untreated has left 151 comments

untreated comments on Does Colombia (et al) unfairly conspire against the US dollar?

Recommendation: don't criticize the Preznint in public forums with your name and photo.

untreated comments on Marriage in colombia- question

Yayis, my oldest daughter did exactly that. I hope you have someone trustworthy in Colombia to help you shuffle the paperwork. My other two daughters married in civil ceremonies in Colombia, also quite straightforward process using either a notary or a civil judge, big plus to have helping hands down here.

untreated comments on How do you deal with being apart from your Colombian/latina wife/husband/novia/novio ?

I am a foreign resident in Colombia since the 1970's. My wife and I were together 24/7 for here for over 20 years. Since the late 1990's my wife has been resident in USA, where our (adult) Colombian born children live. We both go back and forth several times a year. We have been married more than 30 years, so we must be doing something right. I much prefer to live in Santa Marta than in the USA, and my wife spends half the year up there, helping with the babies. So in recent years we have been apart a lot. I think we learn to appreciate each other more than we when are together all the time. When I miss her too much, I just fly up there for a month. I don't like to use the telephone much, though, or internet. For you youngsters starting, I recommend having children and settling down, just have to make up your mind, USA or Colombia? I know it's not an easy decision.

untreated comments on Its worth a try...

Have you considered getting married? Then you could get a "cedula de extranjeria" and work without problems.

untreated comments on Am I still here?

My daughter got married last Saturday in Santa Marta. She was born in Santa Marta but lives in USA, groom was born in Brazil, also lives in USA. We had a lawyer friend handle the paperwork. The marriage was done by a notary public who charged 220.000 pesos to do it in a beach house at sunset. Birth certificate for marriage has to be older than 6 days and less than 30 days.

untreated comments on Visitors visa to the USA

Dear Sir: You will just have to give it your best shot. It would certainly help if you could prove your own committment to residence in Colombia, such as mortgage and stable employment. The longer you have been married, the better. Keep a positive attitude, the odds are that you WILL get the visa. It definitely is not a sure thing, though, but at least it's not your fault if denied. What the hell do you want to go to the USA for anyway? Invite your family to visit you here in Colombia.

untreated comments on Good Restaurants in Santa Marta/Rodadero

Best "cazuela de mariscos" in the world, Plaza de San Francisco, 8am-11am. 2500 pesos. I love it!

untreated comments on Putting a motorcycle together in Colombia...

OK, you might get away with this scam once. But if you are dreaming about doing it three times a month, there's no way. You would be breaking the law, and within a few months you would be in deep doo doo. How many thousands of Colombians with US citizenship would have done this already? For starters, it's prohibited: AGAINST THE LAW, to import used vehicle parts, let alone start a friggin' business. To sum it up, you would certainly have to be crazy to do it.

untreated comments on Colombian Peso Breaks 1,800 Per Dollar for 1st Time Since 1999

I have lived here since the 1970's, when the US dollar was worth 20 pesos. What strikes me is that no Colombian economist predicted this happening. As my pension is in pesos, I'm sitting pretty.

untreated comments on No Country for Old Men... probably the best movie ever made (Per ColombianoGringo, this may contain spoilers)

Absolutely NOT the best movie ever, are you insane?? It wasn't that great. I saw in in Houston, and it seemed to me like "cinema verite".

untreated comments on Does Continental fly from Cali to NY?

If you take the first or second flight out of NYC to Houston, you'll spend at least seven hours in Houston airport, why would you want to do that? A mid morning flight will get you there in PLENTY of time. If you fly before noon, you will not miss your connection (bad weather or peak holidays excepted). Remember you gain another hour flying from Eastern to Central time zone.

untreated comments on Does Continental fly from Cali to NY?

Continental flies from Cali to Houston 4 times a week; easy connection to any NYC airport.

untreated comments on Looking for Translation Services / Spanish to English

I am a qualified translator, I have an A.B. from prestigious US college and 30 years experience in Colombia. I would be happy to do it for you at $10USD per standard double spaced page. I recently translating some display material for the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. I might be considered the best Spanish to English translator in Colombia, if not the world.

untreated comments on The people who stand and applaud Chavez in his cabinet are really thinking, WTF did he say?

