If you are like me and you enjoy a nice cup of coffee with your morning omelet and newspaper, then a cup of Colombian coffee is for you. If you like to drink coffee while the sun rises in the red sky or sitting beside a warm fireplace on a cold winter night with your trusty bloodhound laying beside you, then you are a prime candidate who might like want to buy Colombian coffee online. As you might know, Colombian coffee is considered the best in the world and if you live in each of the four corners of the earth then you will need to buy Colombian coffee online.

You can stop drinking hot muddy water now that Colombian coffee is available online. Before you order, make sure that what you are ordering is actually Colombian coffee, as some sites will advertise their coffee as coming from Colombia, but it really comes from Chile or Haiti. When you order coffee online, you can chose to buy 1-20 pounds of these delicious beans at a time. Larger orders will typically get you incentives like a free pound of coffee or free shipping, depending on what web site you order from. You can also choose if you want your beans to come in whole, espresso, fine, drip or coarse depending on your personal preference. You can also chose to have your coffee beans come in as full roasted, light, Vienna or French.

Another thing to keep in mind when you buy Colombian coffee online is whether the site has good reviews or not. Bear in mind, that you are ordering something that you will be consuming and will be sharing with friends and loved ones. Be sure to check what other customers are saying: do the deliveries come late? Does the coffee taste stale like it has been sitting around a warehouse for a while? How is the company’s customer service line if you have a question or complaint? As a consumer, the company should be catering to your needs and if they have a bad history with customers, you should avoid doing business with them.

As you can see, whenever you buy Colombian coffee online, there are things that you must now take into consideration. But once you find a reliable company that can cater to your needs at a good price, enjoy it. There is nothing better. Enjoy your new cup of coffee with a good cigar, a group of friends or with the morning paper. Whatever makes you happy.

Juan Valdez and his mule Conchita have become one of the world’s most recognized advertising symbols. Juan Valdez represents the small coffee farmer transporting merchandise such as coffee, maize, wheat, or fruit with the help of a pack of animals such as mules, donkeys and horses.

What is a mule anyway?

• The mule is a cross between a donkey stallion, also called a jack, and a horse mare.
• Hinnies are a cross between a stallion horse and donkey jennet or “jenny.”
• Hinnies and mules are classified under the term Mule.
• They can be a male or a female. They are sterile and cannot reproduce.
• Mules have ears smaller than donkeys.
• Mules tend to be longer and shaped as their horse parents.
• The head, hip and legs usually take after the jack.
• Mules have thin forelock hair, coarse mane hair and a tail like the horse parent.

Why have mules been the traditional animal in the coffee mountains of Colombia?

• Mules are great working animals.
• They are very adaptable to the difficult terrain of Colombian coffee growing regions.
• Roads are not available in many of these remote areas.
• By nature, mules do not put themselves in danger.
• They have a way of telling humans when something is not right, a valuable instinct in mountainous areas.
• Mules are very intelligent and do their best for their owners.
• Although mules are working animals, they become members of the families who own them.
• Without the mules, coffee farmers in these remote areas cannot transport their merchandise and make a living.
• Coffee farmers spend much time alone with their mules working the farm. It is very common to see farmers caressing and caring for their mules.
• The mule becomes a coffee farmer’s best friend. There is a strong bond between man and animal for mutual safety and independence.
• It is therefore very fitting for Colombian coffee’s iconic image to have a coffee farmer with his mule.

Who is Conchita?

• Conchita is Juan Valdez’s mule, probably the most pampered and famous mule in the world.
• The mule twitches ears and welcomes a sugar cube or two at events.
• Conchita lives a privileged life, walking on carpets at events. She is a crowd pleaser.
• Conchita is Colombia’s coffee mascot. She adds emotional appeal to the iconic image of the smoothest, richest coffee in the world.

Sometimes Juan Valdez makes appearances without Conchita. When this happens, he travels with a professional folkloric dancing group wearing all the beautiful and colorful attire of specific Colombian regions.

Personally, I prefer to see Juan Valdez with Conchita. There is something very special about tradition, particularly when the coffee farmer and his mule travel the world on behalf of hundreds of thousands of coffee growers in the homeland.

If you want to meet Juan Valdez in person and have a picture taken with Conchita, check out his travel itinerary. Who knows? He may be touring a large city near you.

• You could just spot him on a street near a main intersection or public event with Conchita walking along his side.
• If this appeals to you, go to: http://www.whatsbehindthebest.com/tourmap.html

For now, what about enjoying a cup of Organic Colombian Supremo?

A common question seen on many travel forums is "how safe is it to travel to X (one on the Latin American countries) as a solo female traveler?" It is fully understandable why traveling alone to Latin America can seem an intimidating prospect, particularly if you are a woman. However, women who have already been to this region of the world know there is no need to post this type of question. All of the countries in Central and South America are generally safe to visit as a solo female traveler. There are, however, some areas that pose a risk and these should be avoided.

Many of the large cities in Latin America have areas that aren't particularly desirable and you should stick to the main tourist or modern parts of these cities if you visit them. This includes all of the major cities in Central America (ie Belize City, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, Panama City, San Jose, San Salvador and Tegucigalpa). There are also certain parts of South American cities that should be avoided such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo in Brazil, and Caracas in Venezuela. As with the large cities in Central America, stick to the touristy areas and you'll be fine. You should also take care when visiting particular areas of certain countries such as in Colombia and Venezuela. For example, it isn't a good idea to hang around the border regions of Colombia or travel to obscure, off the beaten track destinations. Although Colombia and Venezuela get some bad press they are both relatively safe to visit if you stick to the top tourist destinations mentioned in reputable travel guides. If somewhere is mentioned in a reputable guidebook, it is almost certainly safe to visit.

This leads to an important point in the discussion. It is very easy to get paranoid about visiting certain countries and cities but this is totally unwarranted. Remember, it's only certain parts of these countries and cities that are best avoided, just as certain parts of cities in Europe or North America are best avoided. In fact, traveling around most of Latin America is far safer, and more pleasant, than traveling around many parts of Europe or North America. Additionally, as Susan Griffith rightly points out in 'Traveling Solo as a Woman in Asia' 'there is a pernicious mythology surrounding the lone female traveler, whether it be as a hitchhiker around Britain or a traveler in Southeast Asia. Many people instantly exaggerate the perils and dwell on a single woman's vulnerability. Often this doom-ridden response is just an excuse for their own timidity of spirit. " Don't get paranoid: the countries of Latin America are no more dangerous than many other countries in this world, and in reality you are more likely to encounter problems in some European countries or North American states.

Referring back to the classic question seen on travel forums (ie how safe is it to travel to X as a solo female traveler) it is worth mentioning the responsibilities and abilities of the individual. Safety is inherently linked to knowledge and experience. Whenever planning a trip to Latin America or anywhere else in the world, it is absolutely essential you do your research. Try and find out as much information as you can about the country or countries you wish to visit. Travel guides such as those produced by Lonely Planet and Footprint will help you decide which places you want to visit and those you might want or should avoid. The internet is also an invaluable source of information and there are many websites dedicated to the concerns of solo female travelers. We often hear people described as being 'streetwise;' if the definition was applied to travel rather than the urban environment, some travelers could be easily be labeled as 'travelwise' (ie having the shrewd awareness, experience, and resourcefulness needed for survival in a difficult, often dangerous overseas environment). Travel experience (particularly in the third world) goes a long way in ensuring safety. This is because people with extensive travel experience evaluate risk more effectively and size up situations more successfully. Thus, it's fair to say that overall safety is partly dependent on the qualifications (age, knowledge and experience) of the person posing the question.

To a large degree safety is simply a case of being sensible and staying alert. For example, flaunting items such as expensive cameras, jewelery, or mobile phones is likely to attract opportunist thieves. Similarly, putting your day pack on the luggage rack of a public bus rather than keeping it on your lap or by your feet is asking for trouble. The key message here is don't take any unnecessary risks. You might fancy a late paddle on Copacabana beach (Rio de Janeiro) but any guidebook will tell you not to visit this area after dark. You might want to hit the bars and clubs in Quito but leave your valuables in your hotel. You might want to get drunk in the nearest disco but don't try walking back to your hotel late at night. It's all a matter of common sense really.

The main issue for solo female travelers is the threat of sexual harassment from local men and even male travelers. While male travelers might be a problem on occasions, you need to be aware of the culture differences between Latin American men and those from your own country. Machismo attitudes are fairly widespread among Latin American men and it is advisable to follow local practice and take your cues (ie how do local women deal with prolonged eye contact, etc) from local woman if you don't want to be the object of curiosity . Appropriate dress and conduct will attract less unwanted attention from the local men. It is a sad fact that many local men view Western women as promiscuous. This impression is largely due to how some women dress. Acting drunk and a bit wild is also bound to create the sort of interest you are trying to avoid. You need to balance your sense of adventure with an awareness of cultural differences. It is also important that you listen to and trust your instincts. If you are in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable as a woman, you need to follow your instincts and leave.

