toneloc24 has left 1213 comments

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Air Travel at Atlanta airport

Where are you flying from? Is your original flight into ATL with Spirit Air also? 90 minutes might be enough time, but depends on your circumstance.

toneloc24 comments on Home Invasions Warning.

Britabroad- This might sound crass, but when people blindly chase money, for whatever reason, they need to understand that there are risks. This particular story isn't in any way specific to Colombia. I feel bad that things went down this way, but the OP was also an active participant in this thing. Sacrificing his own safety and security, he allowed a perfect stranger into his home for rent money. The perfect stranger turned out to be an complete idiot, and they both paid for it. The OP could have been killed. Was the rent money worth all of that? Think about that for a sec. Hopefully, he'll learn from this.

toneloc24 comments on Home Invasions Warning.

I was one of the doubters, and truth be told, it still sounds fishy, even though others have confirmed it. Nonetheless, sorry to hear about your experience. If you're still determined to have "renters," I suggest you contact local established real estate brokers to assist you in qualifying applicants. Suerte

toneloc24 comments on Home Invasions Warning.

Would anyone be shocked if it were ISG (International Sex Guide) or one of those sites? I mean, since we're calling spades here.

toneloc24 comments on Home Invasions Warning.

Kat1 - Think about it. First, the Medellin Mansion deal in Poblado a couple of weeks ago. Now, out of nowhere this one? How many other posters on this site have been renting and advertising their places for years, and now some newbie comes out of nowhere with this? And then specifically attacking older gringos who use dating sites??? As seen in that MM thread, there is/was an agenda by some posters. I'm not saying that this occurring is impossible, just fishy as hell. I'm with Pedro. I'll wait until someone more credible confirms it.

toneloc24 comments on Shorts in latin america. Why not?

It's a cultural thing. It's done this way all across Latin America and the Caribbean. It existed way before gringos started going there. It will exist after. They believe that men should dress like adults, and short pants when not at the beach, diminishes that. Supposedly, you are taken more seriously by the way you dress. I call BS, but whatever. Therefore, in the interior cities (Bogota, Medellin, Cali, etc.), this is how they usually dress. On the coast, on the weekends, it's more relaxed. If you want to respect the culture, fine. If you don't, fine. It's generally applied to older men (30 yrs old). The younger generation have different rules and no one really holds them to that standard. If you're just on vacation, and like me, don't really care what people think, dress as you wish. That being said, I never dress like a bum. Even in shorts, it's done tastefully.

toneloc24 comments on Home Invasions Warning.

Pedro, I'm with you on that. I'm not calling BS yet, but something stinks about this. Interesting choice of a first post for someone who apparently previously knew about this site.

toneloc24 comments on

RJ - I doubt that. Plenty of native English speakers available at any local university, and cheap labor to boot. Miami is still an American city. While there is a substantial Latino and otherwise foreign population, native English speakers, who can be professional, can be found.

toneloc24 comments on

Tell me this is a joke. Why would it be that difficult to find "Inglish" speaking people in Miami? Quick hint. Cheap labor and advertising. Colleges, universities.

toneloc24 comments on cheap avianca fairs

I just checked a BOG-BAQ-BOG roundtrip weeks out in October. Check out the breakdown Fare: $184.000 COP Fuel surcharge. = $155,000 COP TASA = $7,000 COP Airport taxes = $21,900 COP IVA (Tarifa Sobrecargo de combustible) = $54,240 COP IVA de tarifa administrativa = $1,120 COP = $423.263 COP That means the total price is approx. 2.3 times the price of the fare. 230% increase. Something ain't right there.

toneloc24 comments on

CK, Roci- Have you read the book "Las Prepagos?" by Madame Rochy yet? A dead-on book on the types of girls you're referring to.

toneloc24 comments on An Announcement: I'm Taking A Break

Ouch, Roci!!! LOL!!! Nonetheless, PBSH claims another longtime poster. Get well mentally Desi. To be honest, you might be better off staying away from here. Myself, I can now only take this site in small doses.

