As the second largest city in Colombia, Medellin offers a number of different activities, places to eat and places it stay. If you’re considering taking a trip to Colombia, make sure that you don’t miss out on these excellent things to do and places to stay and eat.

Where To Stay In Medellin

When planning travel, where to stay is always important. Whether you simply use your hotel as a place to lay your head or if you’re looking for one that offers amenities like free breakfasts, a fitness center, restaurants and business centers, here are two options of where to stay.

Medellin Royal: This hotel is known to be one of the best within the city. It’s incredibly modern with a pool, restaurant, two Jacuzzis and even free breakfast for guests. It’s located in the Poblado neighborhood and is right across the street from the Santa Fe Centro Commercial. That’s a shopping area that is full of stores and restaurants. Rooms at the hotel can vary, but expect to pay around $150 a night.

Molicie Casa Hotel: If you’re a little more concerned with your budget, stay at the Molicie Casa Hotel. Rooms here will cost you around $50 a night and guests receive free breakfast, as well as free high speed Internet. The hotel also has a restaurant and swimming pool. It’s located in a residential neighborhood, which means guests will be able to relax in quiet tranquility and comfort.

Where To Eat In Medellin

Eating is a travel time favorite for many people. It’s exciting to try new restaurant while on vacations, so don’t miss out on these favorites.

Me Late Chocolate: If dessert is your thing, Me Late Chocolate is the place to be. The restaurant focuses solely on desserts, coffee and hot chocolate. Guests can choose from nearly 20 different types of desserts, including chocolate flan and cheesecake with berries. Additionally, guests can choose to take home some chocolate candies so that they can remember their vacations well after arriving back home. Prices are extremely reasonable and a dessert will cost only around $4.

Carmen: If you’re looking for excellent ambiance, a modern setting and out of this world food, head to Carmen. On Thursdays during happy hour, the bar offers different specialty drinks, as well as a tasting menu with smaller dishes from the chef.

What To Do In Medellin

Of course, vacations are more than just eating and sleeping! If you’re not sure what to do while on vacations, here are some ideas.

The Metrocable: The Metrocable will take you over the entire city, allowing you to see parts that tourists don’t usually visit. At the top you’ll find open markets, restaurants and more. It’s actually a part of the city’s public transportation system, which means you’ll be able to mix with both locals and tourists while on your journey. If you’re not pressed for time, consider paying a little extra for the second leg of the journey which will take you up a mountain.

Plaza Botero: Botero is one of the most famous Colombian artists and his work is some of the most distinctive that you’ll see. Plaza Botero has a number of his original statues and is free to explore. Like any other tourist attraction, it’s important to watch your belongings carefully, but the area is safe as long as you’re vigilant.

These are only a few of the many things you can experience while in this Colombian city. If you’re planning to travel here, make sure to research thoroughly so that you can ensure you have one of the most memorable vacations ever.

There has been much ado concerning Bitcoin and how authorities and businesses in China and the United States have reacted to it, but possibly more intriguing possibilities may lie ahead for this currency and other cryptocurrencies. The Wall Street Journal ran a piece a week ago about the obvious divide that exists in Latin America. The Atlantic facing countries have more command oriented economies while the Pacific facing countries, with the exception of Ecuador and Nicaragua, have more market-oriented economies. Latin America has become a continent of focus on a global scale with stifled European growth and an Asia-Pacific region that has already been welcomed into the global economic conversation. Alternative currencies will make their mark on Latin America and it will affect both sides in a different fashion. In the end, Bitcoin and Latin American Growth will go together as they both are in spotlight at the same time and cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin) will afford Latin American businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate on a level playing field with the rest of the globe.

Notable State Oriented Economies of Latin America

• Ecuador
• Bolivia
• Cuba
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Nicaragua
• Venezuela

These countries have economies that are more beholden to national interests. The most extreme state run economy on this list is Cuba, which has a Communist regime that has made slight concessions to economic liberalization. Venezuela has arguably the second most extreme state run economy and is in the midst of a socioeconomic and political crisis. Argentina has had its fair share of instability and command-oriented economic events courtesy of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner including price controls, drama concerning possession of the Falkland Islands, inflation of 26%, police strikes, and the nationalization of YPF just to name a few measures. Brazil is always feared to resort to its old ways and currently there is still a great deal of red tape and taxation is comparatively higher than peers.

