Mononoke28 has left 3920 comments

Mononoke28 comments on How do you call the letter V

Well, it's not really confusing unless you're a bitch working at a desk hating your job and probably your everyday life. If someone tells me "es b grande" or "v pequeña" I know what they mean. If someone says "b de burro" or "v de vaca" I'll also understand what they mean. And If someone says "b" or "UV" I'll also get it. There is no need to correct someone when they're already correct just because you don't like the way they refer to things.

Mononoke28 comments on Snyder's Pretzels in Colombia

$12,500 COP for pretzels??!! Man, if they were only good to eat.

Mononoke28 comments on How do you call the letter V

Either one is correct but most people in Colombia, not all, but most, say "v pequeña". Bottom line is, the lady was being a bitch about it when she didn't have to be. She clearly understood what that it was a V and didn't have to "correct" Kat at all. And yes, the reason why BBVA is called (beh, beh, u-veh, ah) in Colombia is because it's a bank from Spain where they say "ooh-veh" instead.

Mononoke28 comments on Univalle ladron........

Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 18, 2009, 11:46 (today): flag Y pq la policia? Que han hecho la policia? Estoy segurro que han llamdo y estan esperando un ambulancia.. pues ojala que si. ----------------------------------- ¿Por qué la policía? Por obvias razones. Primero para poner el orden con una manada de brutos e ignorates haciendo corrillo y sin alejarlos. Pero lo más importante por no haberle puesto un tate quieto a la paliza que le dieron en primer lugar. ¿O para eso no está la policía? Ahí sólo se ve un pobre petardo supuesto policía caminando de un lado para otro y sin hacer ab-so-lu-ta-mente NADA. ¡Que horror!

Mononoke28 comments on Senorita Colombia was chosen for special reason

Who cares? She won't change the world, she won't end poverty, she won't do anything special. They never do, so who cares. This is just something she'll get to put on her resume so she can land a job on T.V. next year.

Mononoke28 comments on Vonage offers FREE calls to ALL landlines in Colombia

Question for those who have it... is it UNLIMITED calls to ANY landline in Colombia? The reason I ask is because we had a long distance service that claimed to give us unlimited minutes to Colombia but it turned out that it did have a limit of 2k minutes or so. Just wondering... Thanks!

Mononoke28 comments on See you all in Medellin....

Have a great trip!

Mononoke28 comments on Univalle ladron........

¡Que brutalidad!!! No sólo por parte de los mismos estudiantes sino también de la policía. ¡Y ni una bendita ambulancia pues!

Mononoke28 comments on What Does "Bill" Mean?

ranaquajo (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 17, 2009, 11:27 (today): flag ... when speaking with my university educated friends, i can usually tell the difference ... ------------------------------- LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hilarious!

Mononoke28 comments on Parahotelería en Colombia de Apartamentos Amoblados - La práctica creciente de casas o apartamentos adaptados como hoteles tiene en jaque a las empresas formales

Entonces los hoteles se tienen que empezar a poner las pilas y ofrecer tarifas más favorables para no perder clientela. Por ahí es que tienen que empezar.

Mononoke28 comments on What Does "Bill" Mean?

onthemoon says on Nov 16, 2009, 19:53: flag I was taught: B bilabial = it means u have to pronounce it putting your lips together. as burro. V labidental = it means you touch your upper teeth with your lower lip. as vaca. BUT we dont make any difference when talking because we do it fast though is important when writing. -------------------------- Right, I was taught the same thing when I was in school but in reality they're pretty much pronounced the same.

Mononoke28 comments on The "Must Have" christmas gift for your colombiana this year ...

I heard about this last week in a morning radio show here in Denver. They're uglier than I thought they were. Blech.

Mononoke28 comments on Evolve or DIE.

The changes sound good to me. I'm looking forward to seeing the new and improved PBH.

Mononoke28 comments on Finding Peace in Colombia

I disagree. I find time and time again people here in the US who STILL think that Colombia is a dangerous place where only drug dealers rule. Expecting people outside of Colombia to understand the change the country has been going through in the past 8 years is ridiculous. Articles like these will keep on showing the real Colombia to those who have a different opinion about it.

