valdemar has left 23 comments

valdemar comments on Chavez's anti inflation drive (again!)

what happend to the FARC hostages?

valdemar comments on mini monster puncture

bad trip? .... are you OK now? need help?

valdemar comments on Best beach around Cartagena

damn..... I should have thought of the weather. However, there is a lot to do in the city if its pouring down. If the suns come out I guess we will head for Playa Blanca by bus or check out Castillo Grande.

thanks,
valdemar

valdemar comments on Getting engaged -> married... HELP

excellent ! thanks Brody, I appreciate the input. I may consider starting with your #6 ...

Chao - Jens

valdemar comments on First timer

go to.... As a first time you should hang-out around la sexta in Zona Rosa. Calidad House (hostel) is a good place to stay. Here you will meet a lot of other travellers. Honestly, Cali is not the most exciting city in views of site-seeing, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the night-life. I find the cali folks some of the coolest in Colombia
; they are easy going talkative and they like to rumbiaaar. If you are into salsa you should go to juanchito which is a goood hang-out during the week-ends. I always go for a soccer game when I'm there and Dave at Calidad House will definetly be able to help you getting to this..... Feel free to write me (super_jens at hotmail.com) if you should have other questions...

Valdemar

valdemar comments on Ban ANNCOL?

Yep.. Denmark was asked to close the ANNCOL server. After pressure from the colombian government, Sweden decided to ban the ANNCOL server in Sweden. When the server popped up in Denmark, the colombian ambassador in sweden (Colombia has no representation in Denmark) contacted the danish foreign minister as well as the danish conservative newsmedia "berlingske". The embassador expressed great concerns about ANNCOL and asked specifically for the danish server to be closed. The danish security intelligence service (PET) looked into the matter, but found no legal reasons to close ANNCOL, except for being left-wing....which not yet is illegal.

check out these links :

http://www.adital.org.br/site/noticia.asp?lang=ES&cod=8753
http://www.internationaltforum.dk/side/217 (in danish)

I translate some of the content from the last link:

"The colombian terror organisation FARC uses Denmark as base for their news media", writes "Berlinske". In reaction, foreign minister Per Stig Moeller among others demand the danish security intelligence service involved. At first it was the colombian embassador in Sweden who contacted Per Stig Moeller, demanding the server closed. ”FARC and therefore also ANNCOL is a great problem”, colombian embassador told "Berlingske".....

valdemar comments on Uribe good for Colombia?

journalism in Colombia With the highest number of journalists killed in the world, I would be extremely sceptical towards the media in Colombia. Concluding on any trends on the devlopments in the colombian society, based on the official media only, would be quite naive.

Saludos,
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Ban ANNCOL?

Interpretation.... The web-server was based in Sweden until recently. Browsing the content of ANNCOL's website, leaves no doubt which side they are on in the conflict. However, technically speaking I do not think that even if the FARC suggested the people behind ANNCOL to open the website... and they decided to do that - it would qualify to ban the website. Especially, when neither fundings are given nor direct link to Las FARC on their website exists. In Denmark the interpretation of the anti-terror law is: "innocent until otherwise is proven".... instead of the opposite which seems to be normal practice for some countries in matters that involve the magic word "terror". Several radical Islamic web-sites have their servers located in Denmark. One of them was recently closed for its content encouraging to perform terrorist acts... not for its assumed relations to Al-Qaeda - which still has to be proven.

If the donations from the FARC logo T-shirts end up in Colombia, the vendor will have a real problem according to the anti-terror law. Otherwise, it could be difficult to juridical pursue. I guess the best weapon in this matter is information. Quite a lot of documentaries are being produced depicting Las FARC as a freedom movement (most recently “guerrilla girls”). I am sure several foreign film makers could put together documentaries depicting Las FARC less romantically… there should be enough cruelties to choose from.

saludos,
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Danish giving money for the FARC

The bravery of being out of range It's true that the movements use different "methods" to pursue their goals and long discussions about which are to be considered most cruel would be endless. However, the attention of crimes committed by e.g. Las FARC definetly gets more attention than those committed by AUC and that is even if the crimes can be considered of equal cruelness. The government puts on its pink glasses when it comes to the AUC and I would to some extent agree with this agenda - quite similar to when Los Pepes got fed up with the impotent governemt of Colombia. However, at this point it has definetely gotten out of hands and a Frankenstin monster has grown that constitutes an enourmous threat to the people of Colombia, especially those on the lower social ladder. Sadly, I fear that the AUC would not disarm after enjoying so much freedom ...even if all left-wing terror groups were to be defeated.