Notable Market-Oriented Economies of Latin America

• Mexico
• Colombia
• Panama
• Chile
• Peru
• Belize

Mexico’s efforts to attract and grow business is not just limited to Mexico City, but Guadalajara has been emphasized as a growth destination in the digital and tech space much like the way Bogota is the established economic powerhouse city in Colombia and Medellin has broken out a youthful, digital force. Mexico is currently the 14th largest economy and growing. Mexico is still plagued by the drug cartels as demand for drugs across the northern border still exists. Ciudad Juarez is plagued by cartel-induced violence, which is considered so bad that the Sun Bowl strongly discouraged visitors from traveling across the border as the college bowl game was an opportunity to promote both El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez for tourism and business.

Colombia still is combatting FARC, but it is clearly winning the battle after President Uribe’s term. FARC has been more limited to the jungle areas of Colombia. Active peace talks with FARC are also being negotiated to an extent. The Colombian economy has much room to grow in terms of agriculture, energy, finance, tourism, and digital technology.

Belize is actively courting Americans to purchase real estate in the country marketing their pristine beaches, tax policies, and English fluency. Belize has a lot more growing to do and it has to shake stigmas.

Chile is considered by the Heritage Foundation to be #1 in economic freedom in Latin America. Chile enjoys a trade surplus, a central bank policy rate of 4.5% that would be attractive to investors outside of Chile. Trading the Chilean Peso may be a worthy endeavor for those wishing to take advantage of the carry trade against countries/economic zones that have extremely low interest rates such as the United States, European Union, and Japan. Chile has low inflation and has policies that benefit not just copper exports, but other exports to help maintain the surplus. Morgan Stanley expects Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico to grow on average 4.25% in 2014.

These countries are not facing looting outbreaks, fights over toilet paper, nor do they have leaders that are trying to escalate action against another country.

Bitcoin’s Impact on State-Oriented Economies

In all of these state-oriented economies, there are currency controls. Venezuela and Argentina are infamous for their price controls. Brazil’s government influence in the economy stems from their excessive influence, possible corruption issues, and inflationary concerns. Entrepreneurs, investors, and ordinary individuals will be looking to the marketplace to meet their needs. Rationing, red tape, high costs, and possible surveillance are associated with these state-oriented economies. Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies will meet the needs of many that have access to the internet.

Competing globally in countries that wish to be more insular comes with negative ramifications, but the usage of the internet and the ability to transact in a possibly untraced fashion in a global marketplace will enable competitive pricing for citizens to receive the goods and services needed. Venezuelans will be able to buy toilet paper from foreign sources without having to use a currency that is being grossly debased. Venezuelans will also have the opportunity to engage in entrepreneurship while still in Venezuela to fund their endeavors and possible defection to other countries such as Colombia. Over 26% of Venezuelans use the internet on a daily basis. Venezuela has not filtered the internet just yet and purchasing Bitcoin is far more secure than holding onto Bolivar.

Bitcoin usage could take the government’s tight grip on the economy away by rendering its presence useless by adopting the private currency. Less tax revenues can be collected, a populace that is armed financially and possibly literally (you could have bought anything on Silk Road), and decreased influence from political leaders and enforcers as cryptocurrency usage becomes viral. This thought process can be applied to Venezuela-lite in Argentina, which is an economy with a lot of potential.

The Brazilian economy could grow further by giving businesses more exposure overseas and overcoming the exotic sovereign currency issue. The World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016 will put much pressure on the Brazilian economy to grow and keep up appearances. Lower transaction costs, currency familiarity, and nationality ambivalence with Bitcoin customers will help Brazilian firms seeking to do business outside of Brazil. With a large influx of tourists and business-people coming to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the acceptance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will remove the barriers of having to convert currencies and engage in secure purchases. Brazil may be a more command-oriented economy like Argentina, but global expectations and aspirations should push them away from past tendencies.

