suzannyo has left 55 comments

suzannyo comments on social service project in Bogota

Social worker's salary Hi there! I volunteered in Bogota with a Christian NGO...the social workers there had caseloads of up to 1,000 students and were paid about 500,000 pesos/month (working 5-6 days/week).

As far as office supplies, you can get everything in Bogota that you would need. As for prices, I'm not sure how they compare.

A lease on an office would vary greatly depending on where you wanted to locate...on the Northern end of town it could easily be $1000+/month, on the southern end rent would be considerably less, but security costs would be higher... Sorry I don't have more exact info...

Let me know if you have more questions.
Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Cartucho?

Sure looks like it...something near Decima con 6ta?

suzannyo comments on Colombian flag for blog?

Thanks! Thanks to you all...you're grrrrrrrreat!!! (Cheesy, I know!) :)

suzannyo comments on Search: Job with NGO in Bogotá

What type of position are you looking for? I know of a Christian NGO in Bogotà and Cartagena who seem to be looking for various employees, especially in the areas of micro-credit loans, micro-businesses, etc. If that sounds interesting, PM me and I`ll get you the website.

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Volunteer Work

What type of org are you looking for? I know of a great Christian development organization in Bogotá...I think the webpage is down as they update it right now, but its

www.cdacolombia.org

Hope that helps.

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Barrio Kennedy or Patio Bonito en Bogotà

Cuidad de Cali con Villavicencia The appartment I´m considering is near that intersection...what can you tell me, other than that the pavement changes every time it rains?? :)

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Phone Card for Calling Colombia

STS Prepaid ...has great rates, like they said above.

suzannyo comments on any human rights/development workers out there?

CDA Colombia Hey there! Try looking at www.cdacolombia.org www.saludcda.org or Its a Christian NGO that works on social service projects as well as health care with the marginalized and/or internally displaced in Bogotá and Cartagena.

Hope that helps!

suzannyo comments on Travel in the Ghettos

Unsafe... That´s the best word I can use...I work with a Colombian non-governmental organization in Bogota. Our projects are in some of the poorest, toughest barrios of Bogota. Last month while I was working at a health brigade in southern Bogota, a group of about 10 paramiliaries started gathering and watching us...another group of 10 or so was waiting down the hill for us. Fortunately, our security team caught on to the situation quickly and got us out of there without anything happening, but we`ve not always been so fortunate. The team of folks that goes out to visit zones and decide where to hold the health brigades have to have permission from the guerillas or paramiliaries in order to even enter the barrio.

To make a long story short, I`d avoid going by yourself, and especially avoid going without first having an inside contact. Also, don´t bring anything of value with you if you go.

suzannyo comments on Colombian names for baby girl (save my marriage)

What are the female names already taken? Just thought we could save some time by not posting names that are already taken.

My personal favs are: Stella/Estella, Kayla, Hannah, Lucía, Savanna, Esperanza, Selena, Marisol, Susanna, Elisa, Sophia, Senna, Reese, Eva, Isabel, Maricela

Hope it helps!

suzannyo comments on Advice about Cartagena.

My only concern for you is.... SUNBURN!! :) Bring LOTS of 30+ SPF sunscreen with you and you should be fine. :) Have a great time. Wish I was going too.

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Construction terms

Thanks so much! Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me out. I appreciate the help!

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Great news for foriegners who want to Marry a Colombian

Be thankful you're not dealing with the consulate in Chicago.... I'm in the process of gathering docs for a Non-governmental organization (NGO) visa. Every time I've called the Chicago consulate, I've spoken to the same guy (when I can actually get a human, that is) who tells me that I need to call back between 2-4pm Central time. What the heck is that?

