suizo has left 44 comments
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suizo comments on The four times I have been to Cartagena did not make me feel as if I was visiting a city that was known particularly for sex tourism (thank god!!!). Some colombians do exaggerate if they see in every european male tourist a sex tourist. I think Cartagena still doesn't have that much tourism from Europe at all, what is a plus in fact... Go to Havanna or Pattaya, THERE you will see sex tourism at its most disgusting level.
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suizo comments on "White"Colombians and costenos and racism. Again, you will have everywhere people who want to be with you because of your money or your status. However, I deeply believe that most of the colombian people are not this way... and I hope my future trips to colombia will not prove me wrong!
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suizo comments on "White"Colombians and costenos and racism. I have been a couple of times to colombia...also together with my black friend. In my opinion, Colombia is not more racist than any other country. My friend was treated very well, everywhere...also in the expensive hotels. The people treated him like they treated me or my blond friend. You will always come across a few idiots who think they need to judge by skin color, the amount of money you have etc... who cares. I suppose, all on this board agree that this is b/s...
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suizo comments on MIA to CTG The hilton is not hilton by american standards...but its ok for bocagrande. Almirante Estelar is nice as well and a little cheaper. Caribe has git some nice rooms, but rather 3 star all in all. If you want a really really nice hotel go to Santa Clara in centro. It's definately the BEST. the atomsphere in the lounge and around the pool is unbeatable, especially in the evenings... If you prefer a beach resort, Las Americas is a good address.
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suizo comments on Let Colombia Win Excellent post Dodger...spread the word. Italy and France should be ashamed, although I understand France's fear in relation to Betancourt. Switzerland will most probably not officially comment on the crisis as they act as an intermediary for the release of FARC hostages. Surprisingly, the crisis is being discussed in online newspaper forums in Switzerland: 90% are applauding for what Colombia did.
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suizo comments on Ecuador to defend itself if no Colombia apology Regardless of your opinion on US foreign policy...shouldn't we all (those who love Colombia) actually be glad that the US is supporting Colombia in this crisis? It is so obvious that Venezuela and Ecuador should be condemned by the international community (it's really not new that those countries are harboring terrorists!) and not Colombia. And once again, the european nations act like cowards...
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suizo comments on What if Colombia goes to war against Venezuela and Ecuador? It really does not make sense to talk military tactics. Let's be realistic: No way there is going to be a war (although I like the thought of Chavez getting his ass kicked)... Chavez should shut up his big mouth, this is just to cover up his own domestic problems. Hopefully, this situation can be resolved quickly and peacefully...
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suizo comments on Medellin or Bogota? And which Spanish Program? "HELP" The women are nicer in MEDELLIN! :-) And besides that: Weather is far better, city looks great, nice restaurants, lots of clubs...FORGET BOGOTA.
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suizo comments on Non Tourist Nightclubs in Cartagena Well put, bartolo_colon! However, I know there is one bigger dance club right across Centro Comercial la Castellana...can't remember the name...green lighting outside...they play mostly dancehall and reggeatton...I'm sure you won't find a lot of tourists there! And as bartolo_colon says, the clubs in the tourist area (Joy Slava, Babar, Cafe del mar) have mostly colombians visiting...also depends what season and if you have a number of cruise ships in town. The four times I was in Cartagena I only met colombianos and colombianas in the "tourist" clubs...oh, one panamanian girl though;-) Also, don't forget...the majority of tourists in CTG are still the colombians themselves.
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suizo comments on "I also avoid women who have fake tits..." So, who the hell are you dating then? Guys? :-) Seriously: It becomes hard to find non-fakes in Medellin...And I agree: It's a deal killer.
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suizo comments on FARC website hosts gatogris: The full name is "Netzwerk Resistencia" (= Network Resistencia). As far as I am aware this is a Swiss group. They are co-organizing the labour day march on May 1 which regularly leeds to violent excesses in Zurich. The leftist extremists in Switzerland are few in numbers but they are well organized and have international connections to the Red Brigade (Italy) or to FARC. I recall that they intended to invite a FARC representative for a labour day speech to Zurich. I think the speech was then postponed after this sparked outrage among politicians and the public.
