SirTropical has left 39 comments

SirTropical comments on Interest in videos on pbh?

lol yeap .. videos sound a goood idea .. I have some interesting ones of my dad having a nice bandeja mixta, chroizos and papa criolla near zipaquira ... next to that a glass or the finest muscatel de pasas ..hehehe

SirTropical comments on Help with a Song

wow talking about "ironing board songs"... ahhh how romantic .. suddenly remainded me of my sweet maid.. she looked so pretty when singing and ironing !!!

clever

SirTropical comments on Discount for paying cash

yeap.. rule of thumb In Colombia the Cash rules
if you're planning to buy real state and have cash.. I ssume that regardless of the price it will always be a great bargain opportunity... as long as you're buying off course from a direct vendor not from a bank or financial institution as credit and mortgage is their way of making profit

SirTropical comments on Colombian salaries...

agree with dongringo I have seen the same phenomena either in colombia or abroad.... colombians once manage to reach certain jobs and salaries won't move out, as a matter of fact they have tried already.. the reason why it's that most probably they can make in US or CANADA something around 2k a month (4 mill+COP) but they won't be able to have the same lifestyle that they would in Colombia whit just 2.5 or more COP !!!

SirTropical comments on Ways to say Novio

humm ok as I don't much to do I will contribute to this one.. let's see as far as I remember:

you call her: linda, nena, gorda, negra, negrita, mami, corazon, mi amor, flaca, mi media naranja, pocha, divina,bollito, bizcocho, mamacita, rica, apretadita ( i like mamacita-rica-apretadita and she knows what i want!!)cosita, puchis, lolis, baby, ñiña (si ñiña !!) amorcito, princesa, pedazito .. that's about it

she calls you: amor, cielo, lindo, papi, nene, gordo, negrito, hermoso, papito, flaco, mi hembro, churro, bizcocho, tarrao, cosito, amorcito, corazon, mio, rey .. I guess that's about it

People call them: novio-a, parejo-a, el-la tales, tinieblo-a, conejo-a, jebo-a, jefe-a, don-ña, patron-a.

enjoy !!

SirTropical comments on Ahh, Colombia, wanna know more?

hey !! glad to hear that you guys enjoyed .. somehow it encouraged me to write to Amnesty International to find out how's the whole women's rigths issues bill going on and how A. Velez is responding to it.

for extra info please check
http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/colombia/index.do

SirTropical comments on LOST IN BOGOTA

city map here you go raquelita. I guessed they posted in the wrong place or . it just came what you were looking for.

http://www.maporama.com/share/Map.asp?MapID=6EB791A9-8111-4470-A82B-8D2D244425FD&language=En

SirTropical comments on Western Culture - Western Values...

New perspective Western Culture - Western Values--- Perhaps people could better explain how Colombian values are different rather than relying on this flawed distinction.

Ok I read most of the postings, and surely there is a clear conclusion at the end, WESTERN WORLD & CIVILIZATION are 2 different things, the western world on my view it's clearly related to the politic and economic trends of certain "developed -1st. world" countries nowadays; on the other hand the western civilization it's more likely related to the inherited past for the european expansionism and colonialism period that now it's being excercized by the western world in forms of cultural imperialism (to continue the purpose of the western world countries... in other words they are mutually interconnected to eachother's purposes.

BUT... a big but(t) .. it's that those VALUES - I quote Mr. H - "Perhaps people could better explain how Colombian values are different rather than relying on this flawed distinction " are found in other place where the history, religion, politics, economy, philosophy, and even the geography among many others blend into eachother to give an exclusive character to the "Colombian Values" and why we are different or not from other countries.

Mr Geert Hofstede and his Cultural Dimensions may have the answer that you are looking for. In his well accepted theory he found 4 tendencies about how individuals from different backgrounds would interact and respond in definately different ways once integrated into a workspace ( I traduce this like once we all have become part in the capitalization process and are heading towards a new form of globalization - todos juntos en la misma olla parce !!) there's abundant information on the web about him, but there's a good source to finally understand how values remain once the set of interacting parameters have changed ...


