Scott has left 43 comments

Scott comments on UPB Spanish Classes in Medellin..

I have taken classes at both UPB and EAFIT this year. They are similar in price and structure. The quality is dependent on who is teaching . Some instructors are good while others are bad. Agree with Cali2005, and would select a school based on distance to your home.

Scott comments on Furniture and carpenters in Medellin

Glassoman, Check out Rusticos El Artesano. They are a factory (with showroom) in Sabaneta. They custom built all the furniture for my 3 bedroom apartment in April, 2008. Delivered on time, and returned to make adjustments/corrections. I am pleased with the high quality and low price. Juan is the owner. Rusticos El Artesano Cra 48 75Sur - 36 Sabaneta 279-1393

Scott comments on Shopping for food In Medellin

Where is miniorista?

Scott comments on Colombian Festival de Independencia Orlando?

1. Call the local Colombian radio station (Radio Melodia 104.1 FM sub carrier) at 407-208-9440. 2. When you arrive in Orlando, stop by restaurant “Oh Que Bueno�? 1125 South Semoran Blvd,Orlando Fl 32807. Phone 407-447-5026. They will have the info.

Scott comments on Services

Welcome to PoorButHappy! Thanks again for your assistance with furniture manufacture/price/delivery. Also your help with delivery of imported personal property.

Scott comments on Sending to Colombia- Other than Servientrega?

Servientrega now has an office in Orlando. Servientrega 1308 S Semoran Blvd Orlando Fl 32807 407-459-1328

Scott comments on Internet bank charges

My account at Davivienda charges 7,400 CP per month just for having the account.

Scott comments on Flights Online

http://www.costamar.com http://www.mobissimo.com http://www.despegar.com http://www.bookingbuddy.com

Scott comments on COPA

National airline of Panama. 1st class company. Check out Copaair.com.

Scott comments on WEATHER FORECAST site for Colombia?

In english and spanish. http://www.accuweather.com/

Scott comments on Reinventing Yourself in Colombia

lochdhu---Colombia 1st, Argentina 2nd lochdhu how about this plan? Move to Colombia and perfect your spanish. While enjoying life in Colombia you take vacations to Argentina and check it out. That way if you like Argentina better, or get tired of Colombia, you have a back up plan.

Scott comments on Cost of living and the current exchange rate

Saved Cost of Living Posts I have been saving/printing posts on the cost of living issue since 2004. Twenty-six pages from CaliGringo/PBH/ColombianBlog/PlanetLove/EscapeArtist/GoodWife. Now feel that I have a reasonable understanding of the issue and am ready to discard the posts. If they would be of value to anyone, let me know & I will COD mail them to you.

Scott comments on How to purchase a new car?

How about putting it on your credit card? Visa or Mastercard.

Scott comments on ATM's E*Trade Financial

Rubito, Dump Chase and save your $. Check out Schwab.com (Charles Schwab). No ATM or foreign currency fee. I am investigating them myself.

Scott comments on Interactive Spanish language programs

http://www.bilingualamerica.com

Scott comments on Pablo Escobar Videos

Thanks Morphus!
I really enjoyed the video.

Scott comments on First video test

9 minute Medellin video.
Check it out at LoPaisa.com

Scott comments on "la sierra"

Begottenson, You can order a copy from PBS for $35 plus $10 shipping. Goggle it.

Scott comments on Cellular Rates in Medellin

Viewpoint always post great info.
I just wish he was still in MDE so I could someday shake his hand.

Scott comments on What would you take to Columbia?

2 ATM cards & a wash cloth.

Scott comments on Mail forwarding services

Have not used them put heard Have not used them but heard mail box etc is good.
http://www.mbe.com/

Consider the UPS store.
http://www.theupsstore.com/

Scott comments on Teeth whitening in Medellin?

Thanks Ric! I will check out Clinica Las Vegas next week.

Scott comments on How good is chapinero

paola, in september I stayed a week in Chapinero (8 weeks ago). 5th & 63rd. I liked it. Visited the north but that area felt like the USA. Kind of boring and reserved.

Scott comments on Do the rooms at Hotel Aristi in Cali have private bathrooms?

