Learning spanish in Barranquilla

Miguel says on Dec 17, 2004, 00:13:

Here Ya Go http://uninorte.edu.co

Universidad de Norte in Barranquilla offers on going instruction. It is highly recommended by a Colombian friend. You could also inquire at La Universidad de Atlantico.

I suggest you stay and play in north Barranquilla. After you land and leave the airport, you'll see the area you want to avoid.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rash9000 says on Dec 17, 2004, 11:21:

don't get me wrong but, I think that the atlantic cost accents are among the most difficult to understant for the spanish beginner learner...However you can give it a try and enjoy the city.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Dec 17, 2004, 11:24:

Agreed A mile-minute-conversations to my ear.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Dec 17, 2004, 17:41:

Yeah You Be Right About conversations on the street in Curramba, but we are talking about Spanish lessons in a great university. It would be like a Colombiano attending Duke studying English but listening to the locals speak their dialect. It is all relative.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Dec 17, 2004, 18:23:

Test first? Dirtyneedlez, do you know anyone from Baranquilla? The best test to see if you have a hope in understanding the locals is to study a bunch of words, give them to a couple of costenos buddies and get them to have a conversation using your words. If you can pick out your words and phrases, then it shouldn't be too bad for you.

It would be a shame for you two spend 2 months and not learn any more than you might have at home, becuase you can't understand the locals.

I took an intensive French course in part of Quebec; I spoke some french going in and the only people I understood were the teachers, classmates and the TV, even after 6 weeks. Unless I made them repeat it s-l-o-w-l-y I didn't understand one iota of what the locals said. Imagine my surprise when I went to another region, and suddenly didn't have to ask ppl to repeat *everthing*.

I had fun, but my French didn't really improve.

It really depends on what accent you have already started to learn Spanish in and how flexible and fast your ear is.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 17, 2004, 18:42:

Why Barranquilla ?? For many reasons-Why? First, let me say that there are several dialects/accents of Spanish spoken by Colombian people. In fact linguistic people often say that Colombian people from Medellin speak one of the "purest" dialects of Spanish that is closest to the type Spaniards speak (See Univ. of Chicago Spanish/English dictionary).Generally educated people from all major cities in the interior,(Bogota, and Cali to name a few) speak Spanish well. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said from the costal cities. Colombians in costal cities tend to speak very fast to the point it is often not clear. They chop off letters (often the "s" in the middle and at the end of words. And let me say, learning a language is more than going to class. If you live and practice in Barranquilla, you will also speak like a Barranquillero or what we Colombians call costenos. Medellin is a paradise, the climate is one of the best in the world, and you will learn to speak a really nice dialect of Spanish. You might also want to consider Cali or if you like cooler climates, Bogota'. Lastly, if you really want to be around some of the most beautiful women in the world....Medellin and Cali will beat Barranquilla hands down!!!! I am sure %95 of Colombians will agree with me...So, forget Barranquilla--go to Cali, Medellin, or Bogota. Good luck

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Dec 18, 2004, 04:48:

Hmm Gomez I find it incredible that you have the authority to diss Barranquilla. Who died and made you King of Culture in Colombia? I hope Elmo gets to respond before this thread gets the deep six.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Dec 18, 2004, 06:18:

Coastal Spanish I agree wholeheartedly with the above poster. I would go to Bogota or Medellin to learn study spanish-outside of spain they probably speak the Purest form of spanish. I even heard some old timers in Bogota using -- Vosotros--unheard of in most places outside of spain. The Costenos in Barranquilla and Cartagena speak like the Cubans and Puertoricans(very fast) here in Miami--they eat a lot letters--their Ss and Rs--for example here in miami they say for example, Pa donde va? instead of, Para donde va? Little things, but this will drive you crazy! Go to Bogota or Medellin!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rash9000 says on Dec 18, 2004, 07:25:

miamimike, let me correct you, they don't say: "pa donde va", they say: "pa onde va"...
If you are looking for beautiful women go to cali, You can go on the weekends to Chipichape or Unicentro (shopping malls), it's where they all get together...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:21:

King of culture?? No sir I am not but...... It does not not take a genious to know that the people from the coast speak a form of Spanish that I would NOT want an American to learn. It appears the above two entries agree with me. Swallowing words, chopping them up, dropping letters (r & s primarily) are commonplace.
And the ladies....uh pardon me but while all of Colombia has fine women......the most beautiful ladies come from Cali and you KNOW it.

