My first year of marriage

[daytrader]

hile you are in the motor city, you can try your daytrades on the vegas style casinos, bJ, dice, etc.

I've got a horse track & casino one mile away from me (just north of Aventura), dog track down US 1 and the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino up in Ft. Lauderdale somewhere.  I prefer doing 200% a day in the Russell 2000 with an average loss on losing trades of 10% of margin, and an average win of 40% to 60% of margin.  cool beans. 

The horses and dogs are fun to watch though.  Watching people freak out is also free entertainment, although rather sad. 

DayTrader

[papi]

Daytrade, I don't recall seeing any spanish correspondence ending in the word buenas. You might consider the following next time:

cuidate
cuidate y portate bien
saludos
Atentamente
Gracias
un beso (if you want to kiss me  )
Chao
Chao pues (if you are in medellin)
Adios
Bye (they understand this)
Ate.

[daytrader]

good one Papi!  I don't know the spelling but 98% of the time I was in Cali and a stranger greeted me they said "buenas"  ....that's what it soundz like anyhow!  Someone can correct me in the spelling but I DO know what they said..it happened hundreds of times. 

a kiss (if you want to kiss me Wink)

How about the candy bar commercial during the SuperBowl?  (Snickers?? can't remember) ..Sorree, Papi, noooooway, noooo how!  LOL

 
DayTrader

[papi]

good one Papi!  I don't know the spelling but 98% of the time I was in Cali and a stranger greeted me they said "buenas"  ....that's what it soundz like anyhow!  Someone can correct me in the spelling but I DO know what they said..it happened hundreds of times.

yes, you are correct. But it is used as a greeting as in buenas tardes or good afternoon or just buenas or greetings, but not to end a letter. Online Spanish class along with agency negotiation and colombian gem appraisals begins shortly

[daytrader]

Chow!

[papi]

chao!

que tenga un buen noche, Ate, El papi

[Jamie]

There is big difference between vacationing in a county and living there as there is between socializing and having fun with Colombians and doing business with them.  Since I have done both my perspective and understanding is more comprehensive. I have seen too many visitors to Colombia extol virtues that don’t exist. They feel they have found a hidden heaven, where the food is better, the people are better, the land is more beautiful and life is better. When the reality is Colombia is mush worse than what you read in the U.S newspapers (I’ll save the details for my own personal outlet) and when I read proclamations that may be misleading I’ll comment. I have stated before there is only one reason to come to Colombia and that is the women. As for the positives I personally feel one only needs good company to find that.

[papi]

I have seen too many visitors to Colombia extol virtues that don’t exist. They feel they have found a hidden heaven, where the food is better, the people are better, the land is more beautiful and life is better. When the reality is Colombia is mush worse than what you read in the U.S newspapers

you are 100% correct even though i happen to like it very much

[sean126]

Jamie,
Bravo!!!!

[el_ruso]

DT,

keep in mind that taxis in Colombia are very cheap, and if you buy a car it can attract attention to you of people you don't want.  Also as far as I know it is true that they don't allow import of cars from abroad.

You could buy an aforementioned Clio for about $15K new (or even less for a sedan) and I think it is actually made in Colombia so it is not "French", or a comparable Peugeout 207.  If you insist you can't buy French brand, I believe a Skoda is close in price.  All three are EXCELLENT cars.  Another good choice would be a Mazda Protege (which is still made there) which is also under $20K I believe.  A Mazda 3 is quite expensive and comes only with small engines.  The Opel Corsa (sold by Chevy) and Ford Fiesta are also cheaper, but probably not as good.  A Daewoo (Chevy) Nexia is also pretty cheap and very rugged.  I don't think any Daewoo would be so expensive ($22K), but depends on options I guess.

[el_ruso]

Jamie,

I am actually surprised by your thought on Colombia, and by a couple of "bravos" that followed.  Although I have not been to Barranquilla, and would not want to live in a place like CTG or - especially - Cali, Bogota and Medellin are very nice, and I don't see why someone would not enjoy living there if he had family and friends there and means to enjoy what it offers.

In every country there are pluses and minuses, including Colombia.  When I go there, there are some things I like, and some things I don't like in comparison to US.  I don't like everything in the US either, but on the balance I prefer living here and happy to have an opportunity.  There are things I really like about Europe, but there are many things that annoy me as well.  No one place is going to be "perfect".

