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Date: 2nd May 2007
No offence taken
Mr. D Thanks for the interesting commentary, no offence taken. However, I would like to know which is better; spreading poverty amongst everyone or allowing wealth to a certain few? I am not exactly sure what I think, however I do look to Scandanavian examples and even Canadian example of social welfare systems (high taxes) as some of the best models we have. I am in Cartegena right now, and nowhere have I felt less safe, might be in my mind but my spidey senses are definetly tingling here. The poverty is present and at times overwhelming. You may be right in that the Colombian economy is booming but if the profits are held by only a few and taxes are too low to support social programs I do not see how this statistic implies that things are getting better in Colombia. For instance, GDP and economic output in Canada continues to grow every year yet as a whole our population is become poorer in real terms. This is a product of an erosion in the social welfare system. My point is that the economy can grow at the same time as the population gets poorer. As for the political situation, that is a bit more grey. At the moment. the current president is being accused of backing the right-wing paramilitaries. Not sure what the truth is on this one but not all is well in Colombia. Finally, I think that the Cuban revolution has moved passed a quote, unquote communist level and is now growing into something more complex. All over Latin America; be it Equador, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, (Mexico- not officially in government but a strong movement), in addition to Argentina and Brazil which are slightly different, there is a movement a foot to throw out American imperialist policies in favour of a more equitable approach to the distribution of wealth. If bringing electricty to rural schools in Bolivia is communist well then I am all for it. What I am trying to say is that I admire, Cuba´s tenacity to withstand US intervention and that they have now provided the foundations for a model that demonstrates that submitting to US pressure is not necessary. And that from what I saw in Cuba, compared to the results I had seen in the rest of Latin America, Cuba seemed to be on a whole doing far better than its neighbours.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
No offence taken
Mr. D Thanks for the interesting commentary, no offence taken. However, I would like to know which is better; spreading poverty amongst everyone or allowing wealth to a certain few? I am not exactly sure what I think, however I do look to Scandanavian examples and even Canadian example of social welfare systems (high taxes) as some of the best models we have. I am in Cartegena right now, and nowhere have I felt less safe, might be in my mind but my spidey senses are definetly tingling here. The poverty is present and at times overwhelming. You may be right in that the Colombian economy is booming but if the profits are held by only a few and taxes are too low to support social programs I do not see how this statistic implies that things are getting better in Colombia. For instance, GDP and economic output in Canada continues to grow every year yet as a whole our population is become poorer in real terms. This is a product of an erosion in the social welfare system. My point is that the economy can grow at the same time as the population gets poorer. As for the political situation, that is a bit more grey. At the moment. the current president is being accused of backing the right-wing paramilitaries. Not sure what the truth is on this one but not all is well in Colombia. Finally, I think that the Cuban revolution has moved passed a quote, unquote communist level and is now growing into something more complex. All over Latin America; be it Equador, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, (Mexico- not officially in government but a strong movement), in addition to Argentina and Brazil which are slightly different, there is a movement a foot to throw out American imperialist policies in favour of a more equitable approach to the distribution of wealth. If bringing electricty to rural schools in Bolivia is communist well then I am all for it. What I am trying to say is that I admire, Cuba´s tenacity to withstand US intervention and that they have now provided the foundations for a model that demonstrates that submitting to US pressure is not necessary. And that from what I saw in Cuba, compared to the results I had seen in the rest of Latin America, Cuba seemed to be on a whole doing far better than its neighbours.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Date: 2nd May 2007
Green, the color of Columbia
Hey Jason, way to go with your rebuttal to Mr. Frank D. While I do not possess any knowledge of his back ground and / or personal experiences, I can tell by the way he writes that he is ignorant on the whole world perspective, as well as how much American foreign policy (read the U.S. Government, not the people of the U.S.) pissess off the rest of the world. Yes there is hunger and homelessness everywhere ... my question to Frank D. is "what are you doing to help solve the problem?" I can guess, you are most likely sitting in your glass house passing judgment on the rest of the world. Jason has been to many places in the world and experienced many things most people only dream off, both good and bad. Hey Jason, look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Green, the color of Columbia
