viajero123 has left 1001 comments

viajero123 comments on How is property outside of Rodadero, SM valued?

It might be worth quite a bit, depending on its exact location and the neighbouring properties. Is it between Zuana and Irotama or between Zuana and Bunsachari? On what side of the railroad?

viajero123 comments on 94% de colombianos son atendidos por instituciones de salud

You don´t get any deductions from salary for ARP, SENA or ICBF, those are paid 100% by the employer.

viajero123 comments on Venezuelan army blows up two bridges in Colombia

I thought El Tiempo was owned by the Santos family, and then sold to the Spanish Grupo Prisa (I dunno if the Santos still hold some shares in the company). El Espectador seems to be pretty independent

viajero123 comments on How do you call the letter V

I was taught v pequeña, but I also hear many people calling it v de vaca and v corta. W I was taught to say doble U and most people I know say doble U, only a few doble V. But in Spain and other countries, everyone calls the v like uv, that´s why the Spanish bank BBVA is called Be - Be - Uve- A. They also sometimes call W doble Uve.

viajero123 comments on Offered my first job in Colombia today at a bi-lingual school in Barranquilla.

Make sure everything you negotiated is written in the contract and don't take unreasonable excuses for leaving things outside the contract.

viajero123 comments on Changing Money, Pesos to Pounds Sterling

My final exchange rate was always a couple of hundred pesos when buying euros first, and then exchanging them in London compared to buying pounds in cash in Colombia.

viajero123 comments on Changing Money, Pesos to Pounds Sterling

Will you travel to the UK soon? I´ve found that the best thing to do is to buy Euros in cash here, and then exchange them in London for Pounds. In Bogota you can buy them in fron of Unicentro or in CC Hacienda Sta. Barbara.

viajero123 comments on Teacher certification in Bogota: CELTA of TEFL??

UNIVERSIDAD ICESI Position for Assistant Professors in Management, Finance and Sociology The Management, Finance and Law & Social Studies Departments invite applications for full time permanent position professors. Courses taught by the Management Department comprise undergraduate and MBA courses on business strategy, firm organization and structure, market competition, organizational behaviour, and human resource management. Courses taught by the Finance Department comprise undergraduate and MBA courses that include corporate finance, financial markets, derivatives, and risk management. The teaching load is 3 undergraduate courses per semester and a minimum of two graduate courses per year. Criteria for selecting among candidates for the Management position include: research interest in industrial organization, business strategy, firm organization and structure, organizational behaviour and human resources. Criteria for selecting among candidates for the Finance position include: corporate finance, corporate governance, financial strategy, and portfolio management. Successful applicants should show strong research potential for publishing high-quality academic research, and a capacity for effective teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Fluency in Spanish is also required. Applicants should have or expect to have a PhD in a relevant related field. Excellent recommendations are expected. For details on criteria for Sociology position, please contact Piedad Gómez (see contact details below). Non-Colombian candidates will be preferred but the position is open to all applicants. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should attach a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, two references that will address teaching and scholarship, and a sample of written work (current or published research). Icesi is a private University recognized among the best universities in Colombia, located in Cali, a city with a population of about 2.5 million which is the financial and business center of southwest Colombia. For additional information please contact Piedad Gomez Franco pgomez at icesi.edu.co http://www.icesi.edu.co

viajero123 comments on Job hunting in Colombia....hard work!!!

