An Englishman in Bogotá,
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Jan 27, 2012 7:42 pm
1306 Views
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Welcome to my Blog
I am an Englishman who came to Colombia in May 2011 to achieve a dream.
The dream starts here in Bogotá, keep watching.
There are exciting times ahead 
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Just for info
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Jan 27, 2012 7:54 pm
1291 Views
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All the comments posted to my blog will be read first, just in case they contain any personal/unsuitable information.
Please feel free to comment and advise someone who has fallen in love with this beautiful country and it's people
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Small thoughts of a Scorpio
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Apr 12, 2012 9:03 pm
519 Views
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Hello again, I would especially like to thank my regular readers.
I have just done a quick bit of maths and, including the poll, each post is read 707 times!
I thank all of you for that.
Remember that if you want to leave me a message you can always respond to the post at the top of this blog, the posts there are pre-viewed and I tend not to publish them.
As you can probably guess from the title I am a Scorpio, it is important to some people. I will just say that I share many traits of that star sign
In my wanderings around Bogotá one thing has struck me as being very different and very charming in comparison to London and to England in General.
When I am on the Transmilenio, I often catch it from Calle 57, I find it wonderful how people look at me when they here me speak on my cell. There is a look of great surprise on many faces and people do not stop staring. At first this made me feel slightly uncomfortable, in my old country we do not stare so openly and with such brazen curiosity.
One day I thought I would react to the next woman who stared at me. Sure enough my cell rings and I answer in English, people look at me, this is something that I now find rather endearing.
A woman was looking at me, so what did I do?
I had the cell to my ear and I smiled my biggest smile at her
What a lovely reaction I got! She looked shocked, blushed and then looked away, then she did the thing you Colombianas do so beautifully.
She turned back to me with her face turned slightly downwards and looked up through heavy lidded eyes.
The Transmilenio suddenly got very warm.
Colombianas! You have an intensity about you which is hypnotic, but I do not need to tell you, it is something you already know.
Shall I let you in to a secret..?
So do I 
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Santa Semana
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Apr 4, 2012 6:55 am
725 Views
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It is interesting to see the differences here in Colombia in comparison to my home country. Holy Week (Santa Semana) is much more important than it is in back in England.
To me this makes much more sense, after all Christianity is founded on the death and resurrection of Christ, not the birth. I do hold a belief although it is no linger tied in to the Catholic Church, ultimately as long as you respect the belief of other people, both ethical and religious, and you can honestly look at yourself and think "I am not an evil person" then you are doing ok.
I would find it fascinating if some my readers would let me know what they do for Santa Semana, do you go on holiday? Spend time with your families, stay with friends? DO you go out for food and celebrations, or is it a time for quiet reflection?
Very much like The Day of the Dead, I feel that this is an the absolute centre of the Colombian soul, I get the feeling that it is celebrated with the passion and energy with which you seize every day.
I look forward to reading your comments, please do not be shy.
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If you want to know me
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Mar 23, 2012 5:47 am
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Another week has gone by, semana santa is almost upon us.
This will be my first time I spend such and important time in Bogotá, I am told that many things happen in the city, I look forward to seeing some of these events with my friends, the ones I have had for a long time and my new ones that I have met through amigos.com.
Some of the many questions I have been asked is why am I here, what is the dream that I keep talking about.
I am here because I love Colombia. I love The country, the culture and above all I love the people. They have an attitude of making the best and most out of each and every day, it is inspiring and refreshing. This country has an energy and joy of life that makes London seem tired and boring in comparison.
As to what I do, and if you want to know what drives me search for Fundacion Si in your favourite search engine
It is a foundation that I founded with my best friend, it will help women, children and Colombia become a better place. It is my passion, it is why I have given up a comfortable life in London to help my beloved Colombia.
Read it, understand it, it will tell you what sort of person I am.
And if you get involved in any way at all, you will meet me. Don't let that put you off though
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Expectations and Changes
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Mar 14, 2012 6:47 am
864 Views
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When I first joined Amigos.com, I did not really know what to expect. I joined at the suggestion of my best friend and business partner.
I am so pleased and delighted to say that I have met and am still meeting many wonderful people. All women as that is how I have made my settings, my circle of friends is expanding.
I am still learning so much about this wonderful country but I have found that one universal truth that applies in all the countries I have ever been to...
Men like to think that they are in charge, but women know that they really are.
I discovered this while talking to one of my friends, we both have a background in sales. During our discussion of sales techniques a comment was made
" The man wants but the woman decides"
AS in my own country it is the woman who makes the real financial decisions. Otherwise every home would just be full of unused toys and gadgets.
I have learned that Colombian women are strong and it is you that can make this country great.
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Differences?
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Mar 2, 2012 6:14 am
1125 Views
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Another week gone by...
It is strange and interesting seeing the differences between English women and Colombianas.
Colombianas are so much more tactile than English women. The lady who cleans my room often talks to me, she is fascinated by me being English and asks many questions about England. While she talks it is not unusual for her to put her hand on my arm or touch me.
Foe an Englishman this was, at first, rather confusing, this never happens in England unless you are good friends.
My fiends told me tat this was not at all unusual, Colombians, especially the women are very tactile.
I mention this because if you meet a foreigner, especially someone from my home country, there may be confusion between you. I have seen a few non-Colombian men get in to difficult and embarrassing situations. It would be worth keeping this in mind if you ever meet a foreigner.
I absolutely love Colombian women, the way you talk and express yourselves is so refreshing. Many non-Colombians may misunderstand you, I am happy to say that I do not
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What a Wonderful Country
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Feb 23, 2012 5:22 am
1032 Views
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I have often been asked if I have regrets about coming to Colombia...
The answer is a resounding NO!!!
The more time I spend here the more I love it, the people, the country, the energy, the food, the history, the culture and the people.
Yes I know I said the people twice, Colombia is a truly special country and the people are the ones who make it so. I love the Colombians because, despite a long and very difficult history you have optimism and a wonderful desire to make the most of every day, if only other countries were like that.
You are a wonderful, warm and welcoming people, who give love and friendship to anyone who cares about this beautiful, amazing country.
Thank you for welcoming me, I am a lucky man
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Swings and roundabouts
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Feb 1, 2012 8:19 pm
1267 Views
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Two strange and busy days.
It is a difficult world at times, a hard struggle to achieve dreams. We are all here looking for a dream of some sort and it is only when there is a risk of it becoming a nightmare that makes it worth chasing and nurturing. It is then that you know and appreciate your friends and those who love you. The ones who stand by your side and say...
"Follow your dream, I will make sure that if you stumble I will support you, if you fall, I will pick you up"
True and loving friends
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To link to this blog (Accolyte) use [blog Accolyte] in your messages.
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