Medellin best place to live in recession

Peter (Moderator) (Dev team) says on Mar 20, 2009, 06:29:

Yea I agree that rents aren't actually that low.

Poor but snappy

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 06:30:

Ever consider renting an unfurnished apartment that's not in poblado?

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 06:37:

Why can't you rent in Prado Centro?

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 20, 2009, 06:47:

durito2, exactly. Not sure why so many people have the Poblado or bust mentality.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 06:53:

There are plenty of robberies in Poblado.

I am an obvious gringo. I live in an estrato 3 building not in poblado with no portero. I don't have any problems.

If you want to live an estrato 5 or 6 lifestyle here you need a foreign income (pension, job you can do through the internet, etc). If not, live like a local, get a roomate, live in prado (there are several gringos living there), etc.

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 07:11:

What makes you think that can't happen in Poblado?

Where I live is just as safe as Poblado. Get out of the city you'll find some cheaper places. If you are going to be living here, you can buy a hot water heater. Even in estrato 6 buildings unfurnished probably won't come with one.

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 20, 2009, 07:21:

The best thing to do if you still want to maintain a sense of security but live outside of a luxury bldg in Poblado is to live in an Estrata 4/5 in a bldg with a portero, or a house where the local neighbors all chip in around 50mil/month for an armed security guard to walk the beat.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 07:27:

My entire business revolves around managing risk. I think I will be ok.

Robberies are something that happen down here. Don't have stuff you can't afford to lose. I will be moving to probably estrato 5 with a portero at the end of the year, but I'm certainly not going to race out and buy brand new computers that I couldn't afford to have stolen.

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 07:33:

I backup my work at an online storage site every night. Not doing so would put me in a terrible position.

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 20, 2009, 07:39:

PBS, I use mozy.com for $4.95/month, unlimited. < 1GB is still free I believe.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 20, 2009, 07:43:

http://mozy.com/pro

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Mar 20, 2009, 08:00:

This guy is talking out of his ass.. New Orleans and especially Cape Town might even be MORE DANGEROUS than MDE.. lol

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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Papasotee says on Mar 20, 2009, 08:01:

http://matadorabroad.com/five-best-cities-to-live-in-2009-if-the-econo...

This article is great news. Medellin here I come!

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njc (Dev team) says on Mar 20, 2009, 08:09:

Poorbutsnappy: Also, you can check out Amazon S3 here http://aws.amazon.com/s3/. It might be good for you if you just want to store some big files.
It's what PBH uses to store images.

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 20, 2009, 09:15:

at jeff -- huh? who were you responding to?

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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whitewidow says on Mar 20, 2009, 09:21:

This is GREAT, Peter! I have just contacted an old friend of mine who happens to be the VP of marketing for AARP. He has agreed to forward this link and informatiotion their 70 MILLION subscribers. Even if 1% of that subscriber base moves on the opportunity presented in Medellin, there will be 700,000 eager, walker equipped and viagra poppin seniors flooding into Medellin by the END OF THE YEAR!

It will be just like Cabo San Lucas in a few years! I cannot wait!

Can anybody in Medellin begin to help me setup a tourist center and surf-wear shop?

Looking for love....

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mranderson says on Mar 20, 2009, 09:42:

I wouldn´t pay attention to poorbutsnappy.

There are many nice places to live that are estrato 3 or 4 with cheaper rents. Furnishing an apartment should cost you around 4 million pesos.

I live in a nice estrato 4 apartment in a gated community with a portero for 470k per month. That price includes electric, water, and trash. And I also have hot water but even if I didn´t electric water heaters are not that expensive.

And you do not have to work 48-60 hours a week as a teacher. I´m making over a million pesos working part time.

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mcheasley says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:11:

PBS, How much time have you actually spent in Medellin?? just curious... thanks...

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:18:

"Dry Cleaning for those in professional jobs is cost prohibitive... UNBELIEVABLY expensive..."

I have a thread about that so the OP doesnt feel ABDUCTED... jjaaaajj

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/things-in-colombia-that-should-b...

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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pavo says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:26:

I like that website Peter. Any other websites you like and might recommend.

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Peter (Moderator) (Dev team) says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:37:

I rented in Prado Centro 10 years ago, when Colombia was much more "dangerous". Never had a problem.

Poor but snappy

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whitewidow says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:38:

When the 700,000 new extranjeros arrive, there will be an immediate need for atleast 23,000 new teachers in Medellin. Newly arriving teachers are anticipated to command a 50% premium for teaching the gringo extrajeros basic spanish.

*AARP will release the data and story in August 2009.

Looking for love....

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lulu24 says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:43:

poorbutsnappy: please dont take this the wrong way....you are very pessimistic about the ability of any foreigner to live in medellin.... and yet you have supposedly been living there for 20 years???.With that being said how is it that you were able to survive there? According to your post one who moves to medellin will be living, a lonely poor life, in a shit hole apartment, and falls victim to petty crime! You have yet to say any advantages to living there...which once again brings what have you been doing there for 20 years!??

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pavo says on Mar 20, 2009, 10:53:

You are much prettier PBS!

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nine inch nails says on Mar 20, 2009, 11:21:

"Of course, there are always entrepreneurs who may make more money... but if business failure rate in the US is 98%... I would imagine it is even higher for those who go to Medellin with or without native command of Spanish."

