VancBCMan

I've found them very good too. I've tried a couple of others for shirts and been disappointed with their quality. And they're not really cheaper than Tailor on Ten.

A recent article in Canada about HIV infections and prevention Fewer people worldwide are getting HIV — so why are rates going up in Canada? There were 2,434 new diagnosed cases of HIV in Canada in 2023, a 35% increase from the year before Fewer people are being diagnosed with and dying of HIV/AIDS around the world. But progress is uneven, and only a few countries are on track to meet global targets set by the United Nations to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030, suggests a new study from The Lancet HIV medical journal. Between 2010 and 2021, new HIV infections decreased globally by almost 22 per cent, a decline largely driven by the progress in sub-Saharan Africa. But in Canada, the opposite is happening. In 2023, there were 2,434 new diagnoses of HIV here: a 35 per cent increase compared to the year before. The number of new cases had been on the decline between 2016 and 2020. Despite the increase in infections, fewer people are dying of HIV in Canada. Globally, HIV-related deaths have also declined between 2010 and 2021 by almost 40 per cent, say the authors of the Lancet report, noting that's thanks to antiretroviral treatment — usually a combination of drugs that stop the virus from reproducing. Most people who take the medications daily for a few months have so little virus in their blood it doesn't show up in tests and can't be transmitted to others. "The biggest takeaway is, progress is possible, but it will require sustained focus," said Austin Carter, a research scientist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and one of the authors of the study. The most dramatic improvements in both diagnoses and deaths were in sub-Saharan Africa. But the region still leads the world in mortality rates. "Some patients get tested too late, and HIV testing is not free countrywide," said Dr. Gertrude Komoyo, who works with Doctors Without Borders to care for patients with advanced HIV in Bangui, Central African Republic. 'The problem is that we forgot' Canada is not the only country experiencing increasing HIV infections. It's a pattern other wealthy countries are also seeing, say researchers. "The story in high-income countries is that it's challenging to eliminate HIV," said Carter. He says the numbers reflect a growth in high-risk populations — including men who have sex with men and those who inject drugs — as well as a declining interest in HIV care. Almost 40 per cent of the new diagnoses in Canada were after exposure to heterosexual contact; 36 per cent involved exposure to male-to-male sexual contact; 18 per cent involved injection drug use. "The problem is that we forgot," said Dr. Rejean Thomas, who saw the worst ravages of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s at his clinic in Montreal's Gay Village. Full article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/hiv-infection-rates-canada-1.7397342

For Cartagena and Santa Marta, Phillipe can recommend someone. He knows someone in Cartagena, but does not know anyone personally in Santa Marta. I did not go to Cali, but Phillipe may know someone there too.

Phillipe recommended David as the tour guide in Medellin. He speaks good English and has his own car, so in case you wish to go on a tour outside Medellin, he can do that. I went on a city tour one day and a full day outside the city, which included a visit to a family coffee farm. He was really good too.

I also hired Phillipe as my guide when I was in Bogota. He was great. If you wish to great you at the airport on arrival and take you to the hotel, he can arrange that transfer as well. He was unable to do the tour with me on another day, and he recommended his colleague, was good too.

A non government site is showing the "government fee" for a visitor's visa at $44.50 US

I received a similar response from the Consulate in Vancouver on 9th August. I enter Brazil on 1st October. Since I'm on a group tour, there's no flexibility of changing the date and enter a day earlier. I will continue checking their website to see when the portal will open again for eVisa applications. Recent Update: It looks like citizens of Japan will not need visas to enter Brazil, going forward. The 2 countries reached an agreement whereby their citizens will not need a visa to visit the other country.

Hi, you are right!

Thank you @xpaulo, @Tomtravel and @macdaddi for additional suggestions.

Thank you True, lot of flying. Basically wanted a preview of the 3 countries by going on a group tour - Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Have added several days in Colombia at the beginning and then several days in Rio/SP at the end. Yes, still lot of flying. So much of the world to see, so I feel it's OK. Covered some countries in Europe last Spring and then 3 countries in Africa, plus BKK - this last winter. Pent up desire to travel after staying home for 2 years, so it was catch up time! Each time, I tell myself to visit fewer cities and stay longer, but so many places to see. And since I'm not sure if and when I will be back in that Region, I fail to follow my own advice in the end and still pack in lots of places.

@macaroni21, @Keithambrose and @paborn I was was obviously not paying much attention in the past!

Thanks for suggestion. Will look into that

Sorry, ignore my question. Found the answer. Some countries require a Visa starting Oct 1st

Some sightseeing and meet the local boys? lol What is a good amount of time to spend there, in your view? Should I visit Cali for a few days instead and spend less time in Medellin?

Group tour entry into Brazil (Iguassu Falls) is exactly on the evening of Oct 1. Is there something I should be aware of about that date?