Sorry Miguel. Live with the truth.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:25:

I haven't agreed with gomezman before but miguel, he's absolutely right!
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:29:

dirtyneddlez as a gringo who is fluent in spanish and had to learn it many years ago, and also as a gringo who has been to all of the above mentioned cities many times, I would say, you'll do just fine studying and learning spanish in Barranquilla. As you stated, you're only going for 2 months.....you'll just be learning the basics and improving on what you already know, not enough time to pick up a costeño accent. And yes, as a whole, Medellín & Cali have the most beautiful women.....but there are many in Barranquilla also.
Good Luck!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:30:

Desideria--Thanks ! Redemption does not come easy. I can only try. At the same time, the truth is the truth. Unless........you are Barranquiero.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:33:

gomezman excuse me, but isn't it spelled "Barranquillero"??
If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.......

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:39:

Greenday....I stand corrected Can't let things go can you ? Or is picking on a spelling error all you have to contribute to this thread? If I say it's night (which it IS!)you will say it's morning. (which it is NOT) It's been a while, don't start.....OK? You are not from the la costa, so just agree with the substance of what I wrote and forget the spelling.

By the way....Feliz Navidad.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Dec 18, 2004, 16:43:

sorry gomezman please read my previous post, I did contribute something to this thread, and no, I don't agree with the substance of your post.
It just seems strange that you're "supposedly" a native Colombian, and you can't spell something that simple (in your native tongue) correctly.....it just destroys some of your credibility, that's all.

BTW, Merry Christmas to you too!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 18, 2004, 17:12:

Greenday---tell me something?
First. I need not proove who I am. So call me stupid because I can't spell a word that I never use. By the way, I have that problem in english too. I can only aspire to be like you.

Now if your from the coast. Sorry. But every Colombian on this thread but yourself has agreed with me that women from the interior, especially from Cali and Medellin are hotter than women from the coast. You want to start a thread and put it to the test??? And if I'm so wrong, why are there so many songs--salsa, cumbia, mostly, that always talk about the beautiful girls from Cali? So if you are costeno (sorry I don't have an enya) face reality. If not, you know I'm correct anyway and you just want to be..........whatever.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on Dec 18, 2004, 19:39:

ñ just hold the ALT key while pressing 164.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 18, 2004, 20:22:

Thanks Kernow62 Except it is not working for me. If I hold the ALT key, as soon as I push the 1, it just beeps and nothing happens. I have Windows 2000 Pro, maybe it depends on the OS. Or maybe I'm missing software to enable this function to work....I sure would like to know how to correct this. Maybe find a character map. On the other hand, when I'm writing my friend in Spanish, they are used to seeing my enya appear as an n---so it's no bigee. I just am tired of Greenday on my case for everything.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Dec 18, 2004, 20:36:

ñ You have to make sure the num lock key is depressed, then hit alt 164.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Dec 18, 2004, 20:48:

"num" key ? Do you mean the "3" key ? When I do that, I get a "3". When I hit shift 3, I get the number sign (#)....I'm lost. Honestly, I have been sitting here for 15 trying everything...nothing works. If someone can give it to me step by step, I would be gratefull!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lionheart says on Dec 18, 2004, 22:58:

keyboard help I sent you a PM, Gomez ... I can help you get your keyboard setup.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Dec 19, 2004, 01:23:

gomezman next time, before responding to me, PLEASE READ MY POSTS!!!!! I said in my post above that women from Medellín & Cali are the most beautiful in Colombia. Of all the people who post on this board, I can personally testify to that, since I travel to both cities frequently, and have lady friends in both. (I hope you are a little more thorough in analyzing your clients' accounting work, than in reading my posts)
also, so sorry to hear your having problems figuring out how to type in spanish on a western keyboard.....it's actually quite simple...
just be careful when typing n's and ñ's....you could end up offending a woman when asking.......cuantos anos tienes, instead of cuantos años tienes?? jajajaja
take care Gomezman.....