toneloc24 comments on

Sounds like that love motel scene from the Brasilian movie "City of God," except only locals where robbed and everyone killed. Thieves go where the money is. Glad no one played macho and got hurt or worse.

toneloc24 comments on Septiembre 18 Día del amor y amistad

It's actually tomorrow, Sat. 9/20.

toneloc24 comments on White convertible wanted- Barranquilla or Santa Marta

If your Spanish is good enough, here's their version of the Yellow Pages. Maybe this can get you started. http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/homewhite.aspx?ipa=1&idi=1

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airlines, Cartagena-Ft Lauderdale

August - I'm about to cancel that $9 Club farce deal, before the trial period ends for me. I've already read horror stories of people still being charged even though they cancelled prior. I'm awaiting the same, low expectations. Each time that I received one of those e-mail alerts, within an hour of checking, I'd never see anything close to that deal on their site. Happened over a 6 week period. I'll stick to the majors. I agree with Spy1983.

toneloc24 comments on USA/Colombian Recession Contest.......Part II

You'd be in or near the lead. I'm starting to wonder if 2200 or 2300 might be in the cards for my trip in late October. LOL!!! Re: Col/USA balance of payments. I can't answer without knowing who owes whom. A stronger peso helps Colombian imports, while a weaker pesos helps exports. As a completely unscientific example, a friend of mine works at a Sony store here in Atlanta. Over the summer, he said his biggest clients over the summer were South Americans (mostly Brasilians and Colombians) buying 5 or so laptops and flat screens at a time and taking them back home with them. The Brasilian real and Colombian peso were stronger vs. the dollar than they'd been in years. Conversely, a very good friend of mine's family owns a flower shop in Barranquilla. They've been in business for over 20 years. They do well domestically in Colombia. However, they mentioned that exporting roses had been down with the low peso. Also, for them, importing certain flowers from abroad costs much more, and wasn't worth it at this moment for them.

toneloc24 comments on USA/Colombian Recession Contest.......Part II

Thanks for the response. It's very concerning, but I don't think it'll make it as far as you alarmists are predicting. 2150 and counting......LOL!!!! I'll stick with 3. Nice round number.

toneloc24 comments on USA/Colombian Recession Contest.......Part II

GL- Quick clarification question. What is the basepoint for determining "recession"? For instance, the peso has lost strength vs. the dollar to the tune of approx. 400-450 pesos over the past 3 months. That's in the range of 20% decrease. I can't speak to Colombian yield rates, unemployment rates and new claims. I will say that if the USA falls into a recession, the global economy will be directly affected, including Colombia. All will run to higher ground. Risk averse investors won't be so favorable to emerging markets, including Colombia. Therefore, maybe not a Colombian recession, but I'd have to say Colombia will be more than "not greatly affected."

toneloc24 comments on USA/Colombian Recession Contest.......Part II

I'll play - #3

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airlines, Cartagena-Ft Lauderdale

I would assume that flying during Monday-Thursday, weather permitting, things should generally should go as planned, for any airline. Tuesday - Thursday, most flights aren't full in general, as less people travel during those days. Glad you had a good experience with them. The over-the-top nickel and diming, overall lack of customer service and concern, truly makes me think that it's a better idea to pay more. Good luck trying to call them, esp. from Colombia. God forbid anything were to happen in flight. I'm sure it wouldn't be out of the realm for the bartenders, umm, flight attendants, to come down the aisle with the credit card readers to charge for oxygen usage and a life preserver. LOL!!! One time was enough for me. It's Delta and Avianca for me from here on in. Some price deals need to be ignored.

toneloc24 comments on Dollar continues to move up against the Peso and Breaks 2100... And the U.S. economy is reeling....

