TiaKatia has left 20 comments

TiaKatia comments on

Tinto, the article said that from 16,672 you had to substact something like 9,000 that the govt. claims were captured or had deserted in the last couple of years. Sounds like a lot.

TiaKatia comments on

Just read that article in Semana. Very educational! I just didn't understand in the end: is it a profitable organization? did they make money last year?

Btw, I've been reading quite a bit of Colombian press, with all the free time I have now in Cali, and I have to say I really liked Semana. A decent level of anaysis, interesting topics. Not too serious, not to narrow, just the right portion of information on everything from gossips to politics and technology. Can anyone recommend a similar magazine in the US? Something all-round. I really don't like the Time Magazine, I can't explain why, but it just doesn't keep me interested in reading it. I subscribe to the Economist, but that's a completely different type of publication.

TiaKatia comments on Can someone explain why cant ppl say no?

santiBOG, "Also, sometimes you don't want to commit to a plan until you notice that you have no other options. I guess a lot of people are afraid that if they put money down, they will feel 'forced' to go even if something better came up later on. "

I completely understand what you're saying and I know this is the reason why people don't commit, but you honestly don't see how rude it is towards the person who organizes a trip or invites over? You don't want to be "forced", but your flakiness affects the other people, because they will see their plans being altered, and they could lose time (by waiting for others) and money (if preparations require downpayment).

Planning a trip creates INTERDEPENDENCE, even if it's just a picnic, and when you back out you let people down. It does boil down to simple politeness and respect for others.

Here is how I would do it if I wasn't sure: I would say "no, don't count me in". It would give my friends the freedom to ask other people to go. If in the last moment I want to participate, I would call my friends to see whether there is space in the car, hotel, raft.. whatever. But I wouldn't say "yes" and then let them down. This, as far as I understand, what this topic is about.

TiaKatia comments on Can someone explain why cant ppl say no?

santiBOG "Hey, do you want to go kayaking next month in Santander, I say sure... whatever, but it's not a yes, it's a "sounds like a cool plan, ask me later when the date of the trip is near". The plans are only rock solid a few days (usually 2) before the actual date though."

Aha... And how do you suppose the organizers can secure kayaks, tents etc. without knowing whether you and 10 other Colombians will show up? Most places (at least in US and Europe) you have to make reservations, pay in advance. Many times I have arranged skiing, water rafting or beach weekends and this attitude really drives me nuts. I simply can't put down a deposit with 10 people in mind and then half don't show up. Why should I lose the money? Or, all of them show up and each brings 5 friends. Then you can get kicked out of the rented house, because it exceeds the maximum capacity by 5 times. No, I am sorry, it is plainly not polite. Why can't people make their decision in advance? What is so hard about it? I honestly don't see a problem in a committing to an event (unless participation is costless).

I have to add, though, that it's a Latin problem in general, not a Colombian one. I gave up organizing all those trips, since most of my friends in the US are Latin.

TiaKatia comments on

Desi, "uncomfortable Louis XV -type furniture, European porcelain figurines, crystal bowls, crystal chandeliers, large mirrors in gilded frames..."

Right on, right on! Loads and loads of porcelain and crystal...

TiaKatia comments on making money in Colombia

Tinto Thanks, will check it out.

Good luck with the vallenato career!

TiaKatia comments on are colombians open minded?

Homophobia Mrs. Gomez, it's not a Colombian thing, it's a Latin thing or perhaps Catholic. I have a few Peruvian gay friends, their families don't know they are gays and they try to keep low profile since otherwise they are subject to harassment.

TiaKatia comments on making money in Colombia

Tinto, "but with the hundreds of thousands of Colombians in several large U.S. cities, someone has probably had the same idea."

That's what I thought too, but I haven't seen any of these things f.ex. in DC or NY. The quality of Colombia leather goods IS really high, looks a lot like Italian stuff you would get in the US for hundreds of $$$.

TiaKatia comments on

Interesting I didn't realize it was a Colombian feature, I thought it was just my in-laws: TV in every bedroom, but not in the living room. So I, too, have to cuddle with my sister in law and her family in their gigantic bed if I want to see something on TV (these days we are watching SUB20 footie, anyone else?). Very strange indeed, but I got used to it by now.

TiaKatia comments on What are some of the cultural differences between Colombia and North American people in day to day life?

utopiacowboy I see, maybe it's the difference between paisas and caleños.

TiaKatia comments on

Oh my God! My in-laws, too, haev a TV in every bedroom. So the kids, my husbands nephews (9 and 10 years) have each their TV, which they watch all afternoon and all night after school, if they don't play computer or playstation. They NEVER play outside. Ever. The argument goes that it is not safe to play on the street and there are no parks for children in Cali. I think this is AWFUL.

TiaKatia comments on making money in Colombia

What do you guys think? Would it be a good business to sell Colombian leather goods in US? The quality of shoes and bags here keeps amazing me, not just the quality of the leather, but also the designs. I estimate that similar stuff costs at least 3-4 times more in the US. Obviously I already bought tons of things for me and my family and friends, but maybe I should try to export? It just seems like such a good business. But I am sure US retail market is tough. Has anyone tried to export Colombia apparel or shoes and bags?

TiaKatia comments on Guajira

Thanks! Lomax, do you know if you could have rented a car in Santa Marta for this? How long was the drive?

