shazam has left 170 comments

shazam comments on What happened to the bus service in Bogota?

There appears to be less traffic because there are no buses, but it's the same amount of people needing to move around the city. Canceling schools helps a bit as public school kids often take the buses, but the private school almost all have their own buses. Not having pico y placa is irrelevant because parents are driving kids to school, there's quite a few people opting to keep their businesses in certain areas of town closed, and most other people are opting to stay home for fear of the rioters. In any case, we need some sort of buses to be moving around the city for people to use. Cake Designer - I think your idea of wealthy and mine are different. The bus owners are middle class...Moreno is wealthy. His oldest son is at Harvard, his youngest at the most expensive school in Colombia. When I say wealthy, I'm talking the upper 1-2% of the country...anything thing else is so far away it's just middle class. The wealthy have gone about their lives this week as if nothing has happened, the middle and lower classes are the ones who are struggling with the lack of transport. And yes, I'm sure they care in that they need someone to work their operations...but Colombia's high unemployment means that no one has any job security because there's always someone right behind you willing to do the same job for less. Yoyoma - maybe the buses did have time to plan, and for sure they were their own racket in town, but what their being offered and what they actually get is often two totally different things. I also don't believe Moreno has the best interest of the city in mind when he offers the bus concessions...they'll be political favor hand outs for sure. Right now it's a mess....hell the city is a mess and nothing is getting done on time because he's trying to do too many things all at once and nothing is getting done well. And maybe we have the money to jump in a taxi and get where we need to go, but many others in Bogota do not. They are getting up at ridiculous hours to ride bicycles across town, many businesses are closing early to let workers get home and businesses are suffering because people can't get anywhere. Not everyone lives in an area where they are close to their employment or can run their errands. And as for Philly...what the hell is wrong with you? 'Only hood rats live in South Bogota' honestly, there's quite A LOT of south Bogota to call them all hood rats...have you been? do you know anyone personally? have you been to calle 180 and up in the north? you've obviously just offended quite a few people. you've obviously missed the lesson that traveling is suppose to open your mind to new cultures and realities...not that YOU'RE here to teach the locals HOW IT IS! your ethnocentrism stinks.

shazam comments on Need high-end body shop in Bogota

can't recommend a body shop, but if you head up to calle 180 with autopista on the thursday night, there's a little plaza with a couple of empanada shops and tiendas. about 10pm on...all the guys with sooped up cars arrive to show off their custom cars and bikes. they're up there till about 2 or 3am...then the drag races start.

shazam comments on What happened to the bus service in Bogota?

pick up a newspaper or watch the news on TV! The city is trying to get the old clunker buses off the street...BUT they are offering the OWNERS .05% of the book value of their buses...so bascially many of them are looking at receiving $400,000 pesos for their buses, which the city will make more on by recycling it. To top that, they obviously cannot buy another bus with that measely amount of money, which is less than the monthly minimum wage by the way, even if 10 of them got together. Not only are the owners out of luck, but drivers who rent the bus and run the routes are as well. Many taxi drivers are striking in solidarity. As of this morning, the government is looking at possibly increasing the amount they pay for the buses to .15% of the book value...which is better, but still shit. And as for 'enhancing' the public transport in Bogota...just when do you think that is going to happen? The transmilenio for calle 26 is to be done THIS MONTH. Have you been down there? Does it look like it'll be ready this month? Or even before August? And have you seen anyone digging any holes for the supposed metro to be completed in 2016? Keep in mind, the only people affected by the removal of the buses are the middle and lower classes. The wealthy have cars, multiple cars to get around pico y placa. They could care less if there's no buses. There have also been studies produced that claim that the only reason traffic does flow in Bogota is BECAUSE OF the bus and taxi drivers. Otherwise, all the independent drivers would be hesitating forever at the roundpoints.

shazam comments on Apple Cyder Vinegar - where to buy in Medellin?

carulla or pomona

shazam comments on BOGOTA REBORN!! The Four Megaprojects That Will Change The Face Of The Capital!

the metro will be wonderful...when it's finished. from now until then, it will be hell. 2016? more like 2036. I remember Athens, Greece projecting their subway...which took 30 years as well. it was hell all the years they were building...but it's lovely now.

