Post: #301

(08-04-2016 10:30 PM)BrewDog Wrote:  

(08-04-2016 02:41 PM)joacocanal Wrote:  Colombian police isn't trained by US police (neither is the military).

The first two times I went to Colombia back in the late 90's and early 2000's was to train Colombians.

The US military and police have been training Colombians for decades. There are Army Special Forces and US law enforcement attaches all over Colombia. We gave them $400 million in aid this year for law enforcement and military aid.


You don't know what you're talking about.

you showed surprise over the fact that Colombian policemen, being trained by US Police, "have their heads about them when dealing with problems" . Fact is that the vast majority of these policemen didn't receive any training from US personnel, ever. A few of them might have received some courses with US personnel but that's it; most of them don't receive any training with them, and the main training for all of them takes course in Colombia, under the country's own rules/methods/needs/whatever.

Colombian military budget is like 10 billion dollars/year (30 billones de pesos).

are you from the military? If so, how does it feel to have blood in your hands? Also, is it true that some of you were involved in sex abuses against several underage girls in the past decade (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32618880 )? Sin acritud pregunto.

Post: #302

(08-09-2016 09:15 PM)joacocanal Wrote:  are you from the military? If so, how does it feel to have blood in your hands? Also, is it true that some of you were involved in sex abuses against several underage girls in the past decade (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32618880 )? Sin acritud pregunto.

7-day suspension for trolling.

Post: #303

(08-09-2016 04:55 PM)BrewDog Wrote:  I can vouch for all of this. Except for the part about the 10 inch cock.

I thought it was much longer.

10" girth

Post: #304

(08-09-2016 04:19 PM)newgame Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 02:57 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  Can anyone tell me how much they rape you on money transfer fees from USD and where the best place to do so is in Bogota? I already know that ATM withdrawals is the best way but looking for the best cash option.

Post in local expat facebook groups; there's always someone looking to buy dollars at market rate. Otherwise try Xoom.

Thanks. I appreciate it, genius idea.

Post: #305

(08-09-2016 09:15 PM)joacocanal Wrote:  are you from the military? If so, how does it feel to have blood in your hands?

I was in the military indeed. And then afterwards, I did some other stuff for the US. I'm not proud of everything I did. Sometimes, when you work for the government, they tell you to do things that you think are just, but then you grow older and wiser and figure out that maybe those things weren't legal or moral. I'm not a saint, and for many reasons I regret a lot of the things that I did for them.

But unless you were there, you have no standing to judge me.

Post: #306

(08-10-2016 02:29 AM)Shimmy Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 04:19 PM)newgame Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 02:57 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  Can anyone tell me how much they rape you on money transfer fees from USD and where the best place to do so is in Bogota? I already know that ATM withdrawals is the best way but looking for the best cash option.

Post in local expat facebook groups; there's always someone looking to buy dollars at market rate. Otherwise try Xoom.

Thanks. I appreciate it, genius idea.

Or you could just avoid all of this and get a Charles Schwab Bank Investor Checking Debit Card.

I can't vouch for that thing enough, as you basically get the market exchange rate and they reimburse all of your ATM fees.

Post: #307

Great advice. I have a card there already but need exchange options.

Post: #308

Planning on coming to Columbia for a week late sept to early oct. Who am I going to see there besides Linux?

Post: #309

(08-11-2016 11:13 AM)General Stalin Wrote:  Planning on coming to Columbia for a week late sept to early oct. Who am I going to see there besides Linux?

Post: #310

*Colombia

Post: #311

(08-09-2016 02:57 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  Can anyone tell me how much they rape you on money transfer fees from USD and where the best place to do so is in Bogota? I already know that ATM withdrawals is the best way but looking for the best cash option.

You are a US citizen. Open a High-Yield Checking account with Charles Schwab Bank.
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/bank...ng_account

Post: #312

(08-11-2016 10:08 PM)tjf78 Wrote:  You are a US citizen. Open a High-Yield Checking account with Charles Schwab Bank.
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/bank...ng_account

Already done. Thank god, I went to my current bank to put in a travel advisory and they told me "Sorry, colombia is on a banned list, your card will not work there". I read online it will still work but pretty risky to rely on it.

Post: #313

(08-11-2016 11:00 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  Already done. Thank god, I went to my current bank to put in a travel advisory and they told me "Sorry, colombia is on a banned list, your card will not work there". I read online it will still work but pretty risky to rely on it.