Often, no very often esp. these days the best business is no business to not sink any more money into a venture esp. if the odds are way against it. THe only reason really to go into to business is to hopefully make a profit. I think most people are just riding it out until the US economy improves. Would be a great time to update skills, training school etc. and downsize the lifestyle. A taxista there told me he lives in an estato 3 Envigado for about $150 US/month; an excellent way to downsize!!!

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lulu24 says on Mar 20, 2009, 11:21:

I believe I am reading "in context" and of course there are challeneges to living anywhere. I just dont see,if you havent lived in Medellin yourself (in recent times) how you can make such comments depsite thinking that your being "helpful" to those are considering living there.

and yes its my best friend...i do not share personal pictures on PBH =)

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nine inch nails says on Mar 20, 2009, 11:25:

who you talking to? me?

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nine inch nails says on Mar 20, 2009, 11:31:

Also proly previously discussed here that you would have to pay a higher rent the first couple/few weeks on the ground Medellin but if adventurous and in good shape can explore all around the city (better/safer areas) hitting the sidwalks/taking metro etc. to good areas to scour what is for rent and go direct to an owner. I'm sure they would be more than happy to rent you a room for a good rate and all this I know you can do if you can speak only basic Spanish. It may not be Poblado but a decent area none the less.

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mranderson says on Mar 20, 2009, 11:58:

I´m assuming that most guys that are coming to live here already have some freinds here. So why not have them help you find a cheap place before you get here? When I first came here I had a furnished room already lined up from a coworker of a friend of mine and my rent was 200k pesos a month which usually included dinner. Some of my friends here told me that even that was too much.

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span_colombia says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:03:

very nice find mranderson!

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webmanco says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:03:

Quien dijo Lulu?

Best places to live in recesion and out of it is rural Colombia with internet a big motorcicle and a girl once in a while :-)

Cheaper, less polluted, less noise.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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miamimike says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:22:

The writer should say who he is referring to when he says these cities are better then one another for riding out the recession. For a US Retiree with a guarenteed income of SS and a Pension check, one could say Medellin. If the worker is a COl Native and middle aged with a family and no job, where and what is the safety net? I'd bet he would rather be in NO or in many other US Cities, at leastyou won't starve. Lose your Job in Medellin? What kind of unemployment check do you receive? What about severance pay from downsizing? That one European city makes sense also due to the social safety nets the unemployed receive.

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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papiChulo says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:32:

I like'd Cape Town when I was there... beaches, vineyards near by (good wines), execellent food (no areapas), modern city, amazing scenery, nice ppl.

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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manINred says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:37:

yay, a review centred around lleras!

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Medellin Traveler says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:48:

Great quiet neighborhood in estrato 3.



This house was available for $300 USD a months; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 42” flat screen tv, washer and dryer. The owner is a Colombian who lives in New York and offered me the house with no contract nor money down.

There are many great store front restaurants that sell beer for .50 and good home cooked meals for about $2 dollars. If you are looking for cheap meals all you have to do is ask your taxi driver were he stops to eat during his shift. They know a lot of great places that you never would have thought even existed even though you have walked past them every day on your way to Parque Lleras.

Discover Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia www.medellintraveler.com

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Waterdawg says on Mar 20, 2009, 12:59:

MT... That seems to be quiet the deal !

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alex rios says on Mar 20, 2009, 13:06:

so sad to be a foreigner and be confined to the estrato 6 or above of El Poblado, I feel for you people, I´m glad I fit the profile of a Colombian and can move about this city with no fear, it must suck to be you. Come to think of it, that is pretty much how I felt in the states, guess what? I came back home. Damn, Medellin rules!

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Medellin Traveler says on Mar 20, 2009, 13:59:

You will never find any great deals on anything in Colombia on PBH or the internet for that matter. My best advice would be to brush up on your spanish and go out and meet the people who actually know what is going on in town.

Discover Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia www.medellintraveler.com

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mranderson says on Mar 20, 2009, 14:02:

Great advice MT. I second that.

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mranderson says on Mar 20, 2009, 14:25:

I move around the city without fear all the time :)

I guess my time is coming.

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 20, 2009, 15:25:

Assuming "regular" barrios in Medellin are in the same rent range as Villao, you can rent a perfectly nice house in the 250.000 cop range - estrato 2. Most gringos I suppose want more amenities though. And I am not naive about the crime factor being a gringo. But if you don't hang a 60" LCD tv in your front room and do other things that give people the impression you're rich, I wouldn't sweat it. Gotta have local friends though to help guide you to the right areas. I agree about being able to speak passible Spanish.

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Medellin Traveler says on Mar 20, 2009, 16:09:

"MT...where do you get a "good" home cooked meal for less than 5.000 pesos in Medellin? The key word being "good"

In many estrato 2 and 3 barrios. You have to be willing to eat what has been prepared for that particular day because there is no menu available. I eat whatever they put on my plate with the exception of arepas. I liken it to being invited to someone's home where you don't get to decide what you want to eat but what is being offered to you. I had a few people try to go out of their way to prepare something special for me but have repeatedly requested not to be treated in any special manner by going out of their way to please me. So far so good.

Discover Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia www.medellintraveler.com

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kenblanquito says on Mar 20, 2009, 16:16:

In El Velodromo, an estrato 5 area, I can obtain a delivered lunch for 5.500 COP. Quite decent too. Just over 2 Dollars.

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Medellin Traveler says on Mar 20, 2009, 16:39:

Typical meal is usually a plate with rice, beans, half an avacado, a banana, egg, salad, chicharon, and some type of meat. I never had a banana on my plate with rice and eggs before I traveled to Colombia but it is delicious. Now I eat it like this all the time.

This one time they slaughtered this pig right out on the street and the party lasted all night long.

Discover Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia www.medellintraveler.com

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baggyd23 says on Mar 20, 2009, 17:46:

yeah it truely is somewhere between 94-98 percent, but that is after 6 years I think...

The pig slaughtering in the streets thing (marranada) is illegal now, was banned in Dec, just for general knowledge..

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makopp5 says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:15:

baggy

what kind of buisness?

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bogotajim says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:45:

I have read this entire post and conclude that ¨poorbutsnappy¨has never been to Medellin or is just incredibly inaccurate with facts.. )I live in strata 6 and Thursday I had lunch in Parque Llegas at a new restaurant. We were 14 gringos and i mujer. The cost for lunch was 5000 pesos each and there are dozens of other good places to eat lunch at comparable prices. I have investment condos out west of Belen in the mountains within short bus ride to anywhere. There are 3 towers completed in Atrevanza with a gorgeous swimming pool and a view to die for the apts are about 60 meters with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and a small balcony. A real nice place to live with fresh air and close to downtown and the units rent for about US $200 to $275 p'er month. My taxes are negligible and monthly maintenance is about $60 per month. I would also like to point out the minimum wafge is not 16,000 pesos per day more like 22,000 plus benefits.

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whitewidow says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:48:

"A real nice place to live with fresh air and close to downtown"

- TROLL

Looking for love....

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miamimike says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:50:

I can match or beat some of those meal prices in Miami of all places! At one small Cuban Eatery on Flagler street I can buy Breakfast for $1.59--2 eggs, 2 pieces of Cuban Bread toasted & buttered, 2 pieces of Bacon and an american size cup of Cafe con leche. Another option is a Nearby McDonalds where currently you get two egg McMuffins for $2 or $1 each. A Cup of Coffe( small ) is around a Buck and you can 2-3 refills free. Many small Miami Cuban Restaurants offer Lunch specials for $3.99 putting out around 1000 Calories. That seems to match or beat some of these Col Prices as far as eating out! I do my own cooking mostly so I beat those above prices by at least 50%.

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:52:

You couldn't pay me to live in Miami.

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whitewidow says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:56:

PBS - he said it was with 14 other gringos. You are not aware of the gringo club that has lunch at that little place just up the hill from Parque Poblado?

Looking for love....

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miamimike says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:56:

durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:52 (today): flag

You couldn't pay me to live in Miami.
=======================================================================================

Durito--thats good news! More Miami Love Struck Colombianas for me! LOL I could take you to Miami Colombian tabernas where you see 3-5 Colombianas at a Table and NO Hombres. A Certain PBH member I took there can attest to that! And it will remain unnamed! And they(chicas) are looking for Gringos as they are mostly out of status! The trick is just don't get involved, have your fun and walk away! Why Go to Colombia, its all here :) Plus I like our Nice Clean Beaches and again, the "Scenary" isn't bad either,,,

But back to my point, I can eat as cheap here in Miami as I can in Colombia, others may not.

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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whitewidow says on Mar 20, 2009, 20:59:

more like a dumb or naive. the slip-up with clean air and el centro in the same sentence gave it away.

Looking for love....

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 21:01:

I like Colombia, that's why I live here. The cost of living is not that important to me.

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miamimike says on Mar 20, 2009, 21:05:

durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 21:01 (today): flag

I like Colombia, that's why I live here. The cost of living is not that important to me
==============================================================

Well, I'm a value Shopper/consumer, so the COL is very important to me. Its in my DNA to look for a deal whether its in Col or the States.

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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durito2 says on Mar 20, 2009, 21:06:

You couldn't pay me to have lunch with 14 other gringos in parque lleras either ;)

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billyb says on Mar 20, 2009, 21:07:

How about at parque llegas?

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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miamimike says on Mar 20, 2009, 23:03:

Durito--at some of the small Miami Inner City eateries and Bars I frequent, you hardly see a gringo as they rarely venture into the bowels of Little Haiti or areas like Pequena Santo Domingo(allapatah) or Little Habana(mid barrio area). But these are where the Deals are as well as excitement. About the only gringos I may see(daytime) besides myself are bused in groups off the cruise ships that do the Cigar Tour. And at night after the Sun goes down, for SURE I'm the only one. And South Beach, forgettaboutit, Ripoff city! South beach is for the Tourist Types with more $$ then a Spirit of Adventure,,,If you like to spend lots of money on overpriced Meals, Tips, Beers and Hotels and looking at Plastic women, go to South Beach

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 03:36:

clean air (hmmm, maybe); on the mtn west of belen! (close in to centro??) 5000 lunch at more than one restaurant in lleras. i've been eating in poblado--lived there for 6 years--for twenty years and THE ONLY PLACE where you can eat for 5000 is the little stand on cl 11 across from the catholic school...

and 14 americans one latina.....maybe that's what kept the price down...14 guys, one gal. hmmmmm.

common, brother, don't think that everyone here just got off the turnip truck this am.

d

patriarch

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makopp5 says on Mar 21, 2009, 03:43:

Miamimike

"Why Go to Colombia, its all here :) "
I don´t know why you are in this forum Colombia, I think it´s better you stay in one for Miami. Everytime you talk about Colombia you are making it bad or you are talking that everything is better in Miami. So stay there and never come to Colombia, in your words its so bad.

