WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS "EAFIT SOCCER TOURNAMENT" 2008

Thanks especially to my fan number one: Evicka

HIKING IN SANTA FE DE ANTIQUIA - COLOMBIA

Left to right: JP (My Brother), Dora (JP EX-Girlfriend), Pablo (From Spain), Me (Cástulo), Evicka (From Slovakia), BERNAR (from Florencia Caquetá - Colombia).

HALLOWEEN PARTY 2008

SLOVAKS MEETING IN MEDELLIN - COLOMBIA

October 2008, We have more Slovaks living in Colombia ...... WOW

Photography1: Silvia Kutisova

Half Marathon Medellin 2008

Photography1: Eva Vollmannova - 1/2 Marathon Medellín 2008

Around 17,000 athletes competed in different categories where Kenyan athletes Julius Kypiego won the men's Half Marathon of Medellin and set a record of one hour, two minutes and 34 seconds (1:02.34). Kenyan Ogla Kimayo won the first place on women's Half Marathon of Medellin. The best Colombian competitor was Diego Colorado who arrived in third place.

Following is the table of the 14th Halt Marathon of Medellin:

Men:

1. Julius Kipyego, Kenya, 1:02.34 (record)
2. Kimutai Kiplimo, Kenya 1:03.53
3. Diego Colorado, Colombia, 1:04.46

Women:

1. Ogla Kimayo, Kenya 1:13.56
2. Emily Chepkemoi, Kenya 1:14.28
3. Yolanda Fernandez, Colombia, 1:18.22

EVA : You Are My Flower :)

Medellín Flower Festival 2008

The Festival of the Flowers (La Feria de las Flores) is the most important festival of Antioquia and it takes place in Medellín in early August. The event has been celebrated every year since 1957. This festival has several activities such as antique cars parade, Desfíle de Silleteros (flower carriers parade), mass horse rides down the streets, exhibition of fondas from much of the towns in Antioquia, etc.




The Paisas, as Colombian's in Medellin are called, are some of the friendliest people on the planet......... :)

Dancing Out

Aguapanelas is an experience to be had. It a great mix of sexy music, with a tropical atmosphere literally painted on the walls.

I have been to many places across Medellín. Aguapanelas rated at the very top of my experiences. The service was great, We danced a lot . I will be back with Eva and my friends......

:)

Living in Spain

My older brother "Bernardo" lives already 4 months in Spain and he is very happy because he had find new opportunities in his live, he is working in a software company located in Madrid.


Now he is living together with my cousin, her husband and their daughter. They have been living there since 2002. They studied Computer Science in Colombia.

They have found many good job opportunities in Madrid because at this moment in Europe there is a lack of software engineers for : JAVA, .NET, ORACLE, SAP, PHP, AJAX, GWT, FLEX, etc.



They bought a big and beautiful house , near Madrid in Toledo.



Maybe next year, I will be there with my love of my life "Eva Vollmannova" :)

Eva Vollmannova : lubim Ta laska moja

COLOMBIA'S PRESIDENT

Alvaro Uribe was born in Medellin, capital of the department of Antioquia on July 4th, 1952. He is married to Lina Uribe. They have two sons.

He holds a degree in law from the Universidad de Antioquia and a post-graduate degree in Management and Administration from Harvard University.

He is widely credited with transforming the Colombian economy, bringing greater security and fostering one of the most welcoming business environments in Latin America.

Álvaro Uribe’s popularity hits record, 91 percent Thursday 5th July 2008, following the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages from their FARC captors.

In my opinion he is, indisputably, the best president in the Colombia's history. I'd go so far as to say that he's the best leader, trumping everyone from Nerón to King David.

JUANES - PARA TU AMOR

Juanes, the Colombian singer and songwriter, was one of the early proponents of what was called Latin Alternative, mixing rock with Colombian melodies and rhythms.

Today, he is a Latin pop star who has sold more than 10 million records worldwide.

"Para Tu Amor" is a lovely song Juanes, It's from his album "Mi sangre".

"Mi Sangre" has won him many awards and held the top chart position for the Latin Billboard chart. He was named as the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine.

This is one of my favorite love songs...when I listen to this song, it brings me to a dreamy state of mind. This song is dedicated to love of my life.

Juanes - Para Tu Amor
( Juanes - For Your Love )

For your love, i have everything
from my blood to the essense of my being
and for your love that is my treasure
i have my whole life at your feet

and i also have a heart that dies to give love
and a heart that doesn't know the end of beating for you

for your love there are no goodbyes
for your love i only have eternity
and for your love that illuminates me
i have a moon, a rainbow, and a carnation

i also have a heart that dies to give love
and a heart that doesn't know the end of beating for you

for that reason i love you so much and i don't know
how to explain what i feel
i love you because your pain is my pain, theres no doubt
i love you with soul and with heart, i worship you
now and forever i'll thank you, my love, for exist

for your love i have it all
i have it all and what i also don't have
i will achieve it
for your love that is my treasure
i have my whole life at your feet

and i also have a heart that dies to give love
and that doesn't know the end of beating for you

for that reason i love you so much and i don't know
how to explain what i feel
i love you because your pain is my pain, theres no doubt
i love you with soul and with heart, i worship you
now and forever i'll thank you, my love, for exist

SPANISH LANGUAGE

English has been a powerful language during the last 50 years, and its spread has been largely an economic one. But at South America grows in power, its becoming obvious that English speaking countries like the United States now have steady competition from both Spanish and Portuguese, both of which are growing as an economic language, especially within the United States.

Within the United States, almost 11% of the population speaks Spanish as their first language, and that percentage is growing. Due to immigration (both legal and illegal immigration) from Central and South America, Spanish is now the fastest growing language in the United States. It is estimated that by 2050, 30% of the United States will be speaking Spanish as a first language.