So, I've given up on them and now call the consulate in Houston every time I have a question. I always talk to the same lady, who's very helpful. Now, when I call I just say, "I'm the one who keeps calling about the NGO visa..." and she knows right away who I am. Craziness!

suzannyo comments on Sending Packages to Colombia

babygirl... I sent some Christmas cards airmail both to Bogota and Cartagena from Michigan. I sent them out on Dec 10th or so and was told they'd arrive by December 17th. I called and talked to friends this weekend who just now finally received the cards/photos I'd sent them. Not sure what happened, but at least they made it in the end. If you're not crunched for time, you should be ok.
Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Spanish Movies

Yep, you can find movies at Blockbuster... I was one of those folks that posted on the other thread about watching movies to improve Spanish.

I've been able to find many movies in Spanish at the Blockbuster around the corner from me, but sometimes if there are a number of Blockbusters within the same city, one will have a larger selecion than others...just ask and the clerks will be able to tell you.

I've watched all kinds of movies in Spanish, ranging from "Goonies", Harry Potter, Proof of Life, and Maria Full of Grace, to "Y tu mama tambien" (I DO NOT recommend that movie unless you're looking for incest and vulgarity). When you're browsing at the video store, flip the DVD case over and it will list which languages they have audio of and which are subtitled.

If you're looking for "authentic" movies in Spanish, I also found a bunch on Netflix under the International section. I think you can browse through there even w/o being a member, but I could be wrong.

Hope that helps!
Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Only read this if you have ten minutes to spare and a soft heart.

I've had similar wonderful experiences with Colombians... I was in Cartagena visiting/working with some Colombian friends I'd made 6 months prior. I had to leave on my birthday to head back to the Girls Home in Bogota where I work, and was sad to leave those friends/that culture. When I got back to Bog, I received email that my grandfather had passed away, a friend had lost a baby, and that my cousin was injured in Iraq. Needless to say, the day was not going as I'd hoped.

The Colombians the Lord has surrounded me with in Bogota have been such a blessing. They were there to comfort and walk with me through the grieving process for my grandfather and my friend, to welcome me back to Bogota, and to show me how much they cared. When I arrived back to the Girls Home that night, I was in for a surprise that I'll never forget. The girls all rushed out to the van when I arrived and I was quickly surrounded by little arms and warm greetings. They were so glad to have me back after my 2 weeks away from them. They brought me into the home and surprised me with a wonderful party, complete with cake, pop, and a pin~ata. They even made up their own dances and sang songs for me. We took lots of pics and the greetings from my friends were wonderful. I will never forget how they welcomed me, made me a part of them, and loved me like I've never been loved before.

I know that there is a lot of pain, suffering, and difficulty in Colombia, but there are also a lot of wonderful, amazing people.

Thanks for sharing your stories....

suzanne

suzannyo comments on Anyone have an opinion on Avantel, Colombia's version of Nextel?

Thanks... for your advice! :)

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Anyone have an opinion on Avantel, Colombia's version of Nextel?

Coworkers and Office also use Avantel... Why do you say to stick with Bellsouth or Comcel? Price? Service? Thanks!

suzannyo comments on Learning Spanish by CD course or on internet. any ideas

How about DVDs? I think a Spanish CD or course would be a good place to start, but once you're getting the swing of things, I've found that watching movies in Spanish (sometimes with, sometimes without English subtitles) has been a great help to me. It helps if its a movie that you're already familiar with in English, so you can know what's going on and match the Spanish with what you already know the characters are saying. My friends all know me well enough that the first thing they do now when we pop in a DVD is check to see if I can watch it (later) in Spanish. :)

!Buenas suerte!

suzannyo comments on ColOmbia vs. ColUmbia

Thanks all! Good to know I'm not the only one who notices the mistake...like some of you said, it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, just something that I frequently notice...even on the local news! Oh, well...back to packing...I'll be in Bogota soon enough!

suzannyo comments on Cartagena - Accomodation Recommendation

Old Gringo... What you said is all true, but that's exactly why I like it in Crespo--there aren't many other gringos there. No offense, I'm a gringa...but when I go to Latin America, I'm not looking to find a mini-US full of partying gringos. I'm looking to go where the real (and by real I mean the average working class or the people who are really struggling to make it, not the upper classes) people from that country are to experience life as they live it. I know Crespo is pretty wealthy, but the only thing I do there is sleep...the other 18 hours of my days in Cartagena I'm out in communities on the other side of town where tourists never go...El Pozon, 11 de Noviembre, Bill Clinton, Villa Hermosa...the marginalized areas.