Power Distance Index (PDI) focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country's society. A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen's power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed.



Individualism (IDV) focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships. A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. Individuals in these societies may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group.


Masculinity (MAS) focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power. A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination. A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society.



Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society - i.e. unstructured situations. A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-oriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty. A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks.


Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider". A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change

for a Colombian complete analysis check here:

http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_colombia.shtml



... Now, I love El Chorizo but...where's the BBQ sauce ??

SirTropical comments on Coloraditos (Spelling maybe incorrect) Sandflies with Chainsaws?

LOL .. you are a sweet-blooded dude !! Mate.. once you enter COLORADITO's territory there's no much you can do if you are sweet-blooded..no,I am not joking..the reason why this things attack are mostly because the sweat odor of your skin, mostly related to your nutritional habits and so, so it makes of you an easy prey, a natural remedy that mom gave us ( my brothers and I) when we were young and lived in Los LLanos ( arauca and Meta) was previous the trip, to drink first thing in the morning ( before ANYTHING ELSE) a cup of cofee with salt !!! yes, no sugar at all, just salt.. a little don't kill yourself. in this way your odor will change as a natural way and avoid being bitten by this little vampire-like creatures. Now if you are staying over long periods of time, you can repeat the dose maybe forthnigthly.

good Luck mate !

SirTropical comments on Children learning English and Spanish at the same time

I agree with quindio man If you are living in a English- speaking country and that's the place that you have established as a home ( for some people HeadQuarters..lol !!) thenyou should speak spanish to her.. because it's the only source she might have at the moment...otherwise do use English if you are living in Colombia for instance...they won't forget that easy each of the languages in case they move in the future as learning in early stages of childhood develops like a long and natural learning memory term...

good parenting

SirTropical comments on ON NOW!! CBC Colombia & Cocaine special documentary

I saw it The 3rd. part of COCAINE documentary, this time touched the unavoidable truth: how hopless and devastating can be figthing against the enemy when you don't know exactly who and where he is !!!what happened to Mrs. C, is she still alive ????

SirTropical comments on US Embassy: Colombia should fumigate in Natural Parks

on my nerves !!! Is there anything that we can do against that??
is there any way to be heard?
Are there means to educate and properly inform our people?
Is anybody actually giving a real F*** about our natural heritage?
Are people taking effective action against this "evil"practice ?
are there any indications of fauna & flora devastation ?

oh... quien podra ayudarnos??(trust me - I'm really upset, I'm calling Greenpeace right now)

SirTropical comments on El hombre paga la cuenta.

fair enough peace of mind, it's good to come to terms

cheers

SirTropical comments on El hombre paga la cuenta.

mmhhh... ---A woman is an adult female human being, as contrasted with a man, an adult male, and a girl, a female child. The term woman (irregular plural: women) is used to indicate biological sex distinctions, cultural gender role distinctions, or both.


---"Realism is commonly defined as a concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary. However, the term realism is used, with varying meanings, in several of the liberal arts; particularly painting, literature, and philosophy. It is also used in international relations. In Philosophy realism is the view that there is an external world that exists independant of our perception of it"

Ok, maybe in my humble latin-male understanding:

your excuse to submit such postings are exclusively based on the biological differences of you and I plus the subjective perspective of the realist ideolgies ??

so which one of the woman realisms are you talking about, yours only?

SirTropical comments on El hombre paga la cuenta.

uufffff desideria...

I'm new to this forum. but honestly... your remarks are way too feminist-like, and quite a bit pesimist...I guess you haven't been succesful in love matters.

Anyhow IMHO, if she pays the bill I would feel flattered, if she lets me pay I would feel comfortable, if we both share the bill, that's a good beginning for us

SirTropical comments on Columbia

gringo in bogota sounds funny that USA being the country where "spelling- bee" contests seem to be a requirement to graduate from junior high, can't actually achieve to spell correctly a simple word as C O L O M B I A...not to agravate the issue, but...as a filosophy of life things are better when done correctly so it won't hurt to spell it right..eh?