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suizo comments on FARC website hosts Here's the response I received just now from the Swiss Federal Task Force against Internet Crime (translated from german into english): ********************** Dear Mr. X Thank you for your email you sent to fedpol (Swiss Federal Police). Your query has been forwarded to the Federal Task Force against Internet Crime. www.farcep.org is the official website of the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejercito del Pueblo). Currently (16./17. January 2008) the website is offline. The reasons of which we are unaware of. Based on prior, numerous investigations of the above mentioned website we were not able to find any content that would be subject to the Swiss Criminal Code. The website basically displays a collection of political opinions of the FARC movement. In particular, we could not discover any invocations of violence or promotion of criminal activities. Further, the website content does not refer to any information on arms or drugs trafficking or kidnappings. As Swiss law does not prohibit the existence of political movements and due to the fact that the website is currently offline and prior investigations did not reveal any criminally liable relevance, we do not see any possibility to take action. Best regards, Federal Task Force against Internet Crime ******************** Although the response does make sense from a legal perspective, I am still concerned that FARC is able to promote themselves so easily. The website registrant by the way is a group called Resistencia, a movement of the extreme left. They are under supervision by Swiss Intelligence like all extremist groups. I assume they will have a closer eye on them, now that they are hosting the FARC website.
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suizo comments on FARC website hosts That's correct, tasco66, Switzerland does not list FARC as a terrorist group: And as you say this might be because of Switzerlands role as mediator. gatogris: FARC should at least qualify as an organized crime organization under Swiss law. This would mean that anyone helping such an organization may be prosecuted under Swiss law. However: I doubt that the services of a web design firm would qualify as "aiding" a criminal organization as long as the website does not directly promote any criminal activities. As far as I am aware - please correct me if I am wrong - the website mainly addresses the political dimension (---> freedom of opinion). I tried to get to the website just now...does not resolve. I will let you know if I get a response from the Federal Police or from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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suizo comments on FARC website hosts Found it myself: www.farcep.org. I sent an email to the Federal Police; let's see what they answer. By the way: Switzerlands neutrality has nothing to do with our (in)famous banking secrecy.
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suizo comments on FARC website hosts Can anyone post the address (URL) of this farc website? I would like to check. As a Swiss citizen and as a lawyer I am concerned that a terrorist group is able to host its website out of Switzerland!
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suizo comments on Looking for Luxury Apt Or Mansion Rental In Medellin February 2008 I stayed in a luxury apartment near Tesoro (175USD/night). Check out www.theapartmentmedellin.com. I was very happy with their service, very professional.
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suizo comments on hell yeah...I was three times in Cartagena and I never saw any hookers on the beach. At least they didn't look like hookers...
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suizo comments on I can not agree with all the comments here: I have rather dark skin, black hair...most colombians think I am "arabe" or "puertoriqueño". I have been in Colombia three times now and can not say that I got less attention than my blond, blue eyed friend. Actually, I was surprised myself! However, last time I went with my black friend... and yes, it seemed that the girls were not so attracted to him due to his skin color although he is very good looking.
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suizo comments on can i take a pic next to Escobars tomb stone? its in medellin right? how far is that from cali??? It's quite unbelievable that massmurderers like Escobar (or Che) still seem to attract so many people...quite sad. But possibly it's just ignorance...
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suizo comments on Avianca to resume flights from London and Frankfurt! ok kat1...then I'm looking forward to my next trip via US...BECAUSE: I need to go back to MIAMI anyways!!! So let's hope you're right with the 777.
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suizo comments on Avianca to resume flights from London and Frankfurt! Flying from Europe to Colombia via the US is usually 200-300$ cheaper. BUT: have you checked what aircrafts they use to fly you over the atlantic ocean: 757s, 767 and other crappy small airplanes...and then the hassle with US immigration (not always of course...). Pay a little more and go Air France... Iberia sucks big time, by the way...
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suizo comments on Good Dentist wanted in Cali! Thanks everyone! Clinicadentilaser quoted me 400'000 COP for the laser bleaching. Sonria quoted 250'000 COP. However, it seems that different methods of laser bleaching exist...
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suizo comments on Good Dentist wanted in Cali! Thanks, do you know what I should expect for a Laser bleaching? Around 200'000-300'000?
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suizo comments on cheapest way london-cali? I made the best experience with Air France through Paris. Might be a few dollars more...but they definately have the better and spacier air planes than Air Comet or Avianca. Also, think about the immigration hassle at US airports if you fly via Miami...of course, you may be lucky and get through quickly. You can call Air France and they can book you right through to Cali (not possible online).