Sprig - Minor correction. Thankfully, no interest rate cut this time. I think the non-action on key interest rates was orchestrated in conjunction with the AIG move. No need for both. Oil is dropping like a rock because it was grossly overvalued by speculators, supply is fine, and demand for it is down due to a reduction of usage by the US market. Go figure. Here in the Southeast USA, Hurricane Ike was the cause of several pipelines and refineries for approx. a week, meaning supply was limited during that week. Prices at the gas pump went up, accordingly, but oil/barrel prices worldwide still went down. I think another prediction contest would be what will oil end up at on 12/31/08. I'm guessing at least between $75-80. To think, just two months ago, it peaked at $143. Something ain't right somewhere there. Re: the peso. The dollar isn't strengthening. The rest of the world's currencies are just being deflated now. The peso might be in for a ride for the rest of this year, at the least, with investors getting out of riskier investments for the time being. With Colombia being considered an emerging market, it will be affected.

toneloc24 comments on US ambassador must leave !

One last thing. If the USA were to attack Venezuela, the oil fields would be the main off-limit targets from the US perspective. See Iraq for recent history. Attacking and destroying the Venezuelan oil fields makes absolutely no sense. However, expect an attack by Russia and maybe China elsewhere as a consequence. Action, reaction.

toneloc24 comments on US ambassador must leave !

Fellas, look past the puppet to the one who's pulling the strings. Russia. The USA stuck their nose in Russian business with Georgia and the Ukraine, and NATO. Russia felt slighted and "defended" itself. Russia did very much overreact, but the USA should not be absolved of any blame nonetheless. Action and reaction there. Sooooo......suddenly Russia ships a bunch of military equipment to Venezuela. Venezuela announces that it will "host" these Russian military exercises in the Caribbean Sea. As you would guess, that causes "tension" in the US diplomatic ranks. And "actions" are discussed, perhaps even initiated inside of Venezuela. At the same time, Bolivia is going through political dissent, so would say a US-led opposition. Bolivia, Venezuela, Georgia, Ukraine......you get the picture. Go home, Yankees. Go home, Russians. And there you have it. This really is nothing that couldn't be handled diplomatically between Russia and the USA, but there are agitators on both sides stirring up all kinds of shit, and also a daft unwillingness to be diplomatic by this current, thankfully soon ending, US administration.

toneloc24 comments on I KNOW THE BEST APARTMENTS IN BOGOTA BY NIGHT, WEEK AND MONTH

How do I get the February/March 2008 50% discount in September 2008??? And 50% of what price?

toneloc24 comments on How good is the Colombian version of Ebay? Is it taking off or not quite there?

I think in general, there is a very healthy distrust of ideas like this in Colombia. It reminds me of the USA pre-2000 with online shopping, banking, and bill payment.I recently asked some of my well-educated friends about Mercado Libre, and they just laughed about it. No way. The infrastructure in Colombia lends to this, with the lack of transparency across the board from banking to mail service to, to some degree, each other. EBay works because these things are generally in place in the USA/Canada to protect both the consumer and the business/seller. Plus, we have this thing in the USA called recourse. If a party fails to deliver on a commitment on EBay, there is an immediate recourse policy. In contrast, here's a quick story about lack of recourse by a Colombian bank in August 2008. The aunt of my friends is a well-respected, long-serving special needs teacher. Pay day comes and she goes to the ATM (cajero) to withdraw some money. No money in the account. Goes inside BBVA to inquire as to what's going on. The direct deposit paycheck had been wiped out of the account internally. BBVA is supposedly doing an investigation, but in the meantime, tough shit. She's done nothing, and even has the pay stub to show what should be in the account. Apparently, this exactly scenario happened to several other teachers as well. She's since switched banks to BanColombia, where her niece and some friends work. BBVA's research? One month and counting, no response. Also, with only 28% of Colombian household having PCs, I don't think this type of thinking will change anytime soon.