SirTropical comments on Hip-Hop and Rap In Colombia?

keywords some useful keywords to understand to what extent hip-hop and rap are expressions of a worldwide culture:

- hip - hop acts as a glorification of the minories
- people's pride & honour anthems
- accustoming and insensibilty to violence
- youth unifying icon
- life rules of sub-society
- marked racism
- pledge to an elevated ethnic supremacy
- chauvinism and submission
- "cultural" form of imperialism
- Great industrial machinery fueled by the greed of monopolization of targetted markets.

perhaps there are many more symptoms that lead us to the cultural effects and causes of a particular movement, in this case it's good enough just to know that hip_hop and rap have evolved, developed and taken over millions worlwide and accounts as a lifestyle, mean of expression and unifying actor despite we like it or not.

I still love "jUmP ArOuNd" by House of pain & my arepa everyday!!!!

SirTropical comments on Bogota's night life is more than vallenato, tecno and plancha

mmhhh I think there were goth bars before .. I'm almost sure

I will ask Persephone to see if she remembers but she might be too hungry then to answer, also his friends are too busy giving interviews for the city TV midnite programs

SirTropical comments on Escape from the Zona Rosa!!

feed me.. feed me wanna try something rather unusual yet.. exceptional in flavour ???

this won't be a Filet Mignon - lobster thermidor- escargot bourginone... no , no that sir

this is the best and generous portion of a well seasoned and tasty "carne asada" served with nicely done steam potatoes, boiled yucca and guacamole !!!
you can have it:

flaca: lean and tender !!
entreverada: a bit fatty, very juicy and tasty -- my choice
gorda: with the natural fat, crispy edges, like having a chicharron

accompany the above with a couple of "bavarias", or a jug of " refajo" and enjoy!!

El Rodeo/take AV 1 de Mayo, before Hospital Kennedy turn right on the "FEBOR" (right on the pedestrian bridge) straigth down till the end of the street on the left hand side (it's not like going to andres carne de res but looks the same ..LOL)/ no more than COL$25.000/all of the above plus the experience !!!

SirTropical comments on Hip-Hop and Rap In Colombia?

culture -subculture - etc AHA..

CULTURE = THA MAN MADE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENT

that defnition is almost a good excuse to go back to the books and confirm that the most common conflicts among HUMANS are culturally-biased (read supremacy-based)...

Viva la arepa !!

SirTropical comments on Taxi versus bus

88 & 13 well, you will be living in a nicec neighbourhood.. very close from the "carrera 15", so you can exercise sunday mornings in the "ciclovia", also nearby are "carulla" supermarket and the "clinica del country", plenty of restaurants, small cafes and boutiques, a short stroll to visit the "andino" and "atlantis" shopping malls, lively "zona rosa" 3 blocks away from your place, in general you won't get bored.

on the carrera 15 there are plans to make more effective transit and bus stops, to go to work you should walk to the autopista norte and that's at least 10 minutes walk from where you will be, or less, not sure about that though.

SirTropical comments on Learning English

try immersion trips if you speak english as well work with her.. sometimes we try to be good at ESL but spend the day listening to latin music, TV and Newspapers,, etc cahnge all of the above for english

So schedule **** continous and sistematic*** immersion trips where she will find herself surrounded by an anglo-speaking community or athmosphere and let her alone developing increasingly survival language technics, she'll improve listening and therefore..pronunciation.

SirTropical comments on a quick question

dude.. dude !!! lol.. $ 2,423,977.42 it's by far a very well monthly paid salary in colombia.. so with this money you can:

- book in 5 star hotel ( like El PRADO HOTEL)
- Go to bars and clubs... plenty to choose from and have at least a bottle of any spirit
- have breakfast. lunch and dinner in any of the 4 and 5 star restaurants in the city( you might want to visit few traditional restaurants to enjoy the local cuisine)
- take your GF to a hotel SPA , beauty salon and shopping malls

and still will have money left to bring some souvenirs !!

enjoy your trip..perhaps later on I will submit some hot (nice) places to visit while in B'killa with your GF and family

SirTropical comments on I need some advice about Colombian men.

who's daddy ??? I am Colombian...feel more latino than anything, specially when listening to a good salsa, merengue and even a good reggaeton and without hesitation I should say we are a chauvinist culture with a strong family bound and a paternalist profile.