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Real Gringos/Fake Latinos

We could use... "UnitedStates-ian", but that sounds a little funny. I usually just say "I'm from the States" or some such phrase to avoid the whole situation.

Suzanne :)

suzannyo comments on Cartagena - Accomodation Recommendation

Barrio Crespo en Cartagena Hey! Came across the name and address of a little place I've stayed at in Cartagena a couple of times.

It's about 2.5 blocks from a couple of beaches in the quiet upper-middle class neighborhood of Crespo and its got a more homey atmosphere than many of the larger hotel chains. The lady who owns/runs it is named Don~a Ana de Cabanzo and her address is Avendida 3, No. 65 - 109, Barrio Crespo, Cartagena. Her phone numer is (575) 6661415 or (575) 6697394.

Rooms run $25000 Colombian per night/person with breakfast included (she will prepare up to 3 Costen~o meals per day for you if you like)...some rooms available with a/c but you pay more on the nights you use it...fair warning!

Enjoy!

» previous

suzannyo comments on Avianca Advisory

My favorite airline (joke)... Airline that serves Latin America...

TACA= Take a chance airline
-OR-
= Take a coffin along (either one's quite grim!) :)

In Tegucigalpa, Honduras everyone applauds every time a plane lands and doesn't hit a vehicle driving on the street at the end of the runway...heard they actually hit a bus once!

Suzanne :)

suzannyo comments on Do people go hungry in Colombia?

DW Thanks...its nothing that I am capable of doing on my own...its all the Lord working through me. Dios te bendiga.

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Do people go hungry in Colombia?

I know some people.... I know plenty of people/families that have very little, if anything, to eat each day in Bogota and Cartagena. I work with a Colombian organization that works in the poorest areas of both cities and the reality is that, yes, there are families who eat newspaper to fill their stomachs and get their only nutrients from panela.

I work with a little girl from Cartagena who was about a month away from death due to starvation when we found her and took her in...she's been with us a year now and is doing so much better physically. When I was in Cartagena in October, I met another little girl who was dying of malnutrition--she was to the point of loosing sensation due to nerve damage associated with malnutrition. Staff who work in Cartagena told me that a couple children had died of malnutrition there this year, as well as others who died of maleria and other preventable illnesses.

In Cartagena, many of the families we work with are internally displaced, meaning they've fled to Cartagena from the campo because they fear for their lives. These families live in horrifying conditions (homes frequently flood with sewage, no public services, little access to health care, fear of further violence, etc.), often with multiple generations in the same "house"/shack (up to 10-15 people), living on $2 per day (if they can find work) to clothe, feed, and shelter them all.

In Bogota, the situation is different, but the reality of the situation is similar. Families living in sub-human conditions, without hope of finding decent jobs to provide for their families. Family violence is a HUGE issue, sexual abuse of children happens frequently, crime is rampant, and there is little hope for them to make a better future for the future generations.

We are working with these folks to help them look toward the future with hope of something more. Through education, micro-credit programs, and medical care, changes are being made poco a poco.

suzannyo comments on Could we clean this site up a bit??

Parce... I'm not gonna dignify that with a response...

suzannyo comments on Could we clean this site up a bit??

!!definitivamente que si!! Suzanne

suzannyo comments on parce...welcome to poor but happy

Amen to that!! Could you watch your language?

suzannyo comments on Best place to go to do some charity work, learn Salsa, meeting people, para apprender español y mas

Hey there... I'm volunteering with an organization that has sites around Bogota as well as Cartagena. It is a Christian Colombian organization working in the areas of education, health care, micro-credit, and they have a children's home for abused/neglected girls. Write me on PM if you'd like more info.