toneloc24 comments on A Funny Thing Happened To Me On The Way To Parque Lleras

I think you guys overlooked the post where some poster named JamieJ or something asked that credit be given to him, the actual writer of that post, or his website. Or, that they take the post down. The link to his website appeared to be to a marriage agency type of site. I didn't open it. Maybe the moderators were just moderating?????

toneloc24 comments on Leaving from Cartagena

Sample Spirit Air Taxes and Fees - Ft. Lauderdale - Cartagena roundtrip APHIS User Fee:$5.00 CO - Airport Tax:$55.00 CO-Tourist Tax:$5.00 Immigration User Fee:$7.00 Passenger Civil Security Fee:$2.50 Passenger Facility Fee:$4.50 US Customs Fee:$5.50 US-International Departure Tax:$30.80

toneloc24 comments on Leaving from Cartagena

I just left from Cartagena's airport less than a week ago. Having paid approx. $115 in taxes with my ticket on Spirit Air, apparently they (Colombia) "raised" the TASA tax or something and Spirit hadn't adjusted yet. I had to pay an additional $7 or 13.000 pesos at the CTG airport prior to check-in on Spirit. Nothing was posted anywhere, just someone sitting at a desk in the check-in line after the tax exemption dude, security questioning desk, and baggage check, just before the check-in counter. My ticket was purchased in August, and everyone was subjected to this.

toneloc24 comments on Questions re MarSol Cartegena to Barranquilla

1. Depends on what time you arrive in CTG. The last shuttle generally leaves CTG for BAQ at 6 pm - 7 pm. I know MarSol's last shuttle is at 7 pm. I just did it last week again. There is also offices for a couple of the door-to-door services on the main road one block up from the airport. By the way, MarSol's 19.000 peso service is NOT door-to-door on the CTG-BAQ route. They drop you off at Cra 46 and Cll 93. Safe area, but you'll need a taxi to get to wherever in BAQ you're staying from there. 2. Do not rely on e-mail responses with the transport services. Best option, pick up a phone and call. The level of their patience depends on the level of your clarity. They will try. 3. No need to take a taxi to any office. When you arrive at CTG airport, the baggage porters can/will point you in the direction of any of the door-to-door services generally waiting outside the airport. I believe I saw MarSol, Caribena, and Expreso (I think), there. I took the Caribena shuttle for 25.000 pesos to CTG, since it was ready to go and my reservation with Marsol was an hour away. If you make a reservation with one of the services to BAQ, they will pick you up from the CTG airport. The CTG airport is on the road towards BAQ. Best of luck.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airlines service to Cartagena- My Experience.

PdA - They still will be. Mine were pretty freaking low, going down. Coming back, even lower. I mean, I've comfortably flown JetBlue, Southwest, Gol Airlines, Virgin, EasyJet, etc. When the Spirit flight attendant refused to even assist me with working out my seat arrangement (a family had "claimed the row"), even though I'd paid for a particular seat, and refused to assist with finding open overhead space for a carry-on, then even caught an attitude with me over having to do some work, that was the end of it for me. She was only greeting passengers, there was no one behind me since the line had been delayed at the 2nd security bag check, she wasn't doing anything at all at the time. I'll stick to paying Delta and Avianca. I've already cancelled the Spirit BS $9 fare club crap. I wish you folks a better experience than mine.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit airlines...

Also check out JetBlue. They were awarded routes from Orlando down to Bogota. I haven't kept up with whether those flights have started or when they will start. You'd just have to get down to Orlando. Also see about buying/flying on miles on Delta/Northwest. Check Craiglist in your area.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit airlines...