Finally, I see the act of the danish movement as a naive stupidity carried out by a group of uninformed people who wants to feed their ego as rebellious socialist, despite their status as comfortable welfare socialist. As a romantic socialist with idols like Che, life is simply too boring in Denmark, having very little to complain about...and then there is always the option for keeping the romantic socialist dream alive by wearing a Las Farc T-shirt and enjoying the bravery of being out of range.


Valdemar

valdemar comments on Danish giving money for the FARC

Hipocracia.. As a dane I'm very disapointed that we have people supporting groups like FARC and ELN. I sincerely hope that the organisation behind this will be put in jail for several years and even better extradited to Colombia.....

....but maybe even more interesting it is to see how colombians have less concerns about state "sponsered" terrorism executed by AUC. Violations on human rights that reportedly exceed those performed by the left-wings.

valdemar comments on Arauca - Bucaramanga transport

I havn't been to Arauca... but I work in Barrancabermeja which is also not the safest place in Colombia... however it has been much worse I've been told. I work as a petrol engineer on a project for Ecopetrol and protection around here is pretty high. I have a great friend living in Aracua and I want to meet him in Bucaramanga (definetly not in Aracua based on what you Say). According to Ecopetrol it should be fine for me to go to Bucaramanga. The reason for asking about the flight ticket to and from Aracua is that I want to buy the ticket for him. I will check out the airlines you mentioned and see if they cover that route.
I think you're right that there is no flight between Barranca and Bucaramanga as the distance isn't much. I appreciate very much you input ..

Have a great day
Valdemar





Chao - Jens

valdemar comments on Help me! Need advice on how to deal with f.....g latin NOVELAS, I can't stand it

warning..... Novelas are biiig in Romania because of the latin language/culture of this country, but according to my hot, 30-65-103, bulgarian ex-girlfriend you will also find latin american novelas in Bulgaria !!!! Go to North Korea to be safe..
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Scuba or snorkling

How do I get on a diving trip to Malpelo and Gorgona ??? Anyone knows who arranges trips to these specific loacations ? (I have heard soooo much good about these places)

Kind regards,
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Trip To Colombia

The best party in Colombia... is without doubt the Carnival in Barranquilla in Feb. It is absolutely crazy, wild and fantastic. Lots of great music, drinking and happy colombianos. Don't carry anything valuable as you are almost sure to get your white ass robbed.

If you can't wait for the Carnival, go to the more relaxed, organized, smaller and less wild...national beauty contest in Cartagena. You'll have a great time there too. The city will be packed with people from all over the country. I think it's in November.

Cities worth visiting if you wanna have some good partying would be underground clubs in Bogota, la sexta en Cali and Poblado in Medellin. The latter many people looove... However I never liked it.. It's a non-authentic, wannabee fancy place. However, you'll sure meet some chicas there.... which I guess is not without importance.

I prefer the coast ..Cartagena and Santa Marta are my favorite places..

Have fun
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Should I go tanned or whitey-white?

most surreal question 2005 !! this post made my day, I still have a big smile all over my face after some serious laughing. This post must be nominated for something at the end of the year.

keep posting more of this kind !!!!!!

Personally I would go pink - it's kind of cute !

Valdemar

valdemar comments on Barrancabermeja?

OK - I have the picture.. It really sounds like a shitty place... I sounds like one year will be enough there. I will make it a cutural experience more than an esthetical. Hopefully, I will have some time in the other refinery in Cartagena also.

thanks
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Drugs, violence and death

thanks Your story gives me alot of confidence to move on and concentrate on the right values in this life.

