About Dean01UK

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Some Forum Posts:

Colombia: Pereira Social Group:

To anyone living in or near Pereira. I'm hoping to find a bunch of like-minded expats and locals for general social meet ups, such as drinks, dining out, a big game sporting event, and even celebrating national days of each others' countries (St Patrick's, Thanksgiving, Australia Day, Eid al-Fitr etc. etc.) Anyone that is possibly interested in being in the loop of some evenings or afternoons of doing something with a bunch of other gringos, then make yourself known - I might start a simple private facebook page that sends notifications to group members - probably the easiest way. I know not everyone uses facebook, but you don't have to 'use it' just sign up for a free account and get notified by email whenever someone has an idea to do something. Anyway - comments, suggestions welcome.

Colombia: Monthly Drinks - Pereira:

Hi All - Other than spotting the occasional Gringo along Circumbalar, the international community of Pereira rarely meet... until now... Welcome to the FIRST Monthly Drinks night, especially for everyone that lives in or near Pereira. As time goes on, some people might only come every few months, others might want to do something a bit more often. The key thing is to have a regular activity, once a month, where the international community (and any interested locals of course) can meet for drinks and social conversation. Open to all - young and old, both 'actually' and in terms of newly arrived or long-term residents. Just to meet up, chat in English for a change, an/or practice and improve your Spanish. So the first bar I propose to kick-start the group is: The Camden Town Gastro Pub, Calle 11 #12B-20 (off circumbalar) Pereira. When: From 7pm Friday 11th December. I'll sit at the bar and chat to the barman until people start to arrive, so that I'm easy to find - The bar itself is not on Google Maps Streetview as it's quite new, but it's next to that big 'Baby Ganga' on Circumvalar. As you face the store, it's the road to the right, 20m down on the left. I've been in this bar a few times and think it would be a great starting place - the owner and staff speak perfect English, there's a huge selection of international beers - and if anyone wants to eat, the burgers are really good. Anyone up for that? Looking forward to meeting new people, come along if you feel the same. Cheers Dean

Colombia: Pereira Expats - Monthly Drinks:

Hi all - Just a suggestion for a monthly afterwork drinks night in Pereira, for the internationals that are living here. Open to all - young and old, both 'actually' and in terms of newly arrived or long-term residents. Just to meet up, chat in English and have a few beers once a month. I'm not sure there's enough on this website to even make this work, but even if there's just 2 or 3 of us, it's a start. Where: Camden Town Gastro Pub, Calle 11 #12B-20 (off circumbalar) Pereira. When: 7pm Friday 20th November. The bar is not on Google Maps, but it's next to that big 'Baby Store' called Baby Ganga on Circumvalar. As you face the store, the road to the right, 20m down on the left. I was in the bar the other day - owner and staff speak perfect English, huge selection of international beers - and I had a burger, which was excellent. So has all the hallmarks of being a great regular meeting point. Anyone up for that? Cheers Dean

Colombia: Anyone in or near Pereira into Cycling?:

Recently arrived in Pereira - brought my road bike with me (I believe called Route bikes here) - Happy to join any groups, or receive any tips of good routes. I'm in Villa Verde, and have done a few rides on my own - It's a bit of a challenge just to 'start' a ride from where I live, with all the hills - So looking for some long flats and gradual hill climbs/descents, for a good early morning ride. I expect to drive to and from any recommended starting points, so it doesn't matter if it's a bit out of town. I've done a few Ironman triathlons, as well as a load of regular tri's, the last one was in 2013, so I've been a bit slack - might consider doing more, but happy with a weekly ride of 30 to 50km - and totally up for the occasional longer ride. (About me: Male, 45, British, like to have a laugh during a ride, and a well deserved cold beer after those longer rides!) Cheers Dean

Colombia: Any Sports Bars in Pereira?:

Hi All - I want to watch the Rugby World cup final at 11am Sat 31st Oct... is there anywhere in Pereira, ideally central like Av. Curcumvalar, that has a big screen? Any local knowledge appreciated... and happy to have a few beers with anyone that is interested to watch too. Cheers Dean.