I posted my Spirit Airlines experience on this thread. Feel free to read it. http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/spirit-airline-check-in-question---fllctg/ In short, unless cost is your ONLY consideration, I wouldn't recommend it. The experience just wasn't worth it. As they say, you really get what you pay for. In this case, don't expect much in the way of customer service nor consideration.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airline Check-In Question - FLL/CTG

So, here's my trip report on Spirit Airlines. It's not for everyone. The price is right, but I probably will not use them again. Allow me to explain. I checked in for my Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) to Cartagena (CTG) leg at the Spirit check-in desk in Atlanta. One of their two check-in kiosks was broken, so the line was longer than needed to be in ATL. It didn't help that there were only 3 check-in people servicing several flights. In the end, I found out, the kiosks would not have helped me. The Spirit kiosks do not read passports. Online check-in is also unavailable for international travelers of Spirit. Therefore, international flyers MUST check-in at their limited check-in desk, which is slow due to the pay baggage issues. Anyway, I was able to check-in in Atlanta and received my boarding pass there as well. This helped me tremendously when I arrived in FLL, since I could proceed right to security upon arrival. The check-in line in FLL 90 minutes from departure was tremendous. My Delta flight down from ATL-FLL left on-time and arrived 10 minutes early. I only had a scheduled 90 minutes between flights. So, the earlier check-in was great. I arrived at FLL, and immediately took a free airport shuttle over from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4, which is the international terminal. Security took about 30 mins to clear, due to me getting in the 2nd line, not realizing that they were putting people thru the explosives testing booth. Boarded flight. Not really hungry, since I'd since eaten breakfast. Would've stopped for a sandwich, but the line to the only restaurant back there was very long. I had planned for this and had snacks with me, until I made it to CTG. Like an idiot, I should've have realized how low-cost Spirit REALLY is, and bought a bottle of water or something prior. I was only on a 3 hour flight. I could not imagine a 6 hour flight with them, to Lima. Once you get in the air, there's no flight attendant service. They are bartenders. Customer service? Yeah right. I asked for a cup of water to take some vitamins? Response: "You can buy a bottle of water for $3. Credit card only." No lie. She then proceeded to pull out a menu with prices, which I will scan and post at another time. Water and sodas are $3. Alcoholic drinks are $5. They have package deals for you to get an alcoholic drink and mixer. I passed. Then, the seats were pretty uncomfortable. I'm not the tallest dude, but why were my knees pressed right up against the back of the seat in front of me? Luckily, the dude in the middle seat moved to another row, and we could breathe a bit. However, even so, the seats on the plane did not recline. At all, in any of the rows, as we found out when deplaning. Returning from CTG, I arrived at the airport 2 hours prior to the departure time, and it took 1 hour and 45 mins to make it to the plane. No Spirit employees were available to service the line, so we had to ask any airport employee for information. No information was available on the tourist exemption tax location. Found out after waiting in line for approx. 30 mins that their was a guy in front of the lines who handles that for you. So, no need to go to another part of the airport. It's a part of your check-in line process. Took another 30 mins to actually get checked in. Since I had an hour left, I went and found somewhere that sold sandwiches and grabbed one for the trip along with a Gatorade. Went and exchanged pesos back to dollars. Then headed for security. That alone consisted of a 30 min wait after a long line and 2 full security searches of my bags. Boarded the plane 15 mins prior to departure, and only after arguing with a security guard about my Gatorade. I ended up having to exchange it for another one from the lady who was conveniently selling snacks and drinks right after the 2nd security check. Got on the plane, and wouldn't you know. No customer service. Overhead bins are full? Fend for yourself. Not a single flight attendent would even assist in finding one, even after asking for assistance. People sitting in the wrong row??? Deal with it yourself. So, I did...for the last time. One time too many. Not the greatest experience, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. As I found out, you get what you pay for. Your experience may vary. This was mine, and in no way was I asking for anything over the top. Just a little comon courtesy. For me, it's back to Delta and Avianca.