shazam comments on Edmar Castaneda - Colombian Harpist making a name for himself

WOW...small world! He's fantastic!

shazam comments on Red Lobster, BoomerJack's Wings and Outback Steakhouses must visit and open in Colombia

I've found grapefruit at the market...but they are imported and half dried up...gross. Anyone shop at Carrefour and can check?

shazam comments on Red Lobster, BoomerJack's Wings and Outback Steakhouses must visit and open in Colombia

By the way, does anyone know where I can find GRAPEFRUIT JUICE? I've been looking all over and haven't found it yet.

shazam comments on Red Lobster, BoomerJack's Wings and Outback Steakhouses must visit and open in Colombia

Thanks Monpirri. The best fruit salad in the whole city is at Paloquemao! I started the picture thing for two reasons...I'm a bit picky and apparently the names for different cuts of meat change depending on what part of Colombia you're in! So the pictures do help.

shazam comments on Red Lobster, BoomerJack's Wings and Outback Steakhouses must visit and open in Colombia

I've found that if I take a picture of exactly how I want my meat cut, the butchers here can figure it out...specifically rack of lamb, pork chops, etc. I usually buy at Paloquemao, but 7 de agosto is just as good. There's also a decent little butcher below the Javeriana around cll 45 and 13ish. As for seafood...I've got a friend who's a chef who tells me all the sushi fish is bought in Chapinero...I've tried these two and they're pretty good: La Granja Marian - cll 69 #20-49 local 1 Cendismar cll 69 #20-49

shazam comments on

Alice's in Zona G has been around for years and quite good. Many agree that their delivery actually tastes better than when eating in the restaurant...can't say why. Zhang in Usaquen is also very good.

shazam comments on Red Lobster, BoomerJack's Wings and Outback Steakhouses must visit and open in Colombia

flatline - I don't think the Canadians have the market cornered on bagels, I think they just put 'Canadian' on everything they do. hence Canadian Bagels. eh go figure

shazam comments on Red Lobster, BoomerJack's Wings and Outback Steakhouses must visit and open in Colombia

First of all, Colombia does NOT need more American fast food. honestly. Second, the street food in Bogota is sketchy to say the least. Street food in Medellin, yes, tasty, reasonably priced and great mid-afternoon or falling out of a bar. Bogota is far too big for anyone to keep track of the 'quality & hygiene'. The only exception being a few little 'locales'/ holes in the wall...the difference being they have running WATER! Third, you want a good steak in Bogota? Try 7 Tigres (cra 4a #57-28). It's a small place, reasonable prices and gourmet food. The owner also has an organic pizza place on cra 6 #53-09 called Pueblo. Also reasonably priced and delicious. Or try Rescoldo's parrilla Argentina - calle 1 #3-83. candelaria. Best Indian in Bogota - Flor de Loto on calle 90 #17-31. Also reasonably priced and authentic. Best Peruvian - Mi Peru - the original is down 57ish with 24 - I always forget the exact place, but wander around and ask and you'll find it. They've also got a few more places around town. Also reasonably priced and delicious. There's a fantastic mexican place in a yellow house on the corner behind Atlantis, around cra 13 and 82. Belgian chocolate is available made fresh on Cra 17 with 53 at the La Petite Chocolaterie. TO DIE FOR! THere's a Canadian Bagel place up in some mall around the 150's... they deliver to the shop at my work. You need to get yourselves out of the Zonas...Rosa, G, T, and 93.

shazam comments on Looking for Tennis Partners in Bogota

I don't play but I've got colleagues who play every Tues/Thurs in parque nacional. Go down and chat people up to join doubles.

shazam comments on Young man looking for some ideas.

I'm guessing by your age, you've not finished university and are without a professional degree. However, you have an advantage with multiple languages. Since you are young, why not look into some of the educational outdoor agencies who are always looking for counselors for their trips around the country with local schools. Some of the leading agencies that work with the more affluent schools are: Bluefields Opepa Zambo Look them up online or in the phone book and give them a visit. They can always used young people willing to spend a week with teenagers.

shazam comments on hipoteca para extranjeros-possible?