Gator, where do you take the bus from? Also Santa Marta?

TiaKatia comments on What are some of the cultural differences between Colombia and North American people in day to day life?

utopiacowboy Very, very interesting indeed. Obviuosly, anything one would say about the Colombian mentality in this thread would be a gross oversimplification and generalization. However, I will take my chances. I think your wife, utopiacowboy, is very atypical. Especially the punctuality part and not talking to the family for weeks. Did she grow up in Colombia?

TiaKatia comments on What are some of the cultural differences between Colombia and North American people in day to day life?

Let's see now... Since there haven't been any useul comments so far, let me try and give it a shot. My husband is Colombian. Although I am not North American I will try to tell you what I think is different in a Colombian life style from a more "western" point of view. Also, as someone else noted, the cultural differences hugely depend on the socio-economic level of the Colombian part. However:

Family is a huge part of any Colombian's life. My husband spends sometime almost everyday talking to his parents, brothers, sisters, aunts... They are all very, very close. Something I actually envy. However at times it bugs me, because our little family is so attached to the "bigger family", much more that I am used to. Sometimes money is an issue, because my husband wants to help anyone in his family who needs it. I try to put a lid on it, but we already parted with some substantial amounts for his brother's family, money that by no means were in abundance. Also, my husband's family always knows exactly what goes on in our home. For example, I asked my husband to wait to tell his parents that I was pregnant in the very early stage and it was important to me, but he simply couldn't, he had to tell immediately.

Similar with friends. My husband would do anything for them, any time of the day and night, whereas I (and I think it's more common in the western world) would like to plan a bit more ahead, who will we see and when, for example. Have more of a schedule. In the same line, if you invite Colombians for dinner most likely they will be 2 hours late and bring several other friends. This REALLY pisses me off, again because if I am hosting, I would like to plan ahead. My husband just laughs and says "oh, just add more water to the soup" (A Colombian saying).

I think it's very Colombian to postpone things to last minute. "Why do things today if they can wait till tomorrow?!" - a slight change to the original phrase describes it well. How many times did I have to remind my husband to take care of important things like passports, visas etc. - everything gets done 1 hr before boarding a plane! Also, temporary and intermediate solutions in stead of fixing the real problem - that drives me nuts. A small illustration - the other day we tool my mother in law's car (we are in Cali right now) and we got a flat tire. My husband changed it only to find out that the tire in the trunk was also flat! It was laying there God knows how long! Why on earth wouldn't you just fix it when it was damaged and get it out of your system???

On a more positive note, I find Colombians to be extremely supportive of the ones they love. In everyday life it reflects in being attentive, taking care of each other. My husband always make sure that I am content, safe and happy. If I am out, he would always call me to make sure I get home safely, he would pick me up from anywhere. He would pick up any of my friends and family from any airport, drive them anywhere they want, spend the whole day with them. When my mom was visiting Colombia there was simply no words to describe the hospitality of my in-laws and their generousity towards her. Way surpassed anything one would expect in US or Europe.

Anyway, I could go on. There are so many things. Ask questions if you want.

TiaKatia comments on Help with graduate project!

Chipottle Lionheart, sorry, didn't mean to step on your territory, jeje.. Maybe we should join forces. Chipotle is so good and cheap even by Colombian standards, my hubby and I were talking about it few days ago, that it would be a hot bizniz anywhere here, but in particular close to a university campus.

TiaKatia comments on One way ticket....

Shouldn't be a problem I was never asked to show a return ticket in Colombia

TiaKatia comments on Cali questions

Jeeeeezzzz! "how dangerous will it be for me if I don't go out at night don't go outside the city limits only travel on public buses etc"

Gosh!!! Where do you think you are going??? Cali is a pretty civilized city, although it does have a good chunk of usual city crime. Not much more than Washington, DC, where I've lived for the past years, I assure you. I strongly suggest that you DO go out at night (take a Chivas ride!!!), go outside the city (try Parque del Cafe near Armenia). Don't know about public busses, never tried. Just be smart about it. Since you seem to be used to traveling in Mexico it shouldn't be a problem.

"I don't have any flashy cameras or watches and dress extremely casually"

Of course, don't waive cameras, watches and green bills is people's faces. That would be true in any big city, no?

Ease up! And have fun in Cali. It's a great city.

TiaKatia comments on Help with graduate project!

Chipotle!!! Oh my God, if I ever opened a business in Colombia, it would be the American Chipotle (mexican food - fast food chain, for those who don't know)! It would sell like hot bread, I am sure!

TiaKatia comments on Apparel Trends in Colombia

Dress styles I can only tell you what the style in Cali is - EVERYONE (well, except me, hah!) wears tight jeans and a very revealing tight top (it's very hot here). In Bogota the styles seem to be more diverse (colder weather, too) and more conservative. On general, Colombian girls pay a lot of attention to their attire, ranging from very revealing and not necessary classy to very stylish and elegant. Most wear high heals and always wear make-up.

Even if you don't want to wear what everyone is wearing, I would advise you to buy clothes here because of the styles, the quality of the fabric and the price. Especially if you are going to Medelling, a lot of textiles and clothes are produced there. I find clothes, shoes and bags to be fantastic here in Colombia and always buy loads.