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 04:28:

common sappito...what da ya get for six grand? rice and beans? an arepa? damn sure no drink. oh! water.

i think the problem in all this is finding common ground on what constitutes a good meal. i don't deny that you can eat something in poblado for 3,000....but it ain't haute cuisine. twenty years ago, it was possible to eat--just me--no company--for 100,000. but, it was good fare. now it's been a year since i ate in lleras and the food was decent. and i think it cost like 25-30,000. plus liquid. the only thing i didn't like and one reason i don't go there is it's too damn crowded. i'm a quiet, private type of person and i kinda like having the place to myself. sort of. i don't like eating on t.v. which is what lleras/poblado has become. pity.

in the evenings, in envigado, poblado, sabaneta, laureles, and belen. some of THE BEST eating are the street vendors. chicharon, chuzos, empanadas, etc. can't be beat, price and quality/quantity. yum. i still go to the park and eat at pareiso and have a few drinks. kinda shabby but i been going there for so many years they put up with me. i can walk across the street to the park and buy some chuzos and walk back and sit at my table and keep drinking and eat food i didn't buy there. they tolerate it.

d

patriarch

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 05:10:

common....you're nose is gonna grow long. half a chicken, rice beans soup and arepa for 5000?

patriarch

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 05:11:

boy do i have some stories about barrio triste...whew!

patriarch

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BillBigD says on Mar 21, 2009, 05:13:

Miami- like any city it has it faults, but living on the beach isn't one of them.

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aztec says on Mar 21, 2009, 05:25:

makopp5 I did not read mimiamikes comments the same way as you. He was, as I interpreted his statements, simply trying to keep things in perspective. I detected no "put down" of Colombia in any way.

I do think we we don't need to get carried away about the seemingly "cheaper" lifestyle in Colombia. If so, those who do make the move will not become disenchanted with their decision.

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 06:10:

well that's great. buen probecha.

patriarch

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 06:14:

aztec...thanks for coming to mikes defense. too, good comments.

people think that colombia is cheaper than modest living in the states. well, that CAN be true. but if folks move to bog. med. cali, or ctg. and expect to live anyway remotely like in the us or europe, they should re think and come and see for themselves and KNOW what their money will get them.

if one chooses to live out of the main metropolitan areas, for sure, life and it's amenities can be very 'cheap'. but then they're off the beaten path and for some, that won't fly. no clubs, culture --so to speak-- disco and "nice" restaurants. but if folks can tone down their life styles and live away from the zona rosa...life and living can be really modest.
d

patriarch

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Catfish35 says on Mar 21, 2009, 06:18:

Barrio Triste!!!! get your culo outta there.. and get back to El Hueco where there is beautiful views and fresh clean air..What thehells the matter with you all..Have y'all gone crazy!!! And for the record it is PARK URASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or Parkay Urass for those of you who like to throw your moolah around!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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Catfish35 says on Mar 21, 2009, 06:22:

Yes the little place down the hill from Park Urass..whats it called? Vino or Filepe's or something..where the boys are ! Is relatively cheap, never cared for the place though, found there bread too round and chalky like a Hockey Puck...

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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makopp5 says on Mar 21, 2009, 06:27:

aztec, dwmt

I was refering not juats this comment from Miami, read also other comments from him in other topics. He is allways talking negative about Colombia. Nearly every place is better than Colombia. So why he is here???

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miamimike says on Mar 21, 2009, 08:34:

makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 21, 2009, 03:43 (today): flag

Miamimike

"Why Go to Colombia, its all here :) "
I don´t know why you are in this forum Colombia, I think it´s better you stay in one for Miami. Everytime you talk about Colombia you are making it bad or you are talking that everything is better in Miami. So stay there and never come to Colombia, in your words its so bad.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Makeopp--my Number One reason for going to Colombia, as I have stated many times in my 4 years of being here, is for very reasoably priced high quality Medical work. I have never wavered in that opinion; how is this Negative? I have promoted it countless times as such. You are simply not accurate and a cursory search here will show that. I feel my viewpoints are objective. You have your Opinion, which you are entitled to and likewise, I have mine.



read also other comments from him in other topics. He is allways talking negative about Colombia.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Negative?? read some of the threads in the below link:

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner-pub-2005091482150320%3Aah1az4-ixb...

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 08:42:

sapo...you think my spellings bad? you autta put up with my speech. and it's twenty years old. what can i say. however, i don't feel so bad, the illiteracy rate in rural colombia is about 65 percent. so i'm right at home. give me el campo anytime over the city where the folks cant read and cant write. or at least a lot of them or enough to make me feel right at home.

d

patriarch

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mranderson says on Mar 21, 2009, 10:38:

There´s a pbh lunch once a month? I guess I´m not in that club.