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Colombian culture what surprises you what do you love and hate about it

Couple observations... I admitedly know only a small number of Colombians, so the following comments are based on them and my experiences with them, not the whole population of Colombia...that being said...

One thing I noticed is that things in Bogota seem to be much "cooler" than Cartagena not only the weather, but the social atmosphere as well. People seem to be more focused on themselves there. Asking questions about the day's itinerary or info about something for work was taken as being nosy or as implying that I was frustrated, when all I really wanted to know was how to budget my time or how to best do my job that day. In the US, we're encouraged to ask questions, to get things right, and to be team players, all things that seem to go at least the grain at least some of the time in Colombia.

However, Colombians are some of the hardest working people I know, the most dedicated to making life better for those around them. Family bonds seem stronger than here in the US. Colombians are far and away more hospitable and generous than Americans.

I LOVE COLOMBIA!!

suzannyo comments on I want to hear opinions about how foreigners feel visiting Colombia

Cartagena, Islas del Rosario, Bogota Hey there! I've traveled quite a bit to Latin America (Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico, and now Colombia) and I love Colombia much more than any other country I've been to.

I openly admit that I was VERY scared before heading to Cartagena the first time, but that was based on my STUPID decision to read the US government warnings and the fact that a Guatemalan friend had just been killed in Guatemala.

Anyway, when I arrived in Cartagena, I was instantly at peace and felt so at home and welcomed there. I was working in the marginalized areas of Cartagena and basically felt safe (I was always accompanied by a Colombian and sometimes with security). There were a couple times where I and the Colombians I was with were a little worried, but nothing ever happened. The tourist areas were totally fine.

We went to Islas del Rosario one day which was fun...WEAR LOTS OF 30+ SUNSCREEN!!!! I have permenant burn marks on my arms even after sunscreen! Permenant reminders of a wonderful country. :)

I now work/volunteer in Bogota and the surrounding areas, again in the poorer areas. I'm always with security there, but I've always felt safe (I think I'd feel pretty safe even w/o security). Like in any big city around the world, you need to use common sense and ask people if its safe to do things or go places if there's any doubt in your mind.

I think you'll quickly go from being aprhensive to falling in love with Colombia once you get there. Go for it. Cuidate mucho y Dios te bendiga.

Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Family back in Colombia and the "image" they believe the U.S to be

Trabaje con muchas familias sin documentos.... Bueno, soy una gringa y trabajadora social que vive en Michigan. Trabaje' con muchas familias de Mexico y de Guatemala quienes son viviendo aca sin los documentos legales para trabajar y vivir aca. La mayoria con quien trabaje' vinieron porque tienen nin~os especiales y no pudieron recibir los servicios que necesitaban en sus paises. La situacion es muy dificil aca para familias indocumentados. Muchas de estos familias estan aca y estan sufriendo mucho para obtener los necesidades basicas de sus familias (donde vivier, comida, ropa, servicios,etc). No se como es la situacion en otros partes del EU, pero en Michigan por lo menos, es dificil conseguir un trabajo que paga bien si uno no tiene sus documentos y si uno no habla el ingles. Y desunfortunadamente, aunque una persona tiene su diplomado/licensia del otro pais, normalmente no esta reconocido aca...por ejemplo, un medico en Colombia puede venir aca y normalmente no pueden trabajar inmediatamente como medico...tendrian que estudiar aca otra vez... Los trabajos que gente indocumentados puede conseguir aca son trabajos como lavadoro de platos en un restaurante, trabajador en una fabrica, y trabajador en los campos cosechando los vegetales y frutas...

Los nin~os que vienen pueden recibir una educacion, pero los servicios de salud que son muy costosos (Medicaid, medicos, dentistas), y los apoyos del gobierno como "food stamps", ayuda con arriendo, y todos estos tipos de programacion del gobierno solamente son para los ciudadanos y los que son aca legalmente.