toneloc24 comments on Medellin Mansion Continued

CTG Bound- Zero bloody noses, but have witnessed many a fight in Colombia between Colombians. Unfortunately, you guys in MDE/Poblado are probably gonna be subjected or lumped in with the "gringo sex mongers" and/or the source of chisme, esp. if local media has their way. There aren't that many foreigners in Medellin, but many of those coming are there for......???? Yeah, there eventually would've been problems. Kinda reminds me of drug corners, where people permit it to go on for awhile, and remain unaffected by it. Then, more dealers show up and pretty soon, action needs to be taken as things get out of hand. However, the area becomes "known" and stigmatized, as do the folks from around there. The locals fight back. Maybe completely unwarranted for the broad brushstrokes to be painted so liberally, but people will talk. Roci, so true that analogy.

toneloc24 comments on Any advice on things to do for Guayquile Ecuador?

I posted a bunch on this thread. Hope it helps. Closest best beach to Guayaquil is Salinas, I think about 2 hours away. http://poorbuthappy.com/ecuador/post/fun-places-in-guayaquil/

toneloc24 comments on Medellin Mansion Continued

TomTom33: "Tone, I didn't realize that it was my job to police extranjeros. I have little interest in trying to fix anything, anywhere. And I guarantee that Colombians in general resent the hell out of any extranjero trying to fix anything in Colombia." I agree. It's NOT your job. But in the end, since you live there, you and foreigners like you who live there will feel the pain behind that mess. So, I would be in your best interests to explain to some.....certain etiquettes. Not saying it's your job, just to your benefit. Prostitution in legal in Colombia, 18 yrs and up. Pimping or being a purveyor of such is not. You can make your own opinion on where the Medellin Mansion and VIP spot fall into that definition. It would explain why DAS is "targeting" them. For the life of me, I can't figure out why people move somewhere and try to "fix" what has been ingrained in a culture for years. I have ZERO interest in doing this whenever I'm abroad, and for the most part, it's served me well. Yes, we do things differently here in the USA. How about, even if you don't AGREE with the local way of doing things, just respect it and go about your business. Or when it gets to be too much, just leave. There's always the USA. Makes for less stress.

toneloc24 comments on Medellin Mansion Continued

TomTom33 - "Paleo, should DAS pursue Colombian customers of prostitutes as well?" I think that DAS is only going after the purveyors of prostitution, not the customers. Now the local media???? It makes for a sensationalistic story. Wanted to be the center of attention? They'll get it now.

toneloc24 comments on Medellin Mansion Continued

I think that old Japanese maxim "the nail that sticks out, gets hammered..." applies here. I don't think that this new emphasis is a morality play or anything. Some folks just don't know how to act in public, nor with any discretion. Medellin has always been a pretty conservative city, And since none of the gringo locals there bothered to try to tone down these clowns, it came to this. These gringo-centric places and their clientele brought attention to something that is otherwise unspoken or ignored. And in the sacred Poblado of all places. Ha!!! As someone already stated, those establishments that fly below the radar probably won't be subjected to this. People should observe and respect certain local customs, including discretion.

toneloc24 comments on Colombia coast - interior tension? Thoughts?

Damn, Elmo Chamberlain. LOL!!!!

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airline Check-In Question - FLL/CTG

Quick update. I had a buddy who works in the ATL airport, where there is a Spirit counter, walk over and ask about check-in options. According to the Spirit ground staff in Atlanta, I can check-in in Atlanta, either online or in person, and get my boarding pass in Atlanta. I'll try to check in online, then picking up the boarding passes in person at the check-in desk in ATL. Also, no check-in kiosks in ATL.

toneloc24 comments on AVIANCA, GO F YOURSELVES

Well. As opposed to spending $300 r/t on a BOG-BAQ Avianca route, I decided to spend that $300 on a Spirit Air Ft. Lauderdale (FLL)-Cartagena (CTG) r/t this time down. Saving me over $250 on my total trip from ATL. With other options available, I agree. F--- Avianca and their 200% price increase in the BOG-BAQ route.

toneloc24 comments on English Instruction, Medellin, 'Foreign Woman' Scam?