Most countries in Latin America are well established on the 'gringo trail,' hence, there will always be opportunities to hook up with other travelers. This will greatly reduce any hassle you might get. This should not deter any woman from traveling alone as this can be a rewarding and empowering experience. There is probably nothing more satisfying to a solo female traveler than knowing she forged her own path.

While it's true that there are specific concerns for female travelers, the risks that are out there shouldn't stop you from hitting the road. There are thousands of solo female travelers currently exploring Latin America and you could be one of them.

As a specialist in language teaching and learning as well as midlife development, I am a firm believer in learning foreign languages. And I practice what I preach. I learned French because I live in Montreal and I been learning Spanish for several years now since my wife is from Colombia. I agree entirely with Dr. Paul Nussbaum, author of Brain Health and Wellness, who calls active lifelong learning a "learning vaccine."

Why I am learning Spanish

Here are some of my top reasons for learning Spanish.

First, I have to admit that I am quite jealous of my four-year-old granddaughter, Jorika. She understands or speaks four languages: English, French, Polish and Spanish. Kidding aside, I think it is marvelous she knows so many languages ​​and I am very proud of her.

Second, I want to communicate with my beautiful wife, Jacqueline, in her native language. It is also important that I can communicate with her rather large family (parents, three sisters and partners, children, an aunt and cousins) who live in Calle. It is not a pleasant feeling to be left out of conversations around the dinner table. It is also important to be able to communicate with neighbors and friends there.

Third, I want to get the full experience in visiting Spanish-speaking countries. Previously, when I traveled in Mexico, Colombia or Spain I pretty much depended on Jacqueline. It is time I step up and join in the conversation. It is much more fun that way too.

Fourth, I want to benefit from a deeper cultural understanding of Spanish life. There is a rich world of Spanish cinema, music, literature and culture that I want to know more about and share with Jacqueline. I also want to be able to keep up with the latest news on local radio or television.

Fifth, I want to live abroad eventually. One of my long-term goals is to live in either Mexico or Colombia for several months a year during the winter months. To get the most out of life you have to speak the local language.

Sixth, I enjoy the intellectual stimulation. It is challenging to learn a foreign language. I know from first-hand experience since it took me several years to learn French. Learning a second or third language also keeps you sharp mentally. A study conducted by researchers from York University in Canada found this to be the case for adults who were fluent in two languages.

Am I forgetting anything? Oh yes, I do not want to miss any of the racy jokes that my wife's sister, Francoise, likes telling. Apart from being entertaining and challenging, learning a foreign language is an excellent midlife coping strategy for self improvement. I highly recommend it for adding zest to your life.

South America is the southern continent of America and is located in the southern hemisphere. It's the fourth largest continent Asia, Africa and North America. One of the world's biggest rain forests Amazon is located here and is also home to the majestic Andes. It has several natural attractions and also some breathtaking beaches. Brazil is popular country of South America which gets major tourist attraction and attention. The Rio festival of Brazil is the most popular one and it's basically lovers' paradise and ideal holiday destination because of its remote islands and heavenly beaches.

It comprises of 14 countries Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Falkland Island, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The continent has rediscovered its tourism potential and at the time when people want to look for exotic locations to spend their holiday, South America just turns out to be some virgin territory yet to be explored. Today getting to South Africa has become a lot easier as compared to the past, with the increase in flights. The continent is huge and hence it's important that you map out your basic itinerary before embarking on to the journey.

The most important tourist attraction is the Brazilian carnival which lasts for almost 40 days before Easter and is celebrated with lots of road shows, parade, dance and music. The indigenous dance form Samba also got world fame through this festival. Besides there are exotic islands, Angel Falls at Venezuela, forests, and mountains which are also a characteristic of the continent are great travel options.

The Amazon Basin is the home to some great wildlife like crocodile, anaconda, astonishing birds and exotic plants and trees of our planet, so if you are even slightly adventurous a trip to the Amazon basin is must.