For the state-oriented economies, Bitcoin and its competitors offer greater freedom, monetary security, entrepreneurship opportunities, transaction security, and privacy. In the case of Venezuela, it could spark a change in governance much like the way social media was credited for bringing in the Arab Spring to life. Much of the problems surrounding Venezuela are economic in nature and the black market is a natural alternative. Prevention of seizure of assets by keeping them in a digital wallet in the cloud is far more secure than keeping funds in a bank regulated by the Venezuelan government.

Bitcoin’s Role in Economic Growth for the Pacific Countries

Entrepreneurship as described in the previous section is on a smaller level than what may be in Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. Colombia and Mexico have cities that have hopes to global players in the digital space. Attracting business from Europe, Canada, and the United States would be easier with lower exchange and transaction fees. Credit cards and PayPal place transaction fees on users wishing to make international transactions and this fee would be reduced.

Latin American outsourcing can experience growth as call centers, development and design firms, and independent contractors are able to not only competitively bid as they do now, but they would be able to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and this will drive in more business. It is not a fad, it is a matter of making an easier and cheaper transaction. Less barriers to making the purchase will make the sale and it will help Latin American businesses be able to be global, which can lead to Venture Capital growth.

Bitcoin will lead to greater international business transactions for Latin America and enable economic growth. The benefits are different for these countries as the need for stability is not pressing, but rather these countries have an insatiable appetite for growth. Entrepreneurship, competing globally, lower transaction fees, transactional security, competitive biddng, improved economic development, and changing perceptions are all benefits of adopting cryptocurrencies in these countries. A startup in Medellin or Cartagena can compete with a firm in Toronto and another firm in Indianapolis for a services contract. Removing the barriers of nationality from the transaction to focus solely on the services provided and costs involved are a major benefit.

Consumers win too in these countries as they would gain purchasing power because some items are more expensive in their domestic markets than foreign markets. Ex-pats and immigrants can send money to family members in their native country in a simple, inexpensive, quick, and secure fashion. This can help boost local economies.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies help make the world a smaller place just like the way air travel, the internet, telecommunications, and social media have done. Cryptocurrencies promote globalization and Bitcoin will help provide that opportunity to Latin America, which is eager to compete and grow in the global marketplace.

Today we will learn some romantic words and phrases in Spanish. I had originally planned to write this article the weekend when Colombia celebrated “El Día de Amor y Amistad” (the day of love and friendship). In Colombia, the celebration of “El Día de Amor y Amistad” is kind of like Valentine’s Day in the States.

I gave my “novia” (girlfriend) “chocolates” y “rosas.” And a “peluche” (stuffed animal).

The “peluche” was a “peluche de Los Pitufos.” Do you know who “Los Pitufos” are in English?

“Los Pitufos” is the Spanish word for “The Smurfs.”

The weekend of “El Día de Amor y Amistad” “paseamos” (we went away) to a “pueblito” (little town). So I didn’t get to send the email then. And considering that Latinos have a reputation for being hot blooded, intense, passionate lovers, an email covering this topic would be appropriate for “El Día de Amor y Amistad.” So here are “10 frases románticas” that you can say to your “novio/a,” (boyfriend/girlfriend), “amante” (lover), “esposo/a” (spouse).

1. Te extraño – I miss you.

Here’s another way to say “I miss you”…

2. Me haces falta – I miss you

In Spain, you may hear people say “I miss you” by saying “te echo de menos.”

3. Te quiero – I love you

Here’s a more intense way to say I love you:

4. Te amo – I love you.

5. Te quiero con todo mi corazón.

(I love you with all my heart.)

6. Estoy enamorado de ti.

I’m in love with you.

A woman would say:

Estoy enamorada de ti.

I’m in love with you.

Notice that in the phrase “estoy enamorado de ti” instead of using the Spanish word “contigo” which means “with you,” in Spanish you use the phrase “de ti” which literally means “from you” or “of you.”

Here’s a very poetic way to say “I am in love”…

7. Estoy flechado – I am in love.

A woman would say: Estoy flechada – I am in love.

“Estoy flechado” literally means “I have been shot with an arrow” as in “Cupid’s arrow.” In Spanish, they call the god of desire, affection and erotic love from Roman mythology, “Cupido.”

8. I fell in love – Me enamoré.

9. Me enamoré de ti.

I fell in love with you.

10. Quiero casarme contigo.

I want to marry you.