The top three languages of the world are as follows (in order of first-speaking population):

- Chinese Mandarin 13.69%

- Spanish 5.05%

- English 4.84%

Now I understand why my Girlfriend came to Colombia :

1) to learn Spanish

And

2) find the true love ................ Me :)

TE AMO EVA VOLLMANNOVA

COLOMBIA TEACHER’S DAY

In Colombia, the teacher’s day celebration is not as beautiful as other countries prepare each year. However, every 15th of May most schools are still in their usual celebrations of the Colombia Teacher’s Day with lots of fun and activities.

Usually the students celebrate this day performing different artistic acts such as: songs, dramatizations, dances, etc. Also, most of the times the teachers just have a half work day and then the school director invites to lunch. In some schools the students are not allowed to hand special gifts but they can give a nice card or do something nice for their teachers.

Lots of congratulations for all the teachers that I know, starting by Eva :)

"Milujem ta Evicka"

COLOMBIA, A COUNTRY WITHOUT BLOOD

In Colombia now there are 161 in the Blood Bank, blood donations have reached a total of 400,000 thousand units per year which is equivalent to 1% of the population in a country of over 40 million inhabitants, according to the statistics very far of international standards. The ideal in a country like Colombia is to have per year a total of one million two hundred thousand units of blood to have a minimum level of coverage of 3% of the population.

Medellín needs a lot of Blood. The Medellín's Ministry of Health noted that every year in Medellín is needed around 80 thousand units to meet the demands of citizenship.

Knowing a little the problems blood donation in Colombian and in my city Medellín every year "Rotary International" does a blood donation campaign throughout Colombia.

Here in Medellín was on April 19, 2008. This event was very important for me and for My Rotary Club to which I belong "Rotaract Medellín Retorno". The event was in the Mall "Los Molinos". The slogan of the campaign was "Donate blood donates life". Every day the hospitals spends many liters of blood to : 1) patients with hematological problems (treatments of leukemia, hemophilia, cancer), 2) accidents and some kind of violence 3) care for children and mothers.

I was the organizer and responsible for all the logistics of the event. The "Americas Hospital" was working with my Club. And here I want to say with great satisfaction and happiness thanks to everyone who participated in the event for the effort, commitment, dedication and time so that everything was success. We have helped to reduce the blood shortage that exists in Medellín, also we contributed to educated people to donate blood.

The statistics of the campaign were as follows:
Total People who wanted to donate 133
Not passed the previous test 38
Donors effects 95


I am very proud of my Rotary Club "Rotaract Medellín Retorno" for their work in the event and also very proud and impressed by the support we receive from Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, represented by my slovak girlfriend Eva Vollmannova. She helped me a lot.

" ♥ LUBIM TA EVA :) "

THANKS GOD

In Holy week, I went to travel with my beautiful girlfriend (VAFKA) to a small village called "La Dorada" about five hours of Medellín. We were very happy for this trip. When we arrived at La Dorada we visited my family to which I haven't seen for more than 15 years. My family told me you look different and changed, you were thinner than before, In the past I only played soccer, but now I am swimming and jogging every day. Also introduce my girlfriend the whole family. beautiful days among the warmth of the weather and the warmth of my family spent the super well.

The night before our return to Medellín I had fallen from a old train, but I was fine. On the day of return was something strange because the weather was hot and the environment was very dry. Close to Medellin climate was different, It was raining and the ground was dangerous for travellers. To less than 10 km to Medellin our bus collided against a pole. A big scare for my girlfriend and Me because the impact was very strong. The only persons wounds were VAFKA and Me. We spent an hour in an ambulance, but fortunately we were alive and well.

Now my Girlfriend and Me remember that time and celebrate being together and alive. That accident made us think and appreciate life more, plus I think the Christian spirit of the Easter consolidated our relationship, in other words we are really together than ever in love…………………………Thanks God.


"Milujem ta Vafka"

MAKE LOVE NOT WAR!

Yupi, Yupi, Yupi, Yupi....... With hugs, handshakes and applauses between the presidents of Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela put an end to a week-long political and diplomatic crisis that threatened to escalate into a regional conflict.

Maybe someday that these presidents stop the insults and assaults for work together as a single force to build a better Latin America, and give to know to around the world what good things that we have, how to the human quality, natural resources, the happiness of our peoples and our music.

Maybe someday Latin America gets better status and be seen in the world with other way.

Viva The Latin Power, Viva La Salsa, Viva el Merengue, Viva el Reggaeton.....and Viva My Slovak girlfriend :)

"Lubim ta Vafka"

PEACE IN COLOMBIA PLEASE

The raid by Colombian forces into Ecuador, which claimed the lives of Raul Reyes - second-in-command of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - and 23 other rebels, has provoked great tension between Colombia and its neighbours.

Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela broken diplomatic relations with Colombia over the raid and sent extra troops to their borders with that country to protest the action. Venezuela also closed its Colombian border to trade.

We are living in a tension atmosphere because at any time political differences between governments Bolivarianos also called Socialists (Ecuador, Nicaragua, Venezuela) and a fully Democratic government (Colombia) with a capitalist model helped for US, could produce a war between countries brothers. In other words any stupid act would lead to war, or any armed intervention by one of those involved.

Of course that is Colombia violates the Ecuadorian nation, which detonated the crisis that sooner or later can destabilise to Latin America.

In Colombia , we are tired of promises false, we do not want more: Lies, FARC, Paramilitaries, CHAVEZ, War in the World ..................We want Peace and Love.

"I Love Colombia. I love Vafka too"