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Hi folks,
I'm planning to visit Colombia (probably Medellin, but am flexible) in June / July for a few weeks. I want to study Spanish at a language school while I'm there. Stay somewhere where I can study and sample some of the local delights (nightlife etc).
Has anyone got any recommendations they can share?
Thanks so much guys.
Learned my lesson long ago to check on local holidays before scheduling a trip, especially to Colombia, they seem to have more holidays and holy days then any other Latin American country I've been to. So anyway planning to go to Bogota in March. They have a national Holiday on March 21st, St. Joseph day. How big of a deal is this holiday and will it have any impact on my hobby?
[QUOTE=LatinaLover#1;1680470]Learned my lesson long ago to check on local holidays before scheduling a trip, especially to Colombia, they seem to have more holidays and holy days then any other Latin American country I've been to. So anyway planning to go to Bogota in March. They have a national Holiday on March 21st, St. Joseph day. How big of a deal is this holiday and will it have any impact on my hobby?[/QUOTE]Yes, they use any excuse to have a holiday! Most casas and businesses are closed. BTW, I think you meant March 23rd. Most national holidays are on a Monday (and I looked it up). If you ask, most people don't even know what the holiday is for. Just that they will be closed!
[QUOTE=Hioctane;1680479]Yes, they use any excuse to have a holiday! Most casas and businesses are closed. BTW, I think you meant March 23rd. Most national holidays are on a Monday (and I looked it up). If you ask, most people don't even know what the holiday is for. Just that they will be closed![/QUOTE]Correct, they always move the holiday to Monday, got to love Colombia jajaj! Doesn't appear to be a big holiday. I'm sure banks ect will be closed but I would think the bars and prepagos will be business as usual.
For what? What are you looking for him to guide you to? Cartagena is laid out pretty simple.
[QUOTE=Shamester;1676350]Anyone know of a good English speaking guide for Cartagena?[/QUOTE]
There's a lot of English spoken in the Spanish colonial, walled-in old town. Just get a map and go for it.
What makes a great gift for your favorite chica is to bring down an older laptop you are no longer using and convert it to windows spanish. I had one converted 3 years ago and today just picked up a converted 4 year old win7 10"notebook I had brought down this trip. The same guy did it again for only 30 k cop. PM me for store address. Obviously it is a pirated program so I do not want Billy Gates or Obuma and on another seek and destroy mission.
[QUOTE=BayBoy;1680864]There's a lot of English spoken in the Spanish colonial, walled-in old town. Just get a map and go for it.[/QUOTE]I cannot believe what I am reading above, as the mind of the old man must be deteriorating to make an inaccurate post like this. Definitely clueless. Do not come to Cartagena and expect to find any English speakers, as they are far and few in between no matter what area you are in.
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw7fMPIks4E[/URL]
I've known about this drug for many years. I've never been a victim or even seen it but it does exist and an average of 3 dosing are reported a day in Bogota. In a city of 8 plus million the odds are in your favor but always be aware. Area bars in Sante Fe are probably the most likely target but could happen anywhere. Never leave your drink unattended.
[QUOTE=OldParr;1688245]I cannot believe what I am reading above, as the mind of the old man must be deteriorating to make an inaccurate post like this. Definitely clueless. Do not come to Cartagena and expect to find any English speakers, as they are far and few in between no matter what area you are in.[/QUOTE]The last time I was in old city I saw and heard lots of English speakers, they were all wearing plaid shorts, sandals, small backpack, camera strapped around their neck, and a tour map in their hand.
[QUOTE=LatinaLover#1;1688415][URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw7fMPIks4E[/URL]
I've known about this drug for many years. I've never been a victim or even seen it but it does exist and an average of 3 dosing are reported a day in Bogota. In a city of 8 plus million the odds are in your favor but always be aware. Area bars in Sante Fe are probably the most likely target but could happen anywhere. Never leave your drink unattended.[/QUOTE]When I tried to open in Colombia, this is what I saw.
This video contains content from Fox International Channels, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.
This same guy did one for Buenos Aires, Argentina also.
[url]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv02tk_national-geographic-scam-city-buenos-aires_shortfilms[/url]
[QUOTE=LatinaLover#1;1688415][URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw7fMPIks4E[/URL]
I've known about this drug for many years. I've never been a victim or even seen it but it does exist and an average of 3 dosing are reported a day in Bogota. In a city of 8 plus million the odds are in your favor but always be aware. Area bars in Sante Fe are probably the most likely target but could happen anywhere. Never leave your drink unattended.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Bart1;1688596]When I tried to open in Colombia, this is what I saw.
This video contains content from Fox International Channels, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.[/QUOTE]Try to google, Scam city, Bogota videos. You my be able to get it that way.
I am planning to go to Colombia in the next few months. I will be going to Medellin for sure. I like to visit another city as well. Between Bogota, Cali and Cartagena, which one is better to visit and has a better nightlife. I may stay in the country for 10- 12 days. Any feedback in great.
March 22 2015:
For the first time in a decade, the top 10 happiest countries in the world are all in Latin America, according to the 2014 Gallup Positive Experience Index.
Paraguay placed first out of 143 countries, with its people reporting the most positive emotions on a daily basis, according to the survey. Gallup researchers released the results for the United Nations' third annual International Day of Happiness today (March 20).
To gauge happiness levels around the world, researchers interviewed about 1,000 people in each country, either in person or over the phone. All of the participants were age 15 or older, and answered questions about how happy they felt the day before.
More than 70 percent of the respondents worldwide said they experienced enjoyment; smiled or laughed; felt well rested; and thought they were treated with respect, the poll found. What's more, half of the participants said they had learned or did something interesting the day before the interview, according to the poll.
Gallup researchers compiled a "positive experience index score" for each country based on the responses to these five questions. Overall, the world has an average index score of 71 out of 100, but all of the Latin American countries that ranked in the top 10 scored higher than that.
Here are the 10 happiest countries, listed with their positive experience index scores:
1. Paraguay, 89.
2. Colombia, 84.
3. Ecuador, 84.
4. Guatemala, 84.
5. Honduras, 82.
6. Panama, 82.
7. Venezuela, 82.
8. Costa Rica, 81.
9. El Salvador, 81.
10. Nicaragua, 81.
The United States received a score of 79, making it the 15th happiest country in the world, tied with 11 other countries, including Argentina and Canada.
People reported feeling happy even in war-torn countries, "perhaps testimony of the resiliency of the human spirit," Gallup officials said in a statement.