Every August, Colombia’s second largest city, Medellin, explodes in a mixture of vibrant colours and tropical music, as it celebrates La Feria de las Flore­s – The Flower Festival. For one week a variety of events take place, and this year my wife, daughter and I attended the three most popular, starting with the Cabalgata – a horse parade that snakes its way through the city streets on a Saturday afternoon.

The Cabalgata passes close to our apartment, so just after two p.m. we made our way across the street to find a space along the side of the road. There were already many people there, some wearing the traditional Panama-style hat and poncho that are common in this region of Colombia.

Some people near us had a barbecue, and were cooking various cuts of meat and the sausages they eat here called Chorizos. The smell made me feel hungry even though I had just had lunch. There were street sellers passing, offering drinks, hats, candies, and even plastic capes in case it started to rain.

It wasn’t long before the parade started to pass. First the Army went by in full combat uniform with faces painted, chanting above the sound of rapturous applause. They were followed by floats from various companies sponsoring the event. Many of these had speakers blasting out Salsa music, encouraging people to dance.

Then the first horses started to pass. There were horses, and horses, and even more horses – apparently there were more than eight thousand in the parade. The smell of horses mingled with the smells drifting from the barbecue and the sound of the music blasting from speakers strapped across some of the horses backs to create a truly Latin feeling. I saw a few people riding bulls, and one man atop a buffalo! The riders taking part pay a fee to enter and the money collected goes to local charities.

The following Saturday there was a parade of old and antique cars. The procession started at one o’clock. The sun was beating down on our backs as we walked the six blocks to where the procession would pass. Luckily we found a spot under some trees which provided some shade. The cars were dated from the early 1970’s to the late 1920’s. What makes this procession entertaining is not just the cars, but also that the occupants dress up in the fashion corresponding to the year the car was made.

First to pass was a selection of old fire engines, which was particularly interesting for me as my father was in the fire service. There were many cars from North America, such as Plymouths, Fords, Buicks, Chevrolets, Mustangs, Willys – the old Army jeeps, and some European cars, such as Triumphs, BMW´s and Mercedes. All the cars had a sign across the windshield stating the model and the year it was manufactured. The procession lasted well over an hour and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

The next day was the highlight of the Flower festival, and the reason for its name – a flower parade through the streets of the city center. The parade was due to start at two p.m. We arrived an hour and a half before, and found the streets packed, with people queuing ten deep to see the spectacle. Fortunately we had access to the offices of a friend’s father, and therefore had a spectacular view from a third floor balcony.

The flowers are attached to Silletas, a chair-like structure which is strapped to the backs of the Silleteros – the men, women and teenagers that carry the displays. The flowers are grown in an area up in the mountains about twenty minutes from the city called Santa Helena. Originally the silletas, were used to transport the flowers to the city for sale, but in 1957, a man called Arturo Uribe Arango suggested that the Silleteros parade their displays through the city center, and so the Medellin flower festival was born.

The atmosphere in the streets was electric even before the parade started, and the excitement grew in a crescendo as the first participants started to pass. You can not imagine the beauty of the displays, and the amount of work that must have gone into their preparation. The Silleteros were interspersed with groups of dancers and musical bands adding to the tropical feel of the event.

Medellin is in the department (State) of Antioquia, and here they have a saying – “When the Silleteros go past it is really Antioquia that is passing.” The Silleteros, and the people of Medellin are proud of their flower festival, and from what I saw they have every right to be so.

Latin America Tour is an amazing tour and travel to Central and South America is always fun. It is understood that every person has different needs and requirements, so all the travel sites focus on customizing exclusive and unusual styled vacations that will actually fulfill the travelers whims and fancies. The choices in Latin America are infinite: dreamy getaway, family breaks, beach holidays, adventure tours and trips, historical and archeological seeing the sights tour, artistic and natural expeditions. These sites provide every kind of trip and tour, and they vigilantly plan every feature to make it a memorable Tour!

There is a wide selection of trips, journey packages, and cruises for every destination. All our holiday packages have been meticulously intended and are continuously and frequently being monitored to meet up our elevated standards of quality. We only provide hotels that they have tried and tested and that we consider are the best in the vicinity, and are for all time looking for cost, character and service.