Umm. Here's a FREE online English course to get her started. If she can complete this, and prove this to you, and you're still together, then help her out. IF she's serious, this shouldn't be a problem. It would show initiative on her part, and what kind of person you're really dealing with, esp. since no money involved. http://sis.senavirtual.edu.co/ingles/index.html If she gripes about it........therein lies your answer.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airline Check-In Question - FLL/CTG

I'm flying from Atlanta down to FLL on Delta Air. I'm currently checking into whether or not I can check in for the FLL-CTG leg in Atlanta, and whether or not they have check-in kiosks there. I'd rather deal with all of this prior to arriving in FLL. I don't check bags in anymore, because they hinder expedience in today's world. Spirit's customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I think the dude I spoke to was in India (an assumption based on the accent). He wouldn't know what the situation is in FLL. I guess, you get what you pay for. I'll update this thread with whatever I find out.

toneloc24 comments on Colombia coast - interior tension? Thoughts?

Damn Monpi - Kinda harsh, no??? ....pero estoy de acuerdo!!!!

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airline Check-In Question - FLL/CTG

Okay cool. That's completely contradictory to what Spirit Airlines JUST told me by phone. I'll take your word over theirs. Thanks. I'll try to contact someone for Spirit here in Atlanta at the airport to ask the question of whether I can check in for the flight that morning or the night before, in Atlanta. Spirit just seems pretty backwards in this international travel thing. I would only have 90 minutes in FLL between connections to catch my flight. So, checking my options. As stated, I have no bags to check-in, and I have my seat assignments. Just would simply need to check-in and print boarding passes. This is 2008, right? LOL!!! Should be so simple, but I'm doubting it. Thanks again. I'll post my experience through this.

toneloc24 comments on Colombia coast - interior tension? Thoughts?

Island Girl - Corronchos - low class, gutter folks...... Do a search on PBH on Elmo and cachacos/costeños/corronchos. He's been saying this stuff for YEARS here, but many people think he's full of caca. He has a "way with words," but if you cut through the BS, you'll read exactly what you experienced. For one point, he understands well the differences between costeños and folks from the interior, since he married into a paisa family, while his own upbringing is costeño/guajira/etc. It makes for some funny reading, but some stinging truths. I got a funny reception years ago when I wore an Once Caldas (Manizales) football jersey in Barranquilla. Not that I supported the team or anything, and this was after Junior had won the championship, it was just a cool looking blue jersey. Man, the grief I caught all over from friends, strangers, etc. I was all kinds of "maricas" y "corronchos" and triple hijueputas" for those few hours. No one would even take a photo with me. LOL!!! All in fun, but I retired that jersey for the rest of that trip. Even in Rodadero, I can attest to the "cachaco as laugh bait" sentiment.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airline Check-In Question - FLL/CTG

Thanks for responding. But, CAN you check-in online or at kiosks for international fights, as can be done at other airports for destinations which have no visa requirements? Again, no bags to check-in. I'll even spend the extra $$$ to reserve my seat assignment. For instance, in ATL, using Delta, I can check-in online or at a kiosk for a trip to Bogota or Lima, eliminating the need to stand in any check-in line. I've never flown through FLL airport, hence my questions.

toneloc24 comments on Spirit Airlines service to Cartagena- My Experience.

Got a question about this, for those who've already travelled on Spirit to Colombia from FLL. Were you able to check-in online to CTG or BOG? Or, were you able to use kiosk check-in? Or, did you have to use the dreaded check-in desk? I'm not checking in bags. Ideally, I just want to show up and head to the kiosks, if needed, and/or straight to security. Again, no bags to check in.

toneloc24 comments on What is city Valledupar like?

Gimmedub - "i disagree harvardexec - I have neither the $$$ or security and I don't see the need for it down here..." You did say that your wife keeps a good eye on you. I'd venture to guess so does her family and friends. You may not be aware, but it's all around you.