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Dec 19, 2004, 02:14:

Gomez I stated to make sure the NUM LOCK (above the calculator section of the keyboard)was depressed...then hit the alt 164 to get the ñ. Just do a google search and you'll find the rest of the keystroke shortcuts. I have thought about your earlier post about living with the truth, as you wrote. Does that translate that the best English spoken here in the US is in; i.e.--- New York? Dallas? Sacramento? Davenport? Are the prettiest women in Spokane, San Diego, Tulsa, or Jacksonville? Stereotyping are we? And yes, when you hit the 3 key without having the num lock depressed, you will get a 3.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 19, 2004, 02:56:

and the answer is yes!
To both questions, as to where can you find people that speak best English in the States, and where are the prettiest girls.
But miguel, be serious,
say if I was to move to the States to study English, what would you recommend: a) a good college in New England or b)a little town deep in the Appalachian, or c) a big city ghetto
If I was to study English at a college or any kind of school I'm sure any one of the alternatives would suit the purpose of learning the standard pronuncation in English. The difference arises with the blurred and hard-to-understand dialects spoken outside the school.
Translated into Colombian scene this means that the Costeño dialect, graceful and funny as it is, is not the standard for educated Spanish. Learn the classical, accepted, standard variant of the language first, afterwards can you delve into vernacular but only if you already have full mastery of the language. Otherwise it just sounds hilarious.
About the girls: I couldn't possibly be a judge of that. Just based on what Colombians themselves seem to think, I'd say that the caleñas and paisas seem to be much more popular than costeñas or even rolas.
Cheers,
Desi
(and now...back to the kitchen)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Dec 19, 2004, 07:04:

Desi Yes Desi, back into that kitchen where you belong!!!!!!!

pasito conmigo mi amor!!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Dec 20, 2004, 08:59:

Ok, I’ll give it to CACHACOS (Bogotá, Cali, Medellin, Pasto, Pereira etc., anyone south of Monteria). You guys do speak that so called pure Spanish. Many of us costeños are loud and in some cases been known to be obnoxious. Cachacos sound delicate, very proper and effeminate and for costeños that makes us wonder if you have posters of Liza Minnelli all over your room. You guys like using that “usted� and “vos� crap. What the hell is “vos� anyway? Most cachacos are short and very soft looking which makes you easy target in prison, many ending up as some guy’s girlfriend. .
As for CACHACA women, also too short and too much of that Andean Indian look and worst of all NO ASS. Costeña girls, because of their mix with Black, Indian, Spanish and Arab in Barranquilla got awesome bodies, taller than cachacas, and of course an ass to die for. Sofia Vergara for example, and is all real. She got all that by following a strict diet of butifarras, caribañolas, bollo and mojarra frita. Unlike cachacas, most middle class costeñas prefer costeño guys, guys that could make them have orgasm while dancing vallenato.

JUNIOR CAMPEON! TAKE THAT!
Thanks Miguel

I posted more pics of costeña girls.
picturetrail.com
Member: Barranquilla
password: trola

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

zambo says on Dec 20, 2004, 09:41:

Que viva el equipo tiburon.
With that i start my post. as i sit here in my boring office in downtown Houston, i can say a few things, being a native costeño myself.

1- Las Costeñas are THE most beautiful girls in colombia. then paisas and caleñas. Cachacas lack ASS as a poster before me has said.

2- Costeñas are better lovers amd most times less self-centered. they can cook, dance, and know how to love a man, unlike paisas and cachacas, who are most of the time in or the money.

3- in the subject of cachacas, they LOVE costeños and this is from personal experience and common knowledge. as soon as a cachaca hears that i am from santa marta they go crazy.

