untreated has left 164 comments

untreated comments on How is property outside of Rodadero, SM valued?

Have a title search done at Registro de Instrumentos Publicos in lovely downtown Santa Marta.

untreated comments on Can you tell me a little about your screen name and how you chose it please?

Untreated referring to the untreated state of the Colombian emeralds I collect.

untreated comments on Does BOG have locker storage?

It's a baggage storage room operated by real live human beings. It might cost 15,000 pesos to check your suitcase.

untreated comments on For all of you resident expatriates...what comapny do you use for healthcare in Colombia.

SaludCoop http://www.saludcoop.com.co/

untreated comments on How long have you been with your Colombiana/no

34 years together, 5 children, 4 grandchildren. And we're still on our honeymoon!

untreated comments on Fiesta del Mar en Santa Marta, Colombia

July 29th to August 2nd.

untreated comments on

When I saw that screen message for the first time a few weeks ago, I went to my bank (Banco del Occidente) to ask about it; I was told it is a new Government regulation. But as a matter of fact, I have not been charged yet for any local withdrawal from my bank's ATM in spite of the screen telling me it would charge $970 per transaction.

untreated comments on santa marta

I didn`t say Santa Marta had the best airport in the world. I said it`s my favorite. Anybody got a problem with that?

untreated comments on santa marta

I've lived here since 1973, sure it's a great place to live. There has been a lot of new high end development recently. The Sierra Laguna project is open at the bridge over Pozos Colorados, and the Playa Dormida project is under construction near the airport. SMR is my favorite airport in the world. I just got back here after 6 weeks in the USA, great swimming every day, using public transportation (buses and taxis). Of course 2009 is not 1973, things might not work out so well for you now in this day and age. How would you propose supporting yourself ?

untreated comments on 2603 pesos to the dollar

I bought some dollars today for 2400 pesos.

untreated comments on Emeralds - where to buy, how much to pay and how to distinguish from a 7-UP fragment

No, not a good idea to buy emeralds on eBay.

untreated comments on Emeralds - where to buy, how much to pay and how to distinguish from a 7-UP fragment

I've been collecting untreated Colombian emeralds for many years. http://geocities.com/UntreatedColombianEmeralds http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/jan09/columbian-emeralds.cfm

untreated comments on Investing $200K US in Bogota

I would recommend that you buy stock in BVC, the Colombian Stock Exchange. Shares are currently at 18 pesos, so you could buy a few million shares. Maybe buy some shares of Mineros de Antioquia, today's close 2100 pesos. Also I would buy a nice selection of Italian 18kt gold jewellry, gold chains and bracelets. To buy stock in Colombia, you have to register at a broker. Minimum transaction fee is 150,000 pesos plus IVA, so that is 1% commission if you buy 15 million pesos of stocks. I do think the bottom has been reached, IGBC index closed today at 6657, up 3%

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

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

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