UNIVERSIDAD ICESI Position for Assistant Professors in Management, Finance and Sociology The Management, Finance and Law & Social Studies Departments invite applications for full time permanent position professors. Courses taught by the Management Department comprise undergraduate and MBA courses on business strategy, firm organization and structure, market competition, organizational behaviour, and human resource management. Courses taught by the Finance Department comprise undergraduate and MBA courses that include corporate finance, financial markets, derivatives, and risk management. The teaching load is 3 undergraduate courses per semester and a minimum of two graduate courses per year. Criteria for selecting among candidates for the Management position include: research interest in industrial organization, business strategy, firm organization and structure, organizational behaviour and human resources. Criteria for selecting among candidates for the Finance position include: corporate finance, corporate governance, financial strategy, and portfolio management. Successful applicants should show strong research potential for publishing high-quality academic research, and a capacity for effective teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Fluency in Spanish is also required. Applicants should have or expect to have a PhD in a relevant related field. Excellent recommendations are expected. For details on criteria for Sociology position, please contact Piedad Gómez (see contact details below). Non-Colombian candidates will be preferred but the position is open to all applicants. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should attach a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, two references that will address teaching and scholarship, and a sample of written work (current or published research). Icesi is a private University recognized among the best universities in Colombia, located in Cali, a city with a population of about 2.5 million which is the financial and business center of southwest Colombia. For additional information please contact Piedad Gomez Franco pgomez at icesi.edu.co http://www.icesi.edu.co

viajero123 comments on What Does "Bill" Mean?

There is really no difference in between V and B like there is in English. Spelling is often arbitrary. Otherwise the H would have disappeared from Spanish. Check this out if you're interested http://www.elearnspanishlanguage.com/pronunciation/pr-bv.html

viajero123 comments on Expedia Promoting Travel to Colombia on homepage

Tell a Mexican that Mexico is Méjico in Spanish and you'll see their reaction. It's México!!

viajero123 comments on Cedula, Army card ( Libreta militar)

Thanks Kat. Yes, he is a dual national, but still doesn't have his cedula. So this Libreta, he has to renew every two years, and pay the 115 USD every two years?

viajero123 comments on Continental fares sharply higher for 2010.

Londoner, easter is a mini-high season and prices tend to go up during that week. Hopefully you'll find a good fare since you still have some time.

viajero123 comments on Cedula, Army card ( Libreta militar)

"It's been a year since I applied for the new cedulas for my son and I and also for his libreta militar and so far nothing have arrived" Kat, a friend of mine just turned 18, but he's think that by applying for his cedula and Libreta Militar at the London consulate because he will be drafted into the army. How did your son get around this?

viajero123 comments on How to get a cheap plane ticket to Colombia

"Note: Colombians visiting the USA as a tourist also need a return ticket. " From: http://prague.usembassy.gov/faq_q40.html "I have a visa; do I also need a return ticket? If you hold a visa of any classification, including a B-1/B-2 visa, you are not required to hold a return ticket; you may enter the United States on a one-way ticket. " Only people entering the US without a visa need a return ticket, but Colombians need a visa so they don't need a reutrn ticket to enter the US.

viajero123 comments on Travel in Colombia Passport or only Student Visa

From your post, I understand you´re already in Colombia, and are going to take some internal flights. My experience with my gf is that she has been able to fly all over Colombia with only her Cédula de Extranjería. She´s been ok with Aires and Avianca, and with security staff at the airport.

viajero123 comments on Mail Forwarding

These are a few companies that do mail forwarding from Miami: Servientrega 2234 NW 82nd Ave. Miami, FL 33122 Tel: 1-786-331-9001 Ultrabox: info at ultrabox.com Calle 119 No 15-A-26 Oficina 408 Bogotá Colombia PBX 6203052. TCC: http://www.tcc.com.co/site/Default.aspx?tabid=1527 8332 NW 30 TERRACE DORAL Miami, FL 33122 Teléfono: (305) 4 99 99 38 / Fax 305-4999928 Tranexco: Bogotá Trv 93 # 53-32 int 35 PBX(0571) 2 76 12 16 http://www.tranexco.com/default.aspx?IdContenido=4

viajero123 comments on hoy jueves noviembre 12 DIA SIN CARRO

This is great new that they´re also doing it in Cali. It´s a chance for many car users to realise that they can carry out their normal activities without a car.

viajero123 comments on sending a picture from bogota to illinois

Look for the closest 4-72 office > http://www.4-72.com.co/seccion/oficinas and use them. They are the cheapest, they take a while, and they might be a little unreliable, but I think that most likely it will arrive.

viajero123 comments on Recommendations for banks and foreign money transfers?

I would try Helm Bank (former Banco de Credito). They can be expensive but really efficient (relative to other banks) and they have a branch in Miami. Downside is they don't have a bunch of branches.

viajero123 comments on Best way to send money to colombia!