Chao - Jens

valdemar comments on Minimum salary in Colombia?

Good luck Sr. Uribe Ironically the west is giving Uribe a lot of credit not only for his "war on terror" but also his financial policies. From the recent figures (Tinto's) it looks like things are not going that well after all. As Uribe is earning much support from the US due to his pro-US attitude, the US is most likely turning the blind eye on his country's financial situation. Most of the west see a moderate, less corruptive leader in Uribe, hopefully this will not make them completely blind over the years. Anyway at present time Uribe is probably the best option for Colombia.

Hail Uribe and good luck with mess.
Valdemar

valdemar comments on Minimum salary in Colombia?

Stupid rich colombians.. (Mercedes Salazar) Just talked to the girl working in Cartagena... She is now working 12 hours every day 7 days a week (yes sundays included) for 400000 Pesos a month, that means she's not even on the minimum salary level but far below. She is not allowed to leave for lunch, but the shop must not smell like food if she eats in. The owner is a reaaaal bitch telling her that she can just leave as 1000's are waiting for this fantastic job. So that's what she's is gonna do tonight. What the fuck is wrong with these rich colombians, how do you get this arrogant? The woman is Mercedes Salazar, a well know colombian designer. Mercedes didn't even come from a rich family so she should know how life is for the working people. I asked my friend to tell the police about the story, but as Mercedes has too much money, this will not lead to anything.

Gotta go there and punish that bitch

By the way as I had my friend on the phone, Juanes came in to the shop. My friend went cracy and we asked me to call back later. Juanes is probably rich now, but he doesn't seem to be fucked up. At least what I know of jajajajaja

valdemar comments on Minimum salary in Colombia?

($381.500,oo) moneda corriente ......increible !!! just returned from Siberia this eveneing and checked the forum....to see all these facts, comments, viewpoints etc. posted to my questions. Thanks alot!!
Based on your posts it looks like she's being paid something close to the absolute minimum. I can understand that it's not unusual, but man... that doesn't make it acceptable. She'll need to look into transport subsidies and check up if the owner has registered her for Seguro Social, eventhough I doubt it. However, no matter what benefits she'll obtain it wont give her a decent economical basis, so a donation from my side is the only realistic solution until she gets a little more senority to apply for a better job.

I'm from Denmark where my base is, but I'm travelling a lot for my company as a chemical eng. in the oil refining sector. I've been to so many places around the world (37 countries), but Colombia is something special I never will forget and i'm surely coming back. Some people in Ecopetrol suggested me to apply for a permanent job. This would be a possibility for coming back to colombia. I would not have any problems accepting the national salaries (eventhough they are loooooow) as it would be more of a cultural experience than for economical reasons, but I'm afraid it's too risky considering that I'm a foreigner and engineer. Of course cautions could be taken like driving in a bulletproof car, having guards and living behind bars, but that's not how I want to be in Colombia.
I will keep it to backpacking instead looking poor and dirty. Kind of ironical.

Chao - Valdemar

valdemar comments on WHY THE COLOMBIAN WOMAN GET MARRIED WITH UGLY MALE FROM USA????? What do u think about????

Italianos son putos Everytime I've been to Cartagena it strikes me how many fat and ugly and ugly italian men I meet bragging about sex they have with very very young girls. They come there for a few months every year to live out their pedophile desires and then fuck off again. Hurra for Italy -of course that's far better than when the americano marry a colombiana and take her to the states to live a life with more oppertunities.

Not only italians go on sex vacation but maybe it's the fact that they are so appauling simple people that makes me puke.

Ok italiano your dismissed - go home to mom and cry.

good night

valdemar comments on I need a cheap way to call Colombia

Do you have internet ? In that case then you should download "skype". It'll cost you between 3 and euro cents a minute (6 if you call mobile numbers)!!!! I don't think you can find any cheaper solution. It works also with 56K modems.

Chao - Jens

valdemar comments on FARC or ELN connections

Hola Estupido What the fuck are you up to gringo - find some terrorist orgs. in your own country.