Mononoke28 comments on Finding Peace in Colombia

Fantastic article. I think what most people here are missing is that he went to Colombia with the embedded stereotypical images most foreigners get outside of Colombia. He searched high and low for the "danger" and "excitement" a violent and barbaric country would give him, only to find himself surrounded by a wonderful country full of culture, wonderful cuisine and relaxation. AWESOME! Thanks Kat! :o)

Mononoke28 comments on Great apartment in Envigado for sale, nice neighbourhood

The link says it's for sale for $200,000,000 COP. I just have to say that it's a gorgeous place, too bad I can't afford it. :o(

Mononoke28 comments on

I don't know what's been said about the OPs question since I didn't bother reading every single post. But I just have to say that I found his question cute, yet hilarious at the same time. I just can't picture my grandma taking a bath in Colombia! That's just too funny. :oD Anyway, showers are the way to go especially now that many people are trying to save the environment. It takes a ton of water to fill up a bathtub not to mention the hassle of keeping it warm enough. NOW let's not get carried away and end up like Chávez saying that everybody should take 3 minute showers. lol.

Mononoke28 comments on What Does "Bill" Mean?

We were told in school while I still lived in Colombia that there was a difference when pronouncing words with B or V. I've been sitting here for a good 5 minutes pronouncing words such as "burro", "voto", "basura", "vela", "barranco", "vista" and they all sound the same. Ex. "Yo voto para que Verónica bote la basura", all Bs and Vs sound the same.

Mononoke28 comments on Engagement ring

But see you hit the nail on the head, I'm sure jewelers are the ones pushing for the "anillos de compromiso" like DeBeers did after WWII to sell more rings. And it may keep on changing the culture, but like Desi said earlier people start dating and then they get married, there's not much in between. In fact, in Colombia they rarely refer to their novio/novia as their "prometido". It would be extremely rare to hear that label. And as far as Colombians not knowing what Halloween was 20 years ago, not true. As a child we always dressed up on October 31st for "El Día de las Brujitas" and we also knew it was called Halloween. I even have a picture dressed up as an elephant on that date when I was 9 months old. But anyway, bottom line is that I don't think anyone is saying that giving an engagement ring is a bad thing because it's not... at all. We're only pointing out that it's not necessary, especially in Colombia when very few get "engaged" and get to wear an "engagement ring". Which typically has a diamond in it. SNAP!

Mononoke28 comments on Engagement ring

It's not that they don't understand it, of course they do. And it's not that they've never seen it before because it's all over the place, on TV and movies. The thing is, it's not a part of our culture mainly because very few people can afford to buy an engagement ring and THEN buy wedding bands. With Colombia's level of poverty, that's not really an option for most people.

Mononoke28 comments on where can i buy a pig in medellin

I just never knew that pigs get really stressed right before they get whacked (who wouldn't?) and they release a chemical that can damage every single part of the pig, so consuming it can be really dangerous. I just about fainted when I saw that on TV the last time I was in Medellín since that evening we had a "marranada" to go to.

Mononoke28 comments on Engagement ring

Juepaje says on Nov 12, 2009, 05:16 (today): flag Mononoke28, No one asked, "why does it always have to be a diamond ring." I only made a , what I thought was a helpful suggestion, that since this person is from Colombia, they might like an emerald instead. Your fiancé would or should know one well enough to know one's tastes well in advance of buying a ring. Diamonds may be pretty much the standard in the industrialized world but not on most of the planet. Whoooooo! Daaaaangggggg! "Take it eady buddy." ---------------------------------- That's exactly what I said. That's for making backing it up. By the way, I'm not a guy.

Mononoke28 comments on where can i buy a pig in medellin

I never understood the pleasure they get from killing a pig at home, really. It's sooo easy to get it wrong, get the pig all stressed out and get everything infected. YUCK! Why not buy it already dead and even pre-cut? it's much more sanitary.