Las familias siempre estuvieron/estan preocupados sobre dinero, trabajo y tienen miedo de ser deportados. Muchos que llegan aca sin documentos me dicen que tienen ganas de regresar de sus paises porque la cultura, el estilo de vida aca, el falto de empleo adequado, y todo lo demas ha sido muy dificil por ellos. Conoci' a una mexicana la semana pasada que regreso a Mexico por estos razones anteayer.

Gente normalmente ve los EU como paraiso...esto no es la verdad; es el mismo como cuando los gringos siempre piensan que Colombia es un pais demasiado peligroso y que todos consuman drogas...los dos ideas son falsos.

No digo todas estas cosas para asustarte, sino para que piensas bien antes de venirte. La vida aca no es lo que te ves en las peliculas...todo no es facil....

Buenas suerte....

Susana

suzannyo comments on The dumb, ignorant, funny questions you've been asked about Colombia

Electric donkeys... I work with a Colombian guy...when he was in the States one time everyone was asking him all the ridiculous questions you've all listed above. He was getting tired of it, when they finally asked him if there are cars in Colombia...without missing a beat he said, "Nope, we only have electric donkeys."

The moron believed him...we are, as a whole, not the brightest country in the world... :(

I've also gotten some cute questions about the US from kids I work with in Colombia...
"How do you say my name in English?" this is one of their favs
"What time is it in Michigan right now?" (still hadn't caught on to that one after 3 months...)
"Is it true that you only eat pizza, hamburgers and hotdogs?"
"Does your family speak English? (I'm a caucasian American...yep!)
"Do even little kids speak English in the US?" Still haven't grasped the concept that we learn English from the moment we're born here in the US, just like they learn Spanish from the moment they're born in Colombia... :)
"Don't you ever get tired of speaking English (like I sometimes do from speaking Spanish)?"

The list could go on, but I'll stop there...




Suzanne

suzannyo comments on First time to Colombia

What's the purpose of your trip? Hey Adam! I just wondered if you're coming for just to travel, to learn/study, to party, or some other reason...that could make a big difference in where you should go.

I'm from the Chicago area too, so I don't have a lot of experience to go on...I've personally only been to Bogota and Cartagena. Bogota is a HUGE city (seems to go on forever), spring-time weather, and known as slightly more aloof socially than Cartagena. Cartagena is more my style, except for the HOT and HUMID climate. Its more like the stereotypical carribean culture...slower paced, more friendly/open socially, great beaches, touristy things to do, etc.

I'm sure others will have more advice coming your way...best of luck. Enjoy yourself and stay safe. :)

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on How safe is it for a gringo to live in Bogota

You're in Detroit?? Hey there! I'm in Grand Rapids, MI and I spent 3 months in Bogota this fall. If you can handle the crappy weather in Michigan, Bogota weather will seem like paradise...I'm so homesick for the sun right now that I can hardly stand it...going back to Bogota in February and can't wait. You'll love it there!! Best of luck!

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on greetings and happy holidays from me to you all

Gomezman... NGO=non-governmental organization...its a non-profit organization, usually they work on issues relating to human rights, the environment, health, etc. Sorry for throwing around terms everyone might not be familiar with...up until a few years ago I wouldn't have known either...

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on greetings and happy holidays from me to you all

Info from someone who's been there.... Hey there! Welcome to PBH!

I wanted to reply to your question about the coastal flooding in Colombia and how it affects the people there. I work/volunteer with a Colombian NGO who has a project in Cartagena in a really marginalized area, which is greatly affected by the flooding. I was last there at the end of October, but I'm in contact pretty regularly with folks from there.

