World Citizen has left 25 comments

World Citizen comments on Needing help about getting married in colombia

You don't need to get confirmed I just got married in a catholic ceremony with an american who is not even baptized. He didn't have to get baptized or get confirmed.

You have to take the marriage preparation course but you can do that in your country and your wife can do it in Colombia. You don't have to do it together. We even took one that with a non-denomination group and it was OK.


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Uribe good for Colombia?

Uribe has been a mixed blessing for Colombia.. - He has pushed the fumigation of National parks and small farmers crops.
- He has allowed paramilitaries to give their weapons up and get their crimes forgotten... some may get financial benefits (to be reinserted into society)that nobody in Colombia ever gets.
- He has pushed an agricultural trade agreement without the sufficient backing for the very few farmers that still make a living out of agriculture in Colombia.
- He has changed the constitution to be reelected... legal or not... absolutely unethical.


But hey...

- You do see army EVERYWHERE in the roads. I was able to travel with 3 very white americans all the way from Bogota to Cali, stoping in many small towns and feeling relatively safe. Something that I would have never done a few years ago.
- Colombians feel positive, trust the president (no the government) and believe things are going to change for better. Major steps for a real change!
- International investors are looking at Colombia again.
- Kidnapping rates decreased
- Last year those who had investments in the Colombian markets had an absolutely fantastic year.





Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Roll call for Colombianos and Colombianas..... Say "Presente!!!!".....

I´m 100% Colombian I read PBH every single day. I don´t participate in many of the discussions because I feel there is a huge lack of tolerance around. Many excellent topics become personal, people get too sensitive and over react. I don´t expect agreements in many of the discussions... there is no need for it. The topics become very boring when instead of rational debate becomes emotional defensive/ofensive chit chat between the people who "dominate" the site.

In any way, I am Colombian, I love my country very much and miss it deadly (except for the last 3-4 days... I just landed at el Dorado, YAY!!!)

Cheers


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Something Heartwarming for a Change

Refugee in the news... Very corageous... but the Colombian guy is a refugee in Canada.... yet his picture is in the news... in a free online newspaper. I hope his refugee claim is not real or at this time whoever was "threatening" his life may now know where to pay him a visit.

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Human Excrement Problem in Medellin

The shitty reality of the homeless... even in Canada A few months ago I was walking downtown Victoria, BC with a friend of mine. We were speaking about the increasing number of homeless and drug users/dealers in the area, when to our surprise... a few meters in front of us there is a men putting his pants down, exposing his bumb to us and starting to defecate. I believe that being homeless is bad enough; it causes social rejection and thus deteriorates self-steem etc etc. But having to poop wherever you can??? for god sake, that's just way too crappy!!! How can it be that in developed countries...in a provincial capital city as Victoria is, there are not public washrooms or port-a-potties downtown... I mean the ones that EVERYBODY, even the homeless can use. I just found out that "according to the Public Toilet Act, in effect in B.C. since 1979, money cannot be charged for public washroom use"... but then... no free ones eiher? what a full of shit situation.

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Children learning English and Spanish at the same time

Sorry for contradicting you rubiazo... But when you say that "If somebody can't learn to speak like the locals in a new enviromnent, the issue is PSYCHOLOGICAL, not physiological!" is not completely true.

Learning a second language does change the brain anatony and therefore physiology (to a very small extent). I remember reading an article in a scientific journal but I cannot recall it now. It pretty much explains that the brain stops developing the area in charge of mastering a language at the age of 8 or 10. BUT learning a second language when you are and adult does "stimulate" ANOTHER area of the brain... that's why most ESL students get very tired... mentally and often experience head aches.

What is even more interesting is that learning a second language is related to an increase (I'm not saying directly proportional) in grey matter. Is not that amaizing? Here is an article on this topic:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6242853/

Cheers!