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So, If you are planning of taking a distinctive vacation to Mexico or in Central America to visit Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica or Panama Or as a matter of fact take a vacation even further down the Americas to South America – to Brazil, Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Chile these travel sites has intimidating plans for such an unforgettable trip – the trip of a lifetime.

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Alberto Beto Perez is the creator of Zumba. Beto a native of Colombia (South America) is the founder of Zumba and director of the national Master trainers team. Beto Perez is also a celebrity choreographer and a Pro dancer. Having choreographed for Shakira and other celebrities.If you wondered what the word Zumba means, it means to move fast and have a lot of fun. His style of aerobics dance workout uses Latin inspired dance steps such as Salsa, Merengue, Flamenco and Samba. Recently hip hop and other exciting dances have been added to the dance mix.

Beto Perez created this Latin-based dance workout quite by accident, as the story goes one day as he rushed out of this house to teach his aerobics class he forgot his regular music tapes. As soon as he realized this, he grabbed some Latin music tapes that were in his car and began teaching the class to this music. The class exploded and became the most popular class in Colombia. He named this class “Rumbacize.”

Beto Perez arrived in Miami, Florida in 1999. There he met two young Colombian entrepreneurs who convinced him to change the name and to begin marketing his fitness philosophy throughout the world. By 2008 the small aerobic fitness company had well over 20,000 certified instructors and DVD sales in excess of 3 million.

(Recently Beto has added different music to the fitness workout, introducing a little bit of country music, funk rock ‘n roll and many other exciting beats.) However, he has also been adding additional products to the companies fitness line. Recently he launched a dance workout for individuals who are complete beginners, never having exercised much before; active older adults and individuals who are physically limited. He called this product Zumba Gold. In addition, another recent release is a product design for kids. With most young children not getting enough physical exercise this new product has received an overwhelming response. The new Zumba kids program is providing children with the ability to exercise and at the same time have fun.

The international market has not been neglected the company just recently opened up China and has representatives in over 40 different countries throughout the world. This Latin dance workout is taking over the world.

The company has aligned itself with Mark Burnett productions (of “Survivor” fame) and Emilio Estefan (husband of Gloria Estefan) to begin marketing the fitness dance products in the Hispanic market through television. But Mr. Burnett is not the only one in Hollywood to have noticed the incredible popularity of this Latin inspireddance workout. Many famous A-list Hollywood celebrities such as Ricky Martin, Eva LaRue (“C.S.I. Miami”), Vivica A. Fox (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Stacy Kiebler (“Dancing with the Stars”), Hunter Tylo (“The Bold & the Beautiful”), and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres have “ditched the workout and joined the party” with ZUMBA. from a small boy in South America to an American success story once again Alberto Beto Perez has proven that the American dream is real. He is a true “rags to riches” success story!

Road to London 2012!

A National Hero

Did you know- Like Miguel Angel Asturias (1967 Nobel Prize for Literature) and Rigoberta Menchú (1992 Nobel Prize in Peace), Mateo Flores is one of the national heroes of Guatemala, a Spanish-speaking nation. On April 19, 1952, Mr Floresmade international headlines when he, a worker, won the Boston Marathon (with a time of 2hrs, 31 min., And 53 sec.), Ahead of his compatriot Luis Velasquez and Victor Dyrgall of New York. Six years ago, Mr Flores, whose real name was Doroteo Guamuch Flores, earned a gold medal in the men's 10,000m at the 1946 Central American and Caribbean Games in the Colombian city of Barranquilla. Later on, by 1954, he won a gold medal in the men's 5, 000m in the Caribbean Games in Mexico City. The following year, Flores was selected for the national team that went to the Pan American Games in the United Mexican States, where he finished first in the men's marathon, sparking off celebrations in the Guatemalan capital. He was born on February 11, 1920, in Cotió, Mixco, Guatemala. Because of his example, discipline, dedication and contribution to the sports history of Guatemala, Mateo Flores is an idol in Central America.

Boxing

Did you know- Guatemala City hosted the Caribbean Boxing Tournament in 1975.