The Easter Island in Chile has massive sculptures all over the island. A visit to the lost city of Machu Picchu in Peru can give you the feel of God and mysticism. The tranquil Lake Titicaca can provide the much needed serenity to your eyes and soul.

We hear all kinds of unpleasant stories regarding South America travel but just use your common sense and enjoy the exotic locations. The taxis are safe, and you should always keep your backpack locked, traveling in groups is the safest option, and referring to travel guide and map will surely help. Spanish is the widest and the most popular language in the continent and having knowledge of Spanish o can be greatly rewarding during the trip.

The top three coffee producers in the world are Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. But in terms of producing quality coffee, Colombia dwarfs its close competitors. And what country comes next after Colombia in high-grade coffee production? The traditional coffee powerhouse Brazil? No. It is Guatemala, a small Central American nation that has just been recovering from the ravages of a 36-year civil war.

It is not, however, not surprising that Guatemala to produces such quality coffee. Guatemalans have known coffee for centuries. The first plant was brought to Guatemala by Jesuit priests in the 1750s, who thought that it would make a great ornamental tree. Widespread coffee cultivation would follow half a century later.

Today, connoisseurs consider Guatemalan coffee as one of the finest in the world. As a testament to its greatness, Guatemala is a regular participant of the Cup of Excellence (COE), the most premiere annual coffee competition in the world that is organized in order to determine the best coffee in each registered coffee-producing country. Just think of the COE as coffee’s Super Bowl. The finest and most expensive coffee in Guatemala that has been auctioned through the COE came from Huehuetenango, one of the main growing regions in the Central American nation. Its price? Well, it was bought for a whooping US$ 80.20 per pound.

And it is a well-deserved price. For Guatemalan coffee indeed offers an unforgettable experience to anyone. Ask any coffee enthusiast who has wide knowledge of different brands and you would probably hear from them that coffee from Guatemala is included in their top 5 best coffee lists.

How does Guatemalan coffee acquire its unique and rich flavor? Obviously, one huge factor is the climate. Guatemalan weather, not too wet and not too humid, is perfect for growing. Plant coffee in an arid area and you will get beans that are too acidic. Cultivate them in a place where rainfall is constant and you will get coffee that tastes dull. Guatemala’s mild climate is just the coffee tree wants.

Amiable climate alone would not make good coffee. The substrate must also be in optimum condition. Coffee wants soil that is not all rich in nutrients and minerals but also has mild Ph levels. And that is exactly what Guatemalan soil offers. Because it is located in a region where volcanic activity is rather high, soil in Guatemala is mostly volcanic in origin. What makes volcanic soil good for coffee is the fact that it contains huge amounts of minerals and is not acidic in nature.

But the main factor that accounts for the goodness of Guatemalan coffee is the way it is cultivated. Almost all trees in Guatemala are shade grown. Farmers do not expose coffee trees to the sun. Rather, they cultivate them amidst the shade of larger trees like macadamia. The result is that the beans develop slower. How does that make coffee taste great? Well, when a bean matures slowly it becomes harder and develop richer flavors.

Today you will learn about “por” and “para” in the Spanish language. I have a very learning Spanish story to tell you that will illustrate the importance of learning when to use “por” vs. “para.”

You may remember that back in “julio” (July) a friend of mine from the States came to visit me here in Medellín, Colombia. His name is Harry. Harry had been studying Spanish on his own for close to two years and he had also studied Spanish in college.

Harry was not only here to visit me, but to also visit a “Colombiana” who he met on-line at a Colombian personals or dating site. The woman who he describes as his “media naranja” (soulmate, but literally “half of orange”). She has described Harry to me as her “príncipe azul” (knight in shining armor or prince

charming, but literally “blue prince”).

Well Harry came to visit me and his Colombian “novia” (girlfriend) again this weekend. Last night, he made what I would consider one of the funniest learning-Spanish mistakes that I ever heard.

This story is 100% true.

Harry, his “novia,” her “amiga,” and I, the four of us went to a “discoteca” (in Latin America the word “discoteca” is used for night club). The “discoteca” is called Mangos and is very popular among “turistas” (tourists) who visit Medellín, Colombia. “Turistas” from all over the world who visit Medellín, Colombia always make sure that they visit Mangos.

Besides music, there is a lot of other entertainment such as “bailarinas” (dancers) and dancing “enanos” (dwarfs/little people) on the stage.