Are you talking about the Schwab Investor Checking Debit Card? I would be interested to hear where you read that because I primarily used this card throughout my travels to several Latin American countries this year, including Colombia, and I had zero issues whatsoever. I used the card at probably a dozen or so different bank ATMs and not once was I denied use or had any other issue. I even lost the card once and they shipped me a new one within 4 days flat, which is a fucking miracle considering how awful mail service is in Latin America. I'd say if you had to rely on something, that card would be it.

Post: #314

If a sibling of mine opens the account and card in his name, can i use it myself in my travels without any problems?

Post: #315

(08-11-2016 11:00 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  

(08-11-2016 10:08 PM)tjf78 Wrote:  You are a US citizen. Open a High-Yield Checking account with Charles Schwab Bank.
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/bank...ng_account

Already done. Thank god, I went to my current bank to put in a travel advisory and they told me "Sorry, colombia is on a banned list, your card will not work there". I read online it will still work but pretty risky to rely on it.

I have used my Schwab ATM card all over the world for the last 5 years (including Colombia) and I have never been locked out or had any other issues.

I do always submit a travel notification on their webpage before I go.

Post: #316

(08-12-2016 01:27 AM)Buakaw Wrote:  

(08-11-2016 11:00 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  

(08-11-2016 10:08 PM)tjf78 Wrote:  You are a US citizen. Open a High-Yield Checking account with Charles Schwab Bank.
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/bank...ng_account

Already done. Thank god, I went to my current bank to put in a travel advisory and they told me "Sorry, colombia is on a banned list, your card will not work there". I read online it will still work but pretty risky to rely on it.

I have used my Schwab ATM card all over the world for the last 5 years (including Colombia) and I have never been locked out or had any other issues.

I do always submit a travel notification on their webpage before I go.

I've never had a problem with the card in Colombia.

Post: #317

(08-11-2016 11:33 PM)Designate Wrote:  

(08-11-2016 11:00 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  Already done. Thank god, I went to my current bank to put in a travel advisory and they told me "Sorry, colombia is on a banned list, your card will not work there". I read online it will still work but pretty risky to rely on it.

Are you talking about the Schwab Investor Checking Debit Card? I would be interested to hear where you read that because I primarily used this card throughout my travels to several Latin American countries this year, including Colombia, and I had zero issues whatsoever. I used the card at probably a dozen or so different bank ATMs and not once was I denied use or had any other issue. I even lost the card once and they shipped me a new one within 4 days flat, which is a fucking miracle considering how awful mail service is in Latin America. I'd say if you had to rely on something, that card would be it.

No i mean my normal bank. I got a Schwab account because I read it was the best for international travel here and many other places.

Post: #318

(08-11-2016 11:33 PM)Designate Wrote:  

(08-11-2016 11:00 PM)Shimmy Wrote:  Already done. Thank god, I went to my current bank to put in a travel advisory and they told me "Sorry, colombia is on a banned list, your card will not work there". I read online it will still work but pretty risky to rely on it.

Are you talking about the Schwab Investor Checking Debit Card? I would be interested to hear where you read that because I primarily used this card throughout my travels to several Latin American countries this year, including Colombia, and I had zero issues whatsoever. I used the card at probably a dozen or so different bank ATMs and not once was I denied use or had any other issue. I even lost the card once and they shipped me a new one within 4 days flat, which is a fucking miracle considering how awful mail service is in Latin America. I'd say if you had to rely on something, that card would be it.

Wow- either you got lucky or I was very unlucky. I lost my schwab card in Lima so I filled out the application for a replacement, gave them the address and even spoke with them on the phone, explicitly saying to send it to my current location, NOT my house. What did they do?

They mailed it to my house. I had to eat ATM fees the rest of my trip.

Charles Scwab is great, I still use them, but whatever you do folks, DO NOT lose your card.

Post: #319

(08-12-2016 09:38 AM)NovaVirtu Wrote:  Charles Scwab is great, I still use them, but whatever you do folks, DO NOT lose your card.

Jesus H. Christ on the cross; don't lose your cards overseas. I've had a great relationship with my bank forever, but with the current US laws for terrorism and drug trafficking, the banks don't want to do shit to help you. They wouldn't even wire me MY money to Bogota via Western Union. They used to do that but not anymore.

I needed new cards sent to me in Bogota and my bank said no way. I had to beg them for days over the damn internet and phone, and then I guess they finally felt sorry for me being stuck in a foreign country without any means of support and then Fed Exed them to me. But they had to call the bank's lawyers and get them to review the federal laws before saying ok, and that shit took over a week.