Yes, it's possible, but you've got to prove you've got money in the bank here, you've got a steady income here, preferably from an employer or your own self-employed stable business (independent tutoring usually doesn't cut it) and it helps to show you've got intentions to stick around in Colombia.

shazam comments on New Year tradition Colombia, USA, and other counties..

Gator...what part of Colombia is your wife from? Greeks bake a special St. Basil's bread on New Year's with coin inside, cut a piece for each member of the family, and usually the house, and same thing - the coin brings good luck all year. We call it a Vasilopita, but I know it's common in several eastern European countries and/or the middle east. Neat that your Colombian wife does it too.

shazam comments on Bahia Solano & Nuqui, Anyone know this area?

eh, the security risk goes up and down. if you're worried, but still want to go, go with a tour the first time, get some kind of package. Then once you've been, you can decide if you want to go it alone. I'm leaving Monday for an 8 day dive trip to Malpelo and Gorgona organized by a dive shop here in Bogota. We get to visit both islands, get a minimum of 18 day dives, plus night dives, all meals and snacks are included in the new boat we're taking (new is important as some of the old boats were junk)...and it's currently hammerhead shark season. should be fun.

shazam comments on need excellent electrician in bogota URGENTLY

call John Ariza 310-761-8175 he's done great work for me and several of my friends.

shazam comments on ¡¡¡¡¿¿¿¿Where can I get me sum of dem Fire work thingys????!!!

Fireworks are illegal to make, possess or sell in Colombia. Usually they sell them at the tiendas.

shazam comments on New Year tradition Colombia, USA, and other counties..

lentils in your pockets/purses so you'll have money all year. wheat on the table and/or a loaf of bread so you'll have food in the house all year yellow underwear if you want to fall in love and definitely in Medellin - stuff some old clothes to make an 'ano viejo', fill his pockets with pieces of paper on which you've written wishes for the new year, then blow him up! fireworks should be blown up at all hours every day...just because, but I'm sure it has it's history in scaring off the 'goblins' as is common throughout old europe. then on new year's day, make a fire in the street and cook some sancocho - as they all claim it cures a hangover

shazam comments on V_ _ _ _ _ B_ _ _! Polish Sausage Coming from Chicago to a City near You in Colombia Read Below....

It would definitely work in Bogota. I've a British colleague at worked that has been making homemade sausage for the last couple years. Mostly for himself, but many of us also buy from him. Delicious English Breakfast sausage, Garam Marsala, curry and on request, Italian sweet and/ spicy. Delicious!

shazam comments on IMAX Bogota: Info please

lol! I think they've fixed it up a bit since 2000. It's not the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, but it's moved ahead from the cat scan machine. Supposedly, they change up the displays every now and then.

shazam comments on How much to charge for a one-hour private tuition?

Tutoring costs depend on subject being taught, your qualifications your clientel and city. My school in Bogota's standard on campus tutoring fee is $60.000, and $70.000 off campus. However we also have restrictions such as not tutoring students in the subject they have class with us in and not tutoring during school hours. That said, my school is exclusively strata 5/6 and all of us hold degrees and certifications in education either from the US/Canada or Colombia. If you're just teaching English as a native speaker on your own, the going rate I hear from friends is $40.000-$50.000 in Bogota.

shazam comments on The revival of Medellin

very true, I've been lucky all these years, and obviously street smart. It was just really disappointing to see a decent neighborhood get ugly. Mostly everyone agreed it all stems back to some new family on the block, really tall and fat 'rapperos' with putas and a chip on their shoulder. *sigh* And yet, Medellin is still my favorite city!

shazam comments on IMAX Bogota: Info please

IMAX is also at the Maloka Science center near Salitre.

shazam comments on CHEF POSITION OR KITCHEN JOB NEEDED IN BOGOTA!!!