What about the people who stood and applauded Bush? It reminds me of what I saw in history class of Hitler's speeches. He would say something absolutely ridiculous and all the people would applaud him.

untreated comments on With all the war talk (which way will the $$ Peso $$ go tomorrow ? )

I bought 200 dollars on Friday at 1920. People selling dollars got 1800. Dollars, 18 kt gold and Colombian common stocks, best investment values.

untreated comments on Euro 1.52 Peso 1,838

I love revaluation, because my pension is in pesos. Today I bought a nice block of BVC stock at 28.70. IMHO much better investment than real estate in Medallo. I would surely love to buy some dollars tomorrow at 1850. Buy some GYSLF, on NYSE, that would be a wise investment in Colombia.

untreated comments on Where is he thread about the Gold Company and their plans for Colombia?

Greystar Resources.. GSL on TSX; GYSLF on NYSE.

untreated comments on Letter from USA to Colombia

Thanks, miamimike. Good advice, will do.

untreated comments on Hey, need some help, fellow colombian bilinguals!!, please read...

Passports are issued at the Gobernacion of the Departmento, in her case, in Pasto. Cost approximately 100.000 pesos, usually the same day.

untreated comments on SOS!! UK travel to Colmbia via USA

Colombian nationals need a valid US visa to get on the plane to Houston, no exceptions.

untreated comments on Buying emeralds in Cartagena or Medellin

My email is portal2012 at hotmail.com

untreated comments on Buying emeralds in Cartagena or Medellin

"a mine direct emerald discounter " what a crock! Virtually 100% of those emeralds are treated with Gematrat or Opticon. That's why they're sold at sea level all over the Caribbean, take 'em up in an airplane and watch 'em bleed!

untreated comments on Buying emeralds in Cartagena or Medellin

"If you are untrained" Well, "A fool and his money are soon parted." Loupe is a must, AFTER an eyeballing in daylight. I just love emeralds, hate to sell 'em! Feel free to email me.

untreated comments on Buying emeralds in Cartagena or Medellin

I've been collecting untreated emeralds for more than 30 years. There is no way that a synthetic emerald can pass for a legitimate untreated Colombian emerald, because of the latter's characteristic "jardin" (3 phase inclusions). Beware of treatments!! Emerald price depends on the buyer, whatever the seller thinks he can get. I have posted some of my collection at http://geocities.com/UntreatedColombianEmeralds More details on your plans would be of general interest, I think. You're very likely to lose your shirt.

untreated comments on for rent apt on the beach--rodadero

Listen, pal, I've lived in Santa Marta since 1973, so I know the score. If I said it sounds terrible, then that's exactly what I meant, it's a super noisy, dirty and expensive area overrun by thousands of tourists in high season, would you buy a condo on the beach at Coney Island??

untreated comments on for rent apt on the beach--rodadero

Sounds terrible, good luck!

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

Tomorrow!

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

Want more? I got more!

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_o9gPHhv0

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKKn7GvW47w

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BQCO9xAgnQ

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2AbP-Ot-M

untreated comments on for rent apt on the beach--rodadero

Precise location please.

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

I have a dozen video clips that I'm going to post on YouTube, if anybody's interested.

untreated comments on Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas and Jorge Celedon in Cartagena

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37366518 at N00/

untreated comments on MOVING TO COLOMBIA

Taganga's main beach, Playa Grande = Playa Vaca is at present full of "pica pica", so anyone who goes swimming or diving there should be prepared for lovely red welts all over their body, what fun! At present, Taganga is absolutely the worst place to visit or live, unless you are an Israeli IDF veteran or like filth, noise and beggars.

untreated comments on Concert December 29th in Cartagena

Good for you, I am so impressed. Others can see the concert info at: http://www.tuboleta.com

untreated comments on MOVING TO COLOMBIA

Are you out of your mind?

