24 to go........ciao Iraq

safetyguy says on Sep 23, 2007, 08:58:

First - Welcome back. One of your Marine guards is a neighbors kid from here in Denver. Because you have been cooped up looking at sand just take a ride to a nearby city and look at the country side and geenery. That is what I did last spring. Hope to get to Bogota this November but have to take a short trip to the Middle east in a couple of weeks. Go to a soccer game. Just walk around. Your visual wants are different than others who have not been to the sandbox. Bring some pictures from Al Asad particularily the "Oasis area" People like to see that and that Abraham had been there. I was at Al Asad for a few days in January. Better than many other FOBS and the weather was nice. This summer at BIAP the heat cooked me. Another suggestion is to fly down to Cartagena even if for a day. I love that place even if the humidity is difficult for a dry climate person such as myself.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Sep 23, 2007, 09:22:

what are you nervous about?..

engage brain before opening mouth

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bickerss says on Sep 23, 2007, 09:58:

Zipaquira - Salt cathederal is awsome.

Monseratte near Candalaria

Candalaria.

Make sure you go to Andres del Carne Res on Fri or Sat night (restaurant , Disco)

Guatavita Lake.

Villa de Lleva - 4 hrs away, nice colonial town.

Have a beer in Usequen (Bogota Ber Company). Also London Bar fri sat night is good.

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Portena says on Sep 23, 2007, 10:06:

Hi Bama,
I don't think there is that much to be nervous about as long as you stay away from places you know are trouble (and would be anywhere on the planet). The level of hypervigilance you may be experiencing in having just returned from the warzone is probably quite sufficient and probably way more than you will need in Bogota. I felt pretty safe in the company of Colombian friends, but when I took this trip my Spanish was still pretty basic and I wouldn't have felt safe exploring the city on my own.

I think the only Americans who have been kidnapped in the last several years were the three fellows flying over Southern Colombia spraying coca crops.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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cali373 says on Sep 23, 2007, 11:41:

I was in Bogota last month, there is nothing to nervous about if you just be cautious as you should in any large city. I stayed in La candelaria which is not the safest area and nothing happened.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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airetuPaL says on Sep 23, 2007, 11:57:

You are currently in IRAQ but you are nervous about being in Bogota? Are you F'kin serious? Dude, even Cali is a lot safer than where you are currently are at.

Bogota offers a very diverse nightlife, very nice restaurants, shoppping, etc...you'll soon see for yourself. Go to the clubs in the Candelaria, or the Zona Rosa on 93. You can ask her to plan a trip to Fusa or Melgar/Girardot or try going to Ibague or to the 'Coffee' region in the cities of Pereira, Manizales. There is also a place called "El Parque del Cafe" around there. I Hope this helps.

Cheers.

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bamapits3 says on Sep 23, 2007, 21:09:

I am in Al Asad, its pretty cool here right now, the temp has dropped from 130 to a high of 108 during the day. My ol lady flies avianca so I have to go to bogota this time, I just dont want to get bored when she is working during the day, My partner is flying in from Kuwait, but he will be leavin after about 8-9 days for some business in England. I hope it is good, like i said, at night, i will have my lady with me, so its not that big of a thing, but during the day i wouldnt like to sit around...thanks for all the input

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coffee beaner says on Sep 23, 2007, 21:56:

Whats up bamapits, good to see you around here again and nice to hear you made it down to Medellin on your last vacation. Don't worry about Bogota, it's nothing compared to the sand box.

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 23, 2007, 23:13:

If you are looking for something to do during the day, just go downtown. Walk over to the Candelaria barrio and hang out. There are lots of little bars and restaurants. Lots of hippy types and students. It is a pretty nice atmosphere. There are lots of "tourist" things to do there too, but you said you weren't necessarily interested in that. But if I were you, I would at least walk up to Monserate. Do you have to go back to Iraq afterwords?

