Morrongo has left 439 comments

Morrongo comments on war within the next two years

As far as I can remember the US have had bases in the UK since the second World War and with A Bomb capability. Although Chavez's rhetoric ,might just play into Uribes hands and give him a third term. I think the OP has some merits,but not tanks rolling in or out of Colombia, but as the OP mentions some sort of semblance of war is a possibility, a phony war? Chavez's on going love affair with Cuba will hopefully be his downfall ?

Morrongo comments on Robbery in Cali Lastnight $$

Of course there are exceptions, but as a general rule oneforyoumillion is quite right, the average gringo has no idea how his special novia is playing him, especially by internet. It's a fact everyone should except.

Morrongo comments on Cost of living for a single male?

Unfortunately the factor that puts a big pressure on prices here in Cali...is the suppler EMCali probably the most inept company i have ever encountered, average water, electric bill for family between 80,000 to 100,000 estrato 3

Morrongo comments on Cost of living for a single male?

mikeinpuerto you are not alone...we must both be stupid, I live alone my Electric ,water is 180,000 gas 20,000..let alone all the other costs....I must be living in another Colombia.......

Morrongo comments on Robbery in Cali Lastnight $$

To call Cali the wild west, is not too big an exaggeration The I've been to Cali umpteen times and nothing has happened to me statements,only shows a lack of understanding what goes on here

Morrongo comments on Robbery in Cali Lastnight $$

Unfortunately being followed and then have the robbery at the gates of a Unidad, happens all too often here in Cali,my reasons, 1 the area where the ATM was ,is not police void and 2 they prefer to take the risk when the opportunity presents itself, if at the end of a journey so be it. I know of many robberies of this type, some with success ,some with a shoot out, of course these scumbags are not hoping for gated security but this does not seem to concern them either. PCL is quite right with his method of security, nothing is guarantee but there is a lot you can help yourself with

Morrongo comments on Megaobras

The whole thing is a complete farce, an inept poorly devised scheme, imposed by inept politicians. This money will go like a puff of smoke, some to Emcali, a new park, road improvements, The mayor was at the office when I received my notification, everybody was having a go at him, you can take a guess where the money will eventually end up

Morrongo comments on Megaobras

The mayor and his cronies have surpass themselves on this one. Pay the tax end of December and get a 15% discount, like the majority of people here do not have that type of money, especially at Christmas, so you pay by installments over 5 years and end up paying nearly double because the interest tags it up nicely. At a time when Cali is finding it hard going, the mayor in his wisdom slaps this in for good measure. THE TAX...its not about Estratos, its about whats in your escritura , what you paid for the property(as you know whats in the escritura is usually not what you paid for the property). It is a 3.2 percent on your property, so if you paid 100,000,000 pesos you pay 3,200,000 It's not a cheap tax

Morrongo comments on What on earth is happening in Cali?

the Mio Safer yes, AC yes,I cannot agree the Mio is fast, apart from one route on the E31 Obviously ML we move in different circles as everybody I know moans about it. I use the Mio quite a lot on various routes , some are painfully slow

Morrongo comments on Homicide rates in Colombia - my cent's worth

A point not mentioned. In the mix of robberies, there is a strong possibility if you are on the end of that crime, that you are going to meet your maker. Dead tongues don't speak. Robberies count for quite a few percent...on the stats

Morrongo comments on Big shock: Colombia is No.1 for homicide

Brians..writes.........According to Greg Yohn Cali's lower estrados are safe so what do we know?? So true, but he only thinks he knows Cali, a dangerous misconception, I will give him something though...he knows his babybeef

Morrongo comments on Big shock: Colombia is No.1 for homicide

Can't see the crime rate improving anytime soon in Cali. The mayor and his cronies have decided to put a tax on all properties to finance some new improvement works. This is not a cheap tax either, to be paid by end of December or pay with interest with cuotas. This tax only puts more pressure on a tottering economy. El Expat is quite right in stating the majority of this crime is gang related and monitor where you stick your nose in. However a regular visitor to Cali is not the same as living here, if you have to travel quite a lot within Cali you will hear if not see this type of crime.

Morrongo comments on

Well I got to admit The Corral burger is a nifty blighter. But how here in Colombia,cheap food for the masses has been turned on its head and has been turned into food for the elite. Only the rich and tourists can afford this tasty and simple meal.lets remember it's only a burger some fries a drink. There's no need for these exuberant prices ,only so to keep it in an elitists bracket. When humble modest paid Colombians can enjoy these meals, I will go and enjoy with them, I hope I will see that day, until then stuff your 20,000 for a frigging burger.

Morrongo comments on

gatogris..thanks for the put down and the concern that I should return to hospital to continue my treatment. However a simple queston, ¿where did you get the assumption she is left of centre¿ is honest enough While you might be looking into voting records and seeing the surface, from my hospital bed or delusions of my other fantasy world, remember going out quite a few months with someone in her active political camp, not a inner circle but sufficient for me to note her in the far left camp , politics might of baffled you, as what appears on the surface is not always the reality. I'm personally indifferent to her political career at present. note I'm meeting Dilian Francisca Toro Friday in Tulua, if you would like me to inform her where she lies on the political spectrum, please let me know.

Morrongo comments on

In reply to romy 's last post.....although we don't see Cordoba or Chavez wearing a FARC headband or tee shirt the posturing and their lack of outright condemnation of Farc shows us punters that a neutral stance is not in the offering rather than a sympathetic stance. The evidence is quite clear that they have affections to FARC, wether evidence of a more serious nature appears time will tell, but neutral they are not. However romy i think you are quite right in your second comment. There have being many failings in this government. However if you are looking for a President that is going to clear Colombia of all evils with a swipe of a magic varita ,then you aspirations are way to high and even the Arc Angel would not be able to complete this task. Security is the up most important factor before Colombia can move forward. Horses for courses sir. I would love to see a fairer Colombia too.However by sustainable means. As a foot note to gatogris ....Cordoba is left of centre ????? by what means to you arrive at that assumption

Morrongo comments on

azulvioleta.....i think you summed it up, all very nicely...

Morrongo comments on

billyb.....spoken like a gentlemen,,,, glad someone understands .....I know a bit about her politics firsthand and they are so transparent for me...I,m surprise more people don't grasp the obvious

Morrongo comments on

Romy....the way you are constructing your rebuts to follow PHB's, you can't afford to knock off 60 points from your IQ, please don't do it.

Morrongo comments on

BUSHWICK-BILL you write ..' For me PIEDAD CORDOBA is a hero' do you know her or being in her political team?..nothing wrong with ideals , but if you think she is fighting for liberty of kidnapped prisoners you view on politics is pretty naive

Morrongo comments on

A few posters always want to claim fame for famous Colombians, we have a world famous singer for sure, then the small list tales off to obscurity , to be frank it's a little embarrassing, lets not do this, it's like a mother defending an inadequate child. Cordoba for me is a politician that is transparent and lacks weight, but has found a niche to further her career. Under her head wear she carries Chavez and not Lord Voldemort .

Morrongo comments on Whats up with the recent crime in santa marta anyone know whats going on and why???

machin 1967...writes ''And like I said, you are not going to walk through an Estrato 1-2 neighborhood in Miami, NY, Pittsburgh, LA, DC, or any other major cities without something bad happening to you. But I have done it many times in Colombia and never have had a problem. If I ever do, I will report it.'' Unfortunately if anything does happen to you when in these Barrios , the likely hood of you reporting it are relatively slim, unless you can reincarnate yourself. Just because nothing has happen to you yet ,is hardly reassuring or a gauge of violence

Morrongo comments on Cali Colombia was a great time!!!!!!!! Glad i went there!!!!

Hey flatline, I think you have confused my post with others, I have never mentioned bodies in any description in any of my posts. However now you bring the subject up, I'm more used to being on top of the body rather than just taking the photo and goggling PCL jajjajaj

Morrongo comments on Cali Colombia was a great time!!!!!!!! Glad i went there!!!!

Nothing wrong with enjoying yourself on holiday.Young or old, have a good time, but it's the mix how you spend your time,can made a big difference between a tourist and sex tourist.

Morrongo comments on Cali Colombia was a great time!!!!!!!! Glad i went there!!!!

jajaja PCL I can party too, but the idea of visiting us here in Colombia for a bit of tail and a few drinks seems a long way to travel. These are not bad places the OP wrote about, they are where you expect tourists to go for a night out. The OP seems to be putting these clubs on a level above having an orgasm while drinking a cup of coco, they are clubs for a good night out that's all. The photos of the La Mejor Cola de Valle says it all really, if we look past the pouting nymphet ,look at those sad buggers behind.

Morrongo comments on Cali Colombia was a great time!!!!!!!! Glad i went there!!!!

So let me recap. You travelled from the States to go on vacation,when you got to Cali you went to Disco's and a fat arse competition and that's all you can tell us about our city. Apart from someone called wanker (Juan Carlos) that managed to do a bit of pimping and 'whow' hooked you up with some tickets for the best arse contest, of which these tickets have been knocking around here for months. I'm still not quite clear the point of your post? Cali has good night clubs? Wanker is a good pimp?.....Your opinions of Cali can be of little use to anyone as surely you know very little of it, apart from where wanker took you. It has got very sad here, we have come to this, there is a big sign outside Cali's International Airport Exit, (Not the National part) It states SEX tourism is not Welcome in Cali. A few more returns in body bags might see that sign disappear.

Morrongo comments on Popoyan to Pasto and Further South...