Allegedly, at one time Mangos was owned by Pablo Escobar (the former billionaire Colombian drug lord who in 1989 Forbes magazine listed as the world’s 7th most richest person.)

Now let me tell you about this “gracioso” (funny) mistake that Harry made with his Spanish…

As you may already know there are two ways in Spanish to say the English word “for:” “Por” and “para.” And you can completely change the meaning of a phrase between your choice of “por” or “para.”

Last night Harry was feeling really confident about his Spanish and insisted that I did not speak for him or translate for him.

Well when we arrived at Mangos, Harry walked up to the “taquilla/ventanilla” (ticket window) to purchase the “entradas” (tickets) for himself and his “novia.”

The “muchacha” (girl) working at the “taquilla/ventanilla” (ticket window) was only able to see me and Harry and could not see the two woman with us.

This is the conversation that took place between Harry and the “muchacha” (girl) working at the “taquilla/ventanilla.”

Harry: Quiero pagar por mi entrada. Y quiero pagar por una mujer. Cuánto cuesta por una mujer?

Harry: I want to pay for my ticket to enter. And I want to pay for a woman. How much does it cost for a woman?

Muchacha: No es así acá.

Muchacha: It is not like that here.

Harry: Cómo? Quiero pagar por una mujer.

Harry: What? I want to pay for a woman.

Muchacha: No es así acá.

Muchacha: It is not like that here.

Harry: Yo quiero pagar por una mujer.

Harry: I want to pay for a woman.

Muchacha: Tu no puedes. No es así acá.

Muchacha: You can’t. It is not like that here.

Harry: Cómo? Entonces es gratis por las mujeres.

Harry: What? Then it is free for women.

By now you can hear the frustration in Harry’s voice. And the “muchacha” is beginning to sound very annoyed with Harry. And I am standing in the “fila/cola” (line) right behind Harry and I am laughing hysterically.

The exact same conversation goes on for another 30 seconds or more with Harry sounding almost as if he is shouting and with the “muchacha” beginning to sound increasingly “enojada” (angry).

Harry: Quiero pagar por una mujer!

Harry: I want to pay for a woman!

Muchacha: Ya le dije que no es así acá.

Muchacha: I already told you that it is not

like that here!

Harry: Entonces es gratis o que!

Harry: Then it is free or what!

At this point I am almost on the floor laughing uncontrollably. And that’s when the “muchacha” calls “la seguridad” for the “discoteca” and a big burly bouncer walks over.

I could not hear everything she was saying because I was too busy laughing but I did hear her say to the bouncer something about a “gringo loco” (crazy American) while pointing to Harry.

Now I realized that things were getting out of hand and I needed to step in and explain to the “muchacha” what Harry was trying to say. I told her:

Él no quiere pagar POR una mujer. Quiere pagar PARA una mujer.

(He doesn’t want to pay for a woman. He wants to pay for a woman.)

Let me explain the difference between the two.

Although both sentences translate as “he wants to pay for a woman” they have very different meanings.

“Para” which can be translated as the English word “for” can be used to express the recipient of an action. “Para” can be used to tell both where and whom something is going. The recipient always follows “para”:

Quiero pagar (la entrada) para una mujer.

I want to pay for a woman (to enter).

“Por” which also means the English word “for” can be used when you want to express an exchange of money or something else “for” something of equal value.

So “quiero pagar por una mujer” means “I want to exchange money in order to receive a woman.” It is a lot like saying “I want to buy a woman.”

Desafortunadamente (unfortunately) many Americans and other “extranjeros” (foreigners) come to Colombia just to take advantage of the “Colombianas.” They are incredibly beautiful women, especially “las Paisas” (women of Medellín) but it is common for “Colombianas” ranging from college students to single mothers to work as “prostitutas” because of the “pobreza” (poverty) in Colombia.

So when Harry with his Gringo accent said “quiero pagar por una mujer” the “muchacha” assumed that Harry wanted to pay for the services of a “prostituta.”

So the lesson that I hope you learned here is that “por” and “para” are grammatically interchangeable many times. You can use either one and end up saying a sentence that is grammatically correct.

But you can completely change the meaning of a phrase by your choice of “por” or “para.” And the Spanish listener will not be able to read your mind and will assume that you actually mean what you say. So you have to be careful about using the one that expresses what you really want to say otherwise, at best, you may be misunderstood. And at worst, you may offend or insult a Spanish speaker.