Hey Jason, way to go with your rebuttal to Mr. Frank D. While I do not possess any knowledge of his back ground and / or personal experiences, I can tell by the way he writes that he is ignorant on the whole world perspective, as well as how much American foreign policy (read the U.S. Government, not the people of the U.S.) pissess off the rest of the world. Yes there is hunger and homelessness everywhere ... my question to Frank D. is "what are you doing to help solve the problem?" I can guess, you are most likely sitting in your glass house passing judgment on the rest of the world. Jason has been to many places in the world and experienced many things most people only dream off, both good and bad. Hey Jason, look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Date: 2nd May 2007
Some points
I must agree with you on the fact that the US intervention and economic policies towards latin America are probably the biggest causes for poverty and misery. however I have been to Colombia several times, in fact it I plan on moving down there after graduating from school, I admire the Colombian tenacity and the friendliness of the people. My comments were not intended to offend you, just to give you a different perspective. The first time I went to Colombia was in 1996 when the political situation was pretty bad; drugs, violence and corruption were rampant and the last time I went was in 2005 and there has been quite a dramatic change, violence has been reduced by 69% (I have researched it from several sources) the economy is growing quite healthy and tourism is booming. In respect to Cuba I am a liberal, and as such I oppose the embargo imposed by the US government on the island and all international policies from this administration with respect to the island. I have never been to Cuba but one of my best friends is Cuban, he is not a right-wing nut job he’s a very centered, neutral guy and he just returned from visiting his dad in Havana, years of embargo have caused severe shortages on food and medicines, maybe the people you spoke to were afraid to speak against the regime or maybe they support the “revolucion” (communist government) however what Castro has done is make everybody equal by spreading poverty not by promoting the progress of his people. Oh and lat I went to Toronto in 2001, I’m not an ignorant I just like to promote a more optimistic view and highlight the positive things about the wonderful countries and people of Latin America.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Some points
I must agree with you on the fact that the US intervention and economic policies towards latin America are probably the biggest causes for poverty and misery. however I have been to Colombia several times, in fact it I plan on moving down there after graduating from school, I admire the Colombian tenacity and the friendliness of the people. My comments were not intended to offend you, just to give you a different perspective. The first time I went to Colombia was in 1996 when the political situation was pretty bad; drugs, violence and corruption were rampant and the last time I went was in 2005 and there has been quite a dramatic change, violence has been reduced by 69% (I have researched it from several sources) the economy is growing quite healthy and tourism is booming. In respect to Cuba I am a liberal, and as such I oppose the embargo imposed by the US government on the island and all international policies from this administration with respect to the island. I have never been to Cuba but one of my best friends is Cuban, he is not a right-wing nut job he’s a very centered, neutral guy and he just returned from visiting his dad in Havana, years of embargo have caused severe shortages on food and medicines, maybe the people you spoke to were afraid to speak against the regime or maybe they support the “revolucion” (communist government) however what Castro has done is make everybody equal by spreading poverty not by promoting the progress of his people. Oh and lat I went to Toronto in 2001, I’m not an ignorant I just like to promote a more optimistic view and highlight the positive things about the wonderful countries and people of Latin America.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Date: 1st May 2007
YOu sound like an American who has never gone anywhere!
Hey Framk D! You ever been to Cuba? Ever been to Colombia? Let me guess I bet you´ve never been to Canada either. Until you go there and speak with actual Cubans please keep you´re opinions. The people who I spoke with enjoyed a lower (decently low) middle income life, this is the norm for everyone. There is no poverty like the misery found in Miami, Bogota or any other big Latin American city which I have visited, not to mention the misery in US cities. Cubans die of hunger every year you say, show me the stats. My guess is that if this is the case, per capita is lower than the States and maybe even Canada. Don´t get me wrong, I´ve worked long and hard to get myself an education so that I can earn money and pay disproportionately high taxes and I wouldn´t want to live in Cuba. But compared to the gamut of problems in every single other Latin American country, arguably caused because of American intervention in their economies, Cuba stands out as a shining example of something different, something better that its Latin neighbours. My guess is that life in Cuba is better than life in the slums of Miami, New York or Washington DC where racism and deeply entrenched class structures make for miserables lives.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
YOu sound like an American who has never gone anywhere!
