SiempreHero has left 62 comments

SiempreHero comments on Word to the wise about Colombia

what a joke Loser

SiempreHero comments on How come Colombians do not like pretzels?

OMG THAT IS SO FUNNY When i lived there we used to ask people to bring those big hard pretzels from the states. And let me tell you, they tasted like gold!!!

SiempreHero comments on miami layover

So Be and Clubs For a layover, check out SOBE. You wont be there to find a girlfriend anyway. I agree with all the above comments regarding giving the clubs and the scene. I dont have to wait in lines, since i work in the music industry, when i go, i go with cool girls and party like a rock star, but you know what? After you do that 3 times in SOBE you get bored. I would gladly give up the SOBE scene, for the nightlife in any major city in Colombia. I would give up any night out in SOBE for a good colombian breakfast with friends. SOBE is a great place to visit, but for me, thats about it.

SiempreHero comments on Treadmills in Bogota?

The Sports Authority buy one there

SiempreHero comments on Arab Airline to have 7 flights to Colombia per week.

The Big A Manifesto Big A, can you please tell me what drugs you took before you wrote your manifesto? I would just love to have a diarrhea brain dump on paper like that for my grandkids to laugh at. But i agree to an extent, white slavery may be a problem for some sweet colombian girls looking for the gold. I guess it may be worse than living in a double wide in north carolina with a hill billy.

SiempreHero comments on MTV LA, Need Help Finding an Artist

try GiO not sure, but it may be him.

SiempreHero comments on Why Don't Colombians Understand Gringo Spanish?

It is not the phrase, it is the lack of protocol I believe that you would have gotton request answered "Puedo hablar con" had you observed first the correct conversational protocol to begin with. You should never start out any conversation (in Colombia at least) with a direct request. You must always first give a formal greeting like "Buenos Dias", "Buenos Tardes", etc. Second, you should announce who you are and what relationship you have calling the party. IE "Yo soy Senor Smith, el amigo de Sofia". When you have correctly announced yourself, you can then begin to make your requests. However, it is even better if you take the time to ask the answering party how they have been. I guess the Colombian culture is kind of like that of Japan, in that you should observe formalities in conversation as well as have the correct spanish.

SiempreHero comments on I think most gringos dont like living in bogota

Gringo on Bogota I have lived in Colorado, Washington DC, Germany, Miami and Bogota. Without any doubt, the place I felt most at home, the most full of life, and met the best friends was in Bogota. I cant wait to move back. And I love the cool, overcast days. Being able to wear a Jacket, tie and slacks (vs Miami style). I liked the smell of Eucalyptus also. It seems to permeate the place. Soon i am going to cash out and go back....

SiempreHero comments on Eye eye.....

Go Colombia The Medical Industrial Complex in the US is a Scam.

SiempreHero comments on Pictures of Shakira up

Never thought i would see the day When Shakira would get upstaged on this forum...wow. More comments about PCDs.. I am going to let Nichole know next time i see her....(for real).


Feliz Navidad

SiempreHero comments on Job opening US Embassy Bogota %15 extra danger pay lol

LOL part 2 I agree with Hollywood. Colombia is a risky post and hence has the premium pay vs more stable countries. I guess Isreal also gets danger pay but not sure. When I was in Colombia with an large corporation, i got 15% danger and 5% hardship premium. The extra pay went to better more secure housing and

The part about the state department being elitist. Have you seen the test to get in? These guys are smart and qualified. They are elite, and should be. What kind of person do you think should work in State? The guy who pick's up your trash on Tuesdays? Come on.

The people at State Department are normally the best of the best who have joined the service for much lower pay than they could get in private industry. I have had 2 friends leave high paying careers to take pay cuts and live in places that most would not want to live. IF a wife of an service man gets the job, good. There are lots of people in life that have a better deal than i do. I do not begurdge them. Pull yourself up off your mattress and make it happen. Dont cry about people who worked their ass off to get someplace they have dreamed to be.

