Welcome to GringoTalk

[BIG E]

Introduce Yourself
-By Big E

Jump in on the thread A Little About Us and say hello and tell us a little about you!


Questions You May Have / Info Would You Like To Find
-By Micky10

Post any questions that you may have about GT. Information that you may be looking for, but can not find. If you would like to see other areas of interest that are not addressed on GT, tell us. Do not feel, because are a new member, that you are not welcomed to offer any ideas you may have to make GT a better, and constantly improving, board. All of us have some knowledge that others do not have, no matter age or level of experience. It is important in life to share knowledge with others, that is one of our main sources of learning and growing.



Disclaimer / Claimer / Grain Of Salt
-By Micky10

The very nature of much information, is that it does not remain the same. On an information board, such as GT, there are many variables that apply. Time, Truth, Perspective, Personalities. Those are the biggest factors, although, not the only ones.

Time. Excepting for historical information, time will change most information, or even make some information obsolete. Prices, airfares and schedules, visa and passport rules and regulations, political climate, safety, travel, populations, laws, etc., etc.

Truth. Was the information correct to begin with? This does not apply to opinions, only to facts. Bogota's elevation is 8,355 feet (2546 meters). Even with that you can find other stated elevations.

Perspective. The person that is wealthy said that the hotel was not expensive, the working class man said that the same hotel was un-affordable. A women said that she had the best fish dinner ever in the Blue Marlin Panama City, a man said that he did not think that the fish dinner at the Blue Marlin Panama City was really that good.

Personalities. The old burned out hippie thought that it was a lot of fun interacting with all of the beach vendors in Cartagena. The high strung office manger, from London, said those aggressive beach vendors ruined his day at the beach in Cartagena.

The information on GT is some of the best that there is around. Weigh and consider all things with your own filter. We are all ultimately responsible for our actions. Remember, South of the Border (SOTB) lunch is cheaper, it is still not free.

Contribute - Time - Knowledge - Money
-By Micky10

Nothing of value in life is free. The owner of GT and the Moderators of GT, do not make any profit from this board. What there is in advertisement income and donations is not enough to cover the expense of the server, software or webmaster. The owner of GT has put several years of his life, and a pocket full of money, into this board. The Moderators have given many hours of their time and also given money to this board. Obviously, for them it is something that they believe is worth the money, time and effort. They are people that have a passion for Latin and South America, that shows in their actions, which do speak louder than words. There are also several members that make financial contributions along with their articles.

If one were to convert all of the information contained in GT into print form, it would be one very large and expensive book, with one very overworked editor. Most people would not have a problem paying for a book on travel, but when it comes to the internet, too many insist on having a thought process that says "why should I pay"? We all have a tendency to let others carry the load, if they will and we do not have to. This is one of those frustrations of life, where we know that, if all, or most, gave something, the weight of the load would be very easy on all. Asking for money is not pleasant, ever. Consider this, if all people that read this board, skipped ONE movie a year, or ONE eat out lunch and contributed that money, there would not be the stress and load for the few to carry. Maybe one day the board will close due to lack of funding, we have been very, very near to flipping the switch more than once.

Other ways you can help to improve, grow and keep GT the best, single source information site on the INTERNET. You can write and post articles. You do not have to have the skills of Hemingway to write for GT. Even if one does not have experience, one can do research, post links to other pertain ate articles, upload photos. Of course, if you do have experience of any nature, with Latin and South America, sharing those experiences with the GT community is the fuel that feeds the fire. Thank you.