RAAAY has left 2336 comments

RAAAY comments on I am so Happy about the Peso

Roc........I figured it would sound good..............why did you have to spoil it..:) .

RAAAY comments on I am so Happy about the Peso

Same ip address...same nastiness...same jibes at people......the first attack on people on this site since his last departure............Welcome back GIB

RAAAY comments on I am so Happy about the Peso

Just the same nasty and vindictive type of post, that we have'nt seen any of, since his last thermal nuclear breakdown. Welcome back GIB. A return to nastiness on this site. .

RAAAY comments on I am so Happy about the Peso

Yes GIB....you're always right.

RAAAY comments on TRIP REPORT..........MEDELLIN TO VENEZUELA.........

Time to finish my story about this little trip. Today is a good day to do it, what with having a ferocious hangover.................. . . After the dog has a little refreshment, we head off in the direction of Venezuela. It's not easy to see where Venezuela starts and Colombia stops, there is so much traffic. I discover that I have already left Colombia, without getting stamped out, so I have to go back to the DAS building. You actually have to tell the DAS guy weather you are arriving or departing. The same line handles both. There is no security, checking bags, none of that. Every vehicle seems to be just waved on. At this point I have my first encounter with Venezuelan police. He is leaning against a pillar, on his cell phone. I'm beside him, waiting for him to acknowledge me. Eventually he is ready and I ask him where do I go to get my passport stamped in. He gruffly waves me off in the direction of this little booth. . San Antonio is a dirty, smelly town. I wandered around a bit. The dog did'nt like the place either. He decided that nobody would even notice another bit of shit on the pavement. I thought it a good idea not to bother scooping it up. . It takes a couple of hours to get the bike permit and insurance. After getting it all sorted out, I just want to get out of this friggin town. Trying to get directions out is a joke. Every policeman I asked were rude and obnoxious. One told me to take the Colombian flag off the bike. I said no. He was a pissed at this. He told me again. I said NO again. Now, he is lost for words and just rambles on, so I just pulled off, my Colombian and Irish flags fluttering gently in the breeze.. F*** him. You can't get gas in San Antonio if you have Colombian plates on your vehicle and there are huge lines at the few gas stations. After cutting in front of a long line, I get all gassed up, less than $1 to fill up. The same fill up costs about $30 in Colombia. I take off the Colombian flag. It is apparent that I will have problems getting gas, if they think you are Colombian. The road eventually brings some decent scenery. But, everytime I stop, you notice garbage strewn about. . . . Around 9pm I come to the town of Barinas. I spot a nice looking hotel and check in for the night. After pulling down the sheets I notice that the bed comes equipped with a collection of bugs. . . Hotel Espor........the next morning............never again. . . A little up the road, you get a sense of how much of Venezuela's oil revenues is spent on housing. . . . Between Barinas and Merida there is some really nice scenery. The mountain road is good, but like everywhere else here, there are very few road signs to warn of sharp curves. The countryside would remind you of rural Austria or Switzerland. There are some lovely small hotels, all with seperate cabins. It appears they get quite a bit of tourism from hill walkers and cyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On arrival in Merida the first thing that hits you is the amount of traffic. It is brutal. Hot and too much traffic. This bike is big and very noticable. Venezuelans totally ignore you. They will look and turn away quickly. Everyone, everywhere. They turn away. Colombians are a friggin torture. Passing people on the road, they whistle, yelp, stare at this big friggin bike. Road workers signal their friends when they see you coming. People in cars take photos. It is never ending in Colombia. Venezuelans just ignore you. Except for the kids in Merida. . . After checking e-mail in one of those internet cafes, I discover that DIAN will be closed on Thursday for the holiday. I'm unsure if they will remain closed until Tuesday as Monday is a holiday. So, only time for a sandwich in Merida and a little spin around the town before heading back. Around 6pm I come on a roadblock entering some little town. These people had put huge pieces of wood blocking the road and set it alight. Nobody could get passed, people seemed a little frightened and began turning around. I noticed some of these thugs looking at the bike. My thought was, they might consider it a good addition to their fire. I managed to beat a hasty exit down a side street and eventually ended up around the barricade. This picture was taken while it was still light, but not enough for a good shot. . . The ride to San Cristobol took until around 11pm. There was some sort of power outage, so all the little towns were in total darkness. You can't see the speed bumps on entry into every town, so you need to be really carefull. I did'nt realise until I got back, that Venezuela is considered dangerous to be on the roads alone and at night. . . First Gringo he has laid eyes on. . I discover that San Cristobal has a very nice 5 star hotel. Of we go, no more of that other shite with bugs. They relucantly accept the dog, who was more than happy to get into good sheets again. At $220 US per night, we relaxed in the hot tub and devoured the room service fare. . . . More traffic in the morning. San Cristobol to San Antonio seemed to be one big traffic jam. I could'nt get gas as the lines were just too long. There were a few nice things to see on the way. . . . . The traffic in San Antonio was terrible. It was also hot and clammy. The poor dog was not impressed. I got the passport stamped out and asked the nice Venezuelan lady to give me a little water, from the cooler beside her. She shrugged and said no. Between the heat and the traffic and this bitch, I was not in the humour for another obnoxious Venezuelan. I gave her a verbal lambasting that included the word F*** about ten times. I enquired of her, if she was aware that Chavez is a faggot. I also politely told her, that I would say a wee prayer that she be struck by a bolt of lightning. The nicest thing for me was to see the back of Venezuela and the welcome to Colombia sign. . . . Back in Cucuta and stamped in by the friendly and efficent DAS officer. " Welcome to Colombia " he said, with a warm smile. I stopped by some police officers to ask directions to the DIAN office. They smiled, patted the dog, gave me directions and wished me a nice trip. Thank God to be back in Colombia. DIAN was closed for lunch, but the security guys went inside to get some water for the dog. The poor wee F**ker was roasting, so I poured some water over him. Not impressed. . . I put my Florida plate back on and the DIAN guy took about 15 minutes to check the bike and give me a new permit. I wandered around Cucuta and found some gas. I ask a guy for directions to the same hotel I had stayed in before. He, of course, insists on escorting me to the hotel. Back to the shopping mall, more new clothes, but not until after finding a nice bird to make a sandwich out of. . . The ride to Bucramanga was much nicer this time. No rain and the pains from the spill in Cisneros were beginning to wear off. . . . . . This was a funeral prosession. There was about 100 vehicles of all sorts. . . . I stumbled onto a nasty Colombian Biker gang. On the road between Cucuta and Bucaramanga. They were stopped at the little village which represents the highest point in Colombia......... . They surrounded the bike.......It's a good thing my vicious guard dog kept them off... . . . . . . . . . . They forced me to follow them to Bucaramanga............Once there, they decided to try and poisin me. They forced me to drink some sort of Local Colombian liquid. All in all.....a truly nasty bunch...........I'm lucky to have escaped. . Bucaramanga to Medellin..........nice day......nice ride......nice people........they're Colombian after all.............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RAAAY comments on I am so Happy about the Peso