---------------------------
Going back to the original post, i would recommend barranquilla for learning spanish as learning the language is not just hitting the books and things of the sort, but learning the cultura and seeing how the people behave. BEing costeño i can say this. Now as far as the cachacos having the "purest" spanish outside of spain what a load of bullshit. the chachao accent sucks. i can pinpoint a chachaco from a mile and they are always the target of jokes for the way they act/talk/dress. yeah yeah yeah, i know i am gonna get the burra jokes and all that, but barranquilla and la costa atlantica cachacolandia.

ps. i do think paisas are hot though, to mees around with, not to marry.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Dec 20, 2004, 09:46:

Este Thread es un rodeo! Ok, gente...Now we all know who speaks the "best" Spanish and what part of Colombia has the "best looking women"...Now can you give the poor guy who started this thread an answer to his question about recommended colleges where he can study Spanish?
Poor Barranquilla-all they have going for them is: 1. The new Miss Colombia es barranquillera 2. Junior is the Colombian futbol champion 3. Their Carnival is rated as second only to Rio's 4. Elmo ¡Curramba que linda eres! (y Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta, Bogotá, Cali, etc...)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Dec 20, 2004, 09:50:

damn miguel, how could i forget that cartagena and santa marta is only down the street from barranquilla. the only thing other cities have is freaking mountains! hey, if you like mountains we got them too, in santa marta. now that i think about it, i was born in a damn mountain.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

zambo says on Dec 20, 2004, 09:54:

Santa Marta, man how much i miss you. i wanna go partying in la escollera, and go spend a weekend in minca or parque tayrona. maybe go to a cabin in buritaca or just tan in playa blanca. maybe go fishing in playa grande or just chill and get some females in rodadero. man, it makes my eyes watery just to think about it

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Dec 20, 2004, 10:04:

how about taganga?

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

zambo says on Dec 20, 2004, 10:06:

taganga, cool if you wanna chill with the fishermen or go out on a diving trip

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BxUnika says on Jan 1, 2005, 22:31:

MiamiMike "The Costenos in Barranquilla and Cartagena speak like the Cubans and Puertoricans(very fast) here in Miami--they eat a lot letters--their Ss and Rs--for example here in miami they say for example, Pa donde va? instead of, Para donde va?"

That's not really "costeno" Spanish, but rather "pa'" is a contraction of "para".

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 2, 2005, 00:11:

Or I could simply go out in Miami... Rash900-The Cubanos here say a lot of things differently here in Miami. If I want to see some Gorgeous Colombians Ladies I simply go to Recurdos--a typical colombian Taberna right here in Miami--many, many lovelies right here. They are women from Medallin, Bogota, Cartagena,Barrenquilla--all right here. Saves me a long drive, er long flight. Hey Elmo-don't come to Miami telling some cubana bonita you want a "Papaya" shake or anything else preficed with "Papaya"--they cubans here refer to a certain area of a women's body as this fruit and its not her Booty !! Ha! Ha!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 2, 2005, 00:24:

Best American accent Desideria--you are right on where to study and learn english. I can hardly go in to some inner city black neighborhoods here in Miami and understand what they are saying. Where I'm from originally-Pennsylvania-we have a neutral accent-same for northern ohio, Mich. Wisc, Minn. and then over to Washington state, California(esp-northern ca.), Oregon. In the south states-alabama,S. carolina, Miss., ect --Forget it !!! New Yorkers and Bostonians,along with Downeasters from maine speak very good english but with an accent. Here in Miami, Spanish friends and also some I have gave langauge lessons to accuse me constantly of speaking too fast--this coming from cubanas--who speak spanish at assault weapon firing speed. A good spanish course I studied for a long time was and still is offered by the US Dept. of Defense Langauge Institute(wash, DC)--it comes in three phrases and many times local libraries carry them-they do in S. Fl. I know and they are good if you can stick to it.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Jan 2, 2005, 15:09:

miamimike not to be too critical, but in your above post, you wrote "Here in Miami, Spanish friends and also some I have gave langauge lessons to..." I HAVE GAVE??????? I hope you're not charging them for the lessons, if so, please give them their money back........
just goes to show you, doesn't matter where you learn a foreign language, it totally depends on the teacher.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Jan 2, 2005, 16:15:

