sandman0011 has left 40 comments

sandman0011 comments on Seeking $2,000 (USD) a Month Penthouse in Medellin

try www.firstamericanrealtymedellin.com He has a number of furnished penthouses in your price range

sandman0011 comments on Cedula - What the Heck Is It?

You will also need to show it (or a copy of your passport) when you use a credit card to buy or pay for something!

sandman0011 comments on More Student Visa Questions

Gator, Good response. Couple of other things; The background for the photo has to be blue (not white). The guy at the little photo store at the corner of Calle 10 and 38a knows the exact size and background. Cost you 6,000 COP You will also need to prove your blood type. If you don't have a document that shows your blood type, you can get a blood test locally at most any clinic for about $7 You will need to go to a Notaria after everything is filled out and get the paperwork notarized. Once submitted to Bogota, it usually takes a week-10 days to return back to you. You then have 15 days to go to DAS and get your Contrasena (temporary cedula). Your actual Cedula will take 3-4 months and you get to go back and pick it up. It may come back as a 6 month or 1 year visa. There is no rhyme or reason and is based upon the luck of the draw of the person processing the visa application. You must be enrolled in an authorized institution taking classes for a minimum of 10 hours per week.

sandman0011 comments on Cedula Question - Left the Country for over 90 days ???

If he never picked it up, how did he loose it? I am a little confused!

sandman0011 comments on English language practice group in Medellin

Well, after all the jokes, maybe this will be the answer you are looking for. The Medellin Language Institute offers very low cost (5,000COP per hour) 2 hour English classes every Sunday afternoon from 1-3PM. Afterwards, the English students are invited (free of harge) to attend a Sunday BBQ social networking get together on the 1,400 SQ ft roof top terrace at the school. The Spanish students get to practice their Spanish with the English students and the English students get to practice their English with the Spanish students. The BBQ is open to friends and guests (so you would be able to attend with her) for a small admission fee. Might be just what your GF needs. A comfortable social setting where she can practice her English without any embarrassment or pressure. www.medellinlanguageinstitute.com

sandman0011 comments on Looking for an apartment in Medellin

You might also try the guys at Frist American Realty Medellin rich at firstamericanrealtymedellin.com or their website www.firstamericanrealtymedellin.com They have about 20 apartment listings and can help you find something to buy

sandman0011 comments on Where to buy Size 14US joggers in Medellin

Robert Jorge-You could make a furtune taking orders for shoes over size 11. I have a friend with a size 12 and he had to order and ship from the US. Total cost= almost double what the shoes cost. "Got an extra suitcase"....LOL

sandman0011 comments on Need an apartment in medellin asap !

There is a long list of furnished Medellin apartments and most have HS internet. See www.firstamericanrealtymedellin.com Click on the furnished apartments and penthouses link on the home page. Probably 20 or so to choose from in all price ranges.

sandman0011 comments on Cartagena, where to stay...questions about lodging...

Laguito has some very good nightlife and places to find your overnight guests (LDV La Dolce Vida) but you will probably have to find an apartment there to be in your price range. Tu Candelas in the Old City (and several other places close by there), Mr. Babilons near the convention center and many other party places. Hint: Listen for the loud music and watch where the the crowds are going. Contact Juan Ventura http://www.cartagenadeindias.com.co for apartments in Laguito. Speaks very good English and is very reputable

sandman0011 comments on Colombians visiting Panama

Yellow fever vaccination must be obtained 10 days before departure.

sandman0011 comments on Taking a taxi in Medellin

$3,500 minimum fare; 18,000 per hour; 48,000 from the Cordoba airport; If you want an English speaking driver contact Mauricio Palacio www.medallolimo.com Bus from the airport to El Centro is about 4,500 pesos. Bus in town costs 1,200 pesos. Metro is 1,200 pesos also.