A lecture from a newbie......................Hello GIB whatzzzup (newbie) says on May 10, 21:32: flag Dear Senior Troll, I guess it would be better if Colombia turned into Panama where the wealthy retired came down and jack up housing prices to where the people who work and live there can't afford to buy a home. I heard home invasions were up for these people. Do you think maybe when the local people get priced out of the realestate market in Medellin by forign fat cats there may be a reaction to that? In other words just how long it will take for that to get the attention of certain people who will be more than happy to cash your 6 figure retirement plan while you set in a cage somewhere. The sooner that happens the better. It would be better for Colombia. I don't think the trailer trash as you put it do as much harm as the wealthy forigner comming here. Trailer trash and backpackers do not drive the locals to live on the streets, they contribute to the economy by existing in it, not lording over it.

RAAAY comments on Updated the rules

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 11, 01:50: flag I think the changes are all good; flag button, more power to moderators, time-limited edit button is good Desi..............Is there a remote possibility that someone has'nt noticed these changes yet.................nawwwwwwwww.......probably not............ ...........

RAAAY comments on I am so Happy about the Peso

g-s...........you make a good point....................but , the good news is, if this was'nt such a good and unique site, nobody would want to bother trying to hijack it. Peter and his mods will sort out the f****n idiots in their own good time.............all will be well............................. .

RAAAY comments on Message from GIB

Canadaman....." You guys ran off UtopiaCowboy and GIB.." Canadaman...............I'm 13 years old, I am using my mammy's computer. Somebody " ran off " because of something I typed into my keyboard ????

RAAAY comments on Message from GIB

lollllllllllllllllllllllll...........................what are you smokin......?????????? . I thought clowns were only in the circus.................. jajajajajajajjajajajaajjajajajaajajajajaj .

RAAAY comments on Updated the rules

Peter ......I understand you added a flag button several days ago................do you think there might be any idiots out there that have'nt noticed that yet..? probably not...........nobody could be that dumb.... and the new edit button......??..............is there a remote possibility that somebody can't figure out the basics of that yet...???............nawwwww.....probably not......nobody could be that dumb..................or ......perhaps.....noooooo.................could there be somebody....??? .

RAAAY comments on Message from GIB

dwante......." . i will never underestimate the reality of the dangers out there, as i have seen them all--murder on several occassions--right in front of me. so it's not like i have some fanciful delusion about life there. hardly. i only feel blessed that i'm alive " You must be from the States...............?? ..........................seriously............you did'nt believe all this shite..............................did you..??? .