It is not possible to send money to a Colombian via Paypal, unless they have a US address and a US bank account, and a US debit/credit card billed to the registered US address. Othrwise, they can ONLY use it to SEND money with their Colombian credit card.

viajero123 comments on Best way to send money to colombia!

Bill, can he pay Fortexpress from the US?

viajero123 comments on Flying International from Colombia

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/bogot-or-medelln-to-lima-return-now-200-cheaper/ Ask johnny about Chile, he'll know the cheapest way.

viajero123 comments on Best way to send money to colombia!

Just buy the present and send it to one of the mail forwarders in Miami. They'll send it to an address in Colombia very fast and at good rates and charge your credit card.

viajero123 comments on Aires FLL - BOG Flights Begin Nov. 25th

"Méndez señaló que de manera gradual Aires empezará también la operación desde Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Pereira y Cali hacia Fort Lauderdale, así como la ruta entre Nueva York y Bogotá, que empezará a funcionar a mediados de 2010. La aerolínea mantendrá en estas rutas las bajas tarifas que la han caracterizado." http://www.larepublica.com.co/archivos/EMPRESAS/2009-11-10/aires-toma-vuelo-hacia-estados-unidos_87292.php "Aires will also gradually start to operate flights out of Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Pereira and Cali to Ft. Lauderdale, as well as the route between Bogota and New York that will start mid-2010."

viajero123 comments on Two Bogota pubs

I won't be hereI won't be here. We could go the following weekend though!

viajero123 comments on Colombians and arroz blanco.

Great post johnny! It makes it seem like you actually did find you vocation in this life in food.

viajero123 comments on Chavez is lining up, but would the US public support another war effort

I doubt they US would get very involved. They might help with intelligence and maybe a small, concise operation to coup Chavez.

viajero123 comments on Colombians and arroz blanco.

My mother loves using wild rice, but I believe the one she gets is American. I'll take your offer Johnny! Maybe after Chispas Bar some day? Although not this weekend. Rice is taxed so heavily because we have very wealthy, powerful local producers, mainly in Tolima, Huila and Los Llanos. I believe only rice from other Andean countries can be imported duty free, but it is subject to yearly quotas.

viajero123 comments on INTERNET PROVIDER

Check out Telmex, no personal experience in Sta. Marta, but I know they offer service there.

viajero123 comments on Two Bogota pubs

web, have you been to it? I read it on the news about it, I'm curious about how good it actually is.

viajero123 comments on Two Bogota pubs

yes, they are different. The one web psoted is on Calle 26, Hotel Tequendama.

viajero123 comments on One-way flight from BAQ, SMR or CTG to FLL or MIA- What is the best price you have found?

johnny, were you a travel agent in a previous life?

viajero123 comments on One-way flight from BAQ, SMR or CTG to FLL or MIA- What is the best price you have found?

Flights starting in Colombia are always more expensive due to a bunch of government dictated taxes and fees . Spirit's website seems unable to sell one-way flights originating in Colombia, although they do sell roundtrip flights from Colombia. Check Avianca and Expedia for one way flights to Miami from CTG or BAQ, they seem to be going for $500 in December. Or try to buy a flight to FLL with Aires via Bogota.

viajero123 comments on Capital One Direct Banking account withdrawl @ Carrefour in Barranquilla

"I always said those Capital one cards were to good to be true.." PCL, what's the difference between the Capital One cards and then Fidelity Smart Cash Account card?

viajero123 comments on What Do You Hate About Colombia?

"In Bogota, the weather isn't great and there are a lot of college students with problems" Haha, I wonder what you mean with "a lot of college students with problems"

viajero123 comments on Capital One ATM card not working

thanks Ma. Hey, on another post you were also talking about using Interbolsa to transfer money in and out of the country efficiently. Do you have more info on how it works, ease of the process and maybe how much it costs?

viajero123 comments on Colombian flora - a request to Bill

The weather in Somondoco is VERY different to the one in B/quilla, so after knowing their Latin name, the next thing you might want to find out is their weather requirements.

viajero123 comments on Dollar up up and away

MaBarker, can you explain how to do that with Interbolsa?

viajero123 comments on Capital One ATM card not working

You are asked to select "checking account", "savings account" or "credit card" when using the Capital One money market ATM card, which one should you select, since it is an ATM card (not a debit or credit card)?

viajero123 comments on The cost of everything in Bogota.