Kisses.

SiempreHero comments on So what about the women??

Naive for sure I can only speak about my experience. However, when i lived in COlombia a dated several girls, latter to find out that they were married, engaged, or had long time boyfriends. Most colombian girls will never tell you they have a boyfriend. The term Amigo is used to describe what in the US would be called a boyfriend. The term Novio is not used often, and if a girl tells strangers she has a novio she is most likely loyal. however, i rarely here girls describing thier amigos as novios. Sexual loyalty may not be the same as other loyalty. Colombianitas are loyal in other ways, even if they may not be able to keep their pants on. Maybe they just dont associate sex strictly with love.

SiempreHero comments on Is it "explain to me" or "explain me"

All the ghetto girls down here in Miami say "explain me", even if they are "native" "English" speakers. It is kind of endearing in its own little way. I guess it is spanglish passed on by those bi-cultural folks. Seems like it is in such common usage, maybe it will become "officially" accepted. English is a living language after all.

SiempreHero comments on Golf in Bogota

La Cima I think La Cima is private, but it is so cheap to join, it seems public. Not a bad course if you dont mind playing on top of a cold rainy mountain, inside of a cloud all the time. Lots of fog too. Sometimes you cant even find your caddy when he goes for a ball. Rather spooky as I recall. No driving range, just a net. I heard it is the second highest golf course in the world next to one in Bolivia.

SiempreHero comments on Golf in Bogota

Forget Public I think they all pretty much stink. You should go to all the clubs. Start with Country, Carmel, Hato Grande, Ask about a "temporary" gringo memebership. You dont have to buy a share, just pay monthly. You can also look for members that want to "rent" thier memberships for a monthly fee. There are so many private clubs you should be able to find one that will offer you an affordable membership. If you join the American Society, they used to do lots golf outings.

SiempreHero comments on International messaging

From any cell too I have T-Mobile in Miami, and i text with my friends all over the world including Colombia. Had a friend in Phillipines and could text him too. It is like 15 cents per message. Most cell companies seem to have an interconnection agreement.

SiempreHero comments on More combine medicine with pleasure on Colombian vacations

That is a way of life That post in the sun sentinal is not a surprise to anyone in South Florida. Almost everyone i know goes to Colombia or other South American countires for medical care. I will get my eyes done next trip. And completely agree that the medical delivery system in the states is just a money machine. We may have the best R&D, but for the typical person, even with great insurance, the doctors leave a lot to be desired. All other factors being equal (and they are not), just the amount of time a Colombian MD spends with the paitant vs the US MD makes a huge difference the quality of care. Here in the US, it is in and out, snap diagnosis, and bam. Pay your bill. In Colombia, the experience is much more personal and I would argue complete.

SiempreHero comments on NEW YORK POST article on Juanes: Soul Survivor

Met the guy He is really a great guy from what i know. My wife, her sisters and I were on the same flight as he was (Bogota to Miami) in October. We were sitting just two rows behind his seat. He walked in the plane. I did not recognize him not a big fan but of course know of him. I said to myself, "who is that guy, i guess he thinks he's a rock and roller he he" Then my wife grabbed me and said "JUANES, THATS JUANES!!" "Go take a picture of him, hurry please" of course I hate bothering celebs, but she is the boss. So her sisters and I said hi, he was so happy and nice. My wife has the pic on her camara. I will post it when i get it. He was very nice to everyone. He looks so young in person.

SiempreHero comments on Satellite TV Question

I already tried that When i moved to colombia i brought the entire US based system. THe problem is that the footprint of the satalites for US broadcast do not reach to Colombia. I could not get any signal. At least the small dish does not pick up the signal. If you have a 12 foot dish it might work, but then you need to aling the transponders. Best thing is just to get DIRECT TV Latin america. You dont get local channels (IE channel 7 news from Miami) but you can get CNN. Sony TV has all the series you will miss. They even have desperate house wifes. Dont waste you time bringing the US equipment. Direct TV Latin America is great.

SiempreHero comments on for women visiting colombia

The Other Side My Wife always makes me buy pads when i travel to colombia. I have to lug these huge cartons through customs in Miami. Not to mention the airport checks. I never check bags so they are carry on items. She says only the Colombian Pads will do. Cant stand the US Pads. You women are just a bunch of princesses, cant you make due?

;-)

SiempreHero comments on Help with graduate project!

Hooters Not a single one in Bogota. (I mean the restaurant chain).

SiempreHero comments on colombians and bathing....

All the water is always cold even with Even with one of those electric on demand heaters, the water feels cold. I hate that part of it when i visit the inlaws. When i lived in Bogota, i had an apartment that was equiped with an on demand gas system as well as an electric water tank. The on demand system gave you water that was only slightly less than tibida. If i plugged in the electric tank, the water was HOT, but my electric bill was about equal to USD100 more per month. I left the electric one on all the time, it was worth it. I think the typical colombian just uses cold or at best luke warm water.

SiempreHero comments on Being in a relationship with English people

Ricky Martin Didnt you see when Ricky Martin did a concert for a royal party. Those people didnt even move. It is the culture. Dont feel bad. Of couse, I am only generalizing. But I did not see ANYONE moving to the beat at that Ricky Martin thing.

SiempreHero comments on Problem

Ugly or not,,colombian girls Sure dude, you say ugly now. Wait till you get there and she starts weaving her magic web around you. Your a gonner. jajajajajaj. I bet you will be writing like the typical love struck puppy after u get back. Have fun. Dont drink to much Club Colombia

SiempreHero comments on Wedding Rings in Colombia?

Dont even bother asking! Come on you are already tempting the fates enough by getting married to a girl who you are in a long distance relationship with. Make sure they match 100%. My wife made sure ours were both BULGARI white gold b-zeros. Not sure if it is a hard and fast rule that rings must match, but one rule is clear: if the bride says jump, you better go as high as you can and prey that she is happy.

SiempreHero comments on spring break: 3 options, 2 questions, 1 week to be there....need help

Bogota...... Only stay in Bogota if you have friends that know the place and get you into good clubs. For Spring break i would vote for Cali or Medellin. Based on what u wrote i would say Medellin. Bogota is a great place to live, but not as good to visit. You have to have connections there, if not, your going to feel really alone. I think that is the case with all of Colombia, but you said you have friends in the other cities, so i would go to one of them.

Good Luck

SiempreHero comments on Poll - Getting fat in American?

Sexy Girl My Wife was my spanish teacher in Bogota for a year. She always was super thin, but with a muscular "cola". She walked alot every day going from place to place. When she came to the US, at first she got even thinner since, in my opionion he was depressed at what a big change it was to come here and not be able to work, not have many freinds etc. She hates to excersise bye they way. Once she got over the change in life style, she started a new job where she gets lots of excersise. She eats very very well (more than i do). You can see how she looks in the pics i have posted. She has been here over 4 years now. I think it depends on many things. Esp. Genetics.

SiempreHero comments on Blues Brothers in Cali

Candy Land Colombia is Candy Land for Gringos. Gingos change when we go there. We feel like studs that can get any woman. Gringolandia is Candy Land for Latinas. They feel like big time hot property when they come here and experience all the demand and offers a pretty woman normally recieves here. Your friend is living the dream. He is right to stay in Colombia.

SiempreHero comments on mono rubio blonde ??

Only Colombia If you go to other countries and use the word "Mona" to describe a blond, they look at you like your speaking pig latin. I recall that when i arrived, people would keep refering to my barber as "La Mona". I thought they were joking until I understood the connotation.

SiempreHero comments on mono rubio blonde ??