RAAAY comments on Safety of Cartagena-Medellin and Medellin-Pereira buses?

It is a well documented fact that Colombian drivers are regarded as the worst in the world. Just to name one......MotorTrend magazine just did another article on it. .

RAAAY comments on Pow wow deleted again

Catfish.............Angelita is one of my new user names............why ? .

RAAAY comments on Safety of Cartagena-Medellin and Medellin-Pereira buses?

Rondubya says..." You could step off the bus after a safe trip only to be flattened by a taxi as you try crossing the street. Hope this helps....." Shit........I'm sure that really helps.:) .

RAAAY comments on Making changes

Peter.......Someone has probably pointed this out already, but the " new " posts on the active page is not working yet. My wee fingers are getting sore having to scroll down to the new posts...... .

RAAAY comments on tariff on import of used cars......

I'm not sure what you mean about taxes here. There are no taxes for importing a vehicle on a temp permit.

RAAAY comments on tariff on import of used cars......

Doc......that's one of the many that work best. Sloop..." But the renewal after three months, then dribining out of the country, and beginning again seems, to me, to be too much of a PITA." The 3 month renewal is a piece of cake. Just go to your local DIAN office. It took me ten minutes. The driving out of the country part, really depends on your tolerance for a spin. The funny part is you don't actually even need to take the vehicle out. You go to Cucuta, bring the vehicle to the DIAN and have the permit exit stamped.Check into a hotel. Take a taxi to the immigration office near the border and get stamped out. Continue on to the Venezuelan imigration and get stamped in, turn around and go back and sit by the pool in your hotel. Next day, take the taxi back to the Venezuelan office and get stamped out. Get stamped in at the Colombian office and take your vehicle back over to DIAN for a new permit. Beginning to end, this process takes about one hour, maybe two, if there are people in front of you at DIAN. .

RAAAY comments on Safety of Cartagena-Medellin and Medellin-Pereira buses?

........Amy..." Are the drivers alert or do they take drugs to stay awake on the long trips like US truckers do? " Amy....US truckers are now one of the most highly regulated and enforced people in the country. The whole drug thing with them, no longer exists. They have regular and mandatory drug screening. As to bus drivers here in Colombia. They are as bad if not worse than all the other Colombian drivers. Colombians are known, far and wide, as being the WORST drivers in the world. .

RAAAY comments on tariff on import of used cars......

What type of Visa do you have for Colombia..? .

RAAAY comments on tariff on import of used cars......

Doc.........You get a 3 month permit. You can then get an extension of a further 3 months. There are no taxes at all. After you have used up the 6 months you can take the vehicle out of the country, usually into Venezuela or Ecuador and repeat the process. .

RAAAY comments on Test picture post

Medellin Traveler says ..... " I hate the new edit time-out feature, for several reasons. It will limit my postings " Is that a promise...?? Hee hee.......weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee .

RAAAY comments on tariff on import of used cars......

And Santander........ .

RAAAY comments on Pow wow deleted again

It does seem a little heavy handed.........maybe there is something we don't know...........he pretty much, just posts his stuff and does'nt seem to bother anybody. Who knows, probably more to it ....?? .

RAAAY comments on Announcing Kat1 as a new moderator

Absolutely........ .

RAAAY comments on Announcing Kat1 as a new moderator

Nice handle Pow Wow............ I personally always enjoy your posts.But then again, I have a weird sense of humour. .

RAAAY comments on Announcing Kat1 as a new moderator

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 10, 03:11: flag .." Puff......I have just deleted ray(moderator) " .........Was'nt me Desi....I suspect the hand of an Italian prankster at work............You can see more evidence of his humour 4 posts up................this time he even got you to agree with him, 3 up..........obviously you two have the same sense of humour. Kat, congrats on the new job, make sure you get your $125,000 salary paid to an offshore account like Desi does. What colour is your new PBH Mercedes ? . .

RAAAY comments on Laureles - 33 Nightlife Area / Property

MitchAlvarez says .......... " robi but reading your comments id say im confused now " No matter what Robi says, he confuses everybody, ..............so don't worry about it Mitch. .

RAAAY comments on THANK YOU GUYS!

Ahhhhhhh.........We have a new member.........Can I start giving her abuse yet, or should I wait until tomorrow...?? .

RAAAY comments on Making changes

At last........now I can get a couple of dozen new user names..............weeeeeeeeeee .