A fellow PHB'er was on a night bus not long ago on this route. The bus was taken off route and robbed.Nothing to do with FARC but local indigenous. Apart from not travelling at night,just jump on a frigging bus and enjoy your trip.

Morrongo comments on

Still with all the Op thoughts, Buenaventura is not a place for tourists. Spending a day or night on your travels does not have to be a unpleasant experience. Buenaventura has absolutely nothing to offer a tourist, apart from the odd sex tourist or someone hooked by a pouting negrita. The latter being the most popular.

Morrongo comments on What big city in Colombia has the best air quality?

Well I certainly don't want to dig myself a bigger hole. I must admit that I gave an opinion on normal Climatic weather conditions, but reading up on effects of certain mountain ranges can in fact cause localised Inversions depending on the amount cool air running into the valle. This will inhibit the amount of fresher air entering if an Inversion is in place above. It was very interesting reading. A few posters have made some constructive comments to me, to which I have investigated further. However this is a complex subject and we should note that weather Inversions for what every reason caused make the dispersion of pollution difficult and the fact that mountains can on occasions make the problem more problematic . it all depends on the 'Inversions' height in relation to the mountains height and other factors. Once again this depends on the particular weather front that is in place at the time. It is not an easy answer 'we got mountains so we have pollution' as this is not always the case. Although on certain conditions however I do now concede ,can be the case. It's a complex subject. The Climatic weather conditions at the time will determine the pollution levels. Other factors can then worsen or improve the situation. I have studied Climate Weather professionally in Marine and Aviation , but always something new to learn.......

Morrongo comments on What big city in Colombia has the best air quality?

I will repeat. MOUNTAINS have nothing much to do with air quality. However many posters here believe this has an influence on pollution. I would love to know why and perhaps many climatologists and environmentalists too. I'm hoping for a better answer than, 'well the mountains block the wind from blowing the pollution away'

Morrongo comments on What big city in Colombia has the best air quality?

In my humble opinion, Cali has some of the worse pollution in ALL Latin Amercia. Admittedly this is localised now to the main bus routes. The air quality is purely derived from the crap we are producing and climatic conditions.Inversions in the climatic weather will hold down the smoke and dust particles, thus poor air quality. Colder air above the warmer will wisp up ,smoke dust quickly,a only slightly colder air above will have the smoke and dust particals leaving more slowly ,thus aire quality is directly connected to climatic conditions and the pollution we produce. Here in Cali, pollution it is almost encouraged. The mountains have little to no effect on air quality.

Morrongo comments on Cali town

Greg....I don't like flogging dead horses , but ,hell, I will give it a go. Looking over the posts Desi or I have not rubbished any barrios. I you think using the word 'iffy' is offensive,that is your problem and you want to adjust your sensitivity meter a tad or two,in fact rack it down a fistfull. In all the posts here,I have yet to see any airs of superiority, belittling their plight. Just the fact that a Colombian or Gringo who has half idea or THINKS he has an idea, how some of these barrios work, is going to end up with his nuts in a specimen jar. Nobody has said a foreigner can't live in a lower estrato.It just presents itself with a different set of problems.The next queston bogs to the surface, Why would a foreigner want to live a lifestyle like that. I'm no snob ,but i live now in a gated secure unidad , I have lived in poorer Barrios and seen what goes on, my neighbours are not so nice here, but my specimen jar is still empty.

Morrongo comments on Cali town

Greg..you seem a decent guy and I understand you want to defend people from poorer Barrios. Nobody from this thread,as far as I read are slating or moaning about those people who live there . In fact I think you will find the majority here would defend the decent family's that have to live there Quite frankly you think you know Cali but your understanding of how it works are baffling and misleading. Your perception of ''safe'' shows you are ignorant of the various problems in security.Crimes in these Barrios are nasty with no regard to human life. Your comments of ''safe'' cut little ice with me. I'm surprised by your comments about visits to poor barrios other than Colombia, If you have spent time in those types of Barrios in Latin America you would KNOW that we have a big problem here with the amount of vicious heartless crimes , these types of crimes I have never got used to and as the years go on make me more safety conscious, not writing well 'Nothing has happened to me'' as this only shows a naive misunderstanding

Morrongo comments on

Two years ago an aviatur employee ripped 40,000,000cop yes 40,000,000 from my credit card, got my money back,but I will never used them again.

Morrongo comments on Cali town

Greg....while not wanting to undermine your opinion, frankly you are making a point without defining it. I shall make a clearer comment. Strato 1 & 2 barrios are areas that should be avoided without good knowledge and good experience in the workings of Cali. The joyful drinks in a Estanco are misleading. If you have stayed for a notable period of time or visited them on a daily bases, you will know what I'm writing about. These Barrios can be nasty. However, generally the people are as real and friendly that are the 'Salt of Colombia' but do not let that underlie what goes on in them.