Good Topic I researched this topic and continue to follow up whenever I return to Bogota. The story that I was able to piece together is that at one time it was in style for wealthy people to keep monkeys ("Monas"). During that same time, the only people that could afford to color their hair where wealthy people. Some how the connection was made and blonds were called Monas. The story was told to me from the barbar shop girls at the Nogal Club. So, seems reasonable. I also did hear that mona was slang for cute.

SiempreHero comments on Decisions, decisions

What is a Double Wide? Hi,
I just saw your post, and i cut and paste from an old post that i responded to similar to yours. Regardless if you live in a Double Wide or a mansion on the intracostal, love cant be forced. I know Colombianitas who married rich, divorced and are now with auto mechanics, and i know those who married young studs and are now with fat bald guys. There is no formula. Just protect yourself and keep in mind that the web site girls are looking for gringos for a very specific reason.

From my old post response:
Maybe you think your all that and she will fall in love with you for real once she gets to know you. But let me tell you shortly after she comes here, and sees how all the other girls live, has all these guys hitting on her, well i think you get the picture. And you know what? Even if you divorce her, all she will have to do is show that the marriage was in good faith, and "poof" she wont even need you to be married to her anymore. Or worse, one night she comes home at 5am from her boyfriends house, you get mad, she calls the cops and claims you hit her. Then she has an abuse case, and again, she wont need you for her greencard. May advice, check with a lawyer about all the risks. I have seen it happen sooo many times. Colombian girls are high maintance man. I am married to one, and she is not from Bogota's south side, but even a poor girl will have big demands when she comes here. Colombianas are GOAL ORIENTED. Let me tell you, these girls are wallet eaters, you not only have to be able to afford them, you have to LOVE affording them. Think of a man who puts all his money into an expensive car or yacht. You have to really love to spoil that girl. I mean: New Car, New Clothes every weekend, dinner out alot, travel to exotic destinations and a $$$ Allowance. I am not saying this is bad, it is the culture. I know some of the readers will write and say that not all the girls are likd this, but hey, i have known many many colombianas from all social classes and what i describe is a strong trend in any colombiana worth marriage.

My advice to you: GO TO COLOMBIA and spend a couple of weeks with her. If it is BOGOTA, you will be very safe, and have a great time. AND Best for you, your dollars will go a long way. Then, if you still want to Marry her, make her wait the entire 90 -days of the fiancee visa. See how she does for 2-3 months in the lifestyle you can provide for her. Assume that she cant work for at least 6-8 months, and you must provide everything that you cant afford. If she seems stable after 2 months, maybe marry her if you still love her.

SiempreHero comments on Central to South

Dont Worry be Happy Hey, Colombia has a great road system. If your driving, just go all the way through. Try to check out the roads 300 miles south of bogota. Drive at night too. You will be fine. If the FARC stop you, just spell Colombia, Columbia and they will let you go.

SiempreHero comments on NFL in [Bogota

A couple of Mexican dudes I seem to recall that they are a couple of mexican soccer announcers. They do the NFL too. ESPN spansih broadcast is for all of Latin America, and i guess Mexico has the largest NFL fan base. I think they all dig the cowboys.

Sorry to answer the old post, i just feel compeled to propogate my boundless wealth of knowledge before my death.

SiempreHero comments on Cannabis and young people in Colombia

Raising your Son in Colombia Kat,
I agree with you. I would love to raise my son in Colombia too. I will take the security risks over the bad influences any day. Kids in Colombia are normally focused on creative endevours or getting a degree so that they can make money. Just the opposite of what i see in the states. Even the kids that i know that did smoke pot in colombia did it with a different perspective. IE it was just a party time thing, not something they did day and night and it did not rule thier lives. Good luck

SiempreHero comments on How safe is the area sorrounding Bogota? and Bucaramanga

Great Trip Joe, I did the same trip a few years ago. It was a great, but exhausting drive. If you could post your pictures it would be really appreciated. I think that those gringos who have made that drive are in a rather elite group.