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

Is it a choice? I dislike the idea that globalization and markets integration is unavoidable BUT as a matter of fact I believe it is not a choice for developing countries. The IMF and WB loans and financial "aid" is tight to the neoliberal agenda, structural adjustments (privatization, liberalization etc.). Colombia is not prepared for trade agreements with developed countries. The 1991 economic opening in Colombia devastated local industries and small businesses... but that is not the only problem. While the US has pretended they had remove tariffs and other barriers it has increased madly non-tariff barriers. Ask Mexico about it... sanitary and ohytosanytary standards are insane and costly. Mexico has been playing the game since early 1990s previous the signing of the 1994 NAFTA yet it is just now that they are catching up with some of the policies. Colombia has not done ANYTHING about non-tariff standards. We want to export everything we think we have a competitive advantage on(form chontaduros and achiras to panties) but we don't know the playground; we don't have real protocols. I know we will need to learn it but we should do it BEFORE entering into the agreements. We need to learn what it happening withthe EurepGAP, CODEX alimentarius etc etc etc. I have heard Colombians saying about the infinite number of products we can export (fruits, flowers, garments etc) but it is often a entreprenuer Colombian guy planning to open a market on his own and profit. It is NOT the way. we need a strong policy for it. We need a governemnt that supports this things and so major lobbying in other countries manily the US and Canada. we need standards that regulate production, packing, shipping etc. We are far from being ready to take full advantage of the integration of markets and trade agreemets.

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Study abroad- UN vs. Los Andes?

I didn't know about the transmilenio station close to La Nacional, that helps for sure!

PGScooter, taking a class in one university while being registered to a program in the other should not be expensive at all. Some of the professors teach in both schools... at least it was like that for my program. Or one school may offer classes or electives that the other one does not.

The reason why I'm suggesting you try both schools is because you can take advantage of two completely different experiences. Los Andes is a private school where many Economics and Pol Sc. profs are active players of the national economy and political life. Many of them have grad degrees from U.S nniversities and therefore may be more influenced by the neoliberal trend etc. However, that doesn't mean that if you take classes there you have to agree with those theories and/or be right wing. It is in my opinion just the (more realistic) way to see where Colombia is going to... for good or bad. Many students are bilingual because they belong to the wealthier classes that can afford bilingual schools. That doesn't mean all of them are shallow brats (there are exceptions of course)... MANY are liberal, well educated, smart people.

I love La Nacional. Plenty of culture and diversity as well... and wonderful profs. Very critical students due to the assorted backgrounds. You will find many very bright kids with enormous talent. Huge campus; tons of stuff always going on. However, the only thing that bothers me about the national Univ. is that some students AND profs are extremely bias. For SOME of them, if you study in a private university or school it is implicit that you are rich, stupid, right wing and part of the poverty problem in Colombia. Of course that has some true... but that's not very objective. I believe schooling is more than getting a degree... in a country like Colombia, education should be synonym of tolerance.

But any way... what I'm saying is take advantage of the two worlds, none is better than the other; they just see Colombia through a different lense.

Cheers and Good Luck!

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Prestigious Jobs in Colombia That Are No Big Deal in Your Country?

Generational change? My father, a Colobian lawyers in his late 60's washes his car and does most of the repairs at home. He could easily afford somebody to do it for him but he does enjoy it doing it himself. He fixes everything he finds is not working at home. however don't ask him where the spoons are in the kitchen... he does not know how to fry an egg. My brother, an engineer in his early 30s can not change a bulb by himself. He hates any manual task and would not get grease in his hands.

My father in law, an American/Canadian in his mid 60s is the most amaizing handyman I have ever seen. He is an academic (with a PhD and full time position at a Univ.). He does amaizing jobs in his home...he has great tools and is always fixing stuff. My fiance, a Canadian guy in his early 30s is a computer guy and even though he says he likes handy work... I'm the one changing bulbs, fixing things in the washroom, kitchen, doors etc. I thank my dad who use to ask me to at least hold a light or a tool while he was working on his car or anything. As a child I found it interesting, as a teenager I hated it and thought I could be doing better things with my time... as a quasimarried woman I'm very happy I'm not afraid of using a hammer or any tool. :)

Cheers!