sandman0011 comments on Looking for an apartment in Medellin for one year

Furnished will always be higher than unfurnished but also generally includes utilities and condo association fees. Unfurnished will generally include condo fees but you pay utilities separately. Longer term leases are always less expensive than weekly, monthly etc. If you lease from a Colombian, expect to have to find a Feador (guarrantor) or pay 6 months rent in advance. If you rent from a gringo owner, that requirement is generally not necessary. Cheap furniture in MDE is something of an oxymoron even though they Mfg. a lot of it here. You can shop in the El Centro and Ave. Ochenta (80) furniture stores and find bargains but the quality is not always good. You can shop in the higher end stores like Matisse, find good quality but the prices will cause you to gasp. Appliances and electronics are also more expensive here than in the US. Bring what you can with you and just plan on biting the bullet for the rest. For benchmarks of what prices for furnished are, you might want to look at www.medellintravelguide.com/medellin_aptlistings.html There are about 12-15 there that should give you some ideas. When you get to MDE, take a look at Lleras Immobliara (across from Triada in Parque Lleras). They have a lot of unfurnished apartments available and they list the prices in their computer presentations. Hope you speak a little Spanish.

sandman0011 comments on Newbie questions

Give it a test run: Get a student VISA (Good for a year) and study a little Spanish; Get a Citi Bank, BA, or other ATM card with a preset daily limit that only charges a minimal withdrawl amount of $1-$2. Apartment rents will be all over the board depending on which parts of the cities you wish to live in. Hint: They will ask you how much you are willing to spend and that will become the basis for everyplace they show you. When asked, respond, "show me what you have and I will decide from there" In most areas of larger cities you can get HS Internet access. It is usually charged in 100K increments starting at 200Kb. A friend recently got a 4Mb ADSL service in MDE. Your girl does not have to look like Sophia Vergara to be a good catch. Most Colombian women will be a far better catch than any gringa you could ever imagine. Good luck

sandman0011 comments on SIM CARDS

try www.medellincellphones.com They will ship to you and you can activate upon arrival. You can also get packages with prepaid minutes. You need an unlocked GMS cell phone for it to work.

sandman0011 comments on Colombian Literature

A must read is Killing Pablo so you can understand the transition this country has been through in the past decade. There are also several recommended at www.medellintravelguide.com/medellin_books.html Everything from cooking, birds to understanding the 4 decades old civi war that has gripped Colombia.

sandman0011 comments on Soccer Schedule

You can also find schedules for all teams at http://www.dimayor.com.co/

sandman0011 comments on wireless internet options in Envagado (no cable or phone available)

You are probably going to have to go with Direct TV satellite to get TV and internet.

sandman0011 comments on when will Americans

Of the few people who have been collared for traveling to Cuba, not a single one has ever been prosecuted because there is no US department to do that. There was a report once of a guy that paid a $7,500 fine for traveling there. As I recall the story, he was kind of bullied into paying by immigration or face a potential jail sentence. There was another guy who got caught and requested a hearing. That was over 7 years ago. He knew there was no agency in existence to conduct the hearing. If you read the fine print of the ban, it does not ban US citizens from traveling there. It only bans US citizens from spending money there. Not sure how you could do one without the other except on sponsored/approved medical/mercy missions and such. Obama has suggested lifting the ban for Cuban Americans to be able to return and visit relatives etc. That may be the first step!

sandman0011 comments on Cuba's changing?

An elderly Cuban gentleman once told me, "we cubans are very good at fixing things"! I have seen them in the streets fixing their cars with bailing wire and making engine parts with metal files. Not too many of those old cars could be considered..."pretty"

sandman0011 comments on 12 killed in MDE a couple of days ago?

It reads like it is largely between warring drug factions, domestic violence and crimes of passion. Although homocides are up 12% over last year. Police chief is forming a brigade to address the issue. It is also largely confined to the Eastern and Northern Barrios

sandman0011 comments on Will the Fed really raise interest? (Causing the Dollar to be stronger against the COP)