Exito bought Carulla officially, and by the way, Exito is mostly owned by the French company Casino.

viajero123 comments on Depositing large amount of money in a Colombian bank

marlyog, I´d still give it a shot at sending them via mail by trying different carriers in Valledupar (Servientrega, Deprisa). You don´t lose anything by trying. And just try to wrap the cheques well inside a thicker sheet of paper inside an open envelope ready for inspection. Close the envelope when the person at the mailing company tells you you can close it. Just don´t say they are cheques if you´re explicitly asked. Say they are documents, which they are. When I sent some (they were below $10.000 though, but the amount was never asked), one DHL office asked explicitly if they were money instruments so I had to say yes and they refused to take them. But then at another DHL office they took the envelopes after a fast inspection, and sent them to the US.

viajero123 comments on December flight deals to Bogotá

There also cheap flights (in November though) from Colombia to Madrid or Barcelona via Avianca for US$722.

viajero123 comments on Entry Fee required to enter Colombia?

charlysito71, tell the airline you´ve been here less than 60 days so the exit tax wil reduce. Then at the airport you´ll have to go to the tax exemption window and get a stamp and a paper. Did you get a DAS entry stamp in Cartagena? Anyone there has had any experiences coming in through Cucuta? A friend crossed the border into Colombia without problems and then went to Cucuta airport to catch a flight to Bogota and was told by Avianca that she had to pay a "impuesto fronterizo" that had not been included in the ticket. Avianca call centre insists all taxes were paid at the time of booking. They still made her pay. Any experiences?

viajero123 comments on Depositing large amount of money in a Colombian bank

marlydog, check www.aires.aero for flights from BOG to FLL as well. Some people here have said that their US Citibank account has been charged for using Citibank ATMs in Colombia. If your plan is to transfer between a Citibank account in the US and one in Colombia, then make sure first that you open the Colombian one, it is reportedly pretty impossible.

viajero123 comments on Depositing large amount of money in a Colombian bank

The same company that forwarded the cheques from Miami can forward your ATM card, just make sure it is deactivated. Also make sure you have an account taht charges no fees, like Capital One or other banks mentioned by some members. For such a sum, I'd have several cards so you can withdraw many times on the same day. As for DHL in Valledupar, I'd just go to a Deprisa or Servientrega. They offer to send documents internationally with tracking number sometimes via DHL or Fedex so that shouldn't be a worry. About them not allowing cheques to be sent, then just put them in an open envelope with some sort of thick sheet of paper where you can write your account info for the bank. If asked, tell them it's documents. If they inspect closely and don't agree, then try several other agents and at least you know you tried and it can't be done. I did it.

viajero123 comments on Depositing large amount of money in a Colombian bank

I've also received chequees from the US several times via regular mail with no problems. I've mailed cheques to a bank in the US via 4-72 (then adpostal) and via DHL. When asked about the contents, I say it is an envelope with important documents and that's it. By the way, is this an investment you're making and maybe you want to apply for a visa with it? Maybe the ATM doesn't work for those purposs but I've read here that someone was able to register ATM receipts with Banrepublica.

viajero123 comments on Depositing large amount of money in a Colombian bank

Unless you are already travelling to the US, why not just DHL them?

viajero123 comments on need to find sites to purchase DVDs online for someone in Colombia

A good option is to buy it in the US and have it sent to an address in Colombia via one of the services discussed in this post: http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/fort-express-is-great/

viajero123 comments on Buying good wine in Santa Marta

I always have a problem with white wine in Santa Marta when I buy in Exito and Carrefour. The cork seems to soften due to maybe the weather/humidity/bad storage conditions so I've ruined a few bottles while opening them.