RAAAY comments on Laureles - 33 Nightlife Area / Property

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RAAAY comments on Laureles - 33 Nightlife Area / Property

Jeez Robi........I don't want to encourage anyone to come over here........but....I think you have it all wrong. Robi..." - The 33 nightlife area has apparently undergone a revamp and is now much more up market - is this accurate? No - The prices are a lot less cost wise than Poblado. You get what you pay. - People are starting to look at moving back to this area due to the cost in ie Poblado. No. - The city is promoting the area and aiming to have it compete somewhat with Poblado. No. Nightlife is much improved on 33........there are a load of new bars/clubs/modern lounge type places. There is activity here during the week-days that you don't get in Poblado. Prices......yes, you get what you pay.......Laureles is rising faster than Poblado. More and more people are moving here. You will not see " for rent" or " for sale " lasting very long. The city has already done a huge amount of work here. All the pavements have been beautifully re-done. Plants, shrubs, park-benches, new trees and new street lighting. The city are giving various business incentives here. Among them, is a programme to give zero tax for the next 15 years, for people to open parking lots. Laureles is pretty much on flat ground. There are beautifull streets to walk around. The lack of hills here, has contributed to the air quality being much better than in the rest of the city. It's much nicer than Poblado, I would just urge everyone to stay the f*** away. .

RAAAY comments on Laureles - 33 Nightlife Area / Property

This is where I live and , of course know it very well. It is very, very dangerous. Gringos are eaten for breakfast here. You will never be safe. Stay away. Go to Poblado. Don't come here. Plesssseeeeeee. Stay the f** away. .

RAAAY comments on Schengen Visa in Medellin - don't want to go to Bogota!

Ahhhhhhhhhh.........b/s.......Most of them are just chasing those big fat Italian women with their hairy armpits. .

RAAAY comments on Schengen Visa in Medellin - don't want to go to Bogota!

Who the f*** would want to go to Italy.......??? .

RAAAY comments on Apartments-Medellin.com - Medellin luxury apartment (Parque Lleras)

Yeah Scooby..............300,000 cop per month............exactly which slum is that in..?? .

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

I don't know what you're laughing at.............apparently the Yank did a fast runner from Oveido................ Not funny........... Yes........Bogota would be a different story.........lots of macho gringos there........... .

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

I have'nt heard anything of him. Mike told me a story earlier. Apparently some American was sitting in the Crepes & Waffle in Ovedio today. He had two girls with him. Two guys walked up to their table, told the American to get out. Apparently he was a little taken aback and thought they were joking. One of them lifted up his shirt a little and exposed a pistol. The American threw a 50 on the table and left sharply. Mike waited long enough to witness the two guys lecturing the girls. .

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

Well........after reading what you just wrote............I tried to acess the site that I have been unable to get onto.............guess what...............now I can get on to it......... Seriously. Add that to your paronia. .

RAAAY comments on Updated the rules

So...Peter's post about not allowing any further discussion of hookers etc, has denegrated into a whole long thread about..........guess what.............hookers......... MitchAlvarez says ......." how far will pbh go with censorship? " You can't really call it censorship.................The powers that be want to allow discussion on some things and prohibit others............seem reasonable to me............ And..Robi...........I heard a story yesterday, of a sex tourist from Canada being shot after leaving one of those brothels, down the street from me in Laureles. It's just off the corner on 76 and 33 Av. I saw the blood stains on the pavement this morning. One guy told me that the Canadian is dead, another said he is badly injured and in hospital. Apparently, his only "crime" was, being in this place. No other incidents with anybody, no robbery, no nothing. .

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

No good.......won't open in firefox either................now, try this Safari thingy.

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

Thanks Tom............I will try downloading Firefox and see if I can get it to work from there. .

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

I have EPM....no problems with PBH..........but a site I have been trying to access all day is coming up " Internet explorer cannot display the webpage ". The site owner tells me they are having no problems at their end......... Anything I can do ?

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

agggggggg........Web, that's double dutch to me............. Anything I can do...in dumb laymans terms ? .

RAAAY comments on Updated the rules

Will this thread get deleted for over use of the term," commercial love provider "

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

I've been trying all day to access a site...........driving me nuts............anyone have any suggestions for a non techy................

RAAAY comments on Updated the rules

No talk of " commercial love providers " ??? Oh noooooooo.............

RAAAY comments on PBH unreachable from Medellin UNE

Robi..............you are the only person that cannot acess PBH ............do you not get the hint..?? .

RAAAY comments on Ouch - Dollar at 1,756 Today - Bounce back in a few months ?

Plan Colombia monies are in the national interest of the US. It's not charity to Colombia, because the US. is feeling generous. Either way, the total amount of funds expended here is mere buttons in the US budget........chump change..........In total, it would'nt be enough to build a bridge across the Hudson river. .

RAAAY comments on Does anyone here know a woman named Gloria, lives in Belen directly across the street from Los Molinos Mall?

Gloria is a fine, upstanding lady, who gives a very good massage. Also, she only likes Corn Flakes.