Basically, Colombia has a lot to offer besides "women-watching".  Cities like Medellin and Bogota have great urban areas with beautiful apartments, clubs, restaurants - all at a fraction of what a similar lifestyle would cost here.  They have great climate, great local food, great atmosphere.  In comparison, Miami's latin clubs are subpar to that of not only colombia but even Houston.  And the 'anglo' clubs on the beach I didn't like much each either - either hiphop or beeping music.  Higher end restaurants in Colombia are very good IMO, not the level of New York of course, but very enjoyable.  The traffic doesn't bother me at all, since taxis are so cheap and plentiful, I would buy a car there only if I had a very big family and wanted to impress people with my "status".  Grocery stores are quite OK from what I saw.

I am really surprised with your assessment and disagree with it completely.  What in your opinion makes Colombia so bad to live in?

[blockbuster]

If jaime is looking at this from a biz point I can see where he is going. I've done biz in Colombia and not only feel they don't respect timelines,but U think they will always try to put one up on the gringo. It's as though you should compare what they are giving you to American prices. I've actaully had a guy get back to me on some service I needed. He went to the internet and got  the price per hour the service would cost in the U.S. came back and asked for a couple of dollars less. I laugh when stuff like that happens. Unbelievable!

  I also have noted even good friends with businesses will try to make me pay just a little extra for something,unlike the U.S. where your friends give you discounts. I have often had a bad taste in my mouth overseas when you understand the people are great, but get dissapointed that few will not try to take advantage if they think they can.

[sean126]

To clarify my "bravo"....I think he hit on a very good point on and put into more of a perspective the vacationing vs. actually the day to day living...for life.  I LOVE Barranquilla.  I love the atmosphere, the my family and friends there, the music in the streets all day long ect.. but actually living and working there (some jobs would be an exception) I think would be a totally different story.   In my opinion I think Jamie is right, when your vacationing you almost unconsciously look through rose colored glasses sometimes.  I think that would be very natural and easy to do though.   He made a good point and that's what my "bravo" was for, not that Colombia is horrible or anything.

[papi]

If jaime is looking at this from a biz point I can see where he is going. I've done biz in Colombia and not only feel they don't respect timelines,but U think they will always try to put one up on the gringo. It's as though you should compare what they are giving you to American prices. I've actaully had a guy get back to me on some service I needed. He went to the internet and got  the price per hour the service would cost in the U.S. came back and asked for a couple of dollars less. I laugh when stuff like that happens. Unbelievable!

  I also have noted even good friends with businesses will try to make me pay just a little extra for something,unlike the U.S. where your friends give you discounts. I have often had a bad taste in my mouth overseas when you understand the people are great, but get dissapointed that few will not try to take advantage if they think they can.

the gringo tax...taxis, hotels, biz....they all do it and yes it leaves a very bad taste

[Cali-vet]

Certainly every ex-pat´s experience and perspective will differ. I am enjoying my sixth year of living with, socializing with and doing business with Colombians in the Cali/Valle De Cauca and the experience over all has been most rewarding and I wouldn´t trade where I am for any other spot on earth. As to the food well ok I don´t like arepas.

[el_ruso]

Well, I have not done business in Colombia, but it depends on your experience doing business in US.

I have claims filed in August that we could not get a phone call returned until we filed an official complaint with the government.  I had one adjuster finally answer my phone call and tell me he was "pissed" that I left him messages and called his supervisor to get response.  I have been in the insurance industry for close to seven years, and even though there are people who are professional, most are not.  Unless they want money from you, getting businesses to respond to you is a battle.

[Jamie]

I am actually surprised by your thought on Colombia, and by a couple of "bravos" that followed.  Although I have not been to Barranquilla, and would not want to live in a place like CTG or - especially - Cali, Bogota and Medellin are very nice, and I don't see why someone would not enjoy living there if he had family and friends there and means to enjoy what it offers.

I agree.

In every country there are pluses and minuses, including Colombia.  When I go there, there are some things I like, and some things I don't like in comparison to US.  I don't like everything in the US either, but on the balance I prefer living here and happy to have an opportunity.  There are things I really like about Europe, but there are many things that annoy me as well.  No one place is going to be "perfect".