Colombia: Admin Assistant - Pereira:

Position available now for a full-time, English speaking administration assistant for a financial consultancy office in Pereira. The office is a satellite branch of a North American office, which is part of 4 other major city location offices. The administration assistant will need to have at least one year of experience in a similar role, and be well organised. The role involves speaking with clients each day, and appointing new enquiries, as well as keeping up-to-date on all daily administration of client requests. The assistant will also have to communicate often by phone and email to our partner institutions and other offices internationally, hence the need for highly proficient English. After a trial period the position will be full-time and permanent with excellent pay and benefits. Email any expression of interest with an updated CV for further information. Immediate start preferred.

Colombia: Brokerage/investment companies in Colombia:

xe.com are the best in my opinion - I've used a few - Xe allow you to book rates/ create alerts etc. and one of the few that deal in COP - I work in finance, so I like to get the best margin rate. And yes, banks are the most expensive - last resort/emergency transfers only. Good Luck. Dean

Colombia: Why are Colombians so adverse to new foods:

I agree about the lack of food choice - I moved here just a month ago from London, my wife is Colombian and our young children have spent their lives to date living in both London and Geneva, Switzerland. We've been here on holiday many times, and back then the food was a novelty. But now...? So, suffice to say, I'm not coping too well with the lack of choice, and the abundance of blandness. I'm a big Indian curry lover, (Being British, it's practically our National dish) - I also love Thai food, Mexican and Italian. I visited NY the other month and took two Colombian family members out for a curry - they are both Colombian by birth, but have lived in NY almost all of their lives - one is late twenties, the other, early thirties - I'm 45, if that's at all relevant, but there you go. Anyway... they had NEVER had Indian food before... they were very hesitant about it, and expected that they would be slamming their faces into a fish tank to cool down... a very popular misconception. They really were dreading the experience (I visit NY often for work and always catch up with my wife's family, and have always promised to take them for an Indian. Although to them it was more of a threat!) Long story short... they absolutely loved it. Three different flavoured curries to share - fragrant, chewy rice, not the usual soggy stuff, and peshwari naan breads (coconut stuffed) - And these guys live in NY... arguably the most food diverse place in the world... So Colombians living IN Colombia, don't stand a chance of trying something new. Anyway - as I said, I've been here a month in Colombia, Pereira to be exact and I'm loving being here - the wife is happy to 'home' again after 15 years - the people are great, everyone is 'muy amarble' the climate is perfect, women are beautiful (apparently... I'm not allowed to even look... firery Latino wife and all that...) and I'm probably the happiest I have ever been... and I've had a happy life, I'm pleased to share... but the food... something needs to be done about the food! I think the locals just need some inspiration. Things are the way they are, and that's how they like it. My wife always loved eating Arepas when we lived in London... in fact we would drive from Kingston to Stockwell just to buy corn flour... on a busy Saturday!! Some foods just stick with you as a part of home I guess, and if you love your country and culture enough, as Colombians do, then they follow that tradition even if they've never left the Pueblo they were born in. I get that... but... I too now crave my home comfort food... so I need to start being a bit creative myself. Which has lead me to start thinking about opening a restaurant... seriously, it has. I work in finance, but I love food more. Any ideas?? Thanks for the post... In summary, I think the traditional food us Gringos can't quite learn to love, will always be popular and in abundance on every street and in every mall here in Colombia... as it should. But there's no harm in bringing some something new here.... and whilst the locals might love it and will certainly encourage it... they don't need it. But I'm sure Colombians, who without question have the biggest hearts on earth, will make some room for our strange need for a medium rare steak with crunchy veg, our pancakes covered in fruit and bacon, and buttery jacket potatoes with chilli and cheddar cheese. OK, now I'm hungry... and there's no immediate cure. I'm off to Frisby's! Let's do it ... Who's in??

Date Joined:

9/21/2015

Total Posts:

20

Posts/Day:

0.04