Caribbean Games

Did you know- At the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador (ES), Guatemala won 86 medals (22 gold, 22 silver, 42 bronze) and finished sixth in unofficial team standings, trailing Mexico (351), Venezuela (277) ), Colombia (179), Dominican Republic (132), and Puerto Rico (134). Thirty-two years ago, the Olympic team finished 11th in the medal count, with six medals (2 silver and four bronze).

Gymnastics

Did you know- By the late 1980s, the country athlete Maria Inés Flores-Wurmser became one of Latin America's most respected gymnasts. At the 1988 Seoul Games, Miss Flores-Wurmser came in 61st place in the women's vault, among 90 athletes of the world.

Soccer

Did you know- The national squad finished second in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualification Tournamentand won the right to compete in the Games of the 21st Olympiad in the Canadian city of Montreal in July 1976. Seven years later, by 1983, the team from Guatemala won the silver medal in men's soccer –outpacing Brazil, Chile and Mexico– at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela.

Weightlifting

Did you know- By 1974, in the Pan American Weightlifting Tournament in Mexico City, Guatemala won four medals (one silver and three bronze) and took sixth place in unofficial team standings.

Bird Name:

Burnished-buff Tanager

Latin Name:

Tangara cayana

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Thraupidae

Genus: Tangara

Species: T. cayana

General Information:

The Burnished-buff Tanager is also known as the Rufus-crowned Tanager, and is a native species of South America. There are 7 subspecies of this bird.

Physical Description:

It is on average 5 – 5.5 inches in length and weighs about 18 g. It is generally yellowish in color with greenish wings. Although there are 7 different subspecies, the Burnished-buff Tanager is generally divided into two groups, the cayana group from north of the Amazon, Venezuela, and Colombia, and the flava group of southern and eastern Brazil. The main differentiation between the two groups is the broad black line that runs from the throat to the belly of the flava male. Females are much duller in color.

Diet:

It feeds on seeds and fruits, including berries and guava, as well as insects like wasps and termites. It forages from low in the bushes up to the treetops.

Habitat:

The Burnished-buff Tanager habits savannas, pastures, open woodlands, gallery forests, second growths, and cultivated areas (including gardens). Its range encompasses the Guyanas, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The Amazon River separates the two main groupings. It constructs open cup-nests from roots, leaves, and grass on foliaged branches generally 1.5 – 2.5 m above the ground.

Reproduction:

Breeding dates vary across its range. In Venezuela breeding occurs in January, April, and May. In Suriname it happens during January through April, July, and November. In Brazil the dates are in the months of October and November. A usual clutch is 2 brown-marked, whitish, lavender, or pale blue eggs.

Good news comes rarely in the world of illicit drugs.

According to the United Nation’s Office of Drug and Crime, the amount of land in Colombia used for producing cocaine fell 25% in 2012: the lowest level since experts started tracking the numbers. The country has been using aerial and manual spraying techniques, as part of a Clinton Administration counter-narcotics program called Plan Colombia, to eliminate bushes of coca–the plant cocaine is made from.

Reaching statistics similar to 2011, the government manually eradicated almost 30,500 hectares (ha) of coca bushes in 2012 and aerially sprayed nearly 100,550 ha of coca crops. By the end of the year, coca cultivation was slashed from 135,000 ha to 48,000 ha.

An achievement though it may be in its own right, the eradication of such a large amount of coca crops doesn’t necessarily seem to deter coca farmers from attempting to grow more crops. A representative from the United Nation’s Office of Drug and Crime in Colombia has this to say about cocaine production:

“The impact of the government efforts to eradicate illicit coca crop is visible. However, the 2012 and previous surveys show that after eradication takes place, cultivation often resumes in new or previously cleared fields. Therefore, crop eradication, even when it yields positive results, must be complemented by alternative livelihood schemes to improve social, economic and environmental conditions and to achieve a sustainable reduction in the area under cultivation.”

In other words, you can’t just cut the supply-you must also cut the demand. And while it is true that statistically the demand for cocaine has decreased in recent years, 2011 being a milestone year with only 0.5 percent of the US population admitting to using cocaine, down from 2.4 percent in 2006, the overall amount of people admitting to using illicit drugs is no statistic to rejoice over. Illicit drug users increased from about 8 percent of the US population in 2006 to nearly 9 percent in 2010, with a similar, but even steeper, increase in marijuana users.

