General Info

Following the fantastic forum feedback (zero!) on my question regarding lovehouses / short-time motels in Colombia.

I got some private input from Col Bog1 and Johan007 (You Guys Rocks! :) )

So, to help other members searching for lovehouses around Colombia, here comes a list: (from the Colombian "Yellow pages")

I have not tested any of these myself, but if you have + or - from some motel, please contribute to the forum.

Now to the list.

Barranquilla:

[url]http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/companyCategory.aspx?ipa=*&npa=Todos+los+Pa%edses&idi=1&txb=moteles&nci=barranquilla+[/url]

Bogota:

[url]http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/companyCategory.aspx?ipa=*&npa=Todos+los+Pa%edses&idi=1&txb=moteles&nci=bogota[/url]

Cali:

[url]http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/companyCategory.aspx?ipa=*&npa=Todos+los+Pa%edses&idi=1&txb=moteles&nci=cali[/url]

Cartagena:

[url]http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/companyCategory.aspx?ipa=*&npa=Todos+los+Pa%edses&idi=1&txb=moteles&nci=cartagena[/url]

Medellin:

[url]http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/companyCategory.aspx?ipa=*&npa=Todos+los+Pa%edses&idi=1&txb=moteles&nci=medellin[/url]

Santa Marta:

[url]http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/web/companyCategory.aspx?ipa=*&npa=Todos+los+Pa%edses&idi=1&txb=moteles&nci=santa+marta[/url]

Final words: Again, thanks to all you members who contribute to the better of the forum.

Happy Hunting / Ken Apples

Thank you Addicted to Women.

I will keep you in mind. Certifications are extremely important if you plan to resell on line. Its less important if you resell to a reputable dealer with the equipment to check the 4 Cs.

Another message board suggested the following Bogota locations:

[url]www.colomguia.com/Paginasdirectorio/Joyerias/joyas3.htm[/url]

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Keeps pounding the fact that F.A.R.C. was totally out smarted. I wish they would shut up already, before they drive the rebels into town to replace their missing americans. Now is a glorious time to be colombian, but might be a good time to let the dust settle before returning as a monger. I think I will head back to Northern Chile for awhile.

What is the situation with Visas to Colombia? How long is it possible to stay on a tourist visa? Is there any kind of retirement visa? What do you do about long stay if you plan to live there?

Thanks,

Khun Talung

You can stay up to 90 days if you are a US citizen without a visa.

For more information on Colombia Visas Check [url]http://www.visascolombia.com[/url]

[QUOTE=Looking For Eden]You can stay up to 90 days if you are a US citizen without a visa.[/QUOTE]Actually you can stay no more than 180 days in a calendar year without a VISA. You normally get a stamp for 60 days on arrival. You can get 30-day extensions at the local DAS office.

There are many kinds of VISAs including retirement. The Rentista VISA is the easiest to get. You need to get the first Rentista VISA outside of Colombia.

[QUOTE=Tom 33]There are many kinds of VISAs including retirement. The Rentista VISA is the easiest to get. You need to get the first Rentista VISA outside of Colombia.[/QUOTE]Tom

What's a rentista visa?

[QUOTE=AddictedToWomen]Tom

What's a rentista visa?[/QUOTE]It is a VISA granted to, among other nationalities, US citizens who have an income of US$2000 per month or US$24,000 in cash or stock. The dollar amounts may be a little higher now. The VISA is granted for one year and can be renewed in Colombia with proof of income or assets.

[QUOTE=Bango Cheito]Likewise, I have only ever been to Bogota and the surrounding area, never been past Melgar, but from what I've seen first-hand.

There are sizeable communities in Bogota of Brazilians and Cubans, plus LOTS of people from Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina, etc. And there are whole areas of town inhabited by almost nothing but Paisas, other areas inhabited by almost nothing but Costeños, others almost entirely by Vallunos, others by Boyacos etc. Not to mention out of the 3 million people that have been displaced in Colombia over the past 50 years at LEAST 50% of them have wound up in Bogota.

And BTW Facebook is MASSIVE in Colombia, just like Orkut is in Brazil. And as far as I'm concerned the average Rolo is more progressive minded in many ways than the average New Yorker or Angelino even.[/QUOTE]Bango Cheito,

Bogota is the exception, not the rule. Based on your own comments above, you know little or nothing about Colombia outside of Bogota. That's fine, but you should have stated that originally.

It would be an error to generalize about American culture based on experiences limited to New York City. Likewise, generalizations about Colombia cannot be made by people whose experiences are limited to Bogota.

Bogota is the exception, not the rule.

Again, Colombians of any age do not use matchmaking services of any kind to meet other Colombians. There are no fraternities/sororities at Colombian universities. There are no dating agencies for busy young professional adults in Colombia.

Matchmaking services are contrary to Colombian culture. That is my point. What is your point?

Thanks for the replies. I checked into the Colombian Consulate website, which I should have thought of before bothering everyone (sometimes I don't know where my mind is). I think I can easily qualify for the Pensioner Visa, since I've been retired from the U. S. Army since 1973 (when I was 24), and I'm now just short of being 59 and get a good check. I'm not sure what the minimum monthly wage is in Colombia, but I bet I exceed the 10 months required. I couldn't find a listing for a Rentista Visa. I'll probably go to the Consulate in Atlanta, where my parents live and from where I'll be departing, and either get a tourist visa, or just go for the Retired Visa and be done with it.