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Study abroad- UN vs. Los Andes?

why not both? You may try to take classess in both universities. You may register to a program in say Los Andes and take a class (not offered in Los Andes) at the U. Nacional. You may need to do some talking in both schools and see how they homologate credits & grades for you...whereas this is not a common thing it is attainable.

If you do that be aware of the distances between the two schools and your class schedule. Peak hours in Bogota can be a pain and you may spend too long from one campus to the other.

I graduated from La Javeriana many years ago but took a couple of classes at La Nacional. Great experience!

Cheers!



Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena

Gator, Thanks for the info... mmmm, I'm getting hungry :)

Last year I went to Cartagena for a few days. I went to La Fragata and most of the time we were completely alone in the restaurant. The food and service was fine; I'm still wondering if the restaurant is dying. I remember that for a long time this was a well known restaurant... maybe not any amore. I will try some of the places so have mentioned. Thanks a lot!



Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Canada looking to speed up the immigration process

Still, I love Canada!!! Wonderful country.

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Canada looking to speed up the immigration process

Rain in Bogota... rain in Victoria I'm still wondering when is it going to stop raining in Victoria, apparently not before Sunday.... :( But the air is so fresh and nice... it is true that the weather can be like Bogota but the air of the island is just incomparable. Only in the Colombian mountains and paramos it is like this.... I do miss Bogota for MANY reasons, including the weather...but overall the people. I still don't get it about how Canadians befriend each other... I have no trouble getting the time from any of them but here you are one more foreigner as the many asians, east indians, etc etc. That's the main difference... in Colombia people treat (the few) foreigners as gods...but here you are just another person with an accent... who cares?


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on First time to Colombia

Go to Iguaque, Villa de Leyva If you go to Bogota, go to Villa de Leyva. You can spend a few days and visit the Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary. There you would be able to have an AMAIZING hiking experience and enjoy the view of the lakes and the Paramo ecosystem... very unique! Villa de Leyva is the only safe place where I would recomend a foreigner to go for a hike. I know a Biologist who knows the area, has a B&B and take people for the hikes with guides and all the required equipment. If you are interested let me know I can try to contact him.

Cheers!

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena

Bovedas is full too. Gianna,
Unfortunately The Bovedas the Santa Clara Hotel did not have rooms either.

Gator,
I got discouraged by the pics of Hostel San Diego. I decided on Hotel 3 Banderas.... by looking at the website pics it looks like a nice place. I'm really hoping it is OK.

I would be happy to hear about restaurants in the area...

Gracias!


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Canadian in Bogota wanting to meet people!

Bogotanian in Canada :) Do you speak Spanish? what kind of party/entretainment do you like? I have plenty of friends in Bogota (which I miss very much) but it would be helpful to know if you are more the drinking or dancing or board gaming, video gaming type :) In a very broad sense of course...

In any way, I'm glad you like Bogota. Why don't you try to go to Melgar, or even closer Silvania or Chinauta? It is warmer and a nice way to enjoy different landscapes.

Cheers!


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

World Citizen comments on Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena

No disponibility at Casa La Fe I just learned that there are no rooms for the dates I need at Casa La Fe or at the Bovedas de Santa Clara.

The only info I have gotten about Hostel San Diego is from this website: http://cartagena-hotels.caribbean-trip.com/site/eng/hotel.asp?destino=14&localidad=61&id_hotel=CR651# but the room pictures don't look very appealing. Gator, could you please confirm if this is the place you recommend? May be the pics don't do justice to the actual place.

I'm still searching for a place in the walled city thus all comments are very appreciated.

Cheers!!!

World Citizen comments on Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena

THANKS Thank you for the comments!

I will keep searching for mor info.

World Citizen comments on Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena

Thank you very much Hunter I really appreciate the information.

Have you ever been in Isla Mucura? and/or Isla del Pirata? I'm also arranging for my mother in law and her friend to go to Isla del Pirata... I know they want a peaceful place where they can swim and relax. I'm really hoping Isla del Pirata would be appropiate.

