vanwely has left 44 comments

vanwely comments on Monteria and Sincelejo - buying a gora

John Stark (UC!!!), I had been looking for you as I knew you had contacts in Monteria. I enjoyed my short week there. This is my wife's hometown and we stayed with her sister in a neighborhood called 6 de Marzo or something like that. My observations: - The moto taxis have taken over Monteria and there is a perpetual game of chicken going on between the regular taxis and motos who openly dislike each other. - We had no computer and only a little black and white TV which we never watched. I spent most of the time sitting in the courtyard talking to the steady stream of neighbors and family that came by. I really enjoyed this aspect where people actually talk to each other - instead of staring at a box. - Went to Exito for groceries a few times. The prices are very similar to US. - Loved the neighborhood panaderia, phone stores and tiendas. When you finished your Coca Cola or Colombiana you just walked the half block to get another. - Ate so healthy as opposed to junk food here. I had a tortoise dish, ate tons of platanos, sancocho, chorizos con huevos, papaya, and mango directly from the tree in the backyard. - There were iguanas constantly creeping about on the trees above us. Also a feisty pavo and a crippled dog in the courtyard. - Never saw another gringo. - Went to town center a couple of times. Took the planchon over the river to the other side then walked to my wife's old high school (I think it was called Normal). There were still teachers there from 30 years ago. - The park by the river had bunches of iguanas, and micos running around loose in the trees. There was supposed to be a perezoso but I didn't see them. I pointed to my wife's nephew "look at the perezoso", He said where? I pointed to my wife. He laughed. My wife didn't. My ribs should be healed in another month or so. - Took a day trip on a crowded bus to Sincelejo to visit the rest of the family on a finca. Beautiful place with wild exotic birds, chickens, pigs, goats, etc. Also rich farmland with papaya, mandarina, plantanos, yucca, n~ame and more. - Also went to Sampues and went through all the shops selling wood products. My wife returns tomorrow. She has a camera full of pictures. Vanwely

vanwely comments on

Today, my Colombian wife and I are celebrating our 2nd anniversary here in Atlanta. She was a very independent working attorney already in Colombia so her feminism didn't start here. She is also still the same wonderful person that I met in Bogota. We have our differences like all couples ( I call her MONK for her fanatic devotion to keeping everything spotlessly clean) but I believe she really is more committed to marriage than an American women. She has made me very happy. Her biggest frustration has been getting fluent in English and finding a meaningful job. Also, she doesn't like how everyone drives here instead of walking. Vanwely

vanwely comments on Costs in Colombia LONG

Bread
Thanks for your great post. Very interesting numbers.


Why would you buy that crappy bagged bread instead of going to a Panaderia and getting some fresh stuff?

I don't know how any common person making $600 a month can afford to live there, but they do. How do the taxi's make money with such low fares and high cost of to buy?

Vanwely

Vanwely




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on

UtopiaCowboy and Friends
I have been to Colombia 7 times and except for Cartegena I have never seen another Gringo that I can remember.

UTOPIACOWBOY: Long time since I have been on PBH. All going great with my wife her in USA. You will see at least ONE other Gringo in Monteria this Christmas.

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Best Restaurant In Colombia

My favorite
My wife and her family always enjoy "La Bonga de Sinu". It is located on the northside of Bogota (like Calle 119 or so). Great tender steaks, delicious yuca, waiters in Sombrero vueltias lots of cowboy stuff on the walls.

Vanwely


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Strange Colombian Christmas Traditions

Fireworks
My wife says that they shoot off fireworks on Christmas in Colombia as well as new year. Is that true?

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on luxury hotels in bogota

Try these
I think the Radisson on the Northside is the best luxury place - Super secure, nice rooms, decent restaurant, friendly English speaking staff. Goes for about $130/night. Also has an indoor pool and workout area and a guy playing the piano in the lobby. Internet.

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Partidos de Eliminatoria September 3 & 4

Los Recuerdos
This is the best place to go watch the games in Atlanta. It is located by I-85 and Jimmy Carter Blvd in Norcross. Good food and lots of big screen TV's. $15 to get in but you can stay and watch all the games. They ran out of Aguila last time, so everyone was drinking Coronas. Also there are always a group of Churrascos there beating a drum for the celeste, so it ought to be a lot fun this time.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Best places to visit in Colombia/South America

My 2 cents
1. Machu Pichu - a life changing experience
2. Iguazu
3. The Saturday markets in Otavalo, Ecuador




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Are Colombianas generally materialistic?