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miamimike says on Mar 21, 2009, 12:12:

dwmte7 says on Mar 21, 2009, 06:14 (today): flag

aztec...thanks for coming to mikes defense. too, good comments.

people think that colombia is cheaper than modest living in the states. well, that CAN be true. but if folks move to bog. med. cali, or ctg. and expect to live anyway remotely like in the us or europe, they should re think and come and see for themselves and KNOW what their money will get them.

if one chooses to live out of the main metropolitan areas, for sure, life and it's amenities can be very 'cheap'. but then they're off the beaten path and for some, that won't fly. no clubs, culture --so to speak-- disco and "nice" restaurants. but if folks can tone down their life styles and live away from the zona rosa...life and living can be really modest.
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aztec says on Mar 21, 2009, 05:25 (today): flag

makopp5 I did not read mimiamikes comments the same way as you. He was, as I interpreted his statements, simply trying to keep things in perspective. I detected no "put down" of Colombia in any way.

I do think we we don't need to get carried away about the seemingly "cheaper" lifestyle in Colombia. If so, those who do make the move will not become disenchanted with their decision.
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Aztec, Dwmte--my intention exactly, no more needs to be said. Period

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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bogotajim says on Mar 21, 2009, 13:11:

I am new to this site and I don't know what a "troll" is but I am amazed at the anamosity here. I posted on this subject because I saw so many inaccurate facts posted by "poorbutsnappy" I live full time in Medellin for almost 3 years and I have business both here and in Bogota since 1990. I have met so many good extraneros here I simply post to help inform newcomers as I learned the old fashioned way by making mistakes. my intentions are good and i do not understand all the attacks on my credibility by people who don't even know me. The restaurant where we had lunch is located almost across the street from Barcelona and directly across the street from the new, unfinished Jamacian bar that is being opend by another good guy Americano. The 5000 peso lunch was delicious spaghetti.

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whitewidow says on Mar 21, 2009, 13:26:

BJ - there are no "good guy americanos" here in colombia. we are all bad, including the euro trash. let me tell you a quick story revealing the why's, where's and dont's.......

It was Colombia in 1982. Back in those days everything was simpler and more confused. One summer night, going to the pier, I ran into two young girls.The blonde one was called freedom, the dark one, enterprise. We talked and they told me this story. Now listen to this...

Ill tell you about Texas radio and the big beat. Soft driven, slow and mad, like some new language. Reaching your head with the cold, sudden fury of a divine messenger. Let me tell you about heartache and the loss of god. Wandering, wandering in hopeless night. Out here in the perimeter there are no stars, out here we is stoned, immaculate.

* I hope this answers some of the questions you may have.....now, or in the past.

Looking for love....

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Peter (Moderator) (Dev team) says on Mar 22, 2009, 00:31:

Can we all stop the "I know Colombia better than you" trip. It's rather childish, really.

Poor but snappy

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muffiemae says on Mar 22, 2009, 06:40:

Re online backups: I had the $4.95 per month Mozy subscription for a while and I felt very secure - until I tried to do a restore of my information (to another hard drive). After about 24 hours it had restored only a small percentage...don't remember exactly, maybe 1%? I canceled my subscription. Now I have a 500GB hard drive that I plug into a docking station and use a program that periodically backs up all my data while the computer is running. If I leave home, I can hide the hard drive and at least would not lose my data if my computer would be stolen.

Dottie

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whitewidow says on Mar 22, 2009, 09:12:

welcome bogotajim - don't forget your online kevlar ;)

Looking for love....

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dwmte7 says on Mar 22, 2009, 14:57:

medellin is medellin...and it's a lot. peter is right....you guys are beatin each other up over marbles/sandbox. why? sure, i too, am surprised that there's anyplace serving a lunch for 5,000 that's worth sitting and eating. however, i won't say it aint so. but i still retain my doubts it was like that pictured..half a chicken, and the other goodies in those nice plates for 5000.

all said, we sure could be nicer to one another. i've said it many times, we aint the enemy. if you're living in colombia and i've lived there probably as much as most of you...it bloody gets lonely. why make that solitude worse? just don't make sense to me. i used to fly back to tucson or los angeles just for the weekend to straighten out my head because there wasn't one other round eye around...for years...with exception of the dope flyboys that would pass through.

bj contributes something he thinks would be useful to others....well, thanks bj. why are we beating each other and our posts up? if some one is clearly talkin out their ass and those who know, know. don't you think it's worth a laugh more than a cyber fist fight? i do. i get a periodic chuckle at many posts here. but i don't want the poster shot at dawn.

like miami said, "period"

patriarch

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SlyFrancis says on Mar 22, 2009, 20:03:

I have a pension of $5500.00 USD per month. What can that get me in Medellin? Just looking for somewhere to go once my son finishes college. I love Medellin, probably would be the only city that I would consider living in Colombia.

"If you won't stand for something, you will fall for anything"

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whitewidow says on Mar 22, 2009, 21:02:

douglas, you know it is mostly play.... akin to a grade school dodgeball game. you're gonna get hit a few times, but it is much funner once you learn to play the game. when the typed word is the only form of communication, one must wield a lyrical hammer at times.....

one thing i have learned here is that although i may not like what you say, the ones that stick around the longest and draw their lines the longest have my respect.... period.

