating a larger problem.

Rape occurs everywhere in the world. Maybe what you considered to be a 'growing' problem of crime is Sydney should be more equated to the outrage that the community felt from this horrific crimes.

With no reflection of Cali at all.

I am glad that I live in a city that when a horrible crime occurs people stand up and demand changes to be made. Im proud as an Australian that we banned guns post-the port Arthur massacre and toughened our laws since these horrible rape crimes.

But these news headlines dont reflect upon my life in Sydney. Sydney is a VERY safe city. But crime still occurs EVERYWHERE!

Im sure you will be happy in your life no matter what city you decide to live in. As long as you have the love of your family and friends, you will be happy!

Buena Suerte in Cali

Mish

Mi_lukea comments on Any Australians visiting Colombia ?

Elbigie's comment! Hi Juanita!

We have spoken before. Im glad to hear your boryfriend is thinking of going with you to Colombia.

My plans are still on track to visit my friends and boyfriend in Colombia, Im also travelling in February!

As a fellow Australian tell him that I say he has to go!

As for Elbigie's comment. All my friends are telling me about that. They say the only thing I should pack when I go to Colombia is my flip flops! They sounded like typical Aussie guys. But let me ask - where they were kidnapped was an area they should not have been in, si?

I have been told that there are areas that I just should not go to. So I wont! I have been reading this website religiously, and though I had some concerns in the begining. They have all been erased.

Colombia has proven itself over and over again to be a tourist friendly country. Just like my own, you have crime! But no one can tell me a single country in the world that does not have unsafe areas.

Buena suerte with convincing him!

I will send you an email soon.

Mish Lukita.

Mi_lukea comments on Colombian (Latin American): cheat, faithful, etc.?

hmm I was wondering the same thing Rachel.

My boyfriend is Colombian. He has now returned to Colombia and I have since found out from friends that he cheated alot on me. This he denies and my friends can not give me specifics. Just that they believe he did.

The one thing I do know is that when we started dating, he was cheating on his girlfriend of 5 years. He then broke up with her. As she was in Cali and he was here with me. But since he has returned I do not what he will do next. I will not see him for another 4-5months before I go over to Colombia.

But who knows what he will do between then.

I dont think you can generalise that all Colombian men cheat. As all the married Colombian men I know, would NEVER cheat on their wives. But all the Colombia guys I know HAVE cheated on their girlfriends!

So I dont know if you can make a generalisation from that, and I dont think you should. But I think they only marry the one they wont cheat on! The others are fair game!

Buena Suerte

ml

Mi_lukea comments on Feeling Confused

In the same position I know why you feel confused. I had the same doubts. But nobody knows him better than you. So only you can know why he is interested in him.

As for his mother, thats a very hard thing. I know the guy I am seeing will 100% marry a Colombian. I dont think its his mother's fault though, she seems very nice. But I think he will want for his children, want he had. Thats something I cant offer him, as I am an Australian.

Suerte.
mish

Mi_lukea comments on The Cali Fair/Festival

Dates of the Feria Those were the dates that my friends also told me. So I am hoping the dates havent changed!! I arrive in Dec 27 for 2 weeks. So Im sure even if they change the dates I will see a few of the events still!!

Mi_lukea comments on The Cali Fair/Festival

Miguel, gracias! gracias por ayudarme!

Mi_lukea comments on learning Spanish

Cartagena's Spanish Hi

I was hoping to find out about learning spanish in Cartagena. Is it true they have a very caribbean accent?

I will be studying spanish there for close to three months. Will I sound silly???

Will I have difficulty understanding them. I have little to no speaking experience with Spanish, as I have always been to embarassed to speak it with friends and I struggle when my friends speak fast to understand any of what they say.

Id love to know what I should expect from my time in Cartagena.

mish.

Mi_lukea comments on An Australian Girl in Cartagena

Hola Chica En Sydney! Hi Juanita!

I was so glad to read your post! This website is fantastic. The information I am obtaining and the contacts are just amazing!

Im really busy at the moment writing my thesis on Colombia. But would love to chat with you more soon, I should be good in a week! I will email you at your account! I cant wait to hear more about Cartagena, Cali and Bogota from you.

Im in Wollongong but my family is from Sydney. So we even live close!

Hablo contigo luego via email.

Chao
mish
mlg07 at uow.edu.au

Mi_lukea comments on $400 a Month Reasonable for Living in Bogota and Paying Spanish School?

Language school You really should find the language school first. As I am paying around $280USD per week for accomodation, 2 meals a day and 15 hours of language school a week in Cartagena.

So I am guessing that you would need alot more than $400 a month. As I know I will need more!

mish

Mi_lukea comments on An Australian Girl in Cartagena

Thanks for everyones help If anybody has any other information, it would REALLY be appreciated!!

Especially information on Cartagena!

Hablo contigo luego
mish

Mi_lukea comments on An Australian Girl in Cartagena

Perfecto! Alo!

Your english is perfect! I think its fantastic that your wife is also going to Nueva Lengua. I would love to hear from you both about your time in Cartagena! Especially details on the course.

I will email you soon.

Un abrazo.

mish

Mi_lukea comments on An Australian Girl in Cartagena

Aussie Girls in Colombia Hi Emily

Thanks for your reply! Your advice is great and Im so glad to hear we have alot in common. Im also going to Cali for two weeks before and after language school, as thats where the guy I have been dating lives! Where in Cali were you living???

Can you tell me more about Cali? I would love to hear everything!

mish
mlg07 at uow.edu.au

Mi_lukea comments on An Australian Girl in Cartagena

Thanks for everyones help Hola Denis

I am studying with Nueva Lengua. Have you had any experience with the school? Would you recommend it or maybe another?

I liked the program, the cost and the location of this school.

But Im very open to suggestions.