COP median price closed at 1723 yesterday on rumors of a fed increase in June and another in 3rd quarter. Colombia converted 500 Million of it's international debt from dollars to pesos yesterday in an effort to strengthen the dollar against the peso so it's exporters goods would be less expensive in world markets, especially the US. The strong peso is killing Colombian exports. Flower growers have laid off 20,000 so far this year and coffee, bananas and other agricultural products are seeing the same effect. On the other hand, the Colombians are buying up heavy machinery and other similar imports like crazy with their peso being so strong. Somedays I wish I understood all of this macro-economic stuff while other days I am happy as hell I don't!

sandman0011 comments on Renewing a Tourist Visa

Zach is right on but: The I think the background color is supposed to be blue signifying an extranero. Even if not, better to be safe than sorry. Go for the blue background. Also, realize that they do keep a permanent record of your extensions. They pulled up mine (30 day tourist visa extension form a previous year) when I applied for my student visa, verified my current address, phone etc.

sandman0011 comments on gardening/ birds and ECO stuff

For birds, here is one of the most complete books I have seen on the subect; http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Birds-Colombia-Steven-Hilty/dp/069108372X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213450439&sr=1-1 Colombia has more species of birds than any other country in the world. At 1,810 and counting, new species are being discovered every month, thought to be crossbreeds of similar species.

sandman0011 comments on Poll...Colombian products in the USA or Europe?

Agriculture - products:coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Industries:textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Exports:$24.86 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Exports - commodities:petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Exports - partners:US 35.2%, Venezuela 11.2%, Ecuador 6.5% (2006) Imports:$24.33 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Imports - commodities:industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity Imports - partners:US 28.2%, Mexico 8.3%, Brazil 6.5%, China 6.3%, Venezuela 5.9%, Japan 4.3% (2006)

sandman0011 comments on Salarios en colombia

If you are fluent in Spanish, do not overlook the opportunity of a Colombian company hiring you for your fluency in English to market and sell to the US and Europe. Lady I know that grew up in the US but is Colombian by heritage got a great job marketing fresh cut flowers to US companies. Having a US passport comes in very handy as well.

sandman0011 comments on Bus terminal in MDE

Well, that must certainly be confusing eh? Yes, the shuttle leaves from the Cordoba (international airport) terminal and drops you off at Calle 53. You can also extend to the north bus terminal which is located at the Caribe Metro station. From there you can take the metro and a cab to wherever you need to go.

sandman0011 comments on

You can get internet bandwidth in increments of 100Kb added to existing service. Up to 2 MB is generally cable. Above 2 Mb goes to ADSL up to 15Mb. Ask your landlord to order in advance of your arrival as installation is scheduled out 10-21 days. You should expect to pay the difference in cost of what is there and what you want installed. I have a friend that just installed 4Mb for a 90 day rental. It is smoking fast!

sandman0011 comments on Getting an ID card when emigrating to Colombia

You can get your blood work done at Clinica Las Vegas in El Poblado. They just need to confirm your blood type. You will get a Contrasena (temporary ID card) and about 4 months later get your permanent Cedula. Are you on a work visa?

sandman0011 comments on

Rizzo, That seems very high. My friend got a business Visa in 10 days for less than $700; Another got a work visa for $600. You can get a student visa in a week for less than $500. One even got a spousal visa for $700,000 pesos in a week.

sandman0011 comments on Chavez Ends Support of FARC Rebels; NO MAS!

Lame duck president (like someone else we know) that is trying to get himself elected for life. His popularity in Venezuela is lower than Bush's in the US. His people are starving (although they have access to $.12 per gallon gas) few can afford to own a car. His country is in economic shambles and yet he gets caught giving the FARC $300 million and promising arms aid. After the raid into Ecuador that killed Reyes, he sends 10 tank batallions to the border. Less than 50% of them made it there. They cannibalized the stalled tanks for parts to achieve that number. Colombia sent Juanes to the frontier to give a free concert to the Colombain and nearby Venezuelans. Over 10,000 in the crowd. Chavez's long time buddy Fidel has stepped down and brother Raul is making overtures about easing former doctrines (Cubanos can now have cell phones etc) and Barak is making overtures about allowing Cuban Americans to visit their homeland. I think Mr. Chavez may be seeing a freight train coming at him and wants to get his foot unstuck from the track.