November was a hard month for them, many of the families that the NGO works with had to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. Many ended up living in the soccer stadium for several weeks until their neighborhoods were dry enough to go back to. The situation in these poor communities is awful...many of the houses are made of black plastic and little by little people add wood or cardboard or metal to it to make it somewhat more sturdy. They don't have bathrooms of any sort (not even a proper latrine), so when things flood, sewage is mixed with the water and that all goes into the homes and ruins everything. The muck can be up to knee high and tall rubber boots are a must. People from the communities have made "sidewalks" out of old tires, in an attempt to keep out of the muck when possible, but the water often goes much higher than the 2-3 tire-stacks. The majority of the families in the neighborhoods where this NGO works are internally displaced, meaning that they're not native to Cartagena, but have come there because they had to flee their native lands due to the violence...I've met ex-guerillas, campesinos, and people from all walks of life there.

The main problem (as far as the flooding goes) in the neighborhoods where this NGO works is that the people are squatting on land that was available b/c no one else wanted to live there b/c its below sea level. They're living on a man-created island between the sea and 2 canals. When there's a lot of rain, there is no where for it to go, and they have to wait for it to filter back down through the ground...a slooooow process. In the mean time, illness is a big issue b/c this creates the perfect conditions for mosquitos, and with all the sewage everywhere, illness from that too.

Its a tough, tough situation. The government in Cartagena had a fund-raiser/telethon a couple weeks ago to raise money to help thousands of families who lost everything in Cartagena in November. The NGO that I work with is also working on a project to help some families build/re-build their homes up on stilts so they'd be above sea-level.

Umm...think that's about it from now. I have some pics of the neighborhoods I talked about above...you can take a look at if you're interested...I'll send you a private message with the web address...

Suzanne

suzannyo comments on some help in Cartagena!!!!

Reply to YEP... Hey! Nope, sorry! I've only been to Cartagena and Bogota...I live and work at a Girls Home an hour and a half outside of Bogota...

However, if you're looking for some cute, little towns to visit, try Tabio or Tenjo...both are cute, built around el Parque Central...Tabio is more touristy, but still has the small-town feel. I think the best way to get there is by flota, but I couldn't tell you which ones to take...both towns are towards Chia from Bogota.

Buenas Suerte!
Suzanne

suzannyo comments on some help in Cartagena!!!!

Here's an idea.... Hey! Came across the name and address of a little place I've stayed at in Cartagena a couple of times.

It's about 2.5 blocks from a couple of beaches in the quiet upper-middle class neighborhood of Crespo and its got a more homey atmosphere than many of the larger hotel chains. The lady who owns/runs it is named Don~a Ana de Cabanzo and her address is Avendida 3, No. 65 - 109, Barrio Crespo, Cartagena. Her phone numer is (575) 6661415 or (575) 6697394. Rates are reasonable...$25000 Colombian per day (unless you wish to use a/c, then it increases considerably) and include breakfast (which is typical costen~o food, unless you specify otherwise), although she will prepare up to 3 meals per day if you like.

It's kind of off the beaten trail, so to speak, but not far from the walled city...taxis will get you there for $4000. I like it beacuse its not so touristy...not so crowded and noisy...

Good luck!
Suzanne

suzannyo comments on Translations of Docs for NGO visa

NGO= Non-Governmental Organization It's like a private, not-for-profit orgnaization -more or less- that usually works on community development or human rights issues.

Suzanne :)

suzannyo comments on Am I another North American manimpulated by the media??

Just use a little common sense and you'll be fine :) I'm a gringa from the midwest who's spent 3.5 months in Colombia this year (1 month in Cartagena and 2.5 outside of Bogota). Before I came I had a lot of the same fears that it sounds like you do...I made the gigantic mistake of reading the US govt warnings about travel to Colombia (and a Guatemalan friend had just been killed in Guatemala) so I was freaking out about safety issues. However, I can honestly say that once I got to Cartagena, those fears melted away.