Looking for love....

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La_Huella says on Mar 22, 2009, 21:47:

My own 20 pesos:

I have yet to go to Medellin, I live here in Bogotá, which is supposedly more expensive than MED in just about every way.

I find it very hard to believe that food is THAT expensive there.

You most certainly can spend 150k or even 200k for lunch for two people here, if you really want to go high-end, but the almuerzos corrientes are CHEAP. The most expensive corriente I have ever even SEEN in BOG is 7000 pesos. Generally that's only in the richest neighborhoods. In Estrato 5 its 5000-5500, in Estrato 4 it's 4000-4500 and from there it goes down. In the cheapest neighborhoods you can get it for 2000 or even less. SAME lunch. This includes a soup, a meat or fish, a veg, a salad, two starches (no thank you, more salad please), juice (unlimited refills), and a little desert. You can usually get double meat for 1500-2000 more and add 500 per lunch if you're having it delivered to you (also obviously no juice refills that way). They usually have 2-3 choices in each category, which vary by day. I'm a big guy with a big appetite and a corriente usually fills me right up no problem. Maybe food really IS that much more expensive in Medellin but I somehow doubt it. I think you guys are just living in a bubble. It's not half a chicken, it might be like a chicken leg or something. The almuerzos ejecutivos are usually 6-7k on average and would typically be a whole fried or grilled fish or something, plus everything else mentioned.

Breakfast here in BOG is usually 1500-3000 depending on where you get it and what you get. In some cheaper neighborhoods it could be even less I suppose.

Miamimike, let me state this uncategorically.... Bogota is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAYYYYYYYYYYYY cheaper than Miami, and even that much more so cheaper than NYC. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. I'm like you, I'm the champion of living frugally right down to the bone, and it is so much easier here. Your lifestyle here in Bogota would cost 400-500k a month, TOPS. There is just no comparing it. Your breakfast here would cost like 1500 pesos and your lunch 2000-2500 pesos. Don't even get me started on medical care.

Rent here really doesn't need to be above 500k a month if you have your own small place. Maybe if you really want to live high on the hog you could get into an upscale neighborhood for 700k-800k but you will NOT be any safer in ANY way shape or form. This business of gringos can't live in the poorer neighborhoods because they are gringos is BULL FUCKING SHIT. It is absolute nonsense. If you're that worried about being a gringo here, just don't come here to live, period! If you have the balls to live here in Colombia at all, you may as well live wherever you want. Rich neighborhoods aren't ANY safer than poor ones, at least not here. Maybe Medellin is different.... but I severely doubt it.

People who pay more than a million in rent here are SERIOUSLY way up on the ladder of society. I don't even think 5% of rentals in BOG are for a million or more. And supposedly rents in Medellin are around half what they are here. IIRC Rocinante pays 450k a month for a 2 bedroom all to himself in Estrato 4... I dunno what standards people are accustomed to but a single person having a 2 bdrm apartment all to his or herself is the DEFINITION of crazy luxury to me.

Most people in BOG would consider 2 million a month a real good income and live very happily on that. People who say you need more than that to live well are just idiots and have no clue. And I don't care how many times you have visited, until you come here to LIVE, you really don't know. I have done lots of both and am totally aware of the difference. I will say with 100% certainty that I had no idea how CHEAP this city really can be until I was actually living and working here. I thought it was cheap, but it was actually even cheaper than I could have ever dreamed.

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 23, 2009, 06:48:

corriente meal = menu ejecutivo (that's the more common wording you will see on the signage advertising these set meals for lunch)

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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durito2 says on Mar 23, 2009, 06:59:

the places i eat lunch usually are 6,000, 7,500, and 8,000. Were 5,500, 6,000, and 7,500 a year ago. Inflation.

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mranderson says on Mar 23, 2009, 07:24:

"I have yet to go to Medellin, I live here in Bogotá, which is supposedly more expensive than MED in just about every way. "

Bogota is not more expensive than medellin. In fact, it might be the other way around.

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rhydewithdis says on Mar 23, 2009, 08:50:

geez, how tight are your budgets? do we really need to expend this much energy on a meal being plus/minus three or four mil pesos? Last I checked four mil pesos was $1.60.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 08:52:

Corriente and ejecutivo are similar but not exactly the same thing. The ejecutivo usually has some extras, or has a meat or fish or seafood that's a little more expensive.

Here in Bogota you can still get a 2000 corrientazo if you go south enough, or downtown.

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mranderson says on Mar 23, 2009, 08:56:

"geez, how tight are your budgets? do we really need to expend this much energy on a meal being plus/minus three or four mil pesos? Last I checked four mil pesos was $1.60."

Actually yes, my budget is pretty tight. 3 or 4 thousand pesos makes a big difference. Especially when I´m paying for 2 or 3.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 08:58:

Yeah, that's a typical arrogant gringo attitude. I find the difference between 3500 and 7000 pesos to be an exactly 100% difference. I have no desire to pay double for food, no matter how much I'm making.

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durito2 says on Mar 23, 2009, 08:58:

What if it's 3 times as good?