Hey Framk D! You ever been to Cuba? Ever been to Colombia? Let me guess I bet you´ve never been to Canada either. Until you go there and speak with actual Cubans please keep you´re opinions. The people who I spoke with enjoyed a lower (decently low) middle income life, this is the norm for everyone. There is no poverty like the misery found in Miami, Bogota or any other big Latin American city which I have visited, not to mention the misery in US cities. Cubans die of hunger every year you say, show me the stats. My guess is that if this is the case, per capita is lower than the States and maybe even Canada. Don´t get me wrong, I´ve worked long and hard to get myself an education so that I can earn money and pay disproportionately high taxes and I wouldn´t want to live in Cuba. But compared to the gamut of problems in every single other Latin American country, arguably caused because of American intervention in their economies, Cuba stands out as a shining example of something different, something better that its Latin neighbours. My guess is that life in Cuba is better than life in the slums of Miami, New York or Washington DC where racism and deeply entrenched class structures make for miserables lives.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Date: 1st May 2007
prosperity in Cuba???
"contrast to the relative equality and prosperity of Cubans" Dude, I don’t know where in Cuba you stayed at, but Cubans die of hunger every day their food is given out in daily rations that barely feed the children and they are forced to work on the fields plus the dictator Castro micro manages every aspect of Cuban life, not to mention there is no freedom of speech!! I know all this because I work with a Cuban guy who got to the states 3 years ago, if life was so great in Cuba we would have never come to the states! Now, about Colombia if you are so shocked about homeless people you should try and get out of suburbia every now and then go to downtown Miami or Detroit or any other city fo that matter you will see homelessness in every country on the face of the earth. Instead of criticizing you should remember that not all countries are equal and that all those people are fighting really hard, everyday to make a better life for themselves and their country.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
prosperity in Cuba???
"contrast to the relative equality and prosperity of Cubans" Dude, I don’t know where in Cuba you stayed at, but Cubans die of hunger every day their food is given out in daily rations that barely feed the children and they are forced to work on the fields plus the dictator Castro micro manages every aspect of Cuban life, not to mention there is no freedom of speech!! I know all this because I work with a Cuban guy who got to the states 3 years ago, if life was so great in Cuba we would have never come to the states! Now, about Colombia if you are so shocked about homeless people you should try and get out of suburbia every now and then go to downtown Miami or Detroit or any other city fo that matter you will see homelessness in every country on the face of the earth. Instead of criticizing you should remember that not all countries are equal and that all those people are fighting really hard, everyday to make a better life for themselves and their country.
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia
Date: 28th April 2007
First Time Writer, Long Time Admirer
Hey buddy, long time no speak. Sorry for never writing you or commenting on any of your posts, I think I am just jealous. With that said I have followed your amazing journey the entire way. I check the site weekly and I am blown away with the distance you have traveled, the places you have gone and the people you have met. I can only imagine what it must be like to be there. Oh yeah, pictures do say a 1000 words, keep up the good work. I am reading the Che biography at the moment, and I noticed that the route you guys have traveled is quite similar to the route our revolutionary friend took through the Americas. Hopefully you'll bring back u some of that spirit with you. Enjoy the rest of your travels. Can't wait to share a couple of cold one and hear stories from your adventure. Cheers, Cory
From Blog: Last days in Cuba
First Time Writer, Long Time Admirer
Hey buddy, long time no speak. Sorry for never writing you or commenting on any of your posts, I think I am just jealous. With that said I have followed your amazing journey the entire way. I check the site weekly and I am blown away with the distance you have traveled, the places you have gone and the people you have met. I can only imagine what it must be like to be there. Oh yeah, pictures do say a 1000 words, keep up the good work. I am reading the Che biography at the moment, and I noticed that the route you guys have traveled is quite similar to the route our revolutionary friend took through the Americas. Hopefully you'll bring back u some of that spirit with you. Enjoy the rest of your travels. Can't wait to share a couple of cold one and hear stories from your adventure. Cheers, Cory
From Blog: Last days in Cuba
Date: 19th April 2007
Enjoying all your info and pictures
Hi Jason Just wanted to let you know how much we are enjoying your adventures. Your mom passes them on to me and I pass them on to Lisa. She is loving them too. This is something that her daughter Kesheiya, would love to do after graduation. Keep them coming . They are being read and enjoyed by so many people. Betty Kunz
From Blog: Freshly rolled cigars!
Enjoying all your info and pictures
Hi Jason Just wanted to let you know how much we are enjoying your adventures. Your mom passes them on to me and I pass them on to Lisa. She is loving them too. This is something that her daughter Kesheiya, would love to do after graduation. Keep them coming . They are being read and enjoyed by so many people. Betty Kunz
From Blog: Freshly rolled cigars!