SiempreHero comments on Great Dentists In Colombia--Edited for Positive Factor !!

Agree I have also been looking at the issue. I think my company provides the top of the market in terms of medical insurance. I have a PPO and zero copay. My dental is pretty good, but it still sucks. I get 3 cleanings and exray per year, plus 1500 dollars in other (Peridontics for example) less 15% deductable. However, that 1500 dollars is gone with one peridontic quadrant operation. Many of my good friends are doctors, and they are all loaded. My friend a cardilogist loves me to vist him on his 70 foot italian yacht. Perscription medicine in the USA is more than double the cost of other countries and for the same medication. On the other hand, the doctors in Colombia may not be rich, but they do live a very good standard of living. To me, it really does seem a bit exploitive here in the US. I am not saying we should have socialized medicine, and i do agree we need tort reform. However, the medical profession needs to do something about the spiraling costs, otherwise we will eventually get stuck with a system of socialied medicine.

Just my thoughts

SiempreHero comments on Pereira

Samll Town Pereira is a great place. I have many friends from there and have stayed in a FINCA right out side the city. It is a great drive from Bogota to the coffee region. Just go por la linia. (if anyone has made this trip, they know it is and intense climb).

To me, the place is too small for anything more than a weekend. I am more of a city guy. If you love the rural country side and the classic colombian finca life, then the place is perfect. My friends from the area did mention that most of the mid to upper class life occurs in private country clubs (to a much greater extent than Bogota). Also something to note, is that the place has fame for "spawning" the countries best working girls. If this is true or not seems to be disputed among my collegues from the area (some claim that many working girls just tell you they are from there). Regardless, the girls from Pereira are normally super linda and very very polite even by Colombian standards.

SiempreHero comments on Pictures

Not all pics showing Seems like not all the pictures can be seen. Is anyone able to see the Harley Davidson in Bogota convention pics? I see them in my local album, but when i am not logged in i just see some of the pics. Any advice on how to fix?

SiempreHero comments on Great Dentists In Colombia--Edited for Positive Factor !!

All Medical costs in Colombia My experience with all the medical service in Colombia has been great. My son was born in the Clinica Santa Fe, and we had the best Dr in the country to the delivery. From start of pregnance to until my son reached three months of age, (including Obstetrician , Pediatrician, all prebirth tests and checkups and follow up care, the total cost was around USD4100). The pediatrician also did house calls whenever we needed him (or thought we needed him). To me, one of the best things in Colombia is the Medical Care available. Not just for the low price, but for the dedication of the profession there.

SiempreHero comments on Why do gringos keep referring to their country as America?

oh boy Indio nunca Cana,

Indio comido, Indio Ido

why do we make dichos at the expense of the native people of AMERICA?

SiempreHero comments on

You have it backward You should take the advise of the other posts. Many US brands are made in Colombia. You can buy Diesel Jeans for 50-75 dollars there the same ones that will run you 100-200 in the US. They are made in Medellin. I think the small quantities of inventory you could bring in each trip would not sell for a high enough margin to cover your airfare. When you factor in the duties you will eventualy have to pay, your not going to make much of a profit. Much better to export high end fashion from Colombia to the US. There are many Colombian Jeans stores (and Brazil Jeans stores too) in South Florida. In other US states especially college towns, you might find a good market that has not been exploited.

Good Luck, and you might want to watch THE APPRENTICE!

SiempreHero comments on Language Difference (Barrier)

ITS NOT THE SPANISH THe language issues is not the big deal. The cultural barrier is more complicated to navigate. My advice is not to marry the first colombian you meet, unless you could live togeather first (fat chance). Colombian girls are different from gringas in so many ways you cannot even imagine until you have crashed and burned with a few (that is not necessarily a bad thing). Anyway, good luck, and just keep in mind, with a colombianita, it is not the destination but the journey that counts. I am off to eat my pandeyuca.

