General Info

[MiamiHeatLuver]

Read the Goverment report, but you forgot to mention the price offered by the Farc for an american. It has not been put in any papers with the fear of loss of tourist.
This is from a medellin taxi driver and from my girl friend. If you hand an American to the Farc, it is worth 15millon pesos. Thats alot of money for a poor colombian.
Just hope they do not confuse Europeans as Americans too.

Superboy

You think the FARC are going to distinguish an american with somebody else caucasian? They are gonna go through the effort to kidnap you and then you or whoever says "wait im austrailian or wait im british" and they will be like "oh im so very sorry,, let me drop you off back were I picked you up for I thought you were an american!" lol There are risks in any country you go to in the world, Including the states and europe! I think the ole rule of thumb should be If you wanna play sometimes you gotta pay. or better yet dont get in the game if you dont want to play.

[Superboy1]

Read the Goverment report, but you forgot to mention the price offered by the Farc for an american. It has not been put in any papers with the fear of loss of tourist.
This is from a medellin taxi driver and from my girl friend. If you hand an American to the Farc, it is worth 15millon pesos. Thats alot of money for a poor colombian.
Just hope they do not confuse Europeans as Americans too.

Superboy

[Tom 33]

The dollar was almost at 2200, In the last week it has take a MAJOR CRAP NOSE DIVE and is hovering at 2000 and predicted to go lower! I mean W.T.F.??

If you exchanged lets say $1000 usd @ 2200 = 2,200,000

NOW $1000 usd @ 2000 = 2,000,000

That is a difference of 200,000 mil pesos,,, thats like 4 ST or 2 or more TLN'S.. This really sucks..

The rate today is 2086. The Fed rate cut caused the drop. My guess is that the peso will resume it's drop versus the dollar soon. If not, my stock gains more than cover the loss.

[Texas Slim]

Just announced they will not drop interest rates in step with the US Fed. There is alot of talk that they will soon unpeg their currency from the greenback. They hold 3.5 trillion in US financial interests.

[MiamiHeatLuver]

The dollar was almost at 2200, In the last week it has take a MAJOR CRAP NOSE DIVE and is hovering at 2000 and predicted to go lower! I mean W.T.F.??

If you exchanged lets say $1000 usd @ 2200 = 2,200,000

NOW $1000 usd @ 2000 = 2,000,000

That is a difference of 200,000 mil pesos,,, thats like 4 ST or 2 or more TLN'S.. This really sucks..

[Ricker]

Well put. I'm working through this issue right now but i'm having a fricken hard time not wanting to put my dick in every other hot chick that walks buy. My GF is a keeper but I'm screwing my brains out on the side while I decide whether or not to bring her home.

Hahaha ... it's great to have that problem!

I've found that I really enjoy having a girlfriend. A girl that really digs me, worries about me, takes care of me, makes love with passion and carino, etc.
And I really dig her too.

However, I know me. I can't ever be completely faithful ... with sex that is.
I'll always have a little side fun, with no strings. For me that's OK.

I've had the multiple girlfriends at once. That's just too much drama for me. Too much work.

One girlfriend for the love ... and some fun on the side. :)

As far as taking a chica back to the US ... NUNCA ... NEVER. Not for me.
The culture, the women's groups, everything. How can your Colombiana not change.
I've seen it many many times with friends that have done it.

Good luck to todos!

[Scooby1]

Travel Warning

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This information is current as of today, Thu Sep 20 10:00:58 2007.

COLOMBIA
June 04, 2007

This Travel Warning updates ongoing security concerns in Colombia and reminds American citizens of those concerns. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued January 18, 2006.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminals continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural.

Violence has continued to decrease markedly in most urban areas, including Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. The level of violence in Cali, Buenaventura, and the surrounding areas remains high, largely as a result of the illicit drug trade. Many rural areas of Colombia remain extremely dangerous due to the presence of narcoterrorists and Colombian government operations against them.

Terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other criminal organizations, continue to kidnap civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. The FARC have held three American official contractors hostage since February 2003. Although the U.S. government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped Americans, it is U.S. policy not to make concessions to or strike deals with kidnappers. Consequently, the U.S. government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited.

U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia are permitted to travel to major cities in the country, but only by air. They are not allowed to use inter- or intra-city bus transportation. They also are not permitted to travel by road outside of urban areas at night. All Americans in Colombia are urged to follow these precautions.

As the Department develops information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threats through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens should consult warden messages for Colombia at http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc093.shtml, as well as the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Colombia and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

[Tom Cruze]

La Colombiana can make a fantastic girlfriend / mate. They are generally very passionate and loving ... if ... they really dig you.

That's a big "if" and it's key.

Obviously there are lots of fakes, sharks, putas, etc.
The trick is to weed them out and find a chica who really digs you; and when you do, you'll be loved nicely :)

Good luck!

Well put. I'm working through this issue right now but i'm having a fricken hard time not wanting to put my dick in every other hot chick that walks buy. My GF is a keeper but I'm screwing my brains out on the side while I decide whether or not to bring her home.

[Ricker]

Veteran Colombian Mongers and Gents:


How would you rank the Colombiana's in regard to potential long term partners, girlfriends or wives in relation to their worldwide counter parts?

At the bottom of my list for obvious reasons are the U.S., Aussie, and Western European women. The Thais and Filippinas seem to be family oriented, however seem to have a money driven agenda.

I have met some wonderful Colombiana's whom are not only beautiful but seem to be very down to earth and commitment driven with their latina flare for jealousy. However, with that said I have only been to Colombia twice, both short time visits so I really don't have a full grasp on the Colombian culture.

Just a thought of what other perspectives people have on this subject.
Any insight or experienced observation would be greatly appreciated!

La Colombiana can make a fantastic girlfriend / mate. They are generally very passionate and loving ... if ... they really dig you.

That's a big "if" and it's key.

Obviously there are lots of fakes, sharks, putas, etc.
The trick is to weed them out and find a chica who really digs you; and when you do, you'll be loved nicely :)

Good luck!

[Scooby1]

I wonder why that would happen?

I was in Europe during one of the most tense of times in recent history. When the Iraq war began on March 20, 2003, I was alone in a bar in Paris, watching the bombing on television with the locals.

Remember how maligned the French were in America at that time? Freedom fries, boycott the wine, and all that?

Well, I struck up a conversation with several of them. Soon they were buying me drinks, put their arms around my back, and toasted that we are all brothers. We sang songs together and prayed for a quick peace.

Everyone I met traveling across Europe was very gracious to me. Especially the French, our oldest allies.

I am happy to say the same about the wonderful people of Latin America.

I believe that we project our own preconceived notions onto others. If you like the people where you came from, odds are that you will like the people where you are going. That's because they are really no different.

If you look down at people and expect them to treat you badly, you'll probably get that, too.

I have traveled with someone who went around as the "Ugly American." You know, complaining about how things are in the country they are visiting and acting like America's ways are always superior. I was disgusted and embarrassed that she would represent us Americans like that.

I suppose those who go through life threatening to "settle" things by beating people up because of their own insecurities will get into more than their share of fights along the way. That might just be what leaves such a foul taste in ones mouth.

Ultimately, I believe that whether a person does or doesn't like the people from a particular place, it is purely a reflection of their own attitude, not the people they meet.

In the end, it's all about you.

DB

It is usually not the people who are jerks their just regular working stiffs like us, and thats the same in France . Americans were not against the regular ole frence folk it was the goverment of Jacques Chirac. The government does not produce the wine or the cheese or any other product of France. Unfortunatly its the regular people who suffer & bare the brunt of the boycotts because of their idiot government. Its the same with most countries around the world.

[Aussie Mate]

Veteran Colombian Mongers and Gents:


How would you rank the Colombiana's in regard to potential long term partners, girlfriends or wives in relation to their worldwide counter parts?

At the bottom of my list for obvious reasons are the U.S., Aussie, and Western European women. The Thais and Filippinas seem to be family oriented, however seem to have a money driven agenda.