Post: #320

Hi guys,
I just finished reading the entire thread.

I am thinking about traveling to S. America, probably for a one shot, one and done kind of a thing before I go to Asia, where I love it the best (so far)

I have around 3 months - September to Early December. I don't speak Spanish, my game is decent, but not great. I am a white male from the U.S., around 40 yr. looking pretty good, but not great looks.

I did some research, and I came up with Lima, Bogota, D.R., and (maybe Rio - Seems like a place worth checking out at least once?)

Or, what I might do, is just fly to Bogota, and wing it. I feel like Columbia and Brazil would be must stops for any aspiring international playboy

Another possibility would be to go to Bogota and take some Spanish class in the Zona Rosa area. And possibly I can stay in Columbia 3 months if I like it, and then hit Rio for just 2 weeks before I fly out to the Philippines, or vice versa.

Any recommendations?


Thanks!

Post: #321

(08-14-2016 02:02 PM)esalen1 Wrote:  Hi guys,
I just finished reading the entire thread.

I am thinking about traveling to S. America, probably for a one shot, one and done kind of a thing before I go to Asia, where I love it the best (so far)

I have around 3 months - September to Early December. I don't speak Spanish, my game is decent, but not great. I am a white male from the U.S., around 40 yr. looking pretty good, but not great looks.

I did some research, and I came up with Lima, Borgata, D.R., and (maybe Rio - Seems like a place worth checking out at least once?)

Or, what I might do, is just fly to Borgata, and wing it. I feel like Columbia and Brazil would be must stops for any aspiring international playboy

Another possibility would be to go to Borgata and take some Spanish class in the Zona Rosa area. And possibly I can stay in Columbia 3 months if I like it, and then hit Rio for just 2 weeks before I fly out to the Philippines, or vice versa.

Any recommendations?


Thanks!

If you're going to wing-it, I would at least make sure you end up in Bogota, Colombia and not Borgata Casino in New Jersey.

If you want something easy like Philippines, go to Lima.

Post: #322

[/quote]

If you're going to wing-it, I would at least make sure you end up in Bogota, Colombia and not Borgata Casino in New Jersey.

[/quote]

Yeah that part might be a little confusing about winging it.

By wing it, I mean, not plan the entire trip in advance. Start off in Bogota for 30 days. I prefer to do monthly rentals as much as possible to save on costs, although I was looking to get a place in a nice and safer area, such as Zona Rosa. So if I started in Bogota, and it's going well, I might stay 2 months there. Then I could possibly check out Medellin for a month, and go to Rio 2 weeks.

If I don't do it now, I might not get the opportunity to take a trip like this in S.A. ever again. So I would like to optimize. If you only had 3 months to go to S.A., where would you go?

Thanks for the tips in advance

Post: #323

(08-14-2016 02:53 PM)esalen1 Wrote:  If you're going to wing-it, I would at least make sure you end up in Bogota, Colombia and not Borgata Casino in New Jersey.


Yeah that part might be a little confusing about winging it.

By wing it, I mean, not plan the entire trip in advance. Start off in Bogota for 30 days. I prefer to do monthly rentals as much as possible to save on costs, although I was looking to get a place in a nice and safer area, such as Zona Rosa. So if I started in Bogota, and it's going well, I might stay 2 months there. Then I could possibly check out Medellin for a month, and go to Rio 2 weeks.

If I don't do it now, I might not get the opportunity to take a trip like this in S.A. ever again. So I would like to optimize. If you only had 3 months to go to S.A., where would you go?

Thanks for the tips in advance

What exactly do you want from your south america experience? You can't say to "optimize" because you've already said you will stay in the "safe and secure" areas. That's only going to put you in a tiny little bubble with all the other gringos sipping coffee at Juan Valdez at Andino mall.

Also, traveling to Rio is contradictory to saving money. I'm not sure why you're going there.

So what is it that you really want?

You want to bang chicks off tinder all day, ordering dominos pizza delivery, and not leave the hotel room so you can prove something to yourself by collecting notches?

You want to be knee deep in cocaine laying on top of a strippers ass not knowing where you are ?

You want to eat spicy food and see a shitty beach?

You like dark chocolate? Big asses?

You like hot weather, cold weather, shitty weather, or does it matter?

Post: #324

I'll be in Bogota. If anyone is around shoot me a message.

Post: #325

(08-15-2016 02:39 PM)LINUX Wrote:  You want to be knee deep in cocaine laying on top of a strippers ass not knowing where you are ?

^^ This

Every day of my life.