“Truths and roses have thorns about them.”

One of the things that can say “Te amo” to someone we care about is a dozen red roses. Through the roses fragrance, color, texture, and meaning, we try to make our lovely message loud and clear. It’s one of those things that speaks what we are thinking. Yet, has the thought of where that dozen red roses came from ever crossed your mind?

Those roses that tell our thoughts travel thousands of miles – being worth $100 billion globally. According to Fairtrade Canada, the Netherlands is the biggest exporter accounting for 55% of trade, then Colombia with 18%, and Ecuador and Kenya with 15%. After their long travels, those roses arrive to their destination and become refrigerated commodities distributed to wholesalers and stores before they reach the hands of who we give them to.

But what about the hands of who first cut them? As stated by a study of the International Labor Rights Fund, in Ecuador and Colombia 66% of flower workers, who are mostly female, have health problems such as respiratory ailments, skin rashes and eye infections due to toxins. 200 kilos of pesticides are used per hectare, being double of what is used in Holland and 75 times that of conventional agriculture in developed nations. Sadly, the flower industry is known for poor working conditions, low pay, overcrowded housing, and serious issues around the exposure of workers to fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and dangerous chemicals.

And what about the soil that grew them? Investigations by Britain’s Cranfield University point out that the intensive farming of roses can have a negative environmental impact. For instance, at the carbon footprint of rose farms in the Netherlands and Kenya in 2016 it is visible that 12,000 Kenyan roses released 6,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide and the Netherlands’ generated 35,000 kilograms for the same number of roses. That is, the production of those Kenyan roses is equal to driving a car for 10 days non-stop. As for the Netherlands roses, the production equals the energy used by a common household for 2 1/2 years.

Now, don’t wither away. Green and sustainable movements in the floral industry are growing. Awareness is blooming. Findings from Fairtrade Canada show that there is a visible increase in demand from consumers to find out where the product they buy is coming from and whether it is ethically sourced. Retailers are also doing their part making the fair trade of flowers blossom, where products have been certified to offer a better deal to the farmers and workers involved.

“Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.”

Medical tourists from different countries travel for health care purposes to those countries having quality healthcare services at reasonable prices. So they spend extra money on travel, health care and accommodations on the places of treatment. Medical tourism is an old concept because thousands of years ago people traveled for medical purposes or for spiritual treatments to different countries. Many factors are considered while choosing a destination place for medical tourism such as high healthcare services and costs, waiting for certain procedures, availability and affordability of international travel, quality and latest technology used in the treatment.

Some of the most popular places include Europe, Japan, Middle East, UK, United States, Canada and Costa Rica. These places are popular due to the quality of their health care services, technology and competency of physicians. The hospitals of Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba and Turkey are popular for Cosmetic surgery treatments. Surgeons of South American countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Argentine lead in plastic surgery due to their experience and knowledge. Plastic surgery is very common in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia and US. Slovakia, Belgium and Poland are entering in the business of health care.

A large number of Americans are going abroad for health care although the facilities of health in US are also available. There are many intermediary companies which provide help in medical tourism. These companies offer global health care at reasonable costs. There are different commissions and societies which care for the quality and standards of the hospitals available for medical tourism. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, India and Costa Rica have many infectious diseases as compare to North America and Europe . So medical tourists need to stay for some time in the country which they choose for health care because travel soon after surgery can create many complexities. Tourists having breath and heart related problems avoid long flights and combine their vacation tours with medical tours.

North American Places

The quality of healthcare in Canada is not less than that of America but medical tourists can save 30 to 60 percent of their costs as compare to America. Medical tourists can save up to 80 on healthcare services in Costa Rica as compare to US. Costa Rica is popular for cosmetic procedure, dental, weight-loss and orthopedic surgeries. Knee replacement surgery is very cheap so patients travel to Costa Rica for medical tourism. Patients from all over the world travel to Cuba for the best quality of healthcare services and fine reputation of their doctors. Medical tourists of Europe and Latin America travel to this destination because of its situation and save up to 60 to 80 percent as compare to the charges in US. The hospitals of Cuba are best known for cancer treatment, cosmetic surgery, joint replacement, eye surgery and addictions rehabilitations. the government of Cuba has taken many steps to increase income from medical tourism and patients of US, Canada and UK visit Cuba for medical treatments. Dominican Republic is very popular destination for hip replacement, bariatric surgeries, plastic surgeries, knee replacement, eye surgeries and all other medical treatments. Medical tourists can save from 50 to 75 percent as compare to the costs in US. The plastic surgery and dentistry healthcare services of Mexico are appreciated by all the world. The costs of these treatments are one-fourth to one-fifth of American costs. The quality of health care services in Mexico is very high and medical tourists are satisfied.