I agree

Basically, Colombia has a lot to offer besides "women-watching".  Cities like Medellin and Bogota have great urban areas with beautiful apartments, clubs, restaurants - all at a fraction of what a similar lifestyle would cost here.  They have great climate, great local food, great atmosphere.  In comparison, Miami's latin clubs are subpar to that of not only colombia but even Houston.  And the 'anglo' clubs on the beach I didn't like much each either - either hiphop or beeping music.  Higher end restaurants in Colombia are very good IMO, not the level of New York of course, but very enjoyable.  The traffic doesn't bother me at all, since taxis are so cheap and plentiful, I would buy a car there only if I had a very big family and wanted to impress people with my "status".  Grocery stores are quite OK from what I saw.

I agree there is enough to do and see if one has the attitude of making the best of where they are at.

I am really surprised with your assessment and disagree with it completely.  What in your opinion makes Colombia so bad to live in?

Well as I indicated I will wait and cover this on my website, particularly about doing business in Colombia (which I do not recommend, excluding myself I don’t know of any Americans who have been successful doing business here), crime in Colombia (which I will  title “Colombia the Perfect Criminal State” and I will provide many examples of why, and some of the negative traits many of the women have and how to overcome the fact that the majority of Colombia women would be spousal disasters to American men.

My assessment is based on facts and experience and my list of the bad aspects of Colombia would be extensive if I cared to provide such a list which I don’t.

Lets take this last Sunday, shortly after waking up the electricity goes out, nothing new here, happens often and doesn’t disturb me. I see they are working on the lines outside and they appear to be doing some extensive changes. About 5 hours later the electricity comes on and I find out my microwave no longer works and 2 UPS’s protecting my computers don’t work. From talking to the neighbors they are all having the same problems TV’s are damaged, appliances are not working, electrical fires in the house. Now in the normal part of the world if the electric company was going to shut down your electricity they would normally tell you in advance but not in Colombia it just goes off. Now I don’t know what work they were doing but whatever it was they should of known something like this may happen and had us unplug all our electrical equipment but not in Colombia. Now does anyone think the electric company is going to rush to reimburse my neighbors, of course not they don’t care just like the police don’t care if you get robbed. While this is just a small, recent incident it is typical of the lack of common sense in Colombia I can relate stories like this almost every day. From the girl that comes into the office and tells me she needs my help her American boyfriend is not communicating with her anymore. When I ask her does she know why, she tells me no. Did you guys have any arguments or disagreements recently? No. Is there anything at all that may have cause this? No. So everything was perfect? Yes. Yet you have this problem. Well I knew what the problem was because the guy had talked to me and I tried a variety of questions trying to get the girl to maybe to mention this but all she would do is deny there was any problem and expect help to come her way from not opening up and telling me what she really knew. Why does this happen because Colombians are incessant liars. Even for the most inconsequential matters they want to lie. When I tell the girl what I know and ask her why she did not tell me this and how can I help you if you are not going to tell me everything the typical response is I was embarrassed or I was ashamed to tell you which is the next frequent activity of Colombians, making excuses. People here will not admit to mistakes or take responsibility for anything. If I had only kept a journal of all the excuses the women give for not showing up on a date or introduction with a client it would be great material for a book on ineptitude.  Any excuse is considered a good reason and a saving grace for what caused them not to show the cause of course never being them.
 
Understand people naturally migrate to good locations (look at California) if Colombia was so wonderful it would have many people from other places living here. Yet what you have is the opposite you have more Colombians living outside of Colombia than foreigners living in Colombia. The migration of people will tell you a lot.

As harsh as it may sound Colombia is a corrupt, ignorant, infested mess. But this does not mean one can’t have good times and find good things. It is what we try to provide and it is an undertaking more difficult than the surface reveals.

[daytrader]

...keep your eyes open and a hand on your wallet....take the bad with the good..don't get in high risk situations...have a friend nearby to bail you out of trouble...from what I can see, people should not expect to make $$$ in Colombia (doing business there) but expect small losses, thefts etc. which are mere pittances of your net worth.  Hop a plane to the USA, buy more stuff and bring it back to Colombia....  and enjoy a few days of normalcy of your past life. 

My thinking is even if I move down there, I would want to be out of urban Colombia for a couple  months of the year (San Andres or similar?) just for a break in the action. 

