t-wiz has left 18 comments

t-wiz comments on language proficiency

For me the speaking part comes much easier than the listening and comprehending part.

t-wiz comments on real estate in small town Colombia

I do have people looking after my place while away and I remove everything from the house and store it at a friends finca. Word spreads fast and all know that the house has nothing inside. There is a very modern hospital 3 blocks away with an ambulance. Prices are very reasonalble

t-wiz comments on real estate in small town Colombia

I have exactly what you are looking for. 2 acres at the edge of town on a river with lots of new renovations including a 40 balcony and new roof made of guadua. A perfect place to study spanish which is why I bought the place. It is divided into 4 pastures and will support one cow with calf. I also planted several fruit trees. It has several places to keep chickens too. I had a heifer and chickens there last winter. You are only 45 minutes by minibus from Armenia. I will be there late November. There is a hospital, grocery store, discos, hardware stores etc. I have $20,000,000 COP invested. Send me an email. THis is a very friendly town. I need to do more travelling. paul paul

t-wiz comments on News from Bogota in English

Thanks for the site. My spanish is still lacking a lot and I miss a lot of the details. Nice way to stay in touch with Colombia.

t-wiz comments on COLOMBIA BOGOTA TO ARMENIA

There are two things to consider taking the plane. If you come in after 7 you won't make the connection. It is a small commuter flight with weight restrictions. So if you have a lot of luggage you may be charged about $1 a pound for the extra. It all depends. I wasn't charged leaving Armenia for the overweight as the travel agent said I would be. You didn't say where you are flying from. Toronto flight comes in too late.

t-wiz comments on How about you deal with Colombia yourself? ;-)

I live in a mountain town and every weekend the willys come into town from the fincas to buy their food for the coming week. The most unusual thing is stacking a dozen flats of eggs onto the front cowling next to the passenger window tied with some string. How they manage the mountain roads with no broken eggs is a mystery to me.

t-wiz comments on I need help with Columbian beers (no kidding!)

I travel in Colombia with my Columbia jacket

t-wiz comments on I need help with Columbian beers (no kidding!)

it's cheap, put a lime in it and who cares how you spell it

t-wiz comments on Colombian Men? Sometimes drunk..

Some of the Colombianas drink as much as the men especially around the holiday season but there are many that do not drink at all, depende. The women have a big problem with the men spending the rent and food money in the poorer areas. That is my observations in my non tourist pueblo of Pijao.

t-wiz comments on spanish lessons

There is a language school on Ave Bolivar about half way to the mall from downtown, don't remember the name. I was talking with them last spring about trading english lessons for spanish classes but never followed through with it. I live in Pijao for 6 mos from mid nov to may. Perhaps we could all meet up for a beer or something. I also teach english in Pijao on a volunteer basis. paul

t-wiz comments on Colombia Reports renewed

you haVe a good service, I check it out daily. My annual migration is fast approaching.

t-wiz comments on New Theme Park near Armenia

Rikito: will look you up when I return to Pijao in Nov. I bought a house there 2 years ago and travel to Armenia almost weekly. Keep a cold beer for me. twiz

t-wiz comments on air canada sale

That includes all taxes etccccc and is for 6 mos

t-wiz comments on Cocuy

I hiked it last January, no guide, no problem but.... I have hiked a lot of miles, I had a map from German at Platypus Hostel in Bogota, also a map I picked up in Guican. Rosa who runs El Eden hostel in Guican can give you some help. The topos in Colombia are very very poor on cheap paper and expensive. I picked up a couple from the University in Bogota but don't waste your time and money. I ran into one guy from Alaska and one Colombiano. I had the place to myself for the 4 days it took me. Horses can't make it across the wet area so enjoy the hiking. It's cold and windy but awesome views. I'm planning another hike but this time from El Cocuy. That way when you get back to Guican you can soak in the local hotsprings pool and drink some beer. Enjoy

t-wiz comments on running in Colombia

Thanks for all the info. I own a house in Pijao and yes I'm either running uphill or down, great for the quads and lungs. Great biking country too. Much different than being on the prairies here in Canada.

t-wiz comments on International $$ transfer

The fastest and only way I got it done to buy a small house was WU, 2k each day for 3 days for about 5%. I was there on a tourist visa and of course could not open a bank account, tried that in Armenia and Cali. Get the money and head for a taxi. good luck,paul

t-wiz comments on Have you studied Spanish in Colombia?

I studied spanish in a small mountain village of Pijao, a 45 minute bus ride from Armenia, in coffee country. The place is Las Nubes, run by Monica Flores. She has a large house with private rooms or dorms. She speaks english and is only one of possibly five altogether in the village. It was a great place for total immersion. The phone #'s: hm 312-754-4112, cell 312-825-5613. I got this recommendation from German at Platypus. I stayed in Pijao for 2 mos, travelled for 2 mos and came back for another 2 mos. Paul

t-wiz comments on Credit Card Fraud ....follow up to previous thread

I'm also an avid reader but have never posted and really appreciate all the info along with lots of laughs. tw