Creo en Amor - and a note to Modefoque
I think that coming here will be a step up for my novia but you should be able to tell the difference between someone looking for a good deal and true love. I always take my novia to the jewelery store and she refuses to buy anything. I take her to the bookstore and we leave with both hands full. That is one thing I love about her.

EL Modefoque - The Indian girl should be perfect match for you.
She is SIKH and you are SICK.

Vanwely



Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Good towns between Medellin and Cartagena?

UtopiaCowboy and Monteria

Utopia -

My Novia is from Monteria and she received her VISA TODAY. I will be going to pick her up soon. Also have read your posts on visajourney.com - Our first experience at the embassy was pretty rotten but today she said it went well and fast.

I agree with you that the resident of Monteria are muy amable but the mosquitos are the size of birds.


Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on I-134 Affidavit Of Support

Proof of Income Personally, I brought copies of mine and they checked them off a big checklist that they had. You definatly need to have some proof of income.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on K-1 Interview. Important for me to be there?

If you go
If you go, take a seat cushion. You are kept waiting for 7+ hours and the chairs are like patio furniture.

Vanwely



Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Colombian Cardinal among list of possible successors to John Paul II

Cardinals?
Why should the Cardinals get to choose the pope? They couldn't even beat the Red Sox.

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Poorer and Very Unhappy

Delayed
You have to get another appointment scheduled. We have to make the names match. They really weren't very clear or helpful. I am going to try and call the number next week. Anyway it will delay things at least a month which is going to put off our wedding.

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on BIG BREAK 3

Valeria is still alive
Down to 6 contestants and Valeria is still alive on BIG BREAK 3.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on representing poor people in this forum: why do most rich or people in the middle class feel superior than us?

Tony Montana and Tevya Isnt this quote from SCARFACE??

If you have the money then you have the ability to have the power and you can buy the sex

And this one is from "Fiddler on the Roof"

"But being poor is not a particularly great accolade (honor)"



Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Maria llena eres de Gracias

In todays USA TODAY Actresses who are deserving nominations for an OSCAR.

Catalina Sandino Moreno:

Playing a desperate Colombian drug runner, Moreno delivers a beautiful, radian, heartbreaking performance. Says US WEEKLY movie editor BJ Sigiesmund "She's so good you cant believe its acting. She made you fell like you were watching a documentary"




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on The two faces of Colombia.

Server Space shortage
I guess this is part of the reason for the server space shortage. 32 message of mindless drivel.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Life in Colombia--Info Request

Interesting thread
I am also one of the chosen people and I read that there are only about 5,000 Jews in all of Colombia. I did not tell my novia that I was Jewish right away. One day I saw a book about the "holocosto" in her library and we discussed it. She is very Catolica but understands
that I dont celebrate Christmas and the like. She had never even SEEN a Jew before. When I had dinner at her house, they had a big picture of the last supper on the wall and I told her that now, I was the 13th Jew to have eaten at her place.

When we were in Argentina, she bought this giant cross as a present for her brother. I felt like I was in the Passion of the Christ dragging that thing through the airport.

By the way, patacon pisa'o are really just latkes and ajiaco is the same chicken vegetable soup my mom has been making for 70 years.




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Colombian custom

Very nice
I am thinking of proposing on the top of Monserrate.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on

Buenas Suerte
Don't rent a car, there are taxis everywhere. I am also enamarada with a Colombiana but we did not discuss marriage until I had been to Colombia at least 5 times. I cannot see how you can move that fast. Go on the road, to Ecuador, Peru, or Argentina together for a good solid week. I heard a saying, that you don't know a person, until you travel together. Do you speak Spanish? Anyway, I wish you good luck, but take your time, if it is real love, you will know.

Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Uribe or not

Another solution
I have this argument about Uribe with my Colombiana fiance all the time. I think having to run for reelection is better than the one term deal where your a lame duck from day one. She adores Uribe. We talked about when he was in Fort Lauderdale and met with a group of Colombians in the US. One guy in audience complained about his pension and Uribe got out his cell phone, called the head of the agency in charge and hooked the guy up immediatly.

Anyway my solution is this. If he can't run for reelection. Put his wife in office as a figurehead (like Lurleen Wallace in Alabama)

Vanwely




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Giving up on Avianca!!

30 and 0 I have now flown Avianca 30 times and never had a problem. Mi aerolina preferido.



Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on La Dolce Vida Girl Arrives in New York

Arm biting My novia also bit the living crap out of my arm one time, but she said it was a sign of affection. I mean, I was bruised for like two weeks.

