Why do family members and in-laws back home think we're rich ?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Coming from an affluent family in Mexico, I cannot relate to being asked for anything. I can tell you that my father is freaked out that I live in an apartment and that I take the bus to work. My mamma cannot possible believe I do all my housekeeping (well, I really don't do shite, Bren does most of it). Different folks, different experiences.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I'm going back in 1 1/2 wks to Barranquilla. Perfume for everyone, but a hammer & level for the father (who works in construction). When I get there, I help buy groceries, the food is served while I wait, and the father and I drink a bottle of Ron Medellin every other day...

When everyone gets tired of Ron Medellin, we always go for Cerveza Aguila.

[bora bora 1]

There is a difference between presents and "What can you bring me/pay for?"....

[HAL 9000 96]

Funny most stories here are about getting asked for 'gifts'...

Last couple of trips to Colombia I've made a loose bit of cash selling brand new laptops bought at discounted retail price for a very modest travel fee to my wife's friends from work. They ask for specs, I deliver the product brand new and set up to go from day one. Its hilarious every time I go through El Dorado and DAS looks at 'my' 2-3 laptops in my carry on and I smile.

Everyone wins- the friends pay much less for their gear and I get some pocket change and airline miles for using my credit card.

But yeah, I can also relate to the 'Rich American' syndrome. My wife is at a point where she can help support her retired parents on a monthly basis, but she won't out of fear of conditioning them into expecting cash... luckily we've only had to pay for her brother's airline tix to and from Argentina to go back to his Seminary.

[panamania79 2]

I'm going back in 1 1/2 wks to Barranquilla. Perfume for everyone, but a hammer & level for the father (who works in construction). When I get there, I help buy groceries, the food is served while I wait, and the father and I drink a bottle of Ron Medellin every other day...

When everyone gets tired of Ron Medellin, we always go for Cerveza Aguila.

Have you tried Aguardiente yet ?

[athena_ny 1]

They don't understand that things cost more - and the American dollar does go a lot further in a lot of foreign countries. I got breakfast for 5 people in Peru for the equivalent of about 12 dollars. 1200 dollars lasted me 2 weeks and I still had money left over - in the US you'd be hard pressed to go on vacation and not run out of money for that amount of time if you stayed in the states.

However, luxury items like cars and computers seemed to cost more. I saw cars I wouldn't pay more than 1000 dollars for being sold for almost 4000.

However, my husband's family asks for very little money. Both of his sister's husbands make more USD than we see in a month, and his single sister did ask for some money when she was out of work, but meh. They did fight over the gifts my MIL sent but that was more them being stupid than desperate.

Edited March 12, 2008 by athena_ny

[bora bora 1]

Wow, $1200 in 2 weeks? I must have been living like a Peruvian when I was there...

[HAL 9000 96]

Maybe we can get some insider info on Peru 'cause I do remember it being a bit expensive compared to Colombia and Bolivia.

[bora bora 1]

Maybe we can get some insider info on Peru 'cause I do remember it being a bit expensive compared to Colombia and Bolivia.

I've never been to Colombia but I know that Bolivia was pretty inexpensive.

I was just surprised that athena spent that much money in Peru since it's a lot cheaper than Brazil and I never spent that much money in Brazil.

But that's just me...I think I'm a simple person (as is my husband), and we don't go the tourist route.

[HAL 9000 96]

Abosolutely bora bora... I prefer the (nongringo) backpacker style. That in itself is enough to bring the costs down. Bolivia was very inexpensive and Colombia... well, they're on an upswing with tourism now.

[bora bora 1]

Abosolutely bora bora... I prefer the (nongringo) backpacker style. That in itself is enough to bring the costs down. Bolivia was very inexpensive and Colombia... well, they're on an upswing with tourism now.

I've always wanted to go to Colombia, and I intend to go one day. I love South America and would love to make it to each country...

The nongringo way is the only way for me too. I stayed in a hostel in Peru once with some friends and we paid $8/piece. Granted only the first two girls had hot showers, but oh well...

[HAL 9000 96]

Lol... who needs hot showers?!

Do try to remember Bolivian shower heaters!

[Mononoke28 135]

I spent $2000 in Colombia in 2½ months and we used that mainly to pay bills, groceries, medical stuff, etc., so it does go a long way. We also took the bus and the metro everywhere unless it was cheaper to take a cab. We travelled by bus instead of taking a plane, so that helped out a lot and the trips we made were out of this mind gorgeous. Cold showers galore but then again when it's so hot they feel pretty good, lunch was like $4US for two people, going to a river for a swim was free and again, gorgeous scenery. Colombia is really cheap and a total blast.

Diana

[HAL 9000 96]

I spent $2000 in Colombia in 2½ months and we used that mainly to pay bills, groceries, medical stuff, etc., so it does go a long way. We also took the bus and the metro everywhere unless it was cheaper to take a cab. We travelled by bus instead of taking a plane, so that helped out a lot and the trips we made were out of this mind gorgeous. Cold showers galore but then again when it's so hot they feel pretty good, lunch was like $4US for two people, going to a river for a swim was free and again, gorgeous scenery. Colombia is really cheap and a total blast.

Diana

Think of it this way... cold showers = refreshing on a hot sticky day. Good. Then a glass of jugo de lulo and we're all set.

In 3 months in Colombia I spent about $3000 for all the aforementioned bills... plus an engagement ring

And we managed a tour package to Providencia over a long weekend in there, by plane with all costs except the rental scooter we got on the island.

[bora bora 1]

We needed hot showers because we were in the mountains - and it was cold in the morning .

I remember the Bolivian heaters because I lived there for a year, couldn't forget that...hehehe

Your trips sound so nice! I can't wait to go back to South America - for so many reasons!! If I don't go this summer it'll be because I'm in South Africa, so I'll have to make it next year. My husband is in no hurry to go back, and although I can go without him, I don't mind waiting and going somewhere else in the meantime.