OneHappyBoy has left 79 comments

OneHappyBoy comments on Dollar below 1730

Actually the Federal Reserve came out with a change of policy and are taking steps to strengthen the Dollar. In addition, the Colombian version of the Fed, is taking steps to stop the drop of the Peso.. As much as I want to see a stronger USD, I think the Peso needs to moderate a bit, so wages, (and wage disparity) can catch up, so the less advantaged can benefit from a stronger Colombia.. I really think Colombia will end up being a shining star in SA, economically.

OneHappyBoy comments on

Da Nada Bellita... He just wants a response and being a pendejo is the best way to get one, especially if one is a little niave about this site.. remember.. Don't feed the trolls.. they just keep coming back for more....

OneHappyBoy comments on

The food thing is kind of interesting.. My wife says food in the US has way too much flavor.. She says her Colombian diet is much more simple and American portion sizes are exceptionally big compared to colombia.. As far as "fat chicks" exercise is down and per capita calorie consumption is up world wide... I don't think the average Colombiana is heavier than any other nationality... I do think they Colombiana take better care of themselves, on average, better than American women, (Not just exercise, but love to look good, and dress well) Bellita, don't feed the trolls.. Pabladopete is a hater, and maybe needs to go hang out with Chavez if he thinks Colombia is so bad...

OneHappyBoy comments on

Good job Bellita GIVE "EM Hell!...Poblado, if you don't like the Senorita's hair color, try North Europe, not SA...Look past the hair, and you may find a very sweet Colombiana.....but then again, could a sweet Colombiana find you?? hmmm?

OneHappyBoy comments on

Ilovecidy-- post a photo of your novia, i need to see what a buck toothed, cross eyed, bowlegged Jessica Alba looks like!

OneHappyBoy comments on

American women? They will bleed you dry, and use your carcass as goat feed....other than that? they are pretty great!!! Colombianas, its all about family, in general, and love being friends with their spouse.. I knew it was love when she said, i hate malls and I love hanging at home watching football, (ok, the last part was a fantasy, but she does hate malls)

OneHappyBoy comments on

Gold fish? Yikes!!! I will try that one in the heat of passion with my Wife," te deseo mi pececito rojo sumiso". I will say that right before i am eviscerated... a colombiana with a decent heart loves to be loved, but hell hath no fury like a Colombiana's scorn! whether you are dark skinned or light... I will give you a hint...no machista= sweet Colombiana....We may give Colombianas a hard time here, but they are actually pretty great and easier to get along with than American women... and just like any woman, treat them with kindness and respect and they really blossom.... Seriously, the submissive comment, how so??? My wife and I talk everything over, and are united with our decisions.. Submissive, no.... Emotional? YUP! sentimental? Just like June Cleaver!, but definitely not submissive..

OneHappyBoy comments on I miss my novia

Bellita-We are all about sympathy, for the right reasons. Go look at this persons previous post.. You can tell he is somebody just looking for,.... well something, but I reallly doubt there is much sincerity in his whining.....maybe....there is, but the odds are that he is a troll posting to get a response from people.... His girl, a bowlegged, cross eyed, Jessica Alba looking Colombiana? The guy needs TELL HER!!! not us about his "love sick heart"

OneHappyBoy comments on I miss my novia

the guy's a troll...and his post was pathetic. if he's missing her that much, he would have spent a C note on Las Buena prepaid phone cards and whined to her, not us. God knows I did... my wife loved it i felt like a love sick sap, but i didn't put it on the proverbial bill board on the I-5 expressway.

OneHappyBoy comments on I miss my novia

does your novia know you are short on Huevos?

OneHappyBoy comments on I miss my novia

grab an airline ticket and go see her... Don't whine, fly down and see her.

OneHappyBoy comments on More Immigrants saying "Hasta La Vista USA" & Going Back Home

tomtom.. I can tell you by experience, working on the investigation side of illegal labor, if they are working here illegally, and they show up in the emergency room with a workman's comp claim, and the state or the insurance carrier finds out they are working under a phony SSN, they are not going to pay, BECAUSE IT IS INSURANCE FRAUD....it is like they are not working at all. The rightful owner of the SSN is working there in the eyes of the law. The employer, and employee face insurance fraud issues. Who pays, if at all, is the employer, out of pocket. Oh yea, lets not forget that they will be HIGHLY discouraged , by employers, from getting the help they need, because the last thing Joe's meat packer wants is ICE to find out and come breaking down the doors of the HR department and the production floors.

OneHappyBoy comments on Bellita

yes!!! it has been a wonderful experience learning about the colombian culture and it truly has been wonderful learning about my wonderful wife!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Santos wants to be the next president of Colombia

Maybe G.W. Bushie for president of Colombia? Maybe no? he might as come screw up your country like he did ours........

OneHappyBoy comments on Can I request a translation?

My wife can swear at me all she wants in spanish and I don't understand. As long as when I say "consigame otra cerveza" and another beer appears, Im good!!. (seriously, it would in deed appear, broken over my head!!)

OneHappyBoy comments on Seven people were killed in five incidents in less than nine hours late Friday and early yesterday!!

Miamimike! you are right!!!! some of our finest criminals are in our police departments!! In Boise Idaho a cop shot and killed a 12 year old with a bayonett and called it self defense. even though the cop had a taser... No murder charges filed and the cop is still roaming streets as one of Boise's finest!! and lets not forget trading sex for not issuing tickets or avoiding arrest...

OneHappyBoy comments on More Immigrants saying "Hasta La Vista USA" & Going Back Home

wait? we are talking about "illegal immigration?" YES, it should be hard for these folks to get jobs, and it doesn't have anything to do with the tax structure. These folks need to go home and enter the country LEGALLY. Not just because the US has a stick up their butts, but so they can have workers rights, and access to benefits. It keeps the whole system honest, from the business owner to the worker. lets not forget the huge increases in crime in those border towns, where illegal crossing are rampant. There are hospitals closing their emergency departments and maternity wards in Colorado and California because illegals are leaving them with so many unpaid bills. In the meat packing plants, the illegals have no health insurance or workers comp. (they won't pay if they are illegal). If a guy cuts off his finger, oh well, just call him "three fingers", throw on a Band Aid and send him back to work. I am all for LEGAL immigration, but it does suck how the guy wanting to make an honest buck ends up being screwed in low paying jobs. If people came through on work visas, wages would be higher, and the quality of life would improve for these folks. if the source countries would work a little harder building their economy, their citizens would need to flee to the US for crappy wages. When a country's, like Mexico, #2 source of foriegn receipts is wire transfers from the US, SOMETHING is wrong!! Mexico's economy took a major hit a couple of years back when we started to tighten money laundering compliance and the wire transfers dropped 3% year over year, post 911. The only thing that keeps a stable economy is if everybody plays by the same rules; the corporations, the workers and the government.

OneHappyBoy comments on Seven people were killed in five incidents in less than nine hours late Friday and early yesterday!!

Aztec-It's DC...Except for the capital area, and the suburbs of Virginia, (Alexandria) and Maryland, (Annapolis), its pretty much a crime ridden mess that extends to Richmond Virginia. As a matter of fact, its a crime ridden mess that extends from Philly to Richmond. Cram enough people together and this is what you get... Ya, Colombia maybe dangerous, but its getting better, and like the US, it has places that are safer than others... The comparison isn't the same. Colombia has alot of criminals, some dumb and some not so dumb, but very dangerous and organized. In the US, within 500km of Washington DC is more than 1/3 of the US population,(roughly 130 million people), and its full of alot of dumb ass petty criminals that shoot first and talk later for $1 US or because he didn't like how you look, so the raw numbers of incidents are higher. You have to look at the per capita incidents of crime, (if reported accurately). Hell, in Miami, they used to do car jackings, and shoot the drivers at random, coming out of the Miami airport. The main reason is they just needed a ride or to sell the car for drug money. It wasn't until the victims started shooting back, did that stop. Same thing in North Las Vegas, Convenience store robberies dropped to zero one summer when an owner of one store shot the would be assailant with a sawed off shotgun in the face. Its was great aversion therapy for all of the would be criminals needing quick cash for their daily fix of narcotics.

OneHappyBoy comments on

LOL!!! I love that!!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Can I request a translation?

ooops!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on What do the FARC really want?

si!! roberto! more damned fruit than anywhere I have seen!!! maybe they had dreams of frijoles and arroz? maybe a little carne?

OneHappyBoy comments on FARC Desertions Hit Record High

I was cruising the older posts and thought I should comment on this.. VERY good new clip!! Yes, its been a long road for Colombia ridding itself of FARC, but it is paying off in dividends!! Hopefully peace in the country side soon!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Fiance Needs a Pet!

so, the cat and the dog can hang out all day and entertain themselves? Maybe they can walk each other?.... Just trying to understand the post:)

OneHappyBoy comments on What do the FARC really want?

sex drugs and rock and roll.... Wait a minute??? that was San Francisco in the 60's.... I think it was about poor peasants wanting 3 squares a day of digestable food, and a bit of equality in society, but like any noble cause, (food in their bellies, not FARC), gets screwed up. Give the noble cause a name, put a man in charge, and involve guns, you end up with 40 years of an insurgency with no direct... I KNOW!! a bit simplistic, but it hey.. it was the best I could do with my limited history of Colombia.. (Seriously, I woulld love to know more history about Colombia, it is a country with quite colorful stories)

OneHappyBoy comments on US Dept. of Trans. (DOT) Finalizes 28 new US-Colombia routes

yes, it sucks a guy has to piece together flights between the States and Colombia, (SA for that matter) to get a decent price!!! If it wasn't for COPA air, $1k minimum to get to Bogota. It costs less to fly from Seattle to London than Seattle to Bogota..

OneHappyBoy comments on I am in love

lemme guess her mom needs an operation and wants you to send her $500? oh and can you through in an i pod? yup !!! a trolling we go!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Licores/spirits

There HAS To be something internationally marketable for alcohol in Colomba!!! Colombia can grow just about ANYTHING! maybe Coca beer? Hemp wine?.. All kidding aside, there are more fruit varieties in Colombia, than on Burbon Street, in New Orleans, during Carnival!! There has to be something delicious that ferments or distills well that would have international appeal? a random thought, how would a USA style hand crafted brewery/ pub go over in, say, Bogota? Are there any bars of pubs that ferment their own beer?

OneHappyBoy comments on me STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Cat! Miami ! thats too funny!! Marriage is alot like shooting dice, sometimes snake eyes, sometimes 6's

OneHappyBoy comments on me STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miami Mike- kudos to you and your wife.. I was lucky enough to find a really great lady, who I trusted and she trusted me, and life's great.  As far as expenses, sounds like you guys have a great thing going. My wife's education in Colombia was in healthcare, and she needed to take classes to sit for her boards here, in the US. When she sits for her boards, she will be economically self sufficient and will do her part. I do want to say this. I have not met one Colombiana over 30 who was looking for a "free ride" from a gringo. They would LOVE to find a great guy, whether a gringo or Colombiano, that would be good to them, and offer them a chance at a better life, no matter how self sufficient they already are.. I think alot of this BS about Colombianas out for a buck is really all about dumb *ss gringos who think they can throw around a bunch of cash and "buy a hot 20 something" chica. The typical guy that complains about being screw over is a 35 dude, thinking he can end up with a 20 year old and decides to fall in love over a long weekend. Ain't happening in Seattle, LA, or NYC. It ain't happening in Colombia either. Just remember, a fool and his money will soon part.

OneHappyBoy comments on me STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike-you are right.. My point exactly, if you are married to a foreign bride, MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR, and if it sounds dubious don't send the money. As for your comment about and educated Colombiana accepting money, you are right, if they need help, they will certainly be open to a frank and direct conversation about exactly why they are asking, and they won't "nickel and dime" you with multiple financial requests. All I am saying is you would probably feel a bit odd if a girl you dated for a few weeks in NYC said she was madly in love with you, and "by the way, could you spare a couple of $100's and bring me a laptop?". No different in Colombia, you would run like HELL!!

OneHappyBoy comments on me STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

who is Ewyed, Catgirl? About meeting my sister in laws, we will have to talk, if you are a great guy.. They are a great family that i respect A LOT and they are very cool Senoras.

OneHappyBoy comments on Marriage for citizenship

POKER!! what you are doing is FRAUD!!!!! IT IS ILLEGAL, even in Colombia!!!! and you are USING People !! What a sociopath!!!! GEEZ!! i smell a troll

OneHappyBoy comments on Mobile Phones

so.. how long have you known her? I would think about THAT one! We call to family in colombia all the time and calls in=free. or they buy more minutes, (doesn't cost that much). OR WE USE THE LAND LINE.... hey... I am just saying, 6-7 calls, no answer a lame excuse= Hmmmm? seems a bit odd.....

OneHappyBoy comments on me STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok............so, now we have gotten past the bitterness. When I married my wife, she was 44 and living with family... She was working and didn't ask for one dime...I offered it many times. I bought her a ticket for the states, we got married, and then she asked for cash, not much, just enough to provide the essentials and contribute a little to her household, while she waited in Colombia for the visa to be approved. We established some ground rules upfront about that, and then I gave. It was enough of an allowance to provide for her in the manner she was accustom, AND NO MORE! A guy takes care of his responsibilities. Now we have a wonderful life together and we treat each other like best friends. NOW for you.. understand, NEVER SEND MONEY BEFORE A FIRM COMMITMENT! (like marriage or a fiancee visa has been filed) NO, its not like, "Don't feed the Monkeys" at the zoo never; if she needs a little one time help, great!, just not laptops, I-pods, etc. It poisons the whole situation. Remember, if your novia is used to living on $200- $400 USD a month, she doesn't suddenly need a couple of hundred from you on a regular basis. just like in the US.. you wouldn't give money to a girl you've dated a few times, just becuase she asked, (unless you are dating hookers) YES, alot of the Chicas are poor by our standards and want a better life, no different than my wife. Find one who is mature and sincere and KNOWS not to gorge themselves at the trough; one closer to your age. Also, if you are old(er) don't go look for a 20 something chica to hang with, you are just a wallet to them, because they know there is no common ground between you..and the two years needed to be considered permanent resident in the US=divorce.. There are a lot of great single Colombianas in their 30's and 40's who are absolutely gorgeous and well educated, (like my sister in laws) that would kill for a wonderful man who is honest, sincere, and willing to be a partner. So, if you are serious with this chica, laydown the law, don't send cash, and have a SERIOUS conversation about your future and your expectations on helping out. My wife; she is back in school, updating her degree she recieved in Colombia and works part time. Not because we need it, but so she can be functional in this society. hope this gives you some insight.

OneHappyBoy comments on Cheapest Flight to Bog Fr USA

We always compare multiple airlines to port cities, like Miami, NYC or Houston, and LA.. Some times its cheaper to fly to an east coast city. then buy a domestic ticket on priceline.com for the domestic leg of the flight. COPA is competitive with Contintental, (they code share). American is EXPENSIVE. United not quite as bad, but AVIANCA is always more. Last fall and winter, it was so cheap, comparatively, to fly to SA, Now, WOW! prices are sky high!! good luck!! chao!

OneHappyBoy comments on Marriage for citizenship

A couple of men in FLA got caught in Colombiana/US citizenship fraud, where the Colombiana paid $ upon residency(I am sure that year working at Subway for free sucked). Well, All went to prison, in FLA...FOR FRAUD!!!! I am sure, with Colombia's more "efficient judiciary system" They probably have similar sentencing guidelines, since what you are proposing is FRAUD!!!! I don't care whether the country is Ghana, Syria, Camaroon, or Colombia, if somebody request citizenship, the respective governments want them to not go about it in a fraudulent manner. My wife, before I came along,over the course of 10 years, had one Colombian/American boyfriend, based out of Miami steal her identity to help him mule. Another American gringo showed up, off and on, in Bogota, over the course of 2 years, promising her the world, while having a senorita in Orlando he was married to; and another Canadian man, who was in Colombia on business for 6 months told her she was his "world" , supposedly wanting to take her to Canada, then dissappeared back to Canada one day; no explanation or good bye. What I am getting at is NICE Colombianas put of with alot of SHIT from gringos with the hopes of something better in their life. You are not going to find a long line of Colombianas outside your door, just because you are an American with money to burn, trying to buy Colombian citizenship. They want somebody that is going to treat them with respect and some sort of commitment beyond the citizenship requirements. If you do find that "special girl" chances are she is probably has motives of her own, that will propbably involve parting you from more than just your money. Remember, you may get a lot more than you bargained for. What are you going to do? go to the Police and say, "hey! I married this woman for citizenship, but she and her Colombiano stole my money! my identity!, and all my chit!! HELP!!!"- Better yet, sing that one to the US consulate, as you limb back home.. I am sure they will be there with open arms. Anyway, good luck with your endeavors!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on

so.. this is quite an interesting thread....Yea, the money spent is in the US's interest, JUST AS MUCH AS IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF EVERYDAY COLOMBIANS, who, as late as 2000 was subject to violent bombings and incursions in their cities and village; and where economic growth was non existent. Hell, there is still a third of your country that is held by a terrorist insurgency. Now,FARC is on the defensive, foriegn investment is up in Colombia, and more Colombians are starting to see a bit of an economic benefit. Yes, Things are still not great in Colombia, but they are slowly getting better, and the US is investing in Colombia, in hopes of stabilizing the Country, AND slowing the supply of narcotics, (agreed that ain't happening until demand drops off.). Seems like a win/win... Unfortunately, politics is a contact sport, but necessary for the good of all.. Whats the answer? Turn the country over to FARC? Turn it over to the Drug Cartels?, Turn it over to be a Suburb of Venezuela? Whatever you guys want to bi*ch about is great, but the reality is, the means to stablizing Colombia is not perfect, but its working, and what is good for the US is good for Colombia, and the Average Colombian. As far as the comment about Equador not retaliating against Colombia? No political will of a poorly trained army, and yes, the US would probably offer support to Colombia.. That is also why Chavez stayed out of the fray.... He knows, he can complain about alot of things about the USA, but one thing he can't deny is we have REALLY good Air support and can bomb a country REALLY well, plus, who is going to buy his dirty oil? Lighten up on the US guys...The US tax payor dumps BILLIONS of dollars into third and second world countries in times of natrual disasters, or political need, but NOT ONE COUNTRY WILL step up if we have a problem, ala Katrina, or 911. We really do tend to go it alone..I am not saying we are perfect, but we are also not the devil incarnate.

OneHappyBoy comments on Where to buy Colombian Food In Orange County, Ca

No..but then again i live is Seattle. there is no real decent source of Colombian, or Suda American food, for that matter here. Which leads us to the ambition of my wife, to open a SA Tienda, and financial services business for us families who have ties to both NA and SA. Good luck!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Interpol puts Chávez, Correa on the spot -Oppenheimer

I really doubt the impotent Chavez will ever piss Colombia off too bad.. If he invaded Colombia, Washington will come to the rescue, (as they should) and with a few precision bombs, help shudder Chavez in his boots. (We do REALLY WELL dropping bombs. We just occupy badly). Nobody will really come to the aid of Venezuela, since I think Chavez has pissed off about everybody but the Iranians and Equadorans, and I don't think they see Venezuela as an Islamic friendly country, ripe for terror. Plus, we ARE his market for crude, (ask every pissed off US citizen who buys from a CITGO gas station). As goes his a Venezuelan oil embargo, so goes the Venezuelan economy.. My thinking, the US, and SA should be looking more like the EU and less "like big bro little bro" and grow our economies. Then we can give the Chinese and Indians something to piss and moan about! (after Chavez is in a prison somewhere in Guyana!)

OneHappyBoy comments on Visa

Discover, discover it maybe gone one day and you can't pay the bill;)

OneHappyBoy comments on Are we screwed or what?

Nueva york- you don't have to be engaged to get a travel visa. you just have to show that you have a purpose, other than taking up residence, like a vacation, visit relatives, get medical care.. They don't care as long as you have ties BACK in colombia, and you have the financial means, or another person will support you while you are traveling and you INTEND to return to Colombia. Also, if you have a history of overstaying visas or have any criminal activity in your life, that probably won't get you here to visit..

OneHappyBoy comments on Are we screwed or what?

Medellin traveler- If you were asking me about me and my novia-Great!! no problems and very happy... You are right- you have to use what resources you have... Without some way to document an ongoing relationship, it gets pretty sticky. We were just fortunate to have the ablility to document a long distance marriage.. From what I can figure out, for us, through this process, the US Embassy WANTS incontrovertable evidence that a couple is married.If you don't have the ability to maintain the "virtual" marriage, then I think a guy, (or gal) HAS to spend a lot of time in Colombia, and your spouse, or fiancee a lot of time here. I felt like I had to share "the family photo album" so to speak, with the government. Many letters between my wife and I, many pictures.Pictures with her and my family, pictures of me and he family. Vacation pictures.For one month, we carried a camera around and asked people out of the blue to take our picture in front of some landmark that was easily recognizable, with a date and time stamp. Every time she came to visit, I wrote a letter for her to give to the customs agent with my name, address, phone number, my employer's name and phone number. I asked for entry, promised support of her, and I included a foot note that entry was not to be for more than 45 days or 60 days etc, so he didn't think we were using the trip for her to come and stay..then we had him sign a copy, and we used THAT for evidence she was seeing ME. And it depends on who is working your case at the embassy. me, traveling to Bogota for the interview, mattered ALOT to the guy. You are right. You don't need an attorney to do the work.. It just helps to run things past somebody, for me an attorney and the case worker at the church, for questions I had, and to look over the forms. IF you want somebody to do it for you.. Then I suggest an attorney, and not a guy like ELKIN! With an attorney you have recourse if they fuck up. Chao!

OneHappyBoy comments on Are we screwed or what?

I will go out on a limb and say that since she is Colombian, and welll... you both are probably Catholic... Most diocese have family re-unification programs. I originally started to hire and attorney to get my then fiancee/now wife here.. for $3000 plus fees.. I thought maybe, as an accountant, I know how to file forms as well as the next guy. I called the case worker at the diocese for input on a couple of questions. I paid a crappy attorney a few hundred here and there to answer questions. I OVER DOCUMENTED everything and had my family and her family write letters how much we were in love. and filed it myself for ALOT less than ELKIN..and the $3000, well it was better spent on airline tickets for her to come here to visit-well for MORE evidence that we were married! Bottom line- don't follow somebody blindly during this process, LEARN as much as you can about this process, and use professionals where needed, not guys LIKE ELKIN! For what you paid Elkin, you could have bought and paid for a REALLY GOOD immigration attorney. Our route here was to have her come her on vacation. We decided to get married here, in the US, and then I sent her back to Colombia. Then we filed the I-130, then K-3. We are close to the same age, and made our lives an open book to the immigration service. Visajourney.com is good, and formassistant.com is great for filing in the forms. If you decide to engage an attorney, the information is all on theG325A and with your supporting documents, they can get the job done. For us, the trick was copies of many emails, many airplane tickets, many reciepts for Moneygram, showing support, and many phone records showing phone calls.PLUS the promise to continue to show MORE documentation as they requested.. Don't worry about being denied. the only way it would matter in the future is if they found out one of you was a criminal, or you were trying to skirt the immigration laws, or you have brought a string of girls from Colombia to the US through the immigration process. ALWAYS ALWAYS Tell them the truth!!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Free Trade Agreement not likely

I don't think the Democrats are going to totally divest itself in Colombia, nor will it totally cut off funds for assistance. If there is ever a bright spot in our foriegn policy, it is Colombia. We have provided foriegn aid, which Uribe has invested WISELY into security and economic development, and military assistance in fighting FARC and the paramilitaries. THAT, I don't think, will change. It maybe less money, but money will still go to Colombia. The change will be in less economic growth for Colombia.My vision, get rid of NAFTA, with Mexico and Canada, (neither country really needs this agreement with us, and it just fuels illegal immigration from Mexico), and look towards Central America, and Northern South America for economic partnership. I think THAT would tone down that crazy Chavez, and benefit our hemisphere, much like the European Union has for Europe. In fact, as far as I am concerned, we have more in common with South American Countries, like Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, And Chile, than Mexico. The Mexican Governments biggest export is cheap illegal labor. i swear nobody in the country has any desire to grow a healthy economy that Mexicans can be proud of! I think the average South American WANTS a strong South America and they know it comes from pride in their respective countries. Yes, there are some challenges with left leaning governments, but all in all, South American's love being South Americans and that is where the US needs to invest in free trade agreements.

OneHappyBoy comments on CatGirl

Hey! I appreciate your input on ways to help my wife adjust to the US!! Thanks!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Lcacique

hey I appreciate your posts on my questions about my colombian wife adapting to Seattle... IT helps!! Though we are very sensitive to each others needs, Its tough, so its great to hear of ways to help her... thanks!!

OneHappyBoy comments on Colombians in the Pacific Northwest

Hey guys I appreciate the feedback! Yes, she is from Bogota.. We have worked very hard on her english, and I have been learning spanish... I did get Vonage for phone service, and she can call her family alot.. That helps. and we keep mucho Colombian music in the house. As Much as I hate it sometimes, it is a very small price to pay for her happiness:) I told her we will hopefully start a business based on Colombia and put her back in College. (at 44 she actually loves the idea)

OneHappyBoy comments on

ok. 49% underemployment, 10%, (surely under-reported) unemployment, per capita GDP of $7500usd.. The peso is gaining strength. good, the economy is growing good, but its has to grow ALOT to price out somebody with a 6 figure retirement, (or low 5 figure for that matter). I don't think there is one person that doesn't want to see Colombia succeed and become more prosperous, including us gringos. I know it sure would make my wife's family alot more content. I'm a gringo that makes decent enough money, and send a relatively good amount to to Colombia each month, along with a fair share that goes to Avianca airlines,so we can see each other frequently while my wife and I wait for her visa to go through. IT IS ALL ADDING TO YOUR ECONOMY pink!!! As far as sex tourists..Its the law of supply and demand... once the economy of Colombia picks up a bit more, and there is more opportunities for girls than to sell themselves, it will fall off.I really doubt a girl is going to not turn a trick because you throw her 50k COP.. She will just take you money and go turn a trick anyway... In the US, we have all sorts of Latino trailer trash, along with some really great industrious Latinos, and Latinas, that make our country great..No different with gringos in Colombia. Maybe you should consider that you can't choose your nieghbors, but you can choose how you get along with them, and I would truly say that gringo dollars is supporting the COPs strength, so maybe Pink maybe your peeing in your own punch bowl. Myself, I am betting on Colombia growing stronger economically, but geo and economic politics are against it growing on the same trajectory that it has followed the last 5 years. By year end, the COP will start to fall again with a strengthening dollar. The hope is Colombia can grow a stable industrial and service base, allowing more economic equity so people can look past prostitution and narco traffic when they think of Colombia.

OneHappyBoy comments on Wine/Grapes

Colombia has too high of humidity.. Not hot enough, in the good growing regions, and no cold autumn nights. other than that, its a great place to grow grapes:) There are some grapes that lend themselves to being grown in a climate like Colombia, but I don't know the quality of grapes for wine.

OneHappyBoy comments on COLOMBIA, 2 completely different people under one flag

So, predominant mestizo from Bogota? Mainly andean/spanish? My wife is 100% Colombian, but fair skin, short 5'2" predominant cheek bones, som italian blood... I can't really get from her if she has more European ancestry or indigenous? She says she doesn't really know. how predominant is European ancestry in Bogota v. indigenous? YES a very general question, but one founded in trying to learn more about the people in the area