knoxseagle has left 64 comments

knoxseagle comments on Alternatives to Medellin

Bucaramanga is closer to Bogota. From Medellin it's about an 8 or 9 hour bus ride.

knoxseagle comments on Alternatives to Medellin

As far as a similar alternative to Medellin goes, I find Bucaramanga the most similar city in Colombia. It's a bit smaller and more inland, and a little hotter, but shares a beautiful setting in a valley, is clean and modern, has good restaurants and a lot going on, and the people are friendly. Nicer than Cali and Barranquilla, and not as cold or unfriendly as Bogota.

knoxseagle comments on Value of a wife in Colombia.....

What exactly do you mean by value? When I lived in Africa I saw local men offer anything from a dozen camels to cows to the companion of a foreign woman... Here I suppose the starting bid might be an arepa and bottle of aguardiente.

knoxseagle comments on Medellin mayor opens metro-cable extention

Is everything open now for tourists? How much does entrance into Arvi park cost?

knoxseagle comments on Hiring English Teachers (Bogota, Medellin)

No. As suggested above by the original poster, I sent messages to these two e-mail addresses with questions as basic as what is the name of this institute and where is it located. Having already hired someone is an irrelevant possibility, as I haven't even applied for this job. I wanted more information, asked general questions as specifically directed by the individual above, and was ignored. Looking for reason in acting so irresponsible and unprofessional from their perspective is a bit difficult for me. I don't like it.

knoxseagle comments on Hiring English Teachers (Bogota, Medellin)

So... after e-mailing these two addresses with questions and not receiving a response, what do you suggest we do?

knoxseagle comments on Hiring English Teachers (Bogota, Medellin)

What is the name of the Institute? How long has it been in Medellin?

knoxseagle comments on Wall Street Institute- Medellin

Yes... Writing this off as a misunderstanding has been the only thing that's allowed me to keep this from breaking my mind. As I mentioned, the Australian who told me this didn't seem all that bright...

knoxseagle comments on Average hourly wage for teaching in Medellin?

I know the work permit costs $205USD, and as it must be obtained outside of Colombia you have to factor in travel costs to obtain the visa. I'm not sure about the exact percentage, but I think 10% is deducted from your paycheck.

knoxseagle comments on Average hourly wage for teaching in Medellin?

I'm already teaching private lessons through an organization for 20.000 an hour, and I was just offered a job at an English institute for 18.000 an hour, a proposal that I have yet to accept. Both seem a bit low to me, but I'd like some other opinions. The private lessons involve me going to people's houses, and transportation costs are my responsibility.

knoxseagle comments on Average hourly wage for teaching in Medellin?

CELTA, university degree, native speaker, 3 years experience in 4 countries.

knoxseagle comments on Teaching at Winston Salem- Medellin

Pay there is roughly 18.000 an hour.

knoxseagle comments on Teaching at Winston Salem- Medellin

It's been difficult for me to find a job here over the past few months, even with all my qualifications that I believe should be more than enough to hold most English teachings positions here. Finding a job here seems to have more to do with who you know, who you can be introduced to, and timing than anything else... The only way I've been able to actually communicate with anyone in a school is actually going there and asking to speak with someone with my CV in hand... e-mails and phone calls don't work. Centro Colombo Americano has reached its foreign employee quota and will likely remain unable to hire any additional foreigners until June. EAFIT's language center really screwed me over, offering me a job and telling me to wait and then forgetting about me. The University of Antioquia told me that they can't hire any foreign teachers unless they already have a work visa, though this confused me as I was under the impression that foreigners can only obtain a work permit by being sponsored by an employer after they've been offered a job. I haven't been able to get in touch with anyone at UPB or the University of Medellin. I've applied to some colegios, but only those that are well-known like The Colombus School, Montemayor, and Marymount. In addition to being offered a job at Winston Salem (I'm still currently trying to keep a smile while undergoing training there now), I was also offered a job at Lexicom after speaking with the director there. However, she lamented that she doesn't have anything full time at the moment and wouldn't be able to offer me anything more than part time in the near future. That place however seemed to have a very positive atmosphere, with very friendly people, and a smaller, close-knit working environment. I was told that the teachers there are encouraged to be creative with lessons, improvise, adjust lessons and materials to meet the specific needs of students, and speak only English in class (look for ways to communicate without directly translating). I was told that with a part time position there they wouldn't need to worry about a working visa for me, that in the future if everything was going well that they could sponsor me (I need to change my tourist permit to a work visa by July). I'm not sure if it's technically ok for me to work there part time without a work visa, but that's what I was told. At Winston Salem on the other hand, I will be expected to go through the whole process of getting a work visa with documentation from the school, and unfortunately the responsibility of the cost of the work visa is mine... I have been conflicted about whether I should pursue both current possibilities although I personally have problems with the methodology of the school where I've been offered a full time position, or if I should try to work part time at Lexicom and supplement that by continuing to offer private lessons while continuing to look for a full time position in the city...

knoxseagle comments on Places to buy used furniture in Medellin?

Thanks everyone for this. Good, useful information.

knoxseagle comments on Travelling into Venezuela overland via Maicao

Sorry, I meant to put this on the Venezuela page.

knoxseagle comments on Tourist visa renewal- travelling to Venezuela?

I would love to see the Catatumbo lightning! I was planning on going from Maracaibo to Merida on an overnight bus. Will I still be able to see the lightning? How much money will I need for a three or four day stay in Venezuela? I´m just trying to get ahold of all the dollars I´ll need while there, as I generally only have Colombian pesos from working in Medellin, and I know that if I use my American bank cards I´ll get the official rip-off exchange rate. Will I be able to change money just across the border from Maicao when I cross? How many bolivares should I expect to the dollar at the unofficial rate? Thanks!

knoxseagle comments on Tourist visa renewal- travelling to Venezuela?

And just to verify, as an American I do not need a pre-arranged Venezuelan visa, correct? I´ve heard that I would receive a tourist card at the border. Since I plan to travel by land both into and out of Venezuela, will I be expected to show proof of an exiting ticket?

knoxseagle comments on What's the name of this bar in Poblado....

Sorry... Tinto Tintero. It´s open from 5pm everyday except Sunday and Monday. Interesting lectures every Tuesday night at 8:00.

knoxseagle comments on What's the name of this bar in Poblado....

It´s called Tinto Tinter. The owner´s name is Dave and he´s from Ontario.

knoxseagle comments on Tourist visa answer - New calendar year

So if I understand this correctly... having entered around August 15th, I can stay in Colombia for 180 days from that date, which is roughly until the middle of February. At that point I have to leave the country but can then re-enter and stay for an additional 4 1/2 months for a total of 6 months in 2010... Is this correct?

knoxseagle comments on Working for EAFIT... WTF?

Thanks for the good wishes. I hope things work out so I can stay in Medellin.

knoxseagle comments on Working for EAFIT... WTF?

Yes... I spoke with Gloria... As mentioned above, I actually thought that the word of this potential employer meant something... that's what I received, a verbal assurance that I would be hired. I was subsequently baited more, and told several times I would be contacted to fill out all the paperwork, get the documents needed for a work visa, etc.. During this time that I've been waiting to begin working at EAFIT I've been teaching English privately. I realize that January is when most of these jobs will begin, so I feel like I'm running out of time. Can anyone recommend any other good schools/universities that I could try? Colombo Americano cannot hire foreigners right now. The U of A said they cannot hire foreigners unless they already have a work permit, which is absurd and impossible. I was naively counting on this offer from the university working out though... Being ultimately ignored by them is a real surprise. Now I'm really depressed.

knoxseagle comments on Working for EAFIT... WTF?

What is the llanogrande campus? I thought EAFIT only had a campus in Poblado... I did speak to the people at this campus in person, and they are who offered me a job...

knoxseagle comments on Need Cheap place in Medellin..

It's interesting to me that he alleges that there are too many mean people on this forum when he actually tops the list for me. I've been looking for a place myself here over the past two weeks. On all posted available rooms for rent this guy criticises and harrasses the original poster because of how much they're charging. Without fail he throws the offer of accomodation in the face of the original poster, claiming he can rent a place for a fraction of the quoted price. I thought it absurd/comical that he's he actually hopes to find someone here who is willing to give him advice after showing everyone how he treats a serious offer here. You might try sleeping on a bench in Parque Poblado. Just don't open your mouth because you'll rightfully get your ass beat with an attitude like yours.

knoxseagle comments on Need Cheap place in Medellin..

What language is this? Aren't you the guy who constantly harrasses and criticises people about how expensive their advertised rooms are?

knoxseagle comments on Medellin Apt to share/Room for Rent-Good location-Good Price

Stop it. You should be ashamed of yourselves. This is so unhealthy.

knoxseagle comments on cage

Were you really born in Christmas Island?

knoxseagle comments on Party in Jamaica Bar, Parque Lleras, Medellin on November 27 2009

Also, can anyone speak for the legitimacy of this dating site?

knoxseagle comments on Party in Jamaica Bar, Parque Lleras, Medellin on November 27 2009

Don't get me wrong... I'm a young, single American guy, and I think paisa women are wonderful. But attending a party that is specifically designed to set up gringos with paisa women seems... I don't know... embarrassing? Especially when paying 25,000 pesos... Are the women who will be at the party recruited by this dating site so they can mingle with single gringos at the party?

knoxseagle comments on Party in Jamaica Bar, Parque Lleras, Medellin on November 27 2009

As this party is thrown by a dating agency, will it consist of a lot of single gringo men looking for love, and young paisa women who are hoping to meet a gringo for marriage? That seems like it would be an uncomfortable environment to party in... If I'm wrong, what will this party be like?

knoxseagle comments on What is going on with all the fireworks in Medellin tonight???

I saw the fireworks a few nights ago over Tesoro... very loud. Then the following morning I heard something else, much louder, and closer to Parque Poblado. It sounded like an explosion, different from fireworks...

knoxseagle comments on Apartment wanted in Poblado/ Patio Bontio/ Manila area

knoxseagle at yahoo.com

knoxseagle comments on Apartment wanted in Poblado/ Patio Bontio/ Manila area

Hello... I'm unfamiliar with the location of Cristo Rey... Could you give me a little info on the place? Who currently lives there, what each room rents for, whether it's furnished... Thanks!

knoxseagle comments on Room needed in Medellin

It's important to me that everyone living in the place be treated as equals, that not one person is dominant over the others.

knoxseagle comments on Looking for a room in Poblado

Thank you for the offer above, but unfortunately that's a little too much than what I'm able to pay right now.

knoxseagle comments on

You're right... Chavez's anti-Colombian rhetoric is probably to destract Venezuelans from the multitude of problems in their country. A violent, out of control crime rate, intermittent electricity, poverty, government policies that continue to isolate Venezuela from much of the rest of the world... Venezuela is a mess, and it's hard to believe that any normal Venezuelan citizen would be more concerned about American troops on Colombian bases than not having stable electricity or being afraid to go outside at night. Remember how Argentina's military junta launched an invasion to reclaim the Falklands in 1982 as a way of diverting public attention from the country's huge economic problems? That experiment didn't end so well for that particular regime. Chavez would be a fool to pursue allegations that Colombia's invitation to the United States is risking a regional war. If Chavez truly wanted to keep American forces out of Colombia and South America, he would offer military help to Uribe for fighting the guerillas and paramilitaries in lieu of the United States doing so. If Chavez declares war on Colombia it will be obvious to all that it's for an unjustifiable reason, and I wouldn't expect other South American countries or Colombia's allies (the United States) to stand for it. Blocking Venezuela's membership into Mercosur would just be the beginning and Venezuela would see its problems multiply.

knoxseagle comments on Medellin - Furnished Room Rental in El Poblado

Hi James, No offense intended... I was just a bit surprised. I tried to delete my comment but I don't know how. I'm sure it's a really lovely place. I hadn't considered the costs of living in a completely furnished, modern apartment in probably the nicest part of the city. You put things in perspective. Good luck!

knoxseagle comments on Medellin - Furnished Room Rental in El Poblado

You're right... I'm sure the apartment in question and what comes along with it are superior. But I've still never seen a room in a shared place for more than 500USD here. This apartment must be amazing.

knoxseagle comments on Medellin - Furnished Room Rental in El Poblado

I pay 500.000 pesos ($250.00) a month for a big room in a shared apartment right behind Parque del Poblado, with all the same amenities. With respect, I think $675 is extremely expensive for a room in a shared place in Medellin, more like what one would expect to pay in Boston, LA, or DC.

knoxseagle comments on Documents needed for work visa?

Thank you for the help and information. It's also nice to see those unfriendly posts deleted. I didn't know that requirements can change from consulate to consulate, and hadn't thought of contacting the decided-upon consulate directly. I'll do that to make sure I bring everything I need. From everything I've read, I believed the road between Popayan to Pashto to be safe. Once I re-enter Colombia with the work visa I was planning on returning to Medellin by bus, by way of Pashto, Popayan, and Cali because there are lots of places along this route that I'd like to visit. Is doing this really not recommended? I wasn't planning on heading too far off the beaten track. I wasn't considering travelling overland between Colombia and Venezuela because my friend in the American embassy in Caracas told me that the border area is very dangerous and that even state department employees aren't allowed within 50 miles of the border. I'm also wary of the safety situation in the Venezuelan cities with a Colombian consulate (except maybe Merida), and have nothing but bad things about Cucuta. There is actually some confusion at the EAFIT language center about what documents I'll require... Most of the foreign teachers at the university were offered their job while still in their home country, and obtained the work visa before coming to Colombia. Regarding the process of coming to Colombia, being offered a job, and then having to leave the country to obtain the visa, I've heard different things from different people. I haven't found anyone at the university who has information about getting a work visa at a consulate in country that neighbors Colombia. I thought it best to seek the advice of another foreigner who has been through the same process. Again, thanks to those who used their time to offer helpful comments and advice.

knoxseagle comments on Documents needed for work visa?

I do not appreciate having a request for help and advice thrown back in my face. What has been discussed ad nauseum in the past doesn't interest me, as regulations, laws, and requirements can change, especially in a country with complicated bureaucracy like Colombia. I am seeking up-to-date information. Surely asking for needed, currently valid information in a public forum that is frequented by numerous individuals who I believe to be more knowledgable on this particular subject is more sensible than travelling to Quito armed with information that was valid 15 months ago and being met with surprises. Case in point, as I plan to travel to Ecuador, I don't think that an account of a journey to obtain a work visa last year in Venezuela is of much use to me. I had already read said forum post. Has anyone tried to obtain this work visa recently, specifically in Ecuador? If trying to have this done in Quito is not advisable due to extra bureaucratic complications at that particular embassy, are there any other embassies or consulates that are recommended? Again, I am currently in Colombia on a tourist visa, not a student visa like the individual in the outdated forum posting mentioned above by the person who is in a good mode today. I will leave the country before my tourist visa expires at the end of November. I should have the documents from the university in a few weeks. I was planning on going to Quito because I'm interested in travelling through southern Colombia overland on my way back. I hadn't really considered Venezuela because its cities and the border area do not have a safe reputation. I do not want to travel through Cucuta or in the border area in general for reasons that should be obvious. I am concerned that I will require my original diploma and original CELTA certificate in order to obtain the work visa (now, as in November 2009), and I would greatly appreciate current verification of what will be asked of me. Thanks in advance to those who genuinely have an interest in helping.

knoxseagle comments on Is the pilot actually awake? And the co-pilot?

It's interesting to discover that Colombia is so close to Hilo and Minneapolis that these incidents would justify a mention here.

knoxseagle comments on Just bought my one way ticket to medellin will i have problems entering without a return ticket

I believe that proof of onward travel is technically required, but is not commonly asked for in practice. I came to Medellin in August on a one way ticket with SpiritAir from Ft. Lauderdale and I had no problems getting a tourist stamp at the airport when I arrived, nor did I have problems when I went to DAS last month to extend my tourist stamp. In both cases I think I told them that I was going to be travelling overland to Ecuador. If you are concerned about this (like I was, needlessly), you can book yourself a flight out of Colombia, print out the booking, and then cancel the booking after you use this proof of onward travel to satisfy anyone who might ask for it when you arrive.

knoxseagle comments on Adding pages to an American passport

Thanks everyone. It's good to know it will be easy.

knoxseagle comments on El Tibiri- Medellin

Thanks everyone. Tonight's the night. I hope people there will be friendly and won't mind sharing room with a beginning salsa dancer.

knoxseagle comments on Recommended bars/clubs in La 33, Laureles?

Is it safe to take the metro to Estadio at night to go to La 70? I know the La 70 strip is within walking distance of the metro. I prefer this to a taxi, as I'm very close to the Poblado station.

knoxseagle comments on Recommended bars/clubs in La 33, Laureles?

Thanks everyone. I'll look forward to checking out the suggested places.

knoxseagle comments on HOY HOY HOY in the fish & chips shop La figgitoria

I hope it's ok to offer this suggestion, but is there any chance of baked or grilled fish in the future in addition to fried? I'm trying to keep it healthy!

knoxseagle comments on Recommended clubs/discos in Medellin?

Thanks for the recommendations- I will check out Santos and I've been meaning to spend more time around La 33 and La 70. However, isn't Fase Dos a strip club? And what is it with the increase in street crime around Poblado? I thought this was the safest area of the city, mostly safe to walk around even at night, but my roommate was mugged on Av. El Poblado last week.

knoxseagle comments on englishman

I love your website The Medellin Map. Can I suggest that you add a section devoted to descriptions of different neighborhoods/barrios in the city? What Poblado is like and what can be found there, La 33, La 70, El Centro, etc... Good work!