Vanwely




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on I just paid the lawyer $350

I hate lawyers - except ONE I am also in Atlanta and am seeking a K-1 visa for my fiance. I did 99% of the work myself and just had the lawyer check over the documents. She gave me a few tips and saw me for 1 hour of which she talked on the phone about half the time. I paid $250 for the privelege. I just sent the papers this week and hope all goes well.
The lawyer I don't hate is my fiance, who is a lawyer in Colombia - but she worked with the juvenile delinquents in Bogota and before that in Cartegena. A lawyer here and a lawyer there are TWO different things.

Vanwely




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Lonely Planet guide to Colombia?

Helped me It is the only recent guidebook available. When we got tossed out our hotel in San Andres Island (overbooked for the weekend), my novia was upset. I found a hotel in the guidebook and called and it turned out to be much better than what I had read on the San Andres Board. All in all, not their best edition, but worth the money just for the phone numbers and general info.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Trip Repot from Dan

The hardest part is leaving Dan,

I agree with 100% that the hardest part is watching your novia walk away and know that you wont see her again for 3 or 4 months. I usually pay 16K from the airport to the zona rosa. Its only $5 - whats the big deal?
In the zona rosa, I have stayed in all the hotels and I like the Hamilton Court the best. About $50 and nicer rooms than Andino. Also super location.





Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Once Caldas wins the Copa Libertadores!!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10...... ONCE!!!!!!

A great victory for the little team from Manizales. This was a real David vs. Goliath story. ONCE has been overshadowed by the biggger teams in the Colombian league for years, but went through powerful clubs like
Barcelona (Ecuador) and mighty Santos and Sao Paulo of Brazil. Boca Junior, the New York Yankees of club soccer in South America was going for its 4th Copa Libertador title in 5 years.

ONCE was on the defensive for most of the game, but was able to counterattack frequently with long passes and breakaways. Finally, a long hard driving shot beat the Boca goaltender midway through the first half. Once held the lead through many Boca chances and led 1-0 at the half. Boca tied it early in the 2nd half on a beautiful header and the crowd quieted for a time. Many chances followed included a near miss close to the end of penalty time by ONCE. Finally, it came down to penalty kicks and the remarkable Juan Carlos Henao of ONCE blocked all 4 BOCA Junior attempts. I have never seen this in a futbol game, not even at the playground level. Once converted their 2nd and 4th penalty shots to bring the title back to Colombia. I am sure that the distinctive POKER jerseys will be seen a lot more frequently now.


Vanwely




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Carlos Vives new CD, "Rock De Mi Pueblo" U.S. release date??? and Juanes new CD, "Mi Sangre" coming in September!!!

Cabas I've got to put my two cents in about this guy Cabas. If you don't have his first album and you like Colombian music, you should get it. I wonder why it took Juanes so long to come out with this new album, I heard he was having legal troubles with his old band.

Vanwely


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on 5-0...very nice for Colombia.

Still a chance Just returned from Bogota and Quito. I went to the game in Quito and there were probably 5,000 Colombians out of a crowd of 38,000. There are a lot of Colombianos living in Ecuador and now Colombians need some kind of visa to enter (My girlfriend had a green little book with a police report.) The game was great even though Colombia lost - the Ecuadoraneos were very enthusiastic and nice - there was even a message on the scoreboard "Bienvendos a nuestro hermanos de Colombia.".

Anyway, I think the change of players helped, and Colombia is now in eighth place with 7 points, only three points (1 win) out of qualifying position. Brazil and Argentina are locks and Paraguay looks very solid. The other 2 positions will be a dogfight between Chile, Venezuela (tough but fading), Ecuador (hot now), Peru and Colombia (up and down teams) Uruguay (on a bender) and Bolivia (underdog). The next game is versus Chile in Santiago in September.

Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on FUTBOL!!

Information Since nobody answered my question, I will answer it myself. Here is the link to buy tickets to the Ecuador-Colombia futbol (soccer) game on June 2 at 4:00 pm in Quito. By the way Colombians are complaining about the price structure being prejudiced against Colombian fans as they are giving a big discount if you buy tickets to both Ecuador games. (Link is in Spanish)

http://www.ecuafutbol.org/detalle.asp?id=5069&seccion=N

Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on a scary, but necessary trip.

Striking Viking This guy rode a motorcycle from California to Tierra del Fuego including being kidnapped by the FARC. It is an interesting account. Here is the webpage.

http://www.strikingviking.net/sa/template_zoom.php?id=13





Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Cartagena general questions...

Hot, Hot, Hot It is hotter than hades in Cartegena in June and July. Very muggy also.There are women from all over Colombia in Cartegena so you will find what you are looking for.