I stayed there for a week 3 years ago. Negative - see Calipro post above. Positive - Central location, area safe during the day, low cost, professional staff, safety deposit box at front desk, doorman will hail taxi for you and keep transients away, resturants & internet cafe 1/2 block away. If your on a tight budget its an ok place to stay.

Scott comments on US Banks that DON'T charge the 3.5%

Check out ETrade at ETrade.com. Free ATM use worldwide.

Scott comments on Transmilenio question?

Thanks Gator. Finally got it.

Scott comments on Hotels/Apartahotel near US Embassy

Hotel de la Feria $50 a night.
106 rooms.
Near embassy.
Hoteldelaferia.com

Scott comments on DEBIT CARD QUESTIO

Forgot to mention the thiefs in COL were using the fake cards to make purchases, not at ATM's.

Scott comments on DEBIT CARD QUESTIO

My Credit Union has stopped all debit transactions from Colombia I will be in Bogotá soon so notified my credit/debit card companies not to block transactions from Colombia during my stay. To my surprise my credit union said they have stopped all debit transactions from Colombia. (No where else in central/south America…….just Colombia.) They said so many customers accounts were cleaned out from Colombia they blocked the whole country. Credit Union customers have never visited COL but recently used their debit/ATM card to pay for meals at COL businesses here in Orlando. The only way I can see this happening is the debit card being swiped twice at the business here in Orlando. Once to pay the bill and a second time to read the card and obtain the account holder information for a duplicate card. Then transmit the information or duplicate card to other criminals in Colombia. Any better ideas?

With such a short time frame till I leave, I will be stuck taking cash advances from my credit cards. Aaahhhh!

Scott comments on Orlando Sentinel: Festival Independencia de Colombia - July 24, Outlet Park

And people wonder why we love Colombia. Walking around the festival I saw warm, loving people. Extended families from grandma to granddaughter. Respectful teenagers and happy children. Handsome men and beautiful women.

And people wonder why we love Colombia.

Scott comments on Internet Telephone

Thanks everyone! Think I will be relocating to Bogota during the spring of 2006 and am trying to find the best way to call friends and family in the USA. Your info is valued and appreciated.

Scott comments on best newspeaper in medelin

LaChiva & ElColombiano

Scott comments on Plane Tickets From US

Drive to West Palm Beach, park your car at the train station, and take the train to MIA for $5.00.

Scott comments on Rumba Feb. 12–Medellín

I missed it! Have been in Sabaneta for a week and just moved to Laurales. Checked PBH and found out about the party to late. Hopefully next time.

Scott comments on atm's in colombia

Bancolombia has an office in Miami with an english version web page if you can't read spanish.

Scott comments on ATMs

Citibank Credit Card use in Colombia As a test I used my Citicard to withdrawl $160 US cash advance from ATM's. Cost $20 US in finance charges. Use your debit card to get cash. Follow the advice above.

Scott comments on who's who

Orlando Florida Moving to Colombia in 4 years and 6 months.

Scott comments on traveler checks vs. credit/ATM cards...

Stand back and watch the ATM to make sure it is working correctly and being used by regular people. Look around for nearby security/police. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN & watch your back when walking away.

Scott comments on 3 Questions for the Medellin experts.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Scott comments on 3 Questions for the Medellin experts.

Thank you Gary. I will call Sonria today.

I have enough pesos left over from a previous trip to get me through the night.

Have taken taxi/buses all over Cartagena & Cali so feel comfortable moving around on my own.

Scott comments on 3 Questions for the Medellin experts.

Vladimiro Thanks!

Scott comments on what is this?

3 Questions for the Medellin experts. 1. I am hoping to have some dental work done in Medellin. Clear “Invisalign” braces. I searched the Invisalign web site and found one dentist in Bogota and one in Cali but none in Medellin. Does anyone know of a dentist in Medellin who fits Invisalign braces?

2. Is there a airport/city bus? If so what are its hours of operation?

3. Any suggestions for a furnished apartment for a week in September?

Thanks in Advance

Scott comments on "Special Treatment" for U.S. Nationals

Cali taxi's Half the Cali taxi's tried to overcharge me but never more than 1,000 CP each. One drove around in circles to raise the bill. About half charged the correct amount & one corrected me when I accidently gave him a 20,000 CP instead of a 2,000 CP.