Forget about finding a strict behaviour pattern in cross - cultural relationships; there are very few signs of female and male fixed patterns to follow when in a relationship, and as to say that relationships are culturally bounded and herein the whole dilemma:

Culture implies a set of parameters that are deeply rooted and acquired in the later childhood and the early teen years, so most of us are unaware of the primitive and natural impulses and behaviours caused when reacting to a relationship issues.

Females and males we react also to external stimuli, chemical imbalances, conditioned and pre-conditioned feelings and surprisingly and in great measure to imagination!! so you won't be surprised next time when asking yourself why did you do this or that.

It's to my believe that we rely not exclusively but mostly in the ability to "negotiate" our feelings and rigths against our partners...needless to say in most cultures partners will use the flaws in strenght against eachother and eventually comes a balancing on the scale.

I am not justifying ceratin males or females, neither encouraging rampant femenist or chauvinist rage ..lol or trying to prove who's best but, we all can be stupids at different speeds :)

SirTropical comments on Taxi versus bus

rosales.. yay !! Doolexa, have a look at this website, just select the map search and your choice could be in zones 3 and 4, choose your budget and there you go ( copy and paste) :

http://www.metrocuadrado.com/servlet/co.com.pragma.m2.servlet.Base?PJR_TEMPLATE_NAME=licenciamiento/luqueospina/index.html&company=&usuario=luqueospina

if still have problems PM me, I live in toronto and mightbe able to give you a hand in searching your dream home

SirTropical comments on Where to buy Used Books in Bogota

humm dude... have you tried the San Victorino Area? and also you should check the flea market sundays in downtown (somewhere in the national park also)

SirTropical comments on Taxi versus bus

knock.. knock Ok, let's see, in order to help you out better, you should tell us whereabouts it's the school and then we could tell you the best options to travel northbound:

1. if you are traveling to the "autopista norte", maybe you can go by using transmilenio... just make sure you have your backpack or purse in front of you at all times.
2. no taxis, no thank you. better off with public transportation . but late at night(930pm - onwards) it's ok to call for a taxi. do not go out and pick up a taxi.. always CALL.
3. autopista norte it's the city only exit to the northern part of the city , sometimes it's jammed and crowded, the Carrera Septima, could prove useful but lacks of efficient public routes and also has ugly timings ( some bus routes takes up to 45 min in between !)
4. if you're male/female or undisclosed, get friendly and popular and you may get a lift for free since we like foreigners so much !!LOL

SirTropical comments on Colombian passport

make sure hey DudE !! be aware.. when you apply and buy your passport they give you 2 options

1. 5 years and thirty..something pages at $x pesos
2. 10 years and forty..something pages at $x pesos

just make sure you make your calculations right ...

Long life to el "arequipe" !!! yeahh !

SirTropical comments on Being called "Doctor" in Colombia ?

so many doctors !! if you "master" something in life you will undoubtely in colombia be called a "Doctor".. not necessarily they will refer by that, that you have a degree (x) in any (x) discipline,. but rather the level of respect that you deserve.

In theother hand, be aware... the use of the term "doctor" may be use in a mean and sarcastic way: as the popular saying " anybody can be a "doctor", but not every "doctor" is a "Sir" !!!