Mononoke28 comments on Engagement ring

Mononoke28, That's B.S.. I know many Colombian women who where Emeralds as engagemnt rings, including my wife. Diamonds are a scam and plentiful and emeralds are much rarer on this Earth. It would be a rare Colombiana who would not be impressed with an emerald as an engagement ring. My wife has worn hers proudly for 5 years and I know some very wealthy people who wear them as well. Where you come from, it may be the standard. It is a symbol and can be made of anything you want it to be made of. There is no standard except where people have bought into the monopoly of deBeers. My wife has a flawless 5 carat, deep green emerald and people always ask where they can get one. deBeers came up with that 2 month salary crap. It is BS as well. If you know your woman, you will know what she will like. My wife likes white gold because people think it is silver and she is less likely to be robbed in the street. It is also just as common to see wedding rings on the left hand as the right. How long have you lived in Colombia? ---------------------------------- Daaaaannng, take it eady buddy. Whoooeee. Someone asked why it is always a diamond ring, right? I said "Because diamond rings are pretty much the standard when it comes to engagement rings." I didn't say it HAS TO BE a diamond ring, it can be anything an emerald, a ruby, black onyx, sapphire, whatever. But the "standard" is a diamond. If you didn't know it was all popularized by DeBeers back in the 1950s, a marketing scheme if you will. So that's why most people get a diamond ring. Like Desi mentioned earlier, an engagement ring was not very popular in Colombia and as far as I know and seen, still isn't. It's mostly an American tradition and a way for diamond retailers to make more money. Sooo... I'm sure your wife's ring is lovely and that she loves it as much as you do. But for myself, I wouldn't like an emerald stone in my engagement ring or even in my wedding band. Don't like it.

Mononoke28 comments on Fruits and veggies in La Mayorista in Medellin

I looooove that cheese they wrap up in the plantain leaf, it reminds me of my childhood. And the granadillas... oh boy!

Mononoke28 comments on Engagement ring

Because diamond rings are pretty much the standard when it comes to engagement rings. I personally wouldn't like an emerald on my ring.

Mononoke28 comments on Inexpensive hotel near the American Embassy in Bogota???

We stayed at a private apartment about 5 minutes from the embassy. You rent it by the room and is pretty inexpensive. www.welovebogota.com. Highly recommend it.

Mononoke28 comments on Lula criticizes Colombia

Lula is only echoing what Chavez does not get tired of saying, which is pretty much non-sense. He is so convinced that the US is getting ready to attack him that he's getting all his little pets, including Lula, to say something about the US using the bases in Colombia. Now, how come we didn't hear these people say the same thing when the US was using the military bases in Ecuador?

Mononoke28 comments on Interior Painting Cost

Saltador says on Nov 11, 2009, 07:21 (today): flag The painting of interiors in colombia is one of those things I can't get over. Almost everywhere you go, whether it's apartments, stores, restaurants, you name it, the paint jobs are horrible. Paint all over the trim, the block, the glass, jeez are these guys blind or just in that much of a hurry? I could do better with my eyes closed.... ----------------------------------- I Agree. I actually told my husband the same thing except "I could do a better job with my left hand" and I'm right handed. No attention to detail whatsoever.

Mononoke28 comments on

OMG. I felt totally embarrassed FOR HIM. "Vergüenza ajena" if you will.

Mononoke28 comments on Engagement ring

I don't see anything wrong with putting it in your pocket when you arrive and forget about the paperwork. They don't search you when you land and they really don't care especially with all the amount of people they have to process after each landing. Or... it may be the corrupted Colombian in me doing the talking right now. >o)

Mononoke28 comments on What is your favorite colombian insult...

"lacra". I still use that one.

Mononoke28 comments on Colombians and arroz blanco.

My grandma had white rice for lunch and dinner every day of her life until she passed away at the age of 95. My great-aunt is 89 and she's had the same diet. Same goes for the rest of my family. We don't eat it as much in the US because we grew up here so our diet is a bit different but I really don't have an issue with it at all. I even eat it all by itself with just ketchup and the pièce de résistance ... mayonnaise. :oD

Mononoke28 comments on Jane Fonda / Shakira

So... she'll look like this in about 20-30 years...

Mononoke28 comments on Translation por favor?

God, I feel like I'm talking to Lassie. Come on boy! What else does it say?! You can do it! LOL.

Mononoke28 comments on Colombians and arroz blanco.