DayTrader

[utopiacowboy]

I don't dispute Jamie's post and I agree with him that living in Colombia would be a real endurance test. However, one thing that you must consider is that he is in Barranquilla and coastal Colombia is different from say, Medellin. There people are a lot more concerned with hard work, punctuality, honesty and many other "virtues" than they are on the coast. In all my time in Medellin and nightly chats with my wife over the internet for 6 months, the electricity never once went out. Having said that though, it's still Colombia.

[rpcv]

If jaime is looking at this from a biz point I can see where he is going. I've done biz in Colombia and not only feel they don't respect timelines,but U think they will always try to put one up on the gringo. 

I agree too regarding the business standpoint. I've lived in enough countries overseas to know that this is not isolated to just Colombia, when you are talking about the third world.   

[blockbuster]

I'm planning on retiring in Spain. Beautiful country.

[el_ruso]

Jamie,

you give a thoughtful response.

First of all, power goes out sometimes here too.  I don't know where you lived, but it has gone out in my home both in Houston and in Miami.  It was a rare ocurrance, but it did happen.  By contrast in all the years I have lived in Russia, it has not blinked even once.  If your appliances were damaged, most likely it is the fault with breakers and wiring inside your building.  Also, if the same thing happened here, power company would not have been liable, and would NEVER pay for your damages.  You need insurance for cases like that (in most cases there is coverage for "artificially generated current"), and I am sure some sort of insurance is available in Colombia as well.

Regarding the story about the girl, it kinda surprised me.  Well, whatever information she was hiding was personal, and it is reasonable that she would not want to divulge it up front and as much as absolutely necessary.  You however hid the fact that you knew the background of her case, and interrogated and "confronted" her as if you were deposing a witness for the other side in a suit.  Your job is to treat both men and women well and leaving them happy with your services, rather than treating your female members as if they were in a bootcamp.

Also, your comment that the majority of Colombianas are not suitable for US men (or as you put it even more harshly, they would be "disasters" as wives) is rather stunning for a guy running an introductory agency in Colombia.  Do you think that maybe also some of the foreigners might be husband "disasters" for the colombianas?   I realize there are bad apples on both sides, but to make such a blanket generalization is odd and wrong, especially for a guy in your position.

Regarding moving...  People move to US from all over the world because there are economic opportunities here (ie, you don't have to be somebody's cousin to get ahead in business), jobs pay a lot more, and the place is safe (except for a few urban areas).  Downside is an exorbitant cost of living in comparison to the 3rd world.

If there were those opportunities in Colombia, people would be moving there instead of from there.  There are reasons why Colombia is behind, but if you already have a job or the income to live there, then you cancel the main reason why people leave Colombia in the first place.

I respect your right to have an opinion since you live in Colombia, but judging from your posts, you abhorred the place from the start.  I mean, I don't remember you writing anything positive about the country.  There are a lot of guys who would actually be enjoying themselves if they were in your position, or in any other position that allowed them to live in Colombia and enjoy what it offers.  Everyone's tastes are different.

[Jamie]

First of all, power goes out sometimes here too.

We are not talking about occasionally going out. The power on average goes out 3 or 4 times per week sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. I don’t live or die by the power going out I make do it is a minor issue for me I just brought it up as a recent consequential incident.

If your appliances were damaged, most likely it is the fault with breakers and wiring inside your building.

I have had the house completely rewired and grounded. The damage to the UPS probably saved my computers a whole block of houses with damaged appliance and one with an electrical fire is a legitimate problem of negligence on the part of the power company and I would suspect the power company in the U.S would be held liable is such a situation. 

Regarding the story about the girl, it kinda surprised me.  Well, whatever information she was hiding was personal, and it is reasonable that she would not want to divulge it up front and as much as absolutely necessary. 

Why, she is coming to me for “personal” help and you defend her position of not revealing pertinent information. Its like going to the doctor and telling the doctor I am bleeding from the ear and I don’t know why without telling the doctor your scratching the inside of your ear with a pencil.

You however hid the fact that you knew the background of her case, and interrogated and "confronted" her as if you were deposing a witness for the other side in a suit.

 

Now this is funny, you are not there but determine that inquires to find out why she has this problem is a confrontation and interrogation on my part. I do not need to reveal information that she herself knew but chose not to mention. Most objective people will listen to both sides to get a sense of what the truth may be before injecting opinions and information.

