villdkatta has written 16 posts

Litost and JamieJ....

Thank you both for your kind words in the other thread. You're right, and I will heed your advice.

Litost - you're quite a cool person. I hope you're in Colombia next October. Would love to just say hi to you in person.

JamieJ - I really do want to learn and open my mind, so if you don't mind, can we revisit this subject. If giving money to street kids perpetuates the problem (which actually does make sense), what is the answer? Is giving food better, or do you adv ...

By villdkatta on 2004-11-16 04:53:27. 2 comments.

Nomad....

I just wanted to apologize to you for my pissy reply to you last night. Wasn't feeling well, logged onto the internet because I couldn't sleep, well, anyway.... I just wanted to say I apologize. We can agree to disagree on whether to give money or food to street kids, but I'm usually not so pissy about it.

Please accept my sincere apology.

Kim ...

By villdkatta on 2004-11-15 15:12:23. 4 comments.

Dork Needs Spanish Help.....

Can someone please tell me how to say these sentences for my letter? I know the basics in Spanish for some of the letter, but these things below I have no clue. I don't want them to get lost in the translation as they are very important. I promise, I'm taking Spanish classes and am doing well and hopefully won't need help again ;-)

Thank you! I really appreciate it.

"Please let me know if you need anything or have any problems. I am enclosing a stamped envelope so t ...

By villdkatta on 2004-11-12 14:25:54. 14 comments.

World's Most Ignorant Geographical Question

Mexico is connected to Guatemala, to the Honduras, and then Panama, which goes to Colombia, I think; could a person theoretically drive from the US or Mexico to Colombia and back? I realize the different governments may not allow people driving through but theoretically, it could be done?

Kim ...

By villdkatta on 2004-10-31 15:02:10. 26 comments.

Dramatic Travel Tips....

Hola a todos,

I'm getting ready for my trip to Manizales next month, and reading a travel guide to Colombia. One of their tips: "Do not wear khaki or military colored clothing. You may be mistaken for a member of the FARC, ELN, or a guerilla, and the only way these three groups communicate is through shooting... Best to wear somber, dark colors."

Oh, come on! Is this over the top or what? Maybe I'm not being realistic, but this is a little dramatic. I certainly won' ...

By villdkatta on 2004-10-13 17:36:05. 41 comments.

What's a paisa?

I can't find the definition. I've found other definitions of things mentioned here, but can't find that one. Can anyone tell me?

Thanks!

Kim

By villdkatta on 2004-09-09 04:34:31. 13 comments.

Question re: high school in Colombia...

I realize this is probably a stupid question, but I feel compelled to ask - my friend wrote to me, and mentioned his older sister (who I know is going into the 6th grade) will be going into "high school". Do the grades go up to 12 in Colombia and "high school" just starts early? It may be an error in translation; my Spanish is so poor I wouldn't know the difference but the letters are pre-translated.

Thanks!

Kim ...

By villdkatta on 2004-09-07 17:12:06. 12 comments.

Rolling my eyes at the post office...

even though they are just doing their job.

I went to mail a letter global priority today to my friend in Manazales, and had attached two *tiny* pins on the card - a Colombian flag pin and an Once Caldas pin. Very tiny. Well, the envelope didn't lay flat and the lady wigged out. I pleaded, "Does it have to go to customs?" Yep, cause the envelope isn't flat.

Now it will probably get lost and he won't get it. I've also been told that they could charge him for receivin ...

By villdkatta on 2004-08-31 15:06:34. 7 comments.

Rolling my eyes at the post office...

even though they are just doing their job.

I went to mail a letter global priority today to my friend in Manazales, and had attached two *tiny* pins on the card - a Colombian flag pin and an Once Caldas pin. Very tiny. Well, the envelope didn't lay flat and the lady wigged out. I pleaded, "Does it have to go to customs?" Yep, cause the envelope isn't flat.

Now it will probably get lost and he won't get it. I've also been told that they could charge him for receivin ...

By villdkatta on 2004-08-31 15:06:12. 0 comments.

Since we're talking about Spanish all the time....

(not really, but I enjoy the conversation ;-), can someone please tell me how to say these? I'm writing a letter to my kid friend and have most of it down, even though it is very simple. Most of it is written in the "formal" form (usted, etc.). I greatly appreciate your help. My Spanish class starts in one week!

1. "I hope you like these little things I picked up for you."

(actually, they are an Once Caldas pin and a flag of Colombia pin; got them on E.bay from a n ...

By villdkatta on 2004-08-30 14:45:50. 13 comments.

Who Likes to Shop?

and will you help me?

I'm trying to get a little present for my 9 year old pen pal in Manizales. I found this on Virtual Exito.

http://www.virtualexito.com/ProductoTienda.aspx?CurrentCatalog=Tienda&Product=558131

My Spanish is so bad - can you please tell me if this is a good gift, and if it includes cars? It looks like a racetrack and I think he would like it. If it's a totally stupid idea, please let me know; I'm trying to find him something nice b ...

By villdkatta on 2004-07-20 19:32:55. 2 comments.

Rodrigo...

Does your kind offer still stand to help me practice Spanish once in awhile? I would love to just be able to ask an occasional question and learn how to carry on a basic conversation. If you have time, I would much appreciate it!

My address is daughterofsantini at yahoo.com

Thanks so much!

Kim ...

By villdkatta on 2004-06-17 11:45:43. 2 comments.

Do questions on Spanish bother anyone?

If so, I promise to immediately cease. :-)

I'm reviewing my Spanish, after years of high school spanish about 25 years ago and one semester of college Spanish ten years ago. I love the language and always have. This time, I'm mostly self-taught until I can find someone to practice with. Thankfully, my pronounciation is very good, I'm told; but I just need some help with sentence structure.

Two things puzzle me about sentence structure in the current lessons I'm lear ...

By villdkatta on 2004-06-15 19:42:36. 14 comments.

A question about customs...

Hi everyone,

I see a talk about customs a few posts down, but I have one that I haven't seen answered. I hope someone can help me.

What kind of packages are searched? Does anyone know the regulations? I haven't been able to find them posted anywhere on the net. I only have one concern - I heard that if I send a package to my friend in Manizales, customs will impose a surcharge on them for receiving the package that could become very expensive for them. Obviously, I ...

By villdkatta on 2004-06-11 06:56:02. 11 comments.

Teppar....

How did your trip go? I hope it was a great experience!

Kim

By villdkatta on 2004-06-11 06:51:04. 6 comments.

Helping a great boy in Manizales....

Hi everyone, I'm so glad to find this forum, as I am now interested in all things Columbian. I am helping an 8 year old boy in Manizales. I'm starting to save money - I want to send him to college when it comes time.

I'd also like to visit him in Manizales someday, but my husband is worried for me to go there alone; he would have to stay home with our daughters. If someone could help me with these questions, I would appreciate it so much.

My questions are:

1) What is the ...

By villdkatta on 2004-05-15 19:01:00. 19 comments.