I'm volunteering as a social worker with a NGO that works in some tough, tough neighborhoods in both cities. Yes, we have a pretty extensive security team (we always have security with us while we're out working in the communities doing home visits, etc, and are in constant communication via Avantel/Nextel with "central" which is monitored by the police), but it almost always feels like over-kill. Outside of work hours, when I've been hanging out in Cartagena at night or just doing normal, touristy things in/around Bogota, I've always traveled with Colombian friends, but we've never had a problem. Of course, we use common sense...like you said, don't flash lots of money/jewelry and try to blend in, but also avoid going anywhere alone, avoid using ATMs at night, always lock your doors, don't drive around with lots of things in your car, etc. Generally speaking, ask the Colombians you know before you go somewhere or do something for the first time...they want to make sure you're safe and well cared for, so they'll be really honest with you about whether or not something or someplace is safe.

But most of all, relax and enjoy the culture and the people...they're absolutely wonderful. I'm moving to Bogota in February (si Dios quiere) y estoy aman~ada con Colombia.

Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Relationship: ?Que debo hacer?

Reply to Desi Hey there! Thanks for your advice...I think the distance thing could be one of the biggest issues for him, like I said earlier. The thing is that we both work (ok, so he works and I volunteer) for the same organization that has sites in Cartagena and in Bogota. Unfortunately, he's in Cartagena and the opening they have for me is only in Bogota at this point...perhaps in the next couple of years I'll be able to do the same job but in Cartagena...we'll see. I'd love to be headed to Cartagena now, but its just not in the cards.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. :)
Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Relationship: ?Que debo hacer?

Our ages... He's 28 and I'm 25. He is a super sweet, caring, compassionate, hilarious person. I know that he broke up with his last girlfriend 2+ years ago because he was moving to Cartagena from Bogota. I think shyness could be a big part of the issue for both of us...

suzannyo comments on Relationship: ?Que debo hacer?

Nope, not gay... Nope, he's not gay, but he is a conservative Christian, as am I. He has written things like "te amo" or "te quiero mucho", but always as part of a despedida--in other words, he hasn't really expounded on that or said anything about a possible future. Its just the way he was around me (watching out for me, remembering my birthday while I was there again, etc.) and the way that I feel about him. He does use little nicknames and says that I'm really special, but I've interpreted those things more as friendship level than anything else... Who knows!

Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Survey for Gringas: Who do you prefer and why?

Either way.... I think that race/ethnicity don't matter as much as the person and their heart. Religous beliefs, character/personality, and the way that they treat people are way more important in my book than the physical side...though I do have to admit that I personally think Latino guys are more exotic and attractive...the cute accent usually helps too. :)

suzannyo comments on

I think its unanimous... I've been back in the US for a couple weeks now after a 3 month stay in Bogota and a couple week visit to Colombian friends in Cartagena. My first trip to Colombia was in April of this year when I went to Cartagena. I've traveled around Latin America and LOVE IT, but before my trip to Cartagena I got really scared about going...made the mistake of reading the US governments warning page about Colombia...that and a friend had just been killed in Guatemala.

When I got there, though, all that melted away. Colombia is a great country with sooooo much need. The vast majority of the people are amazing, upstanding folks, who are often overshadowed by the minority that cause most of the problems. Colombians are so welcoming, and want their guests to feel at home and have all of their needs met. They have hearts as big as the world and are so friendly and outgoing.

I spent the last 3 months volunteering at a home for abused and neglected girls just outside of Bogota. Leaving there was one of the hardest things I've had to do. The only comfort is that I'll be going back soon (God-willing) to live and volunteer full time at the same home. Right now I'm going through the Colombia-withdrawl stage...I miss everything about Colombia and speaking Spanish every day. Most of all, I miss the Colombians that have become more like family than my own blood-family here in the US. I've been spending a lot of time reading EL TIEMPO (paper in Bogota) and EL UNIVERSAL (paper in Cartagena) just to keep up on events there.

Well, just wanted to say that I agree with ya'll and hope that you all are able to get back to Colombia asap. Best of luck...Que Dios les bendiga.

Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Cartegena/Bogota

Bogota is great... Hey there! I've traveled to Colombia twice this year...the first time to Cartagena for a couple weeks and the second time to Bogota for 3 months (which included a 2 week stay in Cartagena again).

I love both cities, but for different reasons. The climate in Cartagena is HOT and HUMID, not my favorite, but the culture is wonderful. Its more like a typical Carribean culture...laid back, friendly, more of a party atmosphere. I can't really tell you a lot about sites to see there, because I've spent my time in the marginalized areas of Cartagena, not the tourist spots. El Castillo de San Felipe is really cool though, and I enjoyed a carriage ride with a friend around the walled/colonial part of the city. Hitting the beach late in the afternoon is also really refreshing after a long, hot day. :) However, if you're heading to Colombia to study Spanish, Cartagena isn't the best place to do that. They speak a "dialect" of Spanish referred to as "Costen~o" or "coastal Spanish" that is different from other cities within Colombia or any other Spanish speaking country I've ever been to...I went in April to interpret for a group that went down and ended up having Colombians from Bogota who'd lived in Cartagena a while help me out with interpreting between "Costen~o" and Spanish so I could translate between Spanish and English. It was interesting. :)

In Bogota, the climate is more to my liking, more like Spring in the midwest where I live. The culture is more closed and proper than in Cartagena...feels to me more like the US. Their Spanish is supposed to be one of the most pure forms of spoken Spanish...its easy for me to understand them.

As far as safety goes, I felt equally safe in both cities. Like you would in any big city here in the US, you just need to use caution and a little common sense. It helps too if you know a Colombian who can show you around a little and give advice on safety issues (places to avoid, safety tips, etc).

Hope that helps!
Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Cartegena/Bogota

Bogota is great... Hey there! I've traveled to Colombia twice this year...the first time to Cartagena for a couple weeks and the second time to Bogota for 3 months (which included a 2 week stay in Cartagena again).

I love both cities, but for different reasons. The climate in Cartagena is HOT and HUMID, not my favorite, but the culture is wonderful. Its more like a typical Carribean culture...laid back, friendly, more of a party atmosphere. I can't really tell you a lot about sites to see there, because I've spent my time in the marginalized areas of Cartagena, not the tourist spots. El Castillo de San Felipe is really cool though, and I enjoyed a carriage ride with a friend around the walled/colonial part of the city. Hitting the beach late in the afternoon is also really refreshing after a long, hot day. :) However, if you're heading to Colombia to study Spanish, Cartagena isn't the best place to do that. They speak a "dialect" of Spanish referred to as "Costen~o" or "coastal Spanish" that is different from other cities within Colombia or any other Spanish speaking country I've ever been to...I went in April to interpret for a group that went down and ended up having Colombians from Bogota who'd lived in Cartagena a while help me out with interpreting between "Costen~o" and Spanish so I could translate between Spanish and English. It was interesting. :)

In Bogota, the climate is more to my liking, more like Spring in the midwest where I live. The culture is more closed and proper than in Cartagena...feels to me more like the US. Their Spanish is supposed to be one of the most pure forms of spoken Spanish...its easy for me to understand them.

Hope that helps!
Suzannyo

suzannyo comments on Solo travel to Cartagena in January

Cartagena is a great city... Hey there! I've been to Cartagena a couple of times in the past year and love it there, but if your purpose is to learn Spanish, I'd head to Bogota. Cartagenan Spanish or "Costen~o" as its refered to there is VERY different from Spanish in Bogota or any other Spanish speaking country I've been to...they eat certain sounds and talk so quickly that its even hard for other Colombians from different regions to understand them. However, its a lot of fun to learn their dialect and the culture there is very laid back and more Carribean than Bogota, which feels more like the US to me. I should also say though, that when I've been in Cartagena its been for work in the marginalized areas, so I haven't spent much time in areas like Boca Grande where the majority of tourists go.

Hope that helps!
suzannyo