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Portena says on Sep 23, 2007, 23:26:

I think Sunday is the safest day to walk up to Monserrate since there are a lot more people around than other times. I took the cable car. It was a smooth ride and offered a cool view.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 23, 2007, 23:40:

Portena, from what I have read, is correct. Monserrate is the safest, hiked on Sundays. Lots of families and couples hike up on Sundays. Supposedly, on other days, it can be potentially risky because of bandits. Coming out of Iraq, I personally wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Of course don't take anything of real value with you, just in case. It is a nice walk and a beautiful view at the top. The cable car is cheap, and of course very scenic also and will save you time and is risk free.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 24, 2007, 00:12:

What's your deal juancho? It isn't a big deal, but if you are trying to keep track of me, you should know I have been to Monserrate. My avatar for a year was a picture taken at the top. It is still seen on CBlog.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 24, 2007, 00:22:

Maybe you interpreted me acknowledging and referencing other people's posts as me not actually being experienced in the trip to the peak. Well, I have done it. Don't assume when somebody is being humble that they don't know what they are talking about or haven't experienced it too. Not everybody here "toots their own horn" at every given opportunity.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 24, 2007, 00:25:

You said "another place he has not seen." What is another place I have commented on that I have never seen - where I didn't acknowledge that fact to begin with? You won't be able to answer me with an example, because I have never done that.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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bamapits3 says on Sep 24, 2007, 00:54:

whats a nice restraunt in bogota, I would like to plan a really romantic dinner with something special for the night when i present her with the ring. Nothing to fantsy, but a nice respectable restaraunt where I can make this special day perfect? Thanks

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 24, 2007, 01:41:

Well Bama. (By the way, how's it going?) Take her up to Monserrate. There is a fantastic restaurant up there. Pricey for Colombia, but it would be extremely romantic and something you both would remember forever. Goin_South can back me up on the quality and ambiance of that restaurant. He was up there with his beloved a few months ago. You guys will be able to dine, while looking over Bogota.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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bamapits3 says on Sep 24, 2007, 04:58:

Can you get a name of this place for me?

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six25 says on Sep 24, 2007, 06:07:

I was just in Bogota about 2 weeks ago and found it very different from when I last visited in 1994. I liked it even though the place where I was staying was really far from everything. However, there are a lot of cool places to go and visit. I was in Zipaquira (about 40 minutes from Bogota) and found it to be very calm and very relaxing. Just make sure you don't have a lot of attractive accessories in order not to 'give papaya' to would be thiefs, other than that, you should be fine. Good luck! Oh by the way, if you visit Salitre Plaza Mall, go to El Sandwich Cubano. (It's my personal favorite).

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El Polo says on Sep 24, 2007, 06:33:

bamapits thanks for your service. what branch of services are you in?

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 24, 2007, 11:18:

Bama, it is the only restaurant up there. The name escapes me. Goin_South probably remembers.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Portena says on Sep 24, 2007, 13:12:

I think it's San Isidro, but it's true there is a local superstition that your relationship won't last if you propose there. Just have to decide how superstitious you are - or not.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 24, 2007, 15:54:

There are actually two restaurants at the top of Monserrate. They're right next to each other and I think you take the same walk to reach their front doors, but they're separate.

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bamapits3 says on Sep 24, 2007, 20:15:

Hmmmmm well I dont really have any feeling on superstition, i believe it is suppose to be, it is suppose to be, it is a personal choice by both if they want to respect each other and be faithful, i am ready to take that route :-) She isnt that familiar with bogota since she has only been there since july, so hopefully if i take her there she doesnt bring it up and say, you know what the supeerstition is, i would get a chuckle out of that, lol, it is what it is, just want a romantic dinner she will never forget, thanks for everyones support on this, this day is going to mean a lot to me.....

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 25, 2007, 11:13:

The restaurant is San Ysidro. I agree that it's about the most romantic place to eat n Bogota. Good lobsters.

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bamapits3 says on Sep 25, 2007, 23:30:

Thank you, i will post upon my arrival back to Iraq on how things went...

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Beef27 says on Sep 27, 2007, 11:02:

Bama, I was in Medellin from Afghanistan back in July and am wondering if you are my boy BamBam that was working with BW that I hung out with and met while there? are you the same bambam?

Paul WallSemper Fi

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