11% unemployment in Colombia at the moment. Don't get your hopes up too high. You might find something, but the pay won't be so hot. Even the qualified Colombians need a bit of 'palanka' to get a job.

shazam comments on The revival of Medellin

Glad she had a nice time. She was there for four days. Did she happen to stroll up into Santo Domingo New Year's Eve? Or New Year's day for that matter? I'm sure it might have been a different story. I was in Belen all week staying with friends who grew up there, hanging out with the tias, tios and primos. Belen has always been lovely, poor, but lovely. Lots of 'activity' of course, but nothing frightful. But hang out there all night long on New Year's, and guaranteed, by the afternoon of the 1st, someone loses their temper and words and fists fly. It's ugly. And it's something in my 12 years in Belen, I still don't like to be around. But glad she had a nice time.

shazam comments on This article was funny to me and points out the VAST canyon of differences between A typical Colombiana and gringa.

I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio...but my parents are Greek immigrants and tend to hang out with other Greeks...or Italians, etc. I'd never been stiffed by pals when I lived in the states. But I've been overseas now since '98...and oddly, I was never stiffed for a bill in Medellin or Cyprus or Lebanon or Greece...just the weirdo's here in Bogota. And now that I'm thinking of it...they all seem to be younger than me, or if they are my age, still act like they're in college. I don't hang out often with work colleagues, but since I've been overseas for so long, and in Colombia for nearly as long, I often get called on to 'help out' the new folks. It's a fine line between being friendly and maintaining an appropriate distance without getting tagged as 'unwelcoming'. ugh.

shazam comments on Where Will Everyone be for the holidays???

Christmas in Bogota with family and friends, New Year's in Medellin with more friends, then off to dive Malpelo and Gorgona on an 8 day liveaboard. Merry Christmas everyone! As for those lights, no matter if they're better or worse in Medellin year after year, at least they're just lights. In Bogota, the 'lights' are nothing more than advertisements. A blinking star next to a big COMCEL sign or whoever is sponsoring it. *sigh*

shazam comments on This article was funny to me and points out the VAST canyon of differences between A typical Colombiana and gringa.

know what I find 'funny'? Every time I've ever been stiffed for a bill in Colombia...it's been by other gringos! Never in my life have any of my Colombian friends and/or aquaintances EVER left me hanging alone to pay for a bill, even though some of them come from strata 2 or 3. And yet, many of the Americans and Canadians I know have done so on a regular basis! Even though they may work with me, earn a similar salary, etc...they are as cheap as they come. On a date it's different in Colombia, rather than North America, where it's still a very male dominated society. Men earn more than women. Men are still seen as the head of households, even though there are multiple organization to support women who are. There is still the underlying notion that women need to be beautiful and men need to be rich. Of course, a girl invited out on a date by a man would expect you to pay. They'd expect the same of the Colombian man taking them out as well. Only in nations where the sexes are seen as equal, where their salaries are equivalent, if not competative, and in which this has been the norm for several generations, would anyone even think of 'going Dutch' on a date. In Northern Europe, it's not unheard of to split the bill, but in the Mediterranean, the men still fight over who gets to pay! It's insulting to let your guest pay, let alone your date. But being cheap, to your date, your spouse, your family and friends, seems to be a North American trait.

shazam comments on lpdiver

just noticed you dive...would you or anyone you know be interested in purchasing a dive gear bag? http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/scuba-gear-bag-for-sale/

shazam comments on Why Do prices increase Every Year IN Colombia?

OK, I don't know the official answer, but I've always been told that it's some sort of inflation adjustment. Prices go up, but so does everyone's salary (unless of course you're on a June-August contract- which goes up in June). eh, that's the best I've ever been told.

shazam comments on Found a gringo's wallet.

I live a few blocks from that transmilenio station, and there's not so many gringos in my neighborhood, but there are a significant number of foreigners (dutch, french, brazilian). However, it's also the stop used by lots of people coming to the bars around septima and 59...and they're coming up from the hostals in Candelaria and/or the gringos who live way up north where the rent is cheaper. funny thing, though, outside of work, I see few gringos...unless they're in shorts and flip flops on septima! lol

shazam comments on

In Bogota, you can get turkey most anywhere this time of year. Cheapest grocery store would probably Exito, but if you can get yourself down to Paloquemao, they've got 'em there for a bit cheaper. And apparently somewhere out in Cuidad Monte they've got them super cheap. To find a ham, gringo style, look for jamon virginia. They've got them in Carulla, Pomona and Exito and they are ridiculously expensive. If you've got embassy contacts, they always bring in a shipment or two for the commisary. Orders are taken around Halloween and the first arrives before Thanksgivng, then second soon after. I was lucky enough to get a honey glazed spiral cut ham this year from a friend with connections. mm mmm! it didn't last long!