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span_colombia says on Mar 23, 2009, 09:16:

I'd jump at a 2 bedroom apartment in estrato 4 for 450k.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 09:38:

Furnished apartments are ALWAYS a bad deal.

The best deal for a foreigner is to get a pieza here, where everything is already there, you pay a modest amount, and you get to make new friends that way. If it doesn't work out, you bail and get another one.

If you want to put down roots a bit later, you by then have the connections to get your own place THIS IS A PAIN IN THE ASS FOR EVERYBODY, including native Colombians born and raised here, but it is doable. Once again, like any big city, the amount of decent apartments for the people who want them is very low. The one advantage here is that everybody is shit broke so rents can only go up so much. At that point you will have to get a fridge, washer, and maybe a stove even. Buy cheap second hand shit, if it breaks, call a domiciliero to repair it, and if you DO decide to move, just sell it again.

If you want to keep living like a gringo STAY IN GRINGOLAND.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 09:44:

Oh, and for the record, at least IME, the 7000 peso lunches here in Bogota aren't ANY better than the 3000 lunches. The only thing that changes is the environment in which it is served.

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poco says on Mar 23, 2009, 10:10:

Quote: Oh, and for the record, at least IME, the 7000 peso lunches here in Bogota aren't ANY better than the 3000 lunches.
=========================
That's probably true but

quite inexpensive,,

I think a lunch served in someones home (there are quite a few in a rural area) costs about 4,500 pesos.

Anyway,,

I heard Bogota has a lunch program, for everyone, what a deal,, if this is true,, 500 pesos for a lunch,, my understanding it's pretty good. That was about a year ago.

This is the price for the Old Folks lunch in a rural area,, 500 pesos but you've got to be OLD,, maybe 55 or 60 ? I need to try it out but folks would think what's that American doing eating our food,, so,, I guess I'll need to send a family member to get a report.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 10:16:

That's in the south and downtown mostly, in Estrato 1 neighborhoods. It's FREE for certain people, children, old people, and the displaced etc. Another example of a government program all the cretins on here would have us believe doesn't exist in Colombia because AMERICA FUCK YEAH BABY!

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dwmte7 says on Mar 23, 2009, 10:16:

well, sapo...to be honest...it's not that corriente is unknown, but i'f i'm gonna grease, i do that at home and it's fresher, cooked by those i love and and doesn't cost a dime. if i'm eating in the street, i either want a nice restaurant, or im overly content to eat from the street vendors whom many i've kinown for years and continue to eat from them or just something on thej fly. i used to eat a lot at an italian place in san diego...they made really fine lasagna but they changed hands and i might as well eat in the back in the food court. and in poblado, in the day, a number of traffickers opened really fine restaurants and i would treat myself with frequency. in fact the owners of my house in poblado had a restaurant on the river there in poblado off oriental and it was fantastic. then when they broke up, both opened fantastic restaurants on the bottom side of oriental in poblado. one south of the park several blocks and the other going west from thej south end of the park, down a couple of blocks. both great.

patriarch

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Mar 23, 2009, 10:23:

Those grayish soups might be common and cheap, but they don't look very good (see the photo about twenty posts up).

They need some Clark Griswold-concocted chemicals to make them clear, yellow, orange, red, green, brown -- anything but gray.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 10:35:

You're right, grey isn't a good indicator of healthy, but in the US you are just eating unhealthy with further chemicals in it to make it look better.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Mar 23, 2009, 10:44:

I think they mash/puree too many of the ingredients and it ends up looking like gruel. That might be the right start for a green or red lentil base, but they should leave the vegetables and bits of meat in a recognizable and natural color state. Much more appealing!

I bet some of these soups are hidden sodium bombs, too. That's good if you're selling beverages but eventually tough on the old ticker. I considered one of the soup choices at the company cafeteria today but passed after reading the nutrition card: nearly 2000 mg in a 12 ounce serving, which is almost the daily recommendation in one item.

I'm not much for conspiracy theories except this one: The damn French (Sodexho is our food provider) are trying to kill us and take over the world.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:06:

Tinto, I like your signature. :)

The "grey" soup is sancocho, the color is from dissolved yuca starch.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:16:

Tinto, NO WAY there is too much sodium in those soups here. It's all fresh, all natrual. Stop trying to project US problems here. The results in terms of public health speak loud and clear.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:23:

If you say so, but unless you've measured the ingredients (I'm referring to salt and the the very popular buillion/MSG cubes) as they go in the pot, it's opinion only. I've had plenty of soup in Colombia and a lot of it leaves me feeling like I ate a fistful of ham.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:25:

I look at the shape of my body after living here, and I look at the results of my recent blood test. That's good enough for me.

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whitewidow says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:27:

We should all start collecting NOW for La Huellita's heart attack fund.

Looking for love....