The techniques employed in the War on Drugs have decisively been centered around cutting off the supply of drugs. Government targets the dealers and the crops as the problem, but it can be argued that this is about as effective as putting paper towels on the floor every day instead of fixing the leak in the ceiling.

Though it may be a valiant effort from elected officials to try to spray drug crops out of existence, the more correct target would be reaching the people responsible for creating the need to produce drugs in the first place. Just like nearly everything else in this world that wasn’t there from time’s beginning, there must first be a need for it in order for us to bring it into existence.

The way the statistics indicate, it does look like cocaine use could continue to see a lower rate of usage, but the fact that other illegal drug usage has taken its place isn’t much of a victory in the War on Drugs. Not to mention the fact that painkiller abuse has also gotten out of control, with one every ten high school seniors admitting to having abused prescription painkillers. Since drugs like painkillers and marijuana are becoming more and more legally obtainable, it looks like this should be much more of a War on Cultural Thinking than a War on Drugs.

With continued hard work by communities and anti-drug groups, however, we may continue to be able to see less cocaine addiction along with less cocaine production.

The bigger you get, the more prepared you should be for criticism. With a population of around 30 million, Peru is quite large and gets its share of criticism, both fair and unfair. Here are four memorable insults that Peru and Peruvians have endured – some are recent quarrels, others are long-running grudges.

1) The ABC television network Vs. Peru The Internet recently lit up with conflict after a joke at Peru’s expense on the popular show “Modern Family” which airs on the ABC network.

The dialogue that resulted in online arguments was between Jay, played by Ed O’Neill, and his Colombian wife Gloria, played by Sofia Vergara.

“Now, maybe in Colombia…” Jay begins. “Ah, here we go,” Gloria interrupts. “Because, in Colombia, we trip over goats and we kill people in the street. Do you know how offensive that is? Like we’re Peruvians!”

Whoops. Some viewers managed to take the comment in the context of the over-the-top tone and ironic closed-mindedness which characterizes the show. Others, not so much.

2) Chile Vs Peru (Round 1) If you travel in Peru then sooner or later you’ll discover the rivalry with Chile about…almost everything. One of the oldest spats is about the national drink that now belongs to both countries, Pisco, the main ingredient of the Pisco Sour.

A liquor distilled from grapes, Pisco was brought over to Latin America in the 16th century by the Spanish. The first vineyards were planted in the town of Pisco on the south coast of Peru. A fair claim to ownership maybe?

Apparently not. At some point, Pisco (the drink) made it over to Chile and a bitter legal feud for the right to promote and produce the drink has raged between the two countries which lasts to this day.

3) Hugo Chavez Vs. Peru Venezuela’s president always has something to say. About everything.

In 2006 on the run-up to the Peruvian elections, Chavez decided to explain his views about electoral candidate Alan Garcia.

“I pray to God that Garcia will not be president, hopefully God hears me,” Chavez proclaimed, adding that Garcia was an irresponsible thief, a demagogue and a liar.

“I say it again; we won’t have any relations with Peru if that ‘caballero’ is elected president because he is truly irresponsible. He is led by a demon and the North American empire and its dollars, the Peruvian oligarchy and in the mass media. He is going to be a divisive factor, an imperialistic card trying to divide to us, to prevent the union with Peru and to cause problems for Bolivia, Venezuela and any government who is going an alternative way.”

Garcia has since been elected to a second term in office. International relations between Peru and Venezuela are a little frosty.

4) Chile Vs Peru (Round 2) In the War of The Pacific towards the end of the 19th century, Bolivia, Peru and Chile were drawn into an armed conflict in a power struggle for mineral rights, commerce and territory.

Bolivia lost access to the Pacific Ocean and Peru conceded territory on its southern border. Both countries are hotly disputing the spoils of what Chile calls “las Glorias Navales” and the fight has even been taken to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

The territory ceded to Chile is now known as the provinces of Tarapacá, Tacna, Arica, and Antofagasta in the ‘Norte Grande’. Until the provinces are returned, Peruvians will continue to view the results of the War of the Pacific over a century ago as a huge insult against their country.

Do you know of any other major insults that Peru has received over the years?