I've just finished reading the entire General Information section, some 84 pages, it took 3 or 4 days off and on. An incredible amount of good information, I took notes. Among many, I'd like to thank Ricker for his reasoned replies and posts, and Surfer for suggesting I check out Manizales, Periera and Armenia as possible places to settle down and live, as they are smaller and SAFER than Medellin.

Having gone through 13 years of living in Thailand, 8 years of visiting KM11, and 5 years of living with a wonderful, but still Thai, young woman, I think that hooking into the prepago networks in what ever city I decide on would be the best bet for me. Variety certainly is the spice of life, and while being in love with someone is something special, living with them can get to be a burden. And unless the relationship is truly extraordinary, in the end people get tired of each other. So much more preferable to have someone come over when you need them, and have the rest of your life to yourself.

I hope to visit Colombia to look around this coming April, and may ask for recommendations as the time gets nearer.

Thanks again, Khun Talung. Or, as I may soon become, Senor Disgraciado

[QUOTE=Khun Talung] ... I hope to visit Colombia to look around this coming April, and may ask for recommendations as the time gets nearer.

Thanks again, Khun Talung. Or, as I may soon become, Senor Disgraciado ...[/QUOTE]Welcome aboard amigo!

If you're moving to Colombia though, I don't think Senor Desgraciado is a fitting name for you.
You know it means that you are an unlucky, less fortunate person ... desgraciado.

I would think Senor Afortunado would be more appropriate. :)

Good luck!

Yes, I certainly have been fortunate. Wounded at 23 after an exciting four years as a helicopter door gunner, I was lucky enough not to have been killed, and to have the rest of my life to do as I pleased with a government pension check. I've been able to travel around, live where I pleased, and not been beaten down by having to work. Fortunate indeed! What could I have done in the last life to deserve this?

I thought 'disgraciado' meant 'ungracious'. Obviously, I should take some Spanish lessons before I go. I was looking for 'Mr Rude', as in making inappropriate comments to women. Of course, I would only use that as a board name, not with the public. Nor would I be rude with women.

I think there are some dance studios here in Pattaya, I may try to take some Salsa lessons too.

Thanks to BdHbz for the link to latinamericancupid.com. I plugged in Man looking for Woman, 18-24, in Colombia, and on the first page that came up was Marlin, from Cerete. Oh my.

And some of the ladies were interested in men 18-88. Could these be prepagos? Did they overlook the age filter, or, are they up for anything with a heartbeat (and a wallet)?

I have to say, that thinking about Colombia has done the same thing for me that discovering KM11 did after 6 months of Marine Disco area starfish. Given me a new lease on life. I'm more enthusiastic and my mind is more energetic. I'm really looking forward to it.

Thanks to everyone for their contributions,

KT

[QUOTE=Khun Talung]Thanks for the replies. I checked into the Colombian Consulate website, which I should have thought of before bothering everyone (sometimes I don't know where my mind is). I think I can easily qualify for the Pensioner Visa, since I've been retired from the U. S. Army since 1973 (when I was 24), and I'm now just short of being 59 and get a good check. I'm not sure what the minimum monthly wage is in Colombia, but I bet I exceed the 10 months required. I couldn't find a listing for a Rentista Visa. I'll probably go to the Consulate in Atlanta, where my parents live and from where I'll be departing, and either get a tourist visa, or just go for the Retired Visa and be done with it.

I've just finished reading the entire General Information section, some 84 pages, it took 3 or 4 days off and on. An incredible amount of good information, I took notes. Among many, I'd like to thank Ricker for his reasoned replies and posts, and Surfer for suggesting I check out Manizales, Periera and Armenia as possible places to settle down and live, as they are smaller and SAFER than Medellin.

Having gone through 13 years of living in Thailand, 8 years of visiting KM11, and 5 years of living with a wonderful, but still Thai, young woman, I think that hooking into the prepago networks in what ever city I decide on would be the best bet for me. Variety certainly is the spice of life, and while being in love with someone is something special, living with them can get to be a burden. And unless the relationship is truly extraordinary, in the end people get tired of each other. So much more preferable to have someone come over when you need them, and have the rest of your life to yourself.

I hope to visit Colombia to look around this coming April, and may ask for recommendations as the time gets nearer.

Thanks again, Khun Talung. Or, as I may soon become, Senor Disgraciado[/QUOTE]You can get the first Pensionado VISA while you are in Colombia, but you have to do that in Bogotá. Courier services can be used to avoid the trip to BOG. And I know of people who have gotten the Pensionado VISA with quite small pensions. The stated minimum does not seem to apply.

You don't need to get a tourist VISA. All you have to do is present a US passport at entry, and they will stamp the tourist "VISA" onto your passport. They normally give 60 days at entry.

My point is simply that I think you are wrong, and that they are NOT contrary to Colombian culture, that in fact they are a better fit with Colombian culture than with North American culture. And I already stated my reasons why.

77% of Colombians live in cities, and frankly I doubt ANYBODY in this forum is going to have much truck with too many of the other 23%.