SiempreHero comments on Advice on how to get from Bogota to Villa De Leiva and surrounding towns

I just noticed something If your from Colorado.... ( i guess that from your name), i grew up in Boulder, and just was there at Xmas. I went skiing, and the drive to Keystone was worse (the traffic had gotten really heavy in Colo these days) than you will find on the way to Boyaca. Also, dont think a typical taxi or hotel driver is going to give you ANY security. It is a false sense. The typical driver is not trained in any way to help you. Besides, Boyaca is very safe by Colombian standards.

Good Luck!

SiempreHero comments on Advice on how to get from Bogota to Villa De Leiva and surrounding towns

Just Drive Boyaca is really nice. You should just rent a car and drive. There are many places you can go in Boyaca, and having a car makes it much better. Besides Ville de Leiva, you should check out the hot springs in Paipa. Stay at the casona del salitre. It is an amazing Haciende with a very nice, clear and hot pool. Also the Puente de Boyaca is on the way and pretty cool too. Just start early in the morning and drive durring the day. Dont take some smelly taxi, the area is really romantic and you dont need company. Driving in Colombia is not that hard. I live now in Miami, and i see many many more accidents every day here than i saw each year in colombia. The drivers tend to get close, but nobody wants to hit anything. If you ever have driven in a big city, you will be fine.
Good luck and have fun.

SiempreHero comments on a scary, but necessary trip.

Ford Explorer Colombian Plates In Florida I think the idea of this type of trip is great. I will do it someday. When i left Colombia, a friend and I were going to drive my explorer from Bogota to Miami. Even if we needed to do a ferry from the coast to Panama. I really wanted to drive around Miami covered in mud with Colombian license plates. In the end, of course i did not do it. Someday i will. I do know that it is possible to drive from North America to Argentina. People have done it, and i heard that there is a book about it. Does anyone know of a book like this?

SiempreHero comments on Moving to Bogota Soon With Family

South of Nogal? Is that just south of Nogal, above Septima? Nice area. How is the social life comming? I understood you were going to write about your experiences. I am interested in readling regular updates. I have so many fond memories of Bogota, i am always thinking about transfering back there. I still visit quite often, but it is just not the same as living there.

SiempreHero comments on Moving to Bogota Soon With Family

Where did you decide to live? So it seems from your other posts that you found a place. In which area did you decide to live? Did you find a big yard?

SiempreHero comments on camera use and calling attention

Military I was recently in Bogota, and we were getting the car washed on Septima and 100 (more or less). I went walking and noticed my old apartment on the hill above Santana. I had my camara so i started taking pictures. THen i went into a small plant/gift shop where my wife was shopping while our car got washed. Well about 5 minutes latter i was confronted by 4 soldiers wielding Uzis. They asked why i had been taking pictures around the Military base / school that are on Septima. I showed them the pictures in my camara, and explained that I was taking pictures of my old house. Thankfully they did not confiscate my camara. The main thing is, security is high, so you dont want to be taking pictures around any military or police stations.

SiempreHero comments on Please recommend a hotel in Cartagena

pissing out of the pot Hi Roberto,
can you translate that in spanish for me? Bye the way, i have made the drive from Bogota to Boyaca and from Bogota (por La Linia) to Pereira, Manizales, and Armenia. I visited the Parque National del Cafe and it was great. I don't really believe your claim that you called your relatives about that. I guess you will throw some names and choice words at me like you normally do when you get defensive. I dont think any of the regular writers on this site are going to agree with your geography lessons. My friend, you have really been exposed.

SiempreHero comments on Moving to Bogota, What do I need, And is it safe for me to live there

Bling Bling My Wife and I had a little laugh about that. Your bling bling will not be appreciated too much down there. Even the "hip" Colombians dont use that yet. More appreciated is an Italian suite. I would leave the bling bling in a box for the first couple of months. See how things are before drawing too much attention to yourself. Other than that, you should have a great time.