Quality health services, location and dollar as the official currency are the reasons that Panama is famous for its medical services. The medical professionals of Panama are trained by US and use the latest technology to provide quality healthcare services. Medical tourists can save more than 50 percent of healthcare costs as compare to Europe and US. Dental implants, assisted reproduction, cosmetic dentistry, plastic surgery, cardiology, orthopedics and pulmonology are the popular procedures in medical treatments. Surgeons of Brazil have gained world wide fame in cosmetic surgery.

South American Places

Orthopedic surgeries , Cosmetic surgery, transplant surgery, eye surgery and cardiovascular are popular procedures in Colombia. Healthcare services in Colombia are cheap and foreigners can get human organs from Colombia. The doctors of Colombia are experienced and have worked in many countries of Europe and US.

Asian Places

China has gained popularity in stem cell treatments. The medical professionals of India are popular for hip resurfacing, heart surgery and areas of advanced medicine. The treatment costs in India are very low which is nearly one-tenth to the treatment costs of US. The healthcare service in Malaysia are also very popular and the doctors of Malaysia are trained in the hospitals of US and UK. New Zealand is a popular medical tourism destination for fertility treatments and non-acture surgical procedures. The doctors are trained in the hospitals of UK and US. The costs of healthcare services are very low as compared to US. Thailand is popular in organ transplant and cardiac surgery at lower prices.

Europe

Moreover British and Canadian medical tourists don’t wait long and travel to Germany for medical treatments. Novel cancer and spine surgery are well treated in Germany at lower prices. Dentistry services in Ukraine are provided at lower costs. High class material and equipment is used in dental clinics and hospitals. There are many suitable places for medical tourism but a medical tourist chooses according to his own choice and affordability.

I have a word or phrase in Spanish today that’s a sports-related injury. So if you practice sports, this phrase may come in handy. I also have some more Spanish words to share with you that will come in handy if you have small children or grandchildren who play and fall, and have a tendency to get bumps and bruises.

Here in Medellín, Colombia, I practice an “artes marciales” (martial arts) called “Jiu-jitsu Brasileño” (Brazilian Jiu-jitsu) and a few days ago, I suffered a pinched nerve while training. Earlier today, I decided to send an email to my Jiu-jitsu instructor to tell him that I will be out until my “herida” (injury) heals.

Without giving it much thought, when preparing my email to him I described the injury in Spanish as a “nervio pinchado.” And then I thought about it…

And I asked myself is “nervio pinchado” really the correct term in Spanish for pinched nerve? Or am I just making a literal translation?

So I went on-line and visited some of the forums for foreign language learners and I discovered that there are several phrases that Spanish speakers use in order to say pinched nerve:

1. Nervio pellizcado

2. Nervio pinchado

3. Compresión del nervio

Before you go, I have 4 more Spanish words that I want to share with you. I have found them helpful to know for “Jiu-jitsu Brasileño,” but they are very important to know for anyone who practices any type of contact sport, and for anyone who has small children or grandchildren who play and fall, and have a tendency to get bumps and bruises.

1. Morado – bruise

Después de la pelea, el boxeador tenía la cara cubierta de morados. After the fight, the boxer had a face covered with bruises.

2. Moretón – bruise

Después de caerse, el niño tenía un moretón en la frente. After falling, the boy had a bruise on his forehead.

In Colombia, the word that I hear used for bruise is “morado.” “Morado” literally means “purple.” I checked with one of the “Learning Spanish Like Crazy” instructors from Mexico and she said that the word “moretón” is the word that is commonly used in Mexico for “bruise.”

3. Chichón – lump, bump, knot (that one would receive after being hit or struck).

Tienes un gran chichón en la cabeza. You have big lump on your head.

4. Chipote – lump, bump, knot (that one would receive after being hit or struck).

In Colombia, the word that I hear used for lump or bump is “chichón.” I checked with the same “Learning Spanish Like Crazy” instructor from Mexico and she said that the word “chipote” is a little more commonly used in Mexico than “chichón.”