sandman0011 comments on

Well, first of all, the minimum for an investment visa is $100,000 not $200,000. You can buy an apartment, business, property, finca or anything that can be considered an investment. Do the process correctly or you will be a year or more getting it straightened out. To get a pensioner visa, you need to show 10X minumum wage in Colombia which is currently something around 416,000 pesos per month (check that with a consolate); You can get a work visa if you work for a Colombian company but better be able to speak pretty good Spanish or you can work for a gringo owned company; A business visa has some trickier rules and stipulations but it can be obtained. There are about 18 different types of visas available for Colombia, some are temporal and some are permanent. Maybe start out with a student visa, study some Spanish and see where you want to go from there. Student Visas are pretty easy to obtain.

sandman0011 comments on Is the US downturn affecting tourism in Colombia??

MDE is a hard vacation sell to anybody with only 2-3 weeks a year of vacation. The beach, snow skiing, fishing trip etc is much more attractive. Now, if you have 2-3 months per year, are between jobs, self employed, can work virtual for long periods, then MDE can be a very attractive place to visit or live. You might just be surprised! I have noticed fewer visitors around lately but the hostels and budget accommodations seem to be doing a pretty brisk business. Guess schools are letting out?

sandman0011 comments on jazzy feeling

I heard someone mention one the other day but can't remember the name (big help huh?). I do know that La Grappa and Angus Brangus restaurants in Lleras both play a lot of soft contemporary jazz

sandman0011 comments on Blood work and std tests

Clinica Las Vegas in Poblado is a good place and they have some English speaking staff. Walk straight in, go up the stairs to the left of the elevators one flight. Cost between $17,000-$35,000 depending the the extent of the test results you want.

sandman0011 comments on Salarios en colombia

2-3 mil right out of school. Possibly 3-3.5 with an MBA and some experience. Better be fluent in Spanish though and have some serious connections because those obs go to people with contacts. www.medellintravelguide.com www.medellinvisitorsguide.com

sandman0011 comments on Bus terminal in MDE

Ride to/from the airport is 50,000 COP or you can get a private taxi for 55,000 It is about a 45 minute ride so getting a friendly PBH'er to come and get you may be a stretch. There is a shuttle for 4,000 pesos that drops you off near el centro on cll 53 but only do it during the daytime. You can take the metro or a cab from there.. www.medellintravelguide.com www.medllinvisitorsguide.com

sandman0011 comments on Dentists in Medellin...cost of veneers

Dr Meia has opened a new clinic (Artica) on Las Palmas in the Carullo shopping center. Everything is brand new, latest technology and he has several other staff members with varying specialties. I go to him 4 times per year and have been very pleased with his services. I can even call him directly on his cell phone and he responds to e-mails. Try that with your American Dentists??

sandman0011 comments on Where to find Peter Pan peanut butter?

About a year ago, PB disappeared off the shelves at the stores due to some contamination scare. It is now back on the shelves in all the maor sotres, albeit very expensive by US standards. The Colombian brands are horrible and very few even know what PB is. I brought back 2 huge jars from a recent trip to Panama and a buddy brought me down 2 even bigger jars from Costco. My maid managed to beg me out of one of the Panama jars. She loves it and is the talk of her neighborhood for even having it!

sandman0011 comments on Dentists in Medellin...cost of veneers

Try Dr Juan Carlos Mejia www.medellintravelguide.com/medellin_juancarlosm.html Speaks perect English, is very competent and has great prices.

sandman0011 comments on Colombian Peso Strengthens For 2nd Day On US Fed Announcement

You are right Tejas. The Flower industry has already laid off 20,000 people because they can no longer export their products economically because of the dollar devaluation. 70% of the fresh cut flowers imported to the US come from Colombia. Just wait until you see the cost of coffee in supermarkets start rising or free refills at restaurants start disappering. I am already feeling the devaluation here. It was 2300:1 when I first came here. Now, it is in the high 1800's. That is an "ouch" if there ever was one. Still, I am calling this home now and hope to for some time to come. Mdellin Travel Guide www.medellintravelguide.com