Vanwely



Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on My first exposure of the wonderful people of Colombia

My 2 pesos One of the things I love about Colombia vs the US is the lack of this kind of bul**hit political correctness. From what I have experienced down there, people are just more confortable about who they are. People call each other marica, negra, moreno, rolo, etc. and you just get a smile not a lawsuit.

Vanwely


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Recommendations of books about the history of Colombia?

Bert Ruiz opinion Tinto et al

I was wondering what your opinion was on Bert Ruiz. I was thinking of buying his book on the Colombian Civil War but it is about $60. A lot of his stuff seems to be left leaning but he did work on Wall Street. I have read #30 above - Colombia Fragmented Land, Divided Society. It is pretty good but weak on recent history.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on US Fiancé visa, how long?

Bogota IS very dangerous!!! I have injured my neck three times twisting around to look at chicas in tight jeans passing me on the street. Be very careful!!

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on US Fiancé visa, how long?

Doesn't anybody believe in love anymore???
Granted, their are a lot of banditas out there, but don't you think it is still possible to fall in love? With the jaded, hard attitude that you guys have no wonder. If you are a 50 year old guy looking for a 20 year old beauty queen, sure your going to be taken. But if you find someone who is close to your own age, if you bother to become fluent in spanish, if you immerse yourself in the wonderful Colombian culture, if you find a women that really believes in romance, you have a chance. At least a better chance than with a gringa. Protect your assets, going into this slowly and with your eyes open, don't ignore any sign that you are being lied to, but don't become a sad cynical angry man like these guys. The last year has been the happiest of my life and despite the obstacles, I look forward to many years of the same.

Vanwely








Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Futbol

Out of the basement

A great game last night. I was able to watch it on closed circuit here in Atlanta with about 500 other screaming Colombianos and a good many sad Peruanos. Colombia came out strong from the opening whistle and had 4 or 5 good attempts before Peru had their first. Peru missed a couple of good scoring chances and then Colombia had a goal called back on an offsides Finally, they scored on a beautiful crossing pass. The second goal was a nice header from out of a pack of players with about 5 minutes left in the half. In the second half, the Cafeteros continued to attack instead of just going into a defensive shell and barely missed one off the crossbar. Later Peru came back and almost scored when a ball lingered on goal line for what seemed forever before being cleared at the last second by a Colombian defender. The crowd in the bar chanted CO LOM BIA over and over.

All in all a great performance. SEE YOU ALL IN QUITO ON June 1 vs. Ecuador and Barranquilla on June 4 vs Uruguay (who was shocked by Venezuela in Montevideo 0-3)


Vanwely



Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on What Is The Name of The Female Poet?

Colombian money
I like how the Colombians put poets and scholars on their money instead of dead presidents like the US does. Gaitan on the CP1000 IS a politican, but it is a neat looking bill.

Vanwely




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on I bought the ticket

Avianca

I disagree with your assessment of Avianca. I have flown it a least a dozen times both inside Colombia and outside and the flights have always left on time with no problems. Now if you want to fly a crappy airline try Aerocontiente

Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on Casinos

In Cartagena there is a small to medium sized casino on the main strip. It has about 4 blackjack tables and a roulette table along with a bunch of slot machines.




Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on gringos in bogota

Just returned from Bogota yesterday and I love it there. This is a really nice city and great for shopping. I love the area around the
Hotel Tequendama. I know the Zona Rosa so well now that I was showing my Colombian girlfriend around this time!! I was checking apartment and condo prices around the 82-85 calle and they are very luxurious and reasonable by US standards. Driving with my girlfriend's boss (a female judge in Bogota) there were block after block of great looking restaraunts and shopping that put my US city to shame. I never felt unconfortable or threatened at any time. This place is a well kept secret.

Vanwely


Colombia - Tierra Querida

vanwely comments on What's the fastest way to become conversational in Spanish?

Espanol










I am up to about a 6 1/2 on a scale of 1-10 from 0 Spanish two years ago. I learned like this.

1) Carry an electronic dictionary everywhere. Whenever you want to say something in English, think how you would say it in Spanish.

2) I got a lot out of listening to music. MTV en Espanol, and buying and listening to CD's.

3) A pen pal really helps. I can write and talk much better than comprehension which comes last.

4) Bust your butt on the verb forms. Get a good core of 20 to 25 verbs and work on them in all the common forms.

5) The best way to learn Spanish is in bed --- Hernan Cortez

6) CONDORITO!!!!












Colombia - Tierra Querida