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:27:

In my experience the soups I've eaten at restaurants in Colombia have been heavily salted, but home-made more wholesome.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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poco says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:30:

Quote: It's FREE for certain people, children, old people, and the displaced etc It's FREE for certain people, children, old people, and the displaced etc.
====================
I'll agree, folks here are totally clueless,, just another example,, still,, FREE ?? I'm not sure I know of anything FREE in Colombia,,

Wait,, Maybe Roccatanski needs the address:
====================
Roccatanski Quote: What is the name and address of the GOVERNMENT AGENCY that helps the poor destitute folks?I live in Bogota and I would like to direct a woman and her child that basically lives outside my building ,begging for money, to them,also there is many living on the street that I am sure would like this information as well.Also wondering what help do they provide?A place to stay ,food,clothing,etc..let me know so I can pass that on to them.
====================================
Here you go Roccantanski,, ask,, and you will receive !!!!!
http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/computers-to-colombia/

or

Do what I do,, help out.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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La_Huella says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:31:

Why collect? I can afford the suicide myself if I wind up invalid, and if I die, everybody wins, especially the worms!

I can guarantee you it won't be the food in Colombia that kills me... the nookie... well that's a much stronger possibility, but I can't think of a better way to go than ............ HASTA LA CINTURA!!! :P

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Mar 23, 2009, 12:47:

Poco there is a meals programme run by the District government in Bogota - or at least there was one - In 2006 they boasted of serving 402,000 meals a day in community soup kitchens, preschools and schools. It may be free to the people eating, but I would presume it is tax money footing the bill.

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poco says on Mar 23, 2009, 14:10:

Quote: I would presume it is tax money footing the bill.
Quote: That is criminal...
=========================
I'd assume you say this because I don't need the meal and NOT the taste?

That's why I don't go and no one from the family goes. I would like to try out the food. My idea of,, not so hot,, might be some elses idea of pretty good.

Damn: I wonder how tax money much is being stolen !!!!!! Crap,, maybe they could have even BETTER free lunches. Probably impossible to know,, but I do know for certain that taking EXTRA stuff to Colombia to SELL is taking money,, TAX MONEY away from programs to assist the poor. So,, once again,, if stealing from the poor makes you feel good and you want to post your ignorant comments for me to read,, go ahead,, I love reading ignorant posts.

However, do I mind taking advantage of all the goodies the U.S. hands out? heck no,, I more than paid for them years ago. I'm looking forward to even more. Poor people in the U.S. live better than the average Colombian,, much better and I think they will look back and understand just how good life was in the U.S.

Maybe those poor people sitting on the sidewalk are not Colombians?

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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webmanco says on Mar 23, 2009, 21:42:

Poco
I heard Bogota has a lunch program, for everyone, what a deal,, if this is true,, 500 pesos for a lunch,, my understanding it's pretty good. That was about a year ago.

Comedores Comunitarios







How come breakfast is $300 pesos more expensive than lunch?

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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whitewidow says on Mar 23, 2009, 22:07:

the huevo

Looking for love....

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dwmte7 says on Mar 24, 2009, 07:25:

note brians didn't comment on the food, jeff, he said the water was ok. in some places you'll definitely want to tighten up that ole sphincter.

patriarch

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webmanco says on Mar 24, 2009, 07:33:

Hats off to everyone trying to help kids, but on the other hand I believe it needs to be more an iniciative from the gobernment (lease impuestos) than particulars or private organizations.

http://elmeridianodecordoba.com.co/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...

Niños reciben alimentación
Lorica. Más de 300 menores de edad de los barrios Puerto Rico, EL Progreso, San Francisco y Medio Kennedy siguen recibiendo alimentación completamente gratuita todos los domingos, por parte de la Corporación Social para la Implementación de Programas para Niños, Niñas y Jóvenes con Limitaciones y Desprotegidos de Lorica, que coordina Daniel Mercado Tobios, quien le hizo un llamado a los ciudadanos de bien de Lorica que quieran vincularse a esta obra social que lidera desde hace varios años, solo con el objetivo de brindarle alegría, amor y esperanza, además de ayudar a mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población infantil de dichos sectores que son vulnerables.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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whitewidow says on Mar 24, 2009, 20:30:

ask brians about the water at the finca........ he likes it.

Looking for love....

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La_Huella says on Mar 25, 2009, 18:28:

I drank the tap water from CTG for a week and a half and no problems. I had some nasty greasy house lunch in the neighborhood and that really did me in for a day however.

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La_Huella says on Mar 25, 2009, 18:30:

Nope. Zero problems. The BOG water tastes better but the CTG water is fine.

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La_Huella says on Mar 26, 2009, 21:39:

I've gotten the revenge in other places in the world but never had a problem in CTG.

I don't think there is anything more bullshit than bottled water. The stupidest is that people here in BOG drink it, fucking pretentious fucks!

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SlyFrancis says on Mar 30, 2009, 18:38:

Gringoloid,
Just wanted to answer your question about my pension which I have been collecting for the past six years. My pension fund never invested much money with AIG. We have one of the best run pension plan in the US. I retired at 45 years old and get my pension auto deposited into my account every month. I was asking a serious question because when my son finishes college I am looking for a place to spend my winters and I have been to Medellin many times. Oh by the way the name of my pension fund is the New York Police Pension Fund. Police Officers in New York City have their own pension fund separate from New York City and we control it. So if you have any good information for me I would like to hear it. Sorry if you had money invested with AIG.

"If you won't stand for something, you will fall for anything"

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BillBigD says on Mar 31, 2009, 22:00:

CTG-I don't drink the water
MED and BOG-no issues with the water
Cali-For some reason always drank bottled. How is the water there?

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