Your job is to treat both men and women well and leaving them happy with your services, rather than treating your female members as if they were in a bootcamp.

Well if you must know the agency is just a front. The purpose of the boot camp is for me to train a new band of female rebels so I can lead my own faction of guerrillas (a Colombian boyhood dream) the CHICAS. 
If you want to read about happiness this Houston newspaper RUMBO is doing a valentine story this Friday on a couple that met through International Introductions. Afterwards I will give you a call so you can give me more tips on how to do my job.

Also, your comment that the majority of Colombianas are not suitable for US men (or as you put it even more harshly, they would be "disasters" as wives) is rather stunning for a guy running an introductory agency in Colombia. 

Sorry I didn’t meet your expectations for distorting the truth. I try to hold to the belief of saying and doing what I believe. I’ll take your shock as a compliment

Do you think that maybe also some of the foreigners might be husband "disasters" for the colombianas?

 

Yes some would be.

I realize there are bad apples on both sides, but to make such a blanket generalization is odd and wrong, especially for a guy in your position.

How is that? Only a guy in my position would know a guy in your position wouldn’t.  You don’t have anywhere near the level of experience and knowledge that I do in this mater and I am suppose to refrain to your credentials… which are?

If there were those opportunities in Colombia, people would be moving there instead of from there.  There are reasons why Colombia is behind, but if you already have a job or the income to live there, then you cancel the main reason why people leave Colombia in the first place.

I do not have any information on who leaves Colombia and why but I suspect the majority that left were educated and doing all right in Colombia and had jobs and the means of making such a move. I also suspect many left because of the 40 plus years of civil war. There are plenty of opportunities in Colombia it is the societal infrastructure that restricts their fruition.

I respect your right to have an opinion since you live in Colombia, but judging from your posts, you abhorred the place from the start.  I mean, I don't remember you writing anything positive about the country.

Then you should read my website.


 

There are a lot of guys who would actually be enjoying themselves if they were in your position, or in any other position that allowed them to live in Colombia and enjoy what it offers. 

I made it clear more then once that I do enjoy myself you choose to ignore those comments. What Colombia offers is mush less than what the U.S offers which is why few Americans choose to live in Colombia.

[Cali-vet]

Utopia you are quite right. I think the poster with the complaints about B/quilla is experiencing the exception to the rule. Having spent considerable time in and around Cali and Bogotá I can vouch for the fact that power outages are no more frequent in these areas than in the US. I know many Americans living in Valle De Cauca department. Some have businesses, some work and some are retired. All (including myself) have chosen Colombia over other destinations as the place they want to live. I can state with certainty that the negativism that has been expressed on this thread is very much the exception among the American community in Valle De Cauca.

[el_ruso]

Jamie,

1. DO try to sue the power company, or any other company of its magnitude.  GOOD LUCK!  My job is to get companies accept liability, and let's just say they are not quick to accept it.  Regardless, they will not accept it unless you spend more for legal defense than it will be worth to you.

2. Regarding the story about your lady client, I go by the information given by you.  Instead of trying to make her feel comfortable with you and help her open up, you "confronted" and embarrassed her, of which you are obviously proud.  You have great people skills.

3. You seem to run one of the best organized and well-advertised operation in Colombia, and in BAQ in particular you don't seem to have much competition.  I wish you much professional success.  Regarding the article, I have lived in Houston until two years ago, and I have NEVER heard about the Rumbo newspaper.  Regardless, there are a few members here who used your services and are satisfied, and that's a good enough endorsement IMO.

However, what you are doing essentially is this, both by your attitude and your comments in this thread.  A patient comes to a doctor.  Doctor tells him: I think you are going to die.  This medicine is a disaster for the majority of my patients.  But pay me some non-refundable $, and I will proscribe you this medicine, and let's see what happens.  Most other agencies seem to overhype their services, you do the opposite, and either extreme is not good.  I have never met you, but I am shocked that you can do any business with such an attitude.  And even more shocked that you would WANT to do this business with such an attitude.

4. If Colombians are "doing well" they will not move to US.  People move abroad if they are NOT doing well, and other options are exhausted.  It is VERY difficult to move to another country, and people do it when there is a very good reason.

5. Americans who live in Colombia seem to genuinly enjoy their experience.  I have not heard anyone but you who was only negative.  If anything, you are making a case NOT to go to Barranquilla.