Cheers!

World Citizen comments on Last minute info needed

Notarias I'm not sure what you are asking for. Some notaries (at least in Bogota) do open on Saturday.

Check this website. The notary 19 opens all saturdays from 9am to 1pm
http://www.notaria19.com/press_inicio/start.htm

Also check Notaria 44: (It seems like they open on Saturdays too)
http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/procesos/web.aspx?ie=237494&tipo=1&web=www.notaria44.com

or:
http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/procesos/empresaCategoriaMB.aspx/3873/Notar%C3%ADas/1/Colombia/Notar%C3%ADas_Colombia.htm

World Citizen comments on Which city in Colombia has the most beautiful women?

Viva mestizas, blancas, negras and mulatas!!!!!! My boyfrined likes "white latinas" so he likes Bogotanas and paisas the most. But I saw him "salivating" in Cali, Cartagena, Zipaquira, Cajica etc. for some strata 1 or 0 morenitas that IMHO are not attractive AT ALL. He says he just loves the Colombian way of walking and body gesturing... and then beauty is all over the place. I'm from Bogota but my mom is Calena and my dad is Pereirano...as most Colombians I guess the mestizo or mulato combination is attractive for the very caucasian foreigners :)

World Citizen comments on Why do some Colombians lie for nothing?

I'm sorry... I'm very sorry to hear about your bad experience with Colombians. My real concern is to hear you will never trust a Colombian again or at least not for a long time. We, Colombians, have to deal with a bad reputation wherever we go. Even the ones that are hard working, honest people...yes, there are a bunch.

I don't believe in generalizations but I agree stereotypes have an actual basis. All Colombian smuggles drugs? NO but yesterday it was published in El tiempo that every 14 hours a Colombian gets busted in an Spanish airport with some cocaine. All gringos are rich? No, but in the eyes of any thirld world the income per capita is obviously higher in average... any way... my point is...a re all Colombian liers? or even worse is it part of the culture? is this the result of the unresting conflict we live on? I know there is tons of corruption in my country. I know people try to take advantage of you (foreigners and locals)... but I should better say... I know SOME people... Ok for the peace of some... I know MANY people try to take advantage. Believe me I have been a victim of it before. But believing that EVERYBODY is a lier does not help. If you teach your daughter that all Colombians are liers she will treat everybody with mistrust and IMHO there is where the problem lies... people often do what they are expected to do. I'm not saying it is your fault what happened to you... but do not become part of it... as painful as it is.

World Citizen comments on Wedding reception in Bogota

Wedding details I just read your previous postings. A few comments:

Do not worry much about the details such as your hair etc. If you haven't been in Bogota, you should know it is a big city where you can easily find everything you need. There are MANY hairsaloons and all depends on your budget. There is a place in front of the Unicentro Mall (well known for Bogotanos) which offers everything you need... the gown (rentals, alterations etc), hairdo, facials etc etc. In front of Unicentro (Carrera 15th) you can also find a couple of tuxedo's rental stores.
Also, a guy videotaping the wedding ceremony and reception is very common and never considered tacky. Some of the places that host ceremonies offer this service so you should better check if they allow you to bring your own cameraman.

World Citizen comments on Wedding reception in Bogota

Museo del Chico I'm glad you like it. I have been there before and it is really beautiful.

Happy wedding to you too! :)

World Citizen comments on Wedding reception in Bogota

Beautiful place for a wedding Hi Sonya,
I'm getting married in Bogota. The ceremony and reception will be held in the Museo del Chico. They will arrange anything you want.... or you can hire a private wedding planner. An advantage of the Museo del Chico is the large parking zone. I also find convenient to have the ceremony (catholic in my case) and the reception in the same place. I also like the fact that it is like a country space in the north of Bogota.
The museo has three different salones (more like a little house) to choose from: Casa del parque, Casa del museo and Salon Granahorrar. I love the Casa del museo but la Casa del parque is perfect for 72 people too.
http://www.museodelchico.com/salones.htm

I hope this info is helpful.
Cheers.