Date: 19th April 2007
journey
Wonderfull to read about Jason .love Mormor.
From Blog: Freshly rolled cigars!
journey
Wonderfull to read about Jason .love Mormor.
From Blog: Freshly rolled cigars!
Date: 18th April 2007
hhhhmmm Canard confit
You´re right, canard is much better than what we have become accustomed to. great to hear from you ma tante Line and looking forward to seeing you soon.
From Blog: First Impressions of Cuba
hhhhmmm Canard confit
You´re right, canard is much better than what we have become accustomed to. great to hear from you ma tante Line and looking forward to seeing you soon.
From Blog: First Impressions of Cuba
Date: 18th April 2007
Hi Jason
I'm at lISE'S AND jEAN'S PLACE FOR DINNER AND they showed me your blog. Very interesting as I was in Cuba about 25 years ago. I remember that poultry and all such animals were pretty tough in Cuba... So I just wanted to let you know that we're having CANARD CONFIT... which I'm sure will be much better than what you'll be having tonight nananana...
From Blog: First Impressions of Cuba
Hi Jason
I'm at lISE'S AND jEAN'S PLACE FOR DINNER AND they showed me your blog. Very interesting as I was in Cuba about 25 years ago. I remember that poultry and all such animals were pretty tough in Cuba... So I just wanted to let you know that we're having CANARD CONFIT... which I'm sure will be much better than what you'll be having tonight nananana...
From Blog: First Impressions of Cuba
Date: 16th April 2007
Yes you are a lucky man is so many ways... sounds wonderful and a place to visit for Scott and I. Keep the blogs coming. Love Mom xo
From Blog: ohhh, Maria I love you!
Yes you are a lucky man is so many ways... sounds wonderful and a place to visit for Scott and I. Keep the blogs coming. Love Mom xo
From Blog: ohhh, Maria I love you!
Date: 14th April 2007
The Quebecers are coming
Hey Robin, great to see you both of you are having a wonderful time and we that glad we can follow your adventures once again. Looks like you survived the winter well...oh, by the way, nice tights, ah, er, nice and tight I mean...too tight maybe? All you are missing is the cape and face mask!!!! We both look forward to your return to Vancouver in 5 weeks!!! Love Batman
From Blog: The Quebecers are coming, the Quebecers are coming!
The Quebecers are coming
Hey Robin, great to see you both of you are having a wonderful time and we that glad we can follow your adventures once again. Looks like you survived the winter well...oh, by the way, nice tights, ah, er, nice and tight I mean...too tight maybe? All you are missing is the cape and face mask!!!! We both look forward to your return to Vancouver in 5 weeks!!! Love Batman
From Blog: The Quebecers are coming, the Quebecers are coming!
Date: 14th April 2007
Love the shorts... great hearing your voice this morning. The blog is great. Take care love you both.. mom xoxooxox
From Blog: The Quebecers are coming, the Quebecers are coming!
Love the shorts... great hearing your voice this morning. The blog is great. Take care love you both.. mom xoxooxox
From Blog: The Quebecers are coming, the Quebecers are coming!
Date: 13th April 2007
cuba
Hi again I had just send that little note to you and righ there was the message that you had entered a blog talk about tim ing. again take care Jason and Laurence I enjoyed reading about Cuba. lovr Mormor.
From Blog: First Impressions of Cuba
cuba
Hi again I had just send that little note to you and righ there was the message that you had entered a blog talk about tim ing. again take care Jason and Laurence I enjoyed reading about Cuba. lovr Mormor.
From Blog: First Impressions of Cuba
Date: 12th March 2007
Hi Jason and Laurence, sure nice to see you are both enjoying the travels ,and the food. nice pictures. Lima looks very beautiful. enjoy Cuba ,that is the place morfar would like to go.. p.s. take care. love mormor.
From Blog: Ahhhh... the sweet feel of the sun of your face
Hi Jason and Laurence, sure nice to see you are both enjoying the travels ,and the food. nice pictures. Lima looks very beautiful. enjoy Cuba ,that is the place morfar would like to go.. p.s. take care. love mormor.
From Blog: Ahhhh... the sweet feel of the sun of your face
Date: 7th March 2007
Can you please take better photos and increase the quality of your words.....nevermind, I realized that I'm just jealous.
