Adive for a woman traveling alone in Colombia?

mad_lion says on Dec 7, 2004, 13:55:

oooh..that's an easy one.... do the exact opposite of the snobbish, conceited US girl. Colombianas are very synchronized with their emotions...that and a 24" waist with long black hair down to your butt should do the trick - make sure that all of your clothes show that a beautiful latina walks the street ;-)

Then, I will be knocking at your door..hehe

all joking aside..I willleave that answred to the Colombianas...who are just plain beautiful inside and out.

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ReinaDeLa Baile says on Dec 7, 2004, 15:36:

Gracias ML! Thank you ML!

I have the waist, but the hair is going to take more than a year to get that long again.

Any women with short bobs in Colombia? (Do you know what that is - kind of Great Gatsby longer in the front than in the back?)

besitos and bring your own cradle when you knock! (just jokin'!)
-- la Reina

in all seriousness, I would like to hear from women in Colombia about what you do and do not do when walking alone.

also - what stupid things do gringas do?

Usually we tend to pay too much attention to strange men that a latina would not even look at, as in we can seem too "nice/dumb and/or interested" when we think we're just polite.

Any other examples?

Things to avoid?
Places to avoid?

THANKS! MIL GRACIAS!

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gringa-colombiana says on Dec 7, 2004, 22:22:

I don't understand...how people come up with these ideas La gringa is down to earth. Example, a gringa gets hit on by a random male and might stop and chat. She might not even be interested, but doesn’t want to be rude and keep walking like the guy is not worthy. A Colombiana in the same scenrio will keep walking because she feels superior and refuses to talk to someone random or might want to stop, but keeps walking because of the classification she may acquire by stopping.

Mad_lion, I don't know were in the world you get the idea that gringas are snobby bitches and Colombians are the sweet angels. A gringa is more likely to chill with anyone as she has been exposed to a diverse group of people. She is less concerned about social stratus because she is independent. In the states there is large percentage of middle class, but in Colombia there is pretty much no such thing. The elite Colombians don't talk to the lower class commoners because they are not worthy. The poor people don't care to talk to the rich because they are a bunch of hijos de ............ that do nothing except for being mommy little boy or girl.

Before I met my fiancee, I was on vacation with my cousins in Cartagena staying at the Decameron I met this guy that handle the recreational activities at the hotel, we started talking etc. due to that I had to deal with loads of crap because I was mixing with a lower class man. The same happened in Barranquilla because I dated a guy that worked at the movies and in Santa Marta when I dated a cop. These men were nice, respectful, attractive gentlemen, but because of where they worked were not deemed worthy for me to talk to them according to my elite Colombian cousins and friends.

Another thing Mad_lion not all Colombians have the dark hair etc. etc. There are a bunch of Colombians that are lighter (like me) and just as hot if not hotter. Sorry, I just had to put it out there.

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Sam Salmon says on Dec 7, 2004, 22:50:

My advice is to forget trying to 'fit in' and just be yourself.
You won't be able to pass as anything but who you are anyway-the walk, the body language and not just the clothes but the way women wear them is different as is makeup.
As to hair I only saw one woman who affected shorter hair-her and her Mother both.
Her Mother I think was a Euro-immigrant and daughter was trying the Euro look.She stood out like a sore thumb with her short hair amidst the crowds of beautiful women with shoulder length/longer cuts.

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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adrimm says on Dec 7, 2004, 23:11:

Haircuts About 1/4 of my female cousins in Bogota under 35 have variations on a bob haircut. Most hit between the jaw and ears.

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phishrox says on Dec 8, 2004, 07:04:

Be you....show what you have !! I recently returned from my first visit to Medellin and one thing that I noticed was that women there can be seen in areas and places that here in USA I would never expect to see them.Alone and walking....beautiful in everyway.Any big city in USA you really don't see that !!
Women in Medellin do not seem afraid to dress to show what they have...what pleasure that is for any man.I can hardly wait to return.....as soon as I finish typing this I am going to visit travelocity.com and book another trip!!!
VIVA COLOMBIA......and all her beautiful women !!!!!! ReinadelaBaile..you need to be another one of them !!

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caslug says on Dec 8, 2004, 10:36:

Reina... just take normal safety precaution like you would when traveling to foreign countries. Don't drunk, break the law, walk down deserted, dark alleys, get into fights w/ locals(girls over their young boyfriends), etc.,

Taxis advice have been stated before.

Most important, ASK local people like hotel workers, security guards, locals friends, taxi drivers about safety in particular areas. Always ask for day & night info, some areas are very safe in the day, but not so safe at night. In Cali i would walk from my hotel to avienda sexta 5-6 blocks in evening, BUT take a taxi back late at night just for precaution. I've gambled at Hollywood Casino(chipichape) till 3-4AM and taking taxi back, no problem.

Local women in Bogota have told that it is not recommending for women who alone to stand around street hailing cabs, have the bar, hotel call one for you.

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ReinaDeLa Baile says on Dec 8, 2004, 16:46:

Thank you everyone! Although CASLUG has just RUINED my plans for carousing and drinking, fighting over men, and other lascivious pursuits. I guess I will just have to console myself by taking photos of PLCBIK ("poor low class boys in knickers") -- thanks CaliPro! (inside the cradle joke!)

ciaoito y besitos a todos!
-- la reina

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caslug says on Dec 8, 2004, 17:47:

If you must get into fights.. w/ young, hot, calenas, then at least have someone take pictures and post it, especially if you two get down to your knickers!

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Lionheart says on Dec 8, 2004, 17:59:

cat fights do they have mud puddles or mud pools there?

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Diez Y Siete says on Aug 5, 2005, 20:16:

jeje Yes i am visiting colombia by myself in a few months but i will most def. stand out. fair skin blonda hair blue eyes.(gosh i wish i looked colombian) but most of the time i will be with my colombian bf but i know there will be times when i will be alone. but i think as long as we keep our guard up and olny talk to the hot latinos(jeje) we will be fine

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mikecolombia says on Aug 27, 2005, 10:04:

My advice being a gringo myself is not to go alone especially since your a women. Too dangerous for a person that doesn't know the areas to avoid. Where you might think is a good area will turn out to a bad area. Colombians take very good care of there property so you can't judge by how the houses look.

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katiebird says on Sep 4, 2005, 02:08:

Woman traveling alone All this talk about beautiful Colombian women is making me feel insecure! Are the men equally amazing - like Juanes? Is "Donde esta tu tarjeta verde - acqui!" a good pick up line? Anyway - will be at Nueva Lengua in Cartagena for three weeks, then taking a week to travel - any advice on how and where to go for a lone Americana? Was thinking of Quito, but hear good things about Cali and Leticia. Would like to travel overland to see the countryside, but not too sure how safe it is. Is it worth scuba diving at Provadencia?

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aztec says on Sep 4, 2005, 03:42:

Is it worth scuba diving at Provadencia? Isla de Providencia Colombia is on of the last unspoiled places on earth. Yes the diving is excellent!

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 4, 2005, 09:39:

I would not worry about that, Katiebird. You will be perceived as exotic and the guys will love it. You'll have more attention than you've ever dreamed of.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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katiebird says on Sep 6, 2005, 22:13:

Provadencia and crazy moms Is Provadencia an easy weekend getaway, or should I use the whole week? Is it expensive? Does anyone have any offical websites or notices I can send my mom in defense of Cartagena? She's freaking out about me going alone and sending me all these travel advisory warnings and watching Romancing the Stone WAