Comments for O Colombia

Comment on Is the Only Risk Wanting to Stay? by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:38:21 +0000

…and fellow women! Thanks to you, Annie, for inviting me!

Comment on Is the Only Risk Wanting to Stay? by Annie Burbano

Annie Burbano — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:45:36 +0000

Tom, thanks for being part of the project. As you said your bogs will remain untouched and it is our goal to have expat tell their fellow men their real experiences en Colombia, we are trying to keep it real.
Un saludo

Comment on Lodging in Colombia can be Pricey…Get Hostel! by Shaun

Shaun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:35:53 +0000

Excellent post thanks! We will be blogging our 3 month trip through South America and its good to have recent local recommendations of places to stay

Comment on Is the Only Risk Wanting to Stay? by Francisco Cardenas Gutierrez

Francisco Cardenas Gutierrez — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:56:57 +0000

Dear Tom Germain:

Your blog is excellent and you are very honest and keen observant of my original city (Medellin) and country.

Congratulations,

Frank Cardenas
Washington, DC.

Comment on Lodging in Colombia can be Pricey…Get Hostel! by Newleaf hotels in Pune

Newleaf hotels in Pune — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:03:23 +0000

Awesome Blog. Nice To Read about Lodging in Colombia. Thanks, Tarun

Comment on Adventures in Renting by Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:50:39 +0000

I am looking to retire in Medellin coming there in Jan/Feb 2011.

Any info you can give me on where to stay initially and also renting a 2 bedroom apartment

Thank you in advance

Comment on Will Tomorrow be Summer or Winter? by Colombia weather

Colombia weather — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:28:20 +0000

You are so right about Colombian weather but still after living for about two year in Medellin I would say that I would like Medellin weather more than any other city in Colombia.

Comment on The New Face of the Colombian Cocaine Trade by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:55:03 +0000

I think you’re looking for Interpol. Call them, they’ll help you!

Comment on The New Face of the Colombian Cocaine Trade by Chieko Shimozu

Chieko Shimozu — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:54:55 +0000

I want to buy pure cocain,How much per 1g?Payment method?
Thynak you!

Comment on Oh Say, Can you See…your Feet? by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:15:24 +0000

True, caloric intake is the biggest factor, but as you point-out eating artificial junk contributes to poor health. Just can’t compare frozen dinners to home cooked meals from natural ingredients.

Comment on Oh Say, Can you See…your Feet? by Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:52:31 +0000

Home cooked or not really doesn’t matter. The majority of studies show calories in is the reason for the obesity. Our portions are too large and we eat to much processed foods in the US which is why people are fat. Eating frozen foods such as Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice isn’t going to make you fat unless you eat double portions without normal exercise. Colombians food isn’t necessarily more healthy the portions are just smaller. Keep your caloric intake to about 2000 calories per day and you won’t be fat.

Comment on Adventures in Renting by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:02:44 +0000

To the rude fellow named Alberto, whom I suspect is a Colombian, who commented (and whose comment I can’t publish) that this is useless information: I told the truth. Renting in countries like Colombia is difficult if you’re using regular channels. I did offer alternate solutions, which you chose to ignore. Useless info would be to tell you it’s all fine and dandy — just come here and the system will adapt to your demands! Intelligent people prepare themselves and look for accurate, on the ground info, which is what I try to provide. Meanwhile, Alberto, please consult an anger management specialist and sign-up at a charm school!

Comment on Oh Say, Can you See…your Feet? by Natalia

Natalia — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:44:21 +0000

Same here in Argentina- spacially in BsAs! If you’re even a little plump- you need to loose weight. On the bad side though they do have a big problem with anorexia. A few years ago I remember the gov, change all the clothes sizes. In the US, I am a size 6 (I even fit the size 12 kids clothes sometimes), but in BA I was a medium to large!! Crazy

Here in Mendoza they are a little bigger, but then again there seems to be a very high birth rate, there are babies all over the place!

Regarding food though, home cooked mostly from scratch (More in Mza than in BA). I don’t know a single person that doesn’t make their own chimichurri!

Comment on Oh Say, Can you See…your Feet? by South America ME

South America ME — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:02:36 +0000

Interesting article. In Chile (where we’re living) it isn’t common to see overly obese people. And the same goes for eating here, a lot of home cooking from scratch as in Colombia though little by little I have seen fast food begin to take off.
Saludos

Comment on Flying To and Within Colombia by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:18:36 +0000

I think it was a little bit more than a trip, unless you mean something akin to a “head trip”, which indeed it is!

Comment on Stange Fruit #2: Guama by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:17:28 +0000

According to my source, guama grows all year long in Colombia. Note that it’s not a very popular fruit and is generally hard to find.

Comment on Stange Fruit #2: Guama by Fanatic About Guamas

Fanatic About Guamas — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:13:50 +0000

Please tell me when guama season is and where to find this delicious fruit. Email answer Por favor

Comment on Coca isn’t Cocaine by April Thompson

April Thompson — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 01:01:51 +0000

I brought back a box of coca tea from my trip to Bogota and everyone is so surprised that they let me take it out of the country. Then I have to explain coca is not cocaine and is legal!

Comment on Flying To and Within Colombia by expats community

expats community — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:10:01 +0000

That was really a nice trip huh. Good to know you blog.

Comment on Strange Fruit #5: Lulo by Sonya

Sonya — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:21:19 +0000

I loved lulo juice when I was in Colombia earlier this year. My 84 year old Aunt bought them for me. I think it was the best fruit (next to the blueberry) I had ever had, not too sweet and not too tangy. Yummmm

Comment on Is it Safe to Visit Colombia? by How Safe Is Colombia? « Eyes On Colombia

How Safe Is Colombia? « Eyes On Colombia — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:58:35 +0000

[...] OColombia [...]

Comment on Massacre in Envigado: Return to Bad Old Days? by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:10:33 +0000

I happen to live 10 blocks from where it happened, Hunter! An American citizen is an American citizen, no asterisk needed, so I reckon I was being politically correct. The press here only said he was an American citizen of Colombian parents. True, the cops are being investigated, but that was only a rumor at the time I wrote that bit. I’ve spent a lot of time in Guanteros in some of the bigger venues with no incidents, but I think you mean that particular part of the district (not the main strip close to city hall). Really, I don’t think anybody’s completely safe anywhere in Colombia, because some of the most shady characters might be sitting at the table next to yours in the finest restaurant. If bullets start to fly, all you can do is duck!

Comment on Massacre in Envigado: Return to Bad Old Days? by Hunter Carter

Hunter Carter — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:08:23 +0000

Andrew Campion’s comment and your article are mistaken and you should correct the error. There was no American involved. A Colombian who recently became an American citizen was involved.

Also, the shooting clearly is part of a turf war of a decapitated gange (Oficina de Envigado) whose leaders have been arrested and extradited.

Also, the two police are themselves suspects (why were they there? asked the head of the National Police).

Also, that section of Envigado is notorious. I would not go there, as I would not go to certain parts of NYC.

The response to this incident, moreover, was immediate and strong. Uribe personally convened a national security meeting of leaders — in Envigado. Hundreds of national police were re-assigned.

Most of these comments come just from reading the press. But I am a homeowner there too and closely follow this for my blog with many sources including inside the City government.

The more disturbing development was the targeted assasination attempts on the city council President John Jairo Moncada and a criminal court judge.

Comment on Massacre in Envigado: Return to Bad Old Days? by Andrew Campion

Andrew Campion — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:26:01 +0000

This is very bad for Colombia and Medellin in particular, especially since this incident involves an American which means it will probably get picked up by global media and seriously damage Medellin’s frail reputation just as it was beginning to start to turn itself around.

Comment on James Carville is Santos’ Top Campaign Advisor by News Blog » Blog Archive » Latin America news roundup – March 22, 2010

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:08:02 +0000

[...] – James Carville is Santos’ Top Campaign Advisor (O [...]

Comment on Colombia: Uribe’s Man Wins Runoff Election by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:55:05 +0000

Semana is published by a company owned by Santos’ family, thus I imagine it’s hard for them to be completely impartial! However, Mockus is responsible for sabotaging his own campaign in a myriad of ways. All politicians have to play a good political game. Most Colombians are pragmatic, having endured decades of hardship that most people elsewhere will never know in their lifetimes…so idealism isn’t palatable to them (not yet, anyway!): they need realistic solutions. I must say, however, that these elections were like none before, demonstrating that democracy is firmly entrenched here and that Colombians are confident in their future.

Comment on Colombia: Uribe’s Man Wins Runoff Election by Mike Mackenna

Mike Mackenna — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:59:02 +0000

Have you read La Semana’s portrait of Santos post-election? They heap the praise on him; surprising from a magazine which has a few very anti-Santos columnists. Perhaps he is the man for the job now, and Mockus’ strict political purity struck me as dangerously stupid, not what you want to see from your president.

Comment on The Unique Music Genres of Colombia by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:44:47 +0000

Yes and no. Cumbia, as known in Colombia, is more a rhythm than a pure music genre. It falls under “tropical music” and has variants by region. Thus, a song might have Cumbia rhythms, but you won’t hear anybody say “I just bought a Cumbia cd” or “that’s a cumbia song”. I didn’t quite know how to explain Cumbia when I wrote the article (I’m not a musician)! In 3 years living here, I really haven’t heard anybody rave about Cumbia, although I suppose it could be because I’m in Antioquia, whereas I reckon it’s more popular on the Caribbean coast (I traveled throughout that region, however). Anyhow, you’re right, it has be to featured in any list of Colombian styles and I’m going to correct it asap!

Comment on The Unique Music Genres of Colombia by Daniela Montalvo

Daniela Montalvo — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:27:06 +0000

Cumbia is the most important and you dont have it

Comment on Will Colombia Fall for the Mockus Pocus? by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:59:37 +0000

Thanks for your comment, but due to its misleading nature, I must comment back!

“This guy” lives in Colombia since 2007 and follows the political scene very closely…You’re where, Australia? Perhaps you didn’t get wind of the May 30 election results, where Colombian voters roundly rejected Mockus? There’s a second vote June 20th, but opinion polls already show Mockus with less than 30 percent. The human rights violations you refer to are the “false positives”, and the numbers are in the teens, not thousands, and secondly these acts were perpetrated by rogue individuals in the armed forces here, not sanctioned by the government. If you knew Colombia as we do here, you would know it’s a country with its own special set of circumstances, not bearing any resemblance to that of Israel. It’s far too easy to make uninformed and rude statements from afar.

Comment on Will Colombia Fall for the Mockus Pocus? by Carol

Carol — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:03:00 +0000

This article is SOOOOOOOOOOO Bias…. This Guy has no idea about Colombian problems…………………….Why he does not mention all the human right abuses made by the government of Uribe & Santos as a defence minister.
In the recent news… In Israel, the army kills 10 activists and the citizens ask the defence minister to quit…In Colombia, the army kills 2300 innocent people and the citizens ask to the defence minister to be their president… common think about it…unfortunately Corruption is huge & ignorant people are sooooooooooo blind.

Comment on Venezuela “Expert” Appointed as the Next Ambassador to Colombia by Antonio Sosa

Antonio Sosa — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:13:05 +0000

Mockus is Chavez’s candidate. Chavez has people sending thousands of emails daily to the media demonizing Uribe and Santos and promoting Muckus. He also runs bogus polls reporting inflated pro-Muckus preferences. Chavez is investing millions stolen from Venezuelans to demonize Uribe and Santos and support his candidate, Mockus.

Colombians are being manipulated, just like Bolivians and Ecuadorians were manipulated, to vote for a minion of Chavez. We hope Colombians are smart enough and learn from the tragedy of their neighbors in the hands of Castro-Chavez.

As Chavez’s candidate, Mockus the LAST thing Colombians need to achieve prosperity AND security. Venezuelan Peña Esclusa is warning Colombians not to vote for Mockus, not to make the same disastrous mistake they made: http://www.unoamerica.org/unoPAG/noticia.php?id=904

Comment on Strange Fruit #5: Lulo by Federico

Federico — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:11:01 +0000

At any rate, just wanted to say that I learned about the lulo there, and have to say that it is my favourite fruit in the world by far. I describe it as a combination of kiwi and maracuja in a single fruit… simply wonderful

Great blog!

Federico
maitravelsite.com

Comment on Sergio Fajardo: Is he a Chavista? by patriotaporfuera

patriotaporfuera — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:32:39 +0000

Are we confusing having an interest in improving relations with Chavez with being friendly like in “buying” on Chavez Bolivarian mentality? I don’t know, I am just wondering. I like Mockus and do not like Santos; but would not like Mockus/Fajardo to be buddies w/ Chavez. I also believe that followers of santos could start false/misleading rumors on the green candidates to create discent. I like Uribe very much, while acknowledging that to do the much good for the country he might have compromised too much and it’s starting to come to the surface. If Mockus is NOT naive w/ the FARC & Chavez, I believe he would be an asset to the Colombian government.

Comment on Colombia, Then and Now by Roberto

Roberto — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:47:21 +0000

Tom,
This is a great post and gives an excellent summary of the situation in Colombia. As for the upcoming elections, I believe that the main factors upon which the electorate will decide are the positions of the candidates regarding the continuation of Uribe’s democratic security policy, potential negotiations and/or hostage/prisoner exchange with the FARC, and Hugo Chávez and other “21st century socialists”. Considering the feelings of the major part of the country with regards to these points, Juan Manuel Santos and, to a lesser extent, Noemi Sanin could be considered the “natural successor” of Uribe. Interestingly, the last few days have shown a different evolution. While Santos maintains the lead in the polls, Sanin, who was second in the polls only a few weeks ago, was now overtaken by Antanas Mockus, Bogotá’s very popular former mayor who recently joined forces with Sergio Fajardo. Fajardo, a former mayor of Colombia’s second largest city Medellin, was presidential candidate himself, but now agreed to join Mockus as his vice-presidential candidate after the polls gave him little hopes for success. While Mockus/Fajardo are very popular in their respective cities, they are rather “unknown” outside of these. If they make it to the second round, mobilizing support outside Bogotá and Medellin will be their major challenge. They have a huge support among young people and students, but they need to mobilize also other strata of the population. Both Mockus and Fajardo are academics and not really not “hard core” politicians. Their proposals so far are rather vague. Nevertheless, they achieved considerable successes during their respective terms as mayors, sometimes with unconventional means. Mockus’ focus in Bogotá was on the civic education of the people. If they can convince the public at large about their successes and the concrete plans about how to address the issues of most concern in Colombia, they even might have a real chance challenge Santos, who, although seen as the one predestined for continuing Uribe’s policies, is often also perceived as a member of the country’s political and economic elite/bourgeoisie. Uribe has addressed many of the problems which the country suffered from 8 years ago. The increased security in the major cities and the dramatic decrease in kidnappings and homicides has led to a significant increase in foreign direct investments as well as in tourism. These achievements are there. Now it is time not only to maintain these, but to focus on “new” areas of concern. Mockus, with his proposal of building upon them and to move from “democratic security” towards “democratic legality”, could actually hit the nail on the head. Security has largely been established by empowering and professionalizing the state’s security forces–now it is time to empower the justice structure in Colombia in order to eradicate impunity and to combat corruption.
Best regards,
Roberto

Comment on Taxis, Buses and Subways by Vacation Review

Vacation Review — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:25:18 +0000

Colombian taxis do have meters – called taximetro and you don’t have to negotiate the price before hand, which I liked when I came to visit last year. It was such a relief.

Comment on Coca isn’t Cocaine by Tom Germain

Tom Germain — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:35:38 +0000

I later found out that coca leaf products can only be sold inside indigenous reserves. Funny, since this man had his stall in the Carrefour store.