I have met some wonderful Colombiana's whom are not only beautiful but seem to be very down to earth and commitment driven with their latina flare for jealousy. However, with that said I have only been to Colombia twice, both short time visits so I really don't have a full grasp on the Colombian culture.

Just a thought of what other perspectives people have on this subject.
Any insight or experienced observation would be greatly appreciated!

[Phunluv]

I don't like to get political on this forum but regarding U.S. aid to Colombia. . .

MOST of the money from Plan Colombia goes DIRECTLY back to American companies that are involved in this plan. It is NOT money that is just given to the Colombian govt. or Colombian private interests. Of course, Colombia benefits, but naturally, so does the U.S., and in any case, giving money away to a country with well known corruption issues is just a plain bad idea.

These girls might be complaining about the issue of free trade (TLC), which is currently being threatened by the Democratic Party. That seems to be a hot-button issue for some Colombians. And they're probably just a little naive. Remember, many Colombians are naturally defensive about their country saying it's not as dangerous or as bad as people say it is. That's true, but as locals they get so used to the violence and danger level and amount of security, it just becomes background noise. I can't honestly say I felt truly safe in my recent trip to Bogota.

In any case, as long as gringos and Europeans have a taste for coke, and as long as that stays illegal, there will always be serious problems in this country. It is what it is.

[Dodger Bulldog]

Enigma- Go to Europe if you want anti-americanism.
At least the Colombianas did not curse at you and spit at you.

I wonder why that would happen?

I was in Europe during one of the most tense of times in recent history. When the Iraq war began on March 20, 2003, I was alone in a bar in Paris, watching the bombing on television with the locals.

Remember how maligned the French were in America at that time? Freedom fries, boycott the wine, and all that?

Well, I struck up a conversation with several of them. Soon they were buying me drinks, put their arms around my back, and toasted that we are all brothers. We sang songs together and prayed for a quick peace.

Everyone I met traveling across Europe was very gracious to me. Especially the French, our oldest allies.

I am happy to say the same about the wonderful people of Latin America.

I believe that we project our own preconceived notions onto others. If you like the people where you came from, odds are that you will like the people where you are going. That's because they are really no different.

If you look down at people and expect them to treat you badly, you'll probably get that, too.

I have traveled with someone who went around as the "Ugly American." You know, complaining about how things are in the country they are visiting and acting like America's ways are always superior. I was disgusted and embarrassed that she would represent us Americans like that.

I suppose those who go through life threatening to "settle" things by beating people up because of their own insecurities will get into more than their share of fights along the way. That might just be what leaves such a foul taste in ones mouth.

Ultimately, I believe that whether a person does or doesn't like the people from a particular place, it is purely a reflection of their own attitude, not the people they meet.

In the end, it's all about you.

DB

[MiamiHeatLuver]

Interestingly, my Verizon phone does work in Colombia. You can call Colombian cell phone numbers effortlessly, at least the "313" numbers. At the same time, it is not so easy for the girls to call you back (give them your hotel or apartment phone, this gets you around one of the issues madrugada raised). I think it will work in all the major cities, but you phone bill could take a big hit if you use it a lot. It takes incoming calls for the US, no problem.

I turn my t-mobile OFFFFFFF... its $3 a minute... and then my voicemail has my "Internaional Cell number" on it.. a COMCEL.. he he My clients will call me there if need be.. Plus how else are the ladies gonna call you?

[Jelly Donut]

Interestingly, my Verizon phone does work in Colombia. You can call Colombian cell phone numbers effortlessly, at least the "313" numbers. At the same time, it is not so easy for the girls to call you back (give them your hotel or apartment phone, this gets you around one of the issues madrugada raised). I think it will work in all the major cities, but you phone bill could take a big hit if you use it a lot. It takes incoming calls for the US, no problem.

For doing your homework I will require you to pay my next year's subscription to ISG.
Colombia is not on the list of countries in which a Verizon subscriber can roam.

http://mobileoptions.vzw.com/interna...es/Mexico.html