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
Can you please take better photos and increase the quality of your words.....nevermind, I realized that I'm just jealous.
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
Date: 6th March 2007
OMG !!!
WOW, What an experience. If Machu Pichu doesn't stir up some spiritual feelings in a person I don't think that any other experience could. Always enjoy your photos and stories. Good to hear you are both well and making such life changing memories. Love and Hugs to you both.
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
OMG !!!
WOW, What an experience. If Machu Pichu doesn't stir up some spiritual feelings in a person I don't think that any other experience could. Always enjoy your photos and stories. Good to hear you are both well and making such life changing memories. Love and Hugs to you both.
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
Date: 5th March 2007
hi I just read your last entry.hope the rest of your journey will be as great mormor the pictures are great. too.
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
hi I just read your last entry.hope the rest of your journey will be as great mormor the pictures are great. too.
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
Date: 5th March 2007
Awesome.. I am so happy you made it up given the rainy season. I can hardly wait to see with my own eyes what you and Lo saw. Love to you both. Safe Journey.. Mom xo
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
Awesome.. I am so happy you made it up given the rainy season. I can hardly wait to see with my own eyes what you and Lo saw. Love to you both. Safe Journey.. Mom xo
From Blog: The lost city of the Incas
Date: 27th February 2007
great to read your blog again, I am getting the e-mail when you and Laurence is writing about your journey great. sound like a great place. and meating another viking ,the World is getting smaller al the time, take care both of you love Mormor and Morfar.
From Blog: The cradle of the Sun
great to read your blog again, I am getting the e-mail when you and Laurence is writing about your journey great. sound like a great place. and meating another viking ,the World is getting smaller al the time, take care both of you love Mormor and Morfar.
From Blog: The cradle of the Sun
Date: 25th February 2007
Dining out
Hey Robin, next time Laurence tells you to have heart, you can literally tell her "I did that already"!!!! Keep up the blogs as we love them. And both of you take care.
From Blog: La Paz is Breathtaking... literally!
Dining out
Hey Robin, next time Laurence tells you to have heart, you can literally tell her "I did that already"!!!! Keep up the blogs as we love them. And both of you take care.
From Blog: La Paz is Breathtaking... literally!
Date: 19th February 2007
just read your last entri .fasinating. You and Laurence sure see a lot and are having a great time. keep it up love Mormor and Morfar xoxoxo to laurence too.
From Blog: La Paz is Breathtaking... literally!
just read your last entri .fasinating. You and Laurence sure see a lot and are having a great time. keep it up love Mormor and Morfar xoxoxo to laurence too.
From Blog: La Paz is Breathtaking... literally!
Date: 18th February 2007
The heart you ate
The heart meat on a stick made on a grill is "Anticucho", with some condiment made of peanuts is delicious.
From Blog: La Paz is Breathtaking... literally!
The heart you ate
The heart meat on a stick made on a grill is "Anticucho", with some condiment made of peanuts is delicious.
From Blog: La Paz is Breathtaking... literally!
Date: 12th February 2007
Long time no hear.....
Jason It looks like you have been having an amazing time. I have been missing your blogs so I did a search via google and found you had made 5 posts since I last heard from you. I am not getting notification by e-mail anymore - not that you care, but I thought you were on hiatus. Anyway we miss you guys, stay safe, and we'll see you when you get home. PS you do a great job of bringing your trip to life for me. I hope you kept notes for your future book!
From Blog: Lookout for the LLama empañadas
Long time no hear.....
Jason It looks like you have been having an amazing time. I have been missing your blogs so I did a search via google and found you had made 5 posts since I last heard from you. I am not getting notification by e-mail anymore - not that you care, but I thought you were on hiatus. Anyway we miss you guys, stay safe, and we'll see you when you get home. PS you do a great job of bringing your trip to life for me. I hope you kept notes for your future book!
From Blog: Lookout for the LLama empañadas
Frank D
non-member comment
Brasil
Venezuela is having a very interesting transformation, however president Chavez has quite a confrontational way of doing things! He has created a huge conflict between the rich and the poor, they should be working together. I don't like his way of doing things I firmly believe that social and economic changes are long overdue in Latin America but I prefer the way President Lula from Brazil is doing things quietly but effectively... The left is right!! Happy travels
From Blog: Green, the colour of Colombia