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suizo comments on Cheap flight from France/europe to bogota I booked my Air France flight to Bogota leaving dec 26 in May already. Paid around 1600 USD in May (which is about 400$ more than in low season). Guess now it will be hard to find anything cheaper than 2500 USD with the big airlines from Europe to Colombia. There are usually some cheaper tickets if you connect through Miami... but being tired of the hassle at US airports I chose to pay 200 bucks more and to fly via Paris.
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suizo comments on Best hotels in Bogota and Medellin Dann Carlton in Medellin is a very good address. Check it out on the Web
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suizo comments on How do I convince my son? Wow, you're a cool dad...my dad tries to convince me NOT to go to Colombia. Have I listened to him? NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VIVA COLOMBIA!!!!!
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suizo comments on Can just say...while travelling with my gringo-looking (blue eyes) friend I notice he gets lots of attention. Just be nice, treat everyone well...and you will be treated the same way.
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suizo comments on Hotels in Cali Colombia Hi I stayed at the Intercontinental and at Dann Carlton. Both are great, but expensive. If security is an issue, choose Intercontinental. For my next stay in Cali in December (Feria de Cali!) I intend to rent an apartment. It's pretty hard to find apartments in Cali over the Internet! Has anyone got a good tip? JLove: Sounds interesting...but would also like to know if you can rent a whole apartment by yourself. cheers
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suizo comments on BEWARE: THIS IS A SCAM!!! Don't get fooled! Nothing is free on mother earth. Peter: Can you please delete this post?
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suizo comments on Peso now into 1800s... JUST TELL ME... Should I buy now Pesos or not? I am going to Colombia in December...
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suizo comments on I almost got shot! be careful out there! Know what it feels like Dibbs, glad you are alive.
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suizo comments on No IVA for foreigners since 1.1.2007! Another answer I just received from Aviatur... "Buen dia Sr. XY:
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suizo comments on No IVA for foreigners since 1.1.2007! Confusing... Here's an answer I got from my local travel agent:
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suizo comments on No IVA for foreigners since 1.1.2007! Hmmm... Didn't find anything on the net. However, the Intercontinental in Cali, the Park 10 in Medellin and the Cartagena Estelar Hotels all agreed to discount the 10% IVA. Only the Dann Carlton in Barranquilla keeps on telling me that they have to charge the IVA because it's a national tax. After insisting they then tell me that they can't change the billing because of their automated system...bullshit.
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suizo comments on No IVA for foreigners since 1.1.2007! Yeah! Same for domestic flights. Maybe even international if you buy in Colombia...but not sure. I experienced that some hotels will tell you that you have to reclaim the IVA at the airport when you leave the country. But I insisted and then they agreed to exclude IVA in the first place...
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suizo comments on You better... fly Air France...I only fly AF to Colombia and Venezuela and it's definately the best value you get. Forget Iberia. In my case, AF is even slightly cheaper...
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suizo comments on Colombian Chicas - Someone please explain! Thanks ...to everyone who posted. Of course, I am as confused as before, but it sure was a hell of a fun reading your posts. And many of them truly interesting with thoughts to be considered. The only thing I know for sure is: I love the country and I'll be back in April 2007!
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suizo comments on Colombian Chicas - Someone please explain! Oh hell, yes I understand... ...please accept my apologies for not being a so experienced Colombia traveler like many others here. Also, I note that we have experts here regarding "pre- and postpago". Guess they did some in-depth research ...ha ha ha.
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suizo comments on Colombian Chicas - Someone please explain! This is BS... ...if I wanted to start the "girltalk" as you name it, there would probably be other, more appropriate message boards. Just trying to understand what I have seen.
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suizo comments on Colombian Chicas - Someone please explain! I am not... ...a Gringo, but in this case, it probably does not make a difference.
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suizo comments on Buy internal flights in UK or in Colombia? I suggest calling Avianca directly in Bogota and paying with your CC by phone. This will be half as expensive! Bogota - Cartagena is around 60£ incl. taxes oneway. I've done this and it works perfectly. Unfortunately, it is not possible to book online. Maybe you could also try Aerorepublica, sometimes they are cheaper.
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