untreated comments on

Thank you Tinto, for not deleting my post. I apologize for my overwrought insulting attitude, please forgive me, I do see your of view. Dtapia, I do hope that you will take the trouble to repost it, using only initials or code names, instead of what apparently were the real names of the people involved. I love PBH: sometimes.

untreated comments on

That's just great, the best post in YEARS and this genius deletes it. Thanks for "protecting" who exactly? BAD job, what a useless "Moderator" you are, of course other idiots here will be happy about it. Too bad this site has gone so far downhill (sigh). Tinto, you are a shame to the profession, please drop dead! Go on, ban me, your loss.

untreated comments on

Sir, I say that was this the best post here in years. As a veteran English teacher with more than 30 years of experience in Colombia, I commend you on posting this "reality". The name "Berlitz" is everything, pity the people who pay big bucks to these fraudsters. Please continue your valuable contributions, sir, most of the posters here unfortunately are just bull shit artists posting whatever skimpy thoughts occur in their skimpy minds. Case in point is "Elmo" and his stupid toilet cleaning and whoremongering life, what a waste, now that goes over big time here. Old white men who move to Colombia to do whatever they couldn't do back home, what a bunch of dopes. Losers, Colombian wannabes, up north they can't get laid, here they can buy sex, but love? In summary: please, please continue contributing to this forum, even if the illiterates complain about the length of your post, the quality is excellent, because it is REALITY. Thank you.

untreated comments on What's the name?

To answer your original question: They are called: "CUQUECAS"

untreated comments on Emeralds, Where's the Best Place in Bogota to Buy?

I set up a web site with photos of some emeralds: http://geocities.com/UntreatedColombianEmeralds I have posted quite a bit about emeralds at http://www.diamondring.com, just search the user name PORTAL2012

untreated comments on Charming lunatic buggers off

Don't worry, though, I'm still here.

untreated comments on THE STATES..............TO ..........SANTA MARTA?

Yes, it is definitely possible to fly Copa Airlines (Continental partner and codeshare) from Panama to Barranquilla, but the flight from Houston connects with the flight to Cartagena, very smooth interconnection with adjoining gates, you don't actually "enter" Panama. The bus from Cartagena might take maybe an hour more than from Barranquilla. Continental charges more IAH-BOG than IAH-CLO because there is much less demand or traffic to and from Cali, whereas Bogota is nearly always full.

untreated comments on

Dollar closed today at 1995.

untreated comments on THE STATES..............TO ..........SANTA MARTA?

Houston to Cali leaves late afternoon, gets to Cali at 11pm, so you have to stay over in Cali. AeroRepublica flies direct Cali-Santa Marta. Avianca now flies direct Cali-Barranquilla. Houston to Bogota also leaves late afternoon and gets to Bogota at 10pm, so you have to stay over in Bogota. Aerorepublica and Avianca have several flights daily to Santa Marta. There IS however at least one way to arrive in Santa Marta the SAME DAY that you leave the USA, that is to fly Continental Houston -Panama, connect to Copa, Panama-Cartagena, then an express van from Cartagena to Santa Marta. My son did this in June and it worked out fine.

untreated comments on How many of you that are not from Colombia

I did exactly that in Miami in 1973. I bought a one-way ticket on Pan American to Barranquilla. It was without a doubt the best move I made. I have lived in Santa Marta ever since 1976.

untreated comments on Cali to Cartagena

I have done it. First, from Cali to Medellin, a long ride but not bad at all.Then you can get right on a bus to Cartagena, or break the journey for a day or more. It's two long bus rides but it's well worth it, value for money, you'll see a lot of Colombia, have meals in some real typical roadside restaurants, save a bunch of money over the airfare. If your Spanish is OK you can make friends with other passengers, or even fall in love!

untreated comments on is it easy finding a good job being bilingual in cali (fluent english)?

What a great post, you have about as much chance of geting a job as a translater or in a hotel or in the airport as the next girl, what really matters is your personality.