SirTropical comments on Search: Flights to Colombia

aahh... the pleasures of travbeling cheap...travel.. travel MMHH... not bad
depending on the season and actually the booking date you might get a cheap fare from several on-line agencies like EXPEDIA and ORBITZ, now even better if you are studying in UK and have your valid student ID and/or ISIC card you may be able to get a cheap student fare from agencies like STA, THE FLIGHT CENTRE , also you should check for the BACKPACKERS fares.. usually they are pretty "lechero" trip but you are making the most of your dough for a range of 6 - 7 hours difference with a regular "couch" & "Q" fares (economy class)... what else.. ahh yes, be nice to them, ask in different agencies, but if you do the booking online you could end up saving a some serious sterling pounds !!.. so have your major credit card on hand, verify the security of the site (verisign) and also ask for your miles airline card...
Do not try only major airlines.. look for the small ones like airchina, most probably you will face multiple connections, multiple destinations.. and make sure NOT TO MAKE OVERNIGHTS...since having a COLOMBIAN passport requires of a visa even for your own country.. SERIO !! ( once a DAS officer told me why I have been so long away from the country and almost send me back...lol), so make sure then you have only connecting flights.AND ENOUGH TIME FOR THE TRANSIT BETWEEN FLIGHTS, CLEARANCE ETC. If you do well your homeworks you'll get home DAMN TIRED...PERHAPS 36 HOURS CONNECTING FLIGHTS.. but you'll have in your pocket around UK$400 more than if flying regular.

Good fare hunting .... y QUE VIVAN LAS GUAYABAS DE LECHE !!!!

SirTropical comments on Lip Augmentation in Medellin

botox?? I am not sure what they will they use to fill them with: botox, silicone, strawberry or mora juice -- whatever..I'll tell you something anyway.. they won't look as good and feel as great as natural ones... I'm only talking about lips.. other "fixtures" do feel nice, but they have horrible names, finishing in ....plastia... eewww

SirTropical comments on Social Life in Bogota

the looks .. maybe the looks I guess JMB1 has to play low profile on this.. wisely.. colombians we are quite inquisitive and find our ways around just to get you where we want to.. lol, maybe you don't have to say that, maybe your looks tell everybody what and how !!

If you're bisexual that's not a new thing, paisa girls are pretty much in that (bi-curious) fashion, so you may be able to find some nice friends to hang around and cover up like "girls night out " !

SirTropical comments on my special goodbye to colombianoX

dude..DuDe...DUDE !!!! let me tell you elmodefoque.. eventhough you try hard.. you just sound like a character taken directly from a second edition of "100 years of solitude".. DUDE can be more colombian than that !!!

SirTropical comments on Have job, fiancé, friends, but no spanish!

check this out.. it may help Malena, have a look at this institute with various centers in colombia.. may be somehow handy for you

http://www.nuevalengua.com/

SirTropical comments on

Niche...undoubtely grupo niche has the best version in classic sort of mixed with contemporary salsa.. nice percission arrangements and a solid brass !! very inspiring tune to dance with your favorite lolis !!

SirTropical comments on Help me! Need advice on how to deal with f.....g latin NOVELAS, I can't stand it

DuDE.. get cable TV... !!!! hahaha..

dude.. novelas are the easiest way to understand the core values of the latin ppl.. you know.. I've seen some novelas and found myself submerged in one, after some thinking.. they are funny, you can really have fun in some episodies.. you know.. it's just like watching the OC or some other BS program or sitcom on the tv.. at the end you have SKY or DIRECT TV or TVCABLE !!

SirTropical comments on Latin ATM's

A little remainder Just remember whenever you're withdrawing money out of an ATM in colombia:

Banks set a low amount for daily withdraw, the reason of that it's people getting robbed at the moment of withdrawing, specially at night time, near clubs, discos, restaurant areas etc... so as a first thing.. it's entirely due to safety reasons..

SirTropical comments on Lip Augmentation in Medellin

Links to Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery hey there:

If you are planning to "engallar" your partner..lol..double-check this webpage it's from the Colombian Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Society, it has the address, webpages and pics of differents docotors and area of specialization (?).. she might find something interesting.. good hunting !

SirTropical comments on BUILDING TIPS IN COLOMBIA

real state - buiding - construction hello there troy: I found this links to webapges that may contain potential good information for you and your wife, there are about 12 indicating whereabouts they build and stuff; also I may tell you that as much as I know, mostly banks (Conavi, bancolombia, Davivienda, etc )do rule construction projects all over the country.. specially high rise condos. hopefully this will help you

Cheers !!

lol.. I forgot the link.. hahaha.. here you are

http://colombia.acambiode.com/constructoras/cat_36002.html