So, Miamimike, should you walk up to a Cubana and say "Quiero comer tu papaya"?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 2, 2005, 17:44:

Present Perfect/past indefinite tense(same) Greenday-Happy New Years! What part of the English grammatical rule does a person violate in using the verb as above as I stated? The Present Perfect/past indefinite is formed using the helper/auxiliary verb plus the past participle of your main verb. I also have heard folks who may have said "have given" I beleive either are correct. Yes, I charged but not in money.....and yes, it does matter where you Study a foreign Langauge.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Jan 2, 2005, 18:01:

what you believe and what is grammatically correct are two different things. Your students are better off learning English in Baghdad than in one of your classes. (with all due respect)
According to your "theory" it is correct to say "he dí" in spanish.....which is not correct...... "he dado" is correct...I rest my case.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 2, 2005, 19:48:

Greenday What I believe.... is what the book dictates. You missed the point of my question which simply was, "what part of the english langauge was violated in my using the verb "to give" as I did"? In reference to your comparison of "Dar" and its use is really uncomparable. English has 6 tenses(3 simple&3 compond) Spanish has 16 tenses in total(7 simple, 7 compond + the progressive present and progressive past). Translations cannot be 100% accurate each and every time. Baghdad english lessons-nah, too dangerous for me I'm a lover, not a fighter. I like the pay structure here in miami for the english lessons, not always in $$$....Ha! ha! Have a Happy New year and please don't take life so seriously....

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 2, 2005, 19:50:

compound, not compond. One thing anyone could call me on would be my typing skills and I stink-am the world's worst and probably 20 years from now will remain the worst!!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Jan 3, 2005, 03:43:

me?? take life too seriously?? jajaja......hey I'm the straw that stirs the drink.....
ok, you win, continue to teach english the way you want.....english lessons for sex??..that's a good one (sounds like the girls are prostituting themselves, what will Desi say about this??)......

Miamimike has spoke!!!!!!!!!! or is it miamimike has spoken?? now you've got me confused.....

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jan 3, 2005, 12:16:

guys, forget about what all t guys, forget about it. .

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Bquilla says on Jan 3, 2005, 17:41:

Spanish in BAQ ! The Costeños speak like the Cubans and Puertoricans(very fast)and what's the problem with that. You know Barranquilla is a good City and also very safe than Medellin, Cali, etc.
I work with a girls from diferents Latin countries and sometime I don't know what they try said me. So if Dirtyneedlez want to go for 2 month to Barranquilla why we need talk bad about a beatiful City. Each City has her beauty and history.
So Dirtyneedlez you will be very welcome to "Barranquilla, Puerta de Oro de Colombia"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmexicano says on Mar 14, 2005, 10:57:

Thanks for the info guys..... Well, I can say I understand about 35-45% Spanish. I am Mexican, I am choosing Barranquilla because I love the beach. And If I plan on being some where for sometime I wouldn't mind having some Aquatic recreation. And no I don't anyone there in Barranquilla. Please people keep sending me info, I appreciate it all.

marcos

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmexicano says on Mar 14, 2005, 11:04:

about different dialects I Know there are different dialects, I lived in Tijuana Mexico and I have visited D.F. (Mexico City) and see the differences in the dialects. I totally understand what you mean by different dialects. I think Barranquilla would be a lil safer for me.

marcos

0 funny, 0 helpful.

mr102075 says on Aug 14, 2005, 20:28:

Barranquilla Spanish I think that the Colombian spanish is good all over the country , and yes I'm costeño and also agree that some people cut words and sometimes is hard to understand , but the same happen with people of Medellin , Bogota and other cities , they used words that have no meaning to us , which is not really spanish , so I think that everything is about the education level that a particular person gets , and if I want to learn spanish in Colombia I will pick Baranquilla , not only because I was born there , I have been in Bogota and Medellin and I love both cities in fact my father side of the family is from Medellin and I feel more like family with my barranquillero side of the family , is all about how spontaneus and friendly the people is , in the coastal region we are pretty laid back and we like everybody even cachacos when they don't mess up with us. In conclusion we have a great country and great people all over the country let's make visitors feel like they are at home.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Aug 14, 2005, 20:58:

BARRANQUILLA or not???????????????? Well, I live in barrranquilla so I will throw my $0.02 in. YES, they speak faster than hell here. I didn;t speak much Spanish when I first moved here however I have gotten much better HOWEVER the SPEED with which most here speak, DOES make it MUCH MORE DIFFICULT to understand. Guess its the difference between going to Texas and New York, its still ENGLISH but VERY DIFERENT.

As far as women, well, MY OPINION, the women in Barranquilla seem to be a bit more "Open minded" (hint hint) than what I have seen in Bogota and Cali. No doubt the women in Cali are beautiful, but so are the women in Bogota, Barranquilla and Cali. If you prefer a "Lighter" shade of tan, Bogota or Cali, of you like a women with a "Richer, more golden" tan, then I would say Barranquilla or Cartagenia.

THIS IS JUST AN OPINION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pepster says on Aug 15, 2005, 21:27:

Well...let's be frank I was born and raised in America. Although, I grew up in the suburbs, in the seventies when the majority of spanish speaking folks were of Puerto Rican or Cuban origin in the Northeast and Mexican in the West.

I'm a bit of a linguistic buff. I got to tell you that Medellin, although they can speak very good spanish, has a tendancy to be regionalistic and they over pronounce words. There 'S' are out of control and the accent can get old. Imagine a strong cockney english accent. Bogota accents can also get very annoying. Barranquilla, when spoken without the regionalistic words and by an educated person is the closest to pure spanish that I've heard. If you go to Spain or the Canary Islands. They speak it very much like educated coastal people.

This is not to say Barranquilla accents cannot get annoying. The Barranquillera (especially the upper crust ones) speak with a very nerve wracking whine. In fact, the more neutral the accent the better and there is no denying when someone is from Medellin or Bogota or Cali. But a well spoken Barranquillero, that speaks without the local idioms, can very much pass for anything.

Medellin women are the most gorgeous by the way.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Spanish in Barranquilla says on Sep 7, 2005, 13:40:

Learn Spanish at Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla Tha Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla offers a Spanish Program from February 6 to 24, it ends just before Carnivals so you can enjoy this time of the year in Barranquilla.

We can help you find a host family, apartment or hotel.

Classes will be held from 8:30 to 1:30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays

For more information.

iidiomas at uninorte.edu.co
www.uninorte.edu.co/extensiones/idiomas

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tita78 says on Oct 16, 2005, 19:11:

medellin???? Medellin is the most dangerous city's in colombia so I dont think will be the best place to go, but if you want to learn universidad del norte will be a good place and barranquilla is nice warm and friendly and not so dangerous you will have fun.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pepper says on Nov 22, 2005, 13:37:

Let me make correct u mate ! U might be right about the way we speak spanish mate....However, I can tell u that I from Barranquilla and I speak spanish just well ....Secondly, let me just remaind u that for two years consecutively we have actually won miss colombia which means that we've got the most beautifull woman in Colombia ..Just so u know mate!.. so I rather suggest u take your words back ..

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pepper says on Nov 22, 2005, 13:47:

u are absolutely wrong! Let me just tell u why when u say "they" I believe u are talking about everyone from the cost in general...but we don't all speak like that... So i would say "some of them "..I hope u've got it right now...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pepper says on Nov 22, 2005, 14:40:

you've made such a good decision!.. Mate ....I from Barranquilla and I just wanna tell u that u won't regret the fact that have chosen barranquilla to learn spanish....I shall reccommend some places you can go and have fun.....such as Henry's cafe which is actually the most popular one in barranquilla.. in the mean time., you can also party at Frogglegs caffe bar which is also very well-known place in barranquilla and so on..u will get to know many other enjoyable places during your stay.....Don't worry about the accent, it is not gonna prevent you from learning the language...in fact, sonner than expected you will be speaking such a good spanish..so go for it mate..don't listen to those who don't know anything about languages, will u?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Amigagringa says on Jan 27, 2006, 12:33:

Accent difficulties? My dear rash900
If you have a problem with the Atlantic Coast's accent
then you have not heard the Cachacos(All the people from Bogota, Cucuta, Medellin, etc)Speaking.
It all depends of the level of education of the people you are talking to.
A well educated person from Barranquilla does not use slang and in fact has no accent. Someone from Bogota no matter their education they always finish their sentences with a question for example
"Today is a beautiful day" "Hoy es un dia muy lindo"(Costeno).
Hoy hace un dia lindo no?(Cachaco) and they always attach the word "pues" and/or "e avemaria" to every sentence.
Now, I am not trying to put down the Cachacos because that is where my family is from. But you have to be fare. In my opinion Costenos speak better than the Cachacos when it comes to accents.
I am sure I am opening a can of worms and I sure will hear from all the outraged cachacos. I think it is a good subject to open a forum about the little "contiendas" between Cachacos and Costenos

Anyway, I am glad you can understand Cachacos but I would not generalize in calling the Costenos a difficult Accent to understand

Also, it is my opinion that Colombia in general Speaks a "proper Spanish" compared to other Latin Countries.


Amigagringa

Amigagringa

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Amigagringa says on Jan 27, 2006, 12:42:

Poor Baranquilla Hey Miguel
Don't Forget that Shakira the singer is from Barranquilla
and so is Sofia Vergara "La TOTI' para los de alla
Youy are right POOR BARRANQUILLA.
Let everybody know how the Cachacos took over with the centralist government and took all the money and invested in Cachacolandia and allow the Coasts to decline until they realized that they need it to take a vacation from the chilly weather.

Amigagringa

Amigagringa

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Cruizin says on Oct 11, 2006, 10:23:

Local Slang and Idiomatic Expressions in Barranquilla The accent on the coast is a little tougher to understand, but once you're there a little while you'll be fine. Although the accent is a little stronger than it is in other parts of Colombia, I did find people who spoke without the heavy accent. First, you need to familiarize yourself with the local slang and idiomatic expressions, which can be found here:

http://barranquilla-online.com/BOL/diccio.html

Also, if you're interested in learning some Spanish there's a great online resource for learning conversational Spanish:

http://www.supremespanish.com

It's learning Spanish using dialogues, which I think is a great way to learn Spanish.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Oct 11, 2006, 11:14:

if you guys need help with local barranquilllero slang, i'm here to help.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

MexandProud says on Dec 1, 2006, 10:26:

You will be fine Hey dirtyneedlez, Im Mexican too, and i will tell you something...go to Barranquilla, you will be just fine, its a wonderful place, believe me you will enjoy this experience, you will learn spanish by sure, and maybe will be a challenge, but if you learn spanish from la costa, you will be ready for every accent in Latinoamerica! and of course you gotta go to Sta Martha and Cartagena(by the way, the place in where i found my sweetheart). Saludos a todos! Vive Colombia!

"The power to lift us is stronger than all that hold us down"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

celestialrhythm says on Mar 8, 2007, 09:21:

MIAMIMIKE where in the world are you from? I was reading your postings, and let me tell you I have never heard someone contradict himself more! I quote: "pa donde va", they say: "pa onde va"... Non of these work! It is: "Para adonde vas"... and may I say I was raised in Barranquilla. So if you are going to correct any ones linguistic capabilities do it right and make sure that you correct yourselves in the process. Regardless of where you go to learn Spanish, It does not matter as long as you do not catch on to the Dialects... Just the grammatical and vocabulary aspect of the language... Now do not get me wrong I do agree that Colombia in it's entirety has 99.9% of the best spoken Spanish, you need to go somewhere, where you are going to feel comfortable with the environment, the people, the food... Your environment plays a very good part in your enthusiasm... It's like a job you can make 60,000.00 Dollars a year but if you are miserable do you honestly think that you are going to have a 100% output to your responsibilities? I do not think so!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.