Morrongo comments on Cali town

Like I said its not a bad Barrio, no ringing alarm bells, I do consider my advise fairly accurate as I live in Guadalupe

Morrongo comments on Cali town

You are looking at Limonar area, which is a good Barrio, If you go North you are into San Judas Tadeo that's not too brill, East of Av Simon Bolivar are not only iffy but some are not realistically enterable

Morrongo comments on Cali town

10/20 mins depends on transport to centro

Morrongo comments on Cali town

I have got a better idea of the location now, it's a really small Barrio....south part of Guadalupe near Av Simon Bolivar and Carrera 56 (Av Guadalupe).....Its in the south. Anything south of this are good barrios. North of this, the Barrios are a bit iffy, hope this helps

Morrongo comments on Cali town

Villas Guadalupe I believe is in the Barrio Guadalupe. This Barrio is one of the biggest in Cali. Villas Guadalupe sounds like one of the many Unidades in this area. Guadalupe is a decent enough Barrio, but touches areas of strato 1 that can be problematic

Morrongo comments on UK Visa new rules

azunoman states.FREE the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands!.....you keep making these comments as if it means something. Brits are most welcome in Argentina and the people respectful. Being able to compare the weekly demonstrations in Argentina and the sleepy hollows of the Falklands,I feel the people who live on those islands feel very free thank you, apart from glib comments, perhaps you have information or personal observations that I'm unaware of.

Morrongo comments on MODERATORS HELP NEEDED

Why not change your avatar to Buenaventura arsebandit , it is much more subtle?

Morrongo comments on Lancha Cost to Juanchaco?

You might be able to negotiate a lower price if you don't book in the kiosk's, if you are going soon,you will be in the busy period which might effect your haggling power. As nobody can be arsed to answer your queston mono28, yes, this is the season for Whale finding and hopefully watching. A very busy time to go and it will be full of tourists. Make sure you get a fast lancha, as there is a slow as moses cabin boat that will add 1hr to your journey.

Morrongo comments on A.A. Meetings in Cali?

Theres an aa on quinta near the Stadium......left handside going towards the centre...sorry never noted the precise address

Morrongo comments on YUMBO, near Cali

billy writes......A couple of days of breathing Yumbo air will knock a couple of years off your life expectancy............Unfortunately Cali is no different at present in the City centre and on the main bus routes.... Yumbo is ok if you want to buy a dead cow, I often pop over there when I'm running low on cow hoofs.....not safe..not sure about that one. it's regular, if you are just used to the shopping malls and areas then its going to appear unsafe for sure.

Morrongo comments on Toros en Cali

Kalder.....I believe there is one in July August....the Bulls are there now in the Plaza munching away unaware of their fate...The ticket office is set up in Cosmocentre, so when I see the sell in there,I will let you know. Also have a word with Brit, I do believe he is preforming there this year. So you are arriving soon? A night for a few bracers must be in order

Morrongo comments on geckos

Hell camps, you arn't sober again......

Morrongo comments on Colombia un destino sexual ?

An article in El Pais(Cali) last week highlighted that Cali was becoming a pedophiles destination and the local Colombian authorities were monitoring a worsening situation. It named Spanish and Italian's as the worse offenders. Perhaps a few of these tourists returning in body bags might relieve the situation.

Morrongo comments on

Nothing wrong with a bit of baiting between the Unions, powpow's love of English achievement's sometimes can be a bit trying to say the least,one of our latest achievement's, Mad Cow disease is not one I want to raise the Union jack aloft for, so best acknowledge the good in typical English silence. Azuno ...yeah... lets free the Falklands, hang on a minute, please remind me why we are freeing them??

Morrongo comments on Malaria tablets on the western coast?

Joanna don't worry.It will all become obvious where you can get these jabs when you are in Bogota. Loads of places do it.It's a one jab shot As I mentioned earlier , Boots do a good repellent that is 50% deet. My daughter has just visited me and we spent time in Buenaventura .She did not have one bite the whole time, using that repellent. So don't worry needlessly I would not recommend the repellent here.

Morrongo comments on Malaria tablets on the western coast?

Joanna, if you are going to study in Bogota for a month, I would do what Darloup suggests and get a Yellow fever jab here, It cost me about 5 quid 6 years ago as opposed to the UK's 40,so it is well worth it. I think the kick in time is 10 days. As regards to tabs for malaria, i would buy a good repellent like Boots jungle strenght, this will serve you well as opposed to tablets.I suppose if I was going to live in the jungle for 4 weeks in a tent I would consider tablets I would like just to repeat that people are not dropping like fly's with malaria ,but the hospitals treat people weekly with it.As Desi stated there are strains that are deadly. A local who lives there with no protect 365 days a year for umpteen years as opposed to someone on holiday wearing the correct protection,should put a prospective of the odds.