shazam comments on SCUBA GEAR BAG FOR SALE

no fishing gear, sorry. i just look at the fish, i don't catch them! At the moment I've got my bag at Cruz Del Mar dive shop hoping someone will buy it for the holidays. I'll be diving Malpelo and Gorgona after the first on a live aboard and plan to chat up some of the other divers to generate some interest in it. Or at least someone who owns a dive shop might be interested in hauling their gear around. Any leads are welcome.

shazam comments on There is a sparkling Coca-Cola train going down la septima.

They do it every year...since at least '98.

shazam comments on Anyone get Lasik in Colombia?

I got mine done about 2-3 years ago. $2.500.000. great doctor...very patient and explains everything and treats you like an intelligent human being (which is rare with colombian doctors) Luz Matilde Mora. cra 14 #93b-29 con509 622-5875 622-5914

shazam comments on Snyder's Pretzels in Colombia

Maxli has been the only pretzels in Colombia for years. They're the skinny little sticks from the German bakeries, but eh, lousy. They started bringing Snynder's pretzel bits about a year or two ago...but only to select stores. And the bits, are well, bits. Now they're everywhere...Carulla, Exito, Olympica. THe cost is definitely relative to the import tarriff's. But I'm still pleased they're here, I'd been bugging a certain student who's family owns Carulla to bring them for some time!

shazam comments on Restaurant review;Crispinos.

Glad to see they're getting some publicity! I've loved eating there for the last 10 years and must say, it's still as good as ever!

shazam comments on Teaching Jobs?

i worked at the columbus school and since they are US accredited (kids graduate with a valid US high school diploma) they can only hired teachers with both a diploma and certification in education. and they usually hire them at the job fairs taking place from dec-feb (ISS, TIE, Northern Iowa, Queens, etc). if you have that, and they do hire you here, you'll get the local, not import teacher salary which is significantly different.

shazam comments on sweet potatoes/ yams in Bogota for Thanksgiving?

I've bought them several times at both 7 de agosto and Paloquemao. Not all the vendors have them, though. At 7 de agosto, there's usually one guy, and he gets just small ones. He's one aisle in from the end where the chicken/bird vendors are. At Paloquemao, ask around. I've found them at various merchants, but rarely the same one. However, someone usually has them. And yes, they're called Patata's and they will then tell you that there are two varieties. (sweet potatos and yams) one apparently is sweeter than the other.

shazam comments on Diving trip to Gorgona Island [Video]

great video and great information! I've been looking into diving both gorgona and mal pelo and from bogota, the prices are steep. for a week in november for gorgona they wanted 2.400.000 - flight, hotel, dives. For a week in december to malpelo it was 4.500.000. and they want it all paid in cash. a bit hard on the pocketbook, but definitely in my future plans. Thanks for sharing!

shazam comments on

done deal...expect some turbulance in the first few days... http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/30/us.colombia.bases/index.html

shazam comments on Funny Comments made by salespeople in Colombia to sell anything........

I had a goldfish swimming sideways, so I figured it had parasites and went to the pet store to buy antibiotics or whatever. The salesguy said, nope, he's near death. You've overfed him and ruptured his floating mechanisms...he's going to die.' So I said, 'really, and there's nothing to do but wait and watch him die?' His answer: 'Well, I can sell you a fish to kill him.' HA HA

shazam comments on Help!! DECENT* carpenter required in Bogota

Jorge Cely 288-1116 or 245-3381; 317-301-4621 or 316-225-0438 I originally hired him to 'fix' the table I had made in 12 de octubre. I'd given them a dozen photos of exactly what I wanted and got a chunky, rustic table. Jorge took it apart, slimmed everything down and now I've got a super stylish dining room table. After that, I had him make my chairs (from a Crate & Barrel design), book shelves, side bar and then refurbish my mother's Ethan Allen stools. He's also hung curtains for me, fixed my couch, built and installed shelves for friends and built them furniture as well. He's on time, reasonably priced and best of all...does what YOU want. He might suggest ideas, but he'll also accept your preferences. I highly recommend him.

shazam comments on Strikes in Colombian Universities

OK my friends, I went out last night with some of my U. Nacional friends and got the scoop...and holy shite, it's crazy! Yes, some of the people who were marching/protesting AND held the uni president were actually students. However, no one, none of the TV or radio stations, none of the newspapers ever asked WHY they were all marching. (they are all, and have been, under Uribe's gag orders - hence why we never hear of paramilitary and guerrilla activity in the country anymore) Well, here's why. Prior to 1992 the U. Nacional paid its professors' pension in something called a 'pension pasiva' in which they profs put in money, which was then put into the government with the understanding that the government would match it and then later pay their pensions when they retired. Well, in 2002 the government passed a law saying that all public institutions that had been under that system were now responsible for paying the match and remainder of those pensions and that the government is no longer responsible to do so. So basically, the U. Nacional is screw financially because they can't afford to pay it. And since they can't they are near bankrupt so the government is now saying that since they are bankrupt, they'll have to be 'bailed out' by the government who already has private buyers ready to purchase the university and turn it into a private university. The students then, who are not able to pay for a private university tuition (apx $6.000.000 compared to an average $500.000 a semester) can all apply for loans through the government's loan program...to which they will then be into debt much like many US students are. So basically, Uribe's government has come up with a very underhanded way to shut down the university...and that is why they are all so pissed off. Can't say I blame them!

shazam comments on Strikes in Colombian Universities

Many of the students at the nacional ARE working...if they could afford to live at home and study, they'd be at Los Andes or Javerieana or Santo Tomas or whatever. And many students at the nacional are also on scholarship...they're smarts got them in, not their parent's palanka. There have been strikes that have lasted more than two weeks. The last one I remember was a year or so ago and it went on for nearly half the semester and many were worried about losing the semester entirely. That strike was related to the government changing the credits required to graduate and placing a maximum time limit for studying in the university (regardless of whether or not you were completing more than one degree). It also involved removing nearly 70% of the faculty. I know, for example, the Economics/Mathematics faculty was 36 and they reduced it to something like 8 professors. The others were allowed to teach part time, but lost all their pension/benefits/etc. THe article about this past strike also clearly states that Wasserman acknowledge that the people who kidnapped him...on campus...were not students. Again, the campus is often used by outside groups to make political statements, hence the grafetti etc. As for Americans and politics, most Americans do not know their own history, let alone anyone else's, and have become so anti-intellectual that they'll believe whatever they 'feel' regardless of any facts placed before them. THere has been a dumbing down of the educational system, somewhat intentionally, and an emphasis on pop, trivial knowledge so that the average American cares more about food and celebrities and mediocre sensationalized events (not news) and pontificating about the flag and American Values...but can't identify the Bill of Rights, let alone what it includes, doesn't understand nor can explain the electoral college, has only a vague idea of simple physics principals and mocks/doesn't trust anyone with hard evidence of factual knowledge...instead they go with their gut. *sigh* I grew up in the states, thankfully to immigrant parents, and have taught there and abroad (as an actual certified educator, not a language instructor) so it's quite disheartening, but it's the truth. They'd rather believe their child has a 'vibrational aura' being a gifted outer space race than acknowledge that they set no bounderies at home to discipline their child...and that's why they're disruptive and unproductive in class. It's also why Bush staged two electoral coups and the masses didn't notice (read the Ohio Report to understand). Sorry, way off topic...can't really compare a US college student's experience to a Colombian's. Colombian parents don't run out to Target to decorate dorm rooms to the nine so their kid has a good 'college experience'. It's more the old joke...How can you tell the difference between a nacional student and an andes student in the rain? Andes' students put their books over their heads to protect them from the rain and nacional students protect them under their shirts.

shazam comments on

I saw this article in CNN too and immediately thought...what old news...what a lousy reporter. Colombia is safer than it has been in years so this guy shows up NOW to write about how dangerous it is? He should have been here in '87 when it really was bad!

shazam comments on

I think I'd put Harlem definitely as strata 1 or 2. I grew up in Ohio...and let me tell you...WEST VIRGINIA is easily strata 0 or if possible -0!