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 9, 2009, 08:31 (today): flag I guess the custom derives partially from the fact that rice is cheap and fills you up. I know a lot of people claim that it is not that good for you, but I have tons of very old relatives that have been eating it their entire lives and it didn't seem to do them any harm. ------------------------------------- I think this is the major reason why most meals come with white rice. AND if you're paisa you get a white arepa on top of it. Talk about a double whammy. But yes, you don't eat the white rice all by itself, you mix it with the beans, or the soup, or even spaghetti. Spaghetti you say?! Oh yes, my friends... even with spaghetti.

Mononoke28 comments on

Love #s 15 &18, my mom used to say those all the time. Same with "¡¿y es que aquí se voltió el Cristo?!". LOL.

Mononoke28 comments on Stunning fully furnished 1 and 2 bedroom apartments to rent in Bogota

Very, very nice. Great prices and the apts. look great in the pictures you have there.

Mononoke28 comments on Aguila roja comercial Navidad

Uy sí, la de Águila Roja de una me hace acordar de Colombia. Y ésta también:

Mononoke28 comments on What is your favorite Funny song in Colombia? Vargis Vil? MUSICA CARRILERA? Gaucha? Despecho?

My all time favorite is that "Toño te casaste Toño" song but I can never find it online.

Mononoke28 comments on Hotel owner tells Hispanic workers to change names

I understand that as the owner of the place the guy can ask whatever he wants from his employees. However, firing them for not wanting to change their names from Marcos to Mark or from Martín to Martin, is considered discrimination which is against the law. Same goes for firing someone for speaking a different language other than English in the workplace.

Mononoke28 comments on Has anyone been to this Amusmement Park in Valle Del Cauca?

From what I've read and heard, they haven't built it yet. They've been talking about it for years but I haven't heard anyone say that it's been opened. My husband's family is from Tuluá which is pretty close to Buga and they didn't even know what it was. Maybe someone else can chime in.

Mononoke28 comments on Small Earthquake - Who Felt that in Medellin at 11.30 am

My FB contacts from Medellín can't stop talking about it. It must've been pretty strong then.

Mononoke28 comments on Announcer Cracks 'Taco' Joke at Juan Montoya

I was responding to going_south's question. No falta el metido. goin_south says on Oct 26, 2009, 10:55 (today): flag what is it, you don't like about JPM, Mononoke?

Mononoke28 comments on Colombian soccer players found dead in Venezuela

Haghj00 (newbie) says on Oct 26, 2009, 10:23 (today): flag Im not saying that socialism is perfect, its not. But its better then capitalism. There has to be a balance between communism and capitalism and its called socialism. :) ------------------------------------ I agree with this statement. I have heard really good things about Sweden and Denmark based on their socialist ideas. BUT... Hugo Chávez is far from being a socialist leader, he's a dictator with communist thoughts and points of view which he so desperately tries to hide under his "socialist" shroud. We can all see right through it though and that's one of the reasons which makes him so laughable.

Mononoke28 comments on Announcer Cracks 'Taco' Joke at Juan Montoya

Besides the fact that he's a pompous a-hole (footage of this abounds the internet). I think he's a sore loser. He couldn't deal with Michael Schumacher winning every time in Formula One so he decided to jump ship. And he still can't win. But putting that whole Fomula One/NASCAR stuff aside... he's still a jerk. A jerk's a jerk no matter what they are or what they do for living.

Mononoke28 comments on Help in obtaining US citizen for child whos father died before birth

It can definitely be done. Since no action was taken before his death it won't be easy but it can be done if you can prove he's the father. The first step you need to take is contact the US embassy in Bogotá if you're still in Colombia.

Mononoke28 comments on Announcer Cracks 'Taco' Joke at Juan Montoya

Continuing mrgizmo's thread... Not all Latinos are like Juan Pablo Montoya. THANK GOD for that!!!

Mononoke28 comments on Hotel owner tells Hispanic workers to change names

I read this article this morning and I can honestly say that this guy's level of ignorance made me chuckle, it really did.

Mononoke28 comments on Failing Horribly...Should I call it quits or is there something I'm missing?

I hate to say this but maybe you were on cloud 9 when you first moved to Colombia because for one, finding a good paying job down there is not as easy or feasible as many think. There's a ton of people trying to teach and they're constantly saying that it's not that easy. And secondly, you were earning $500k a month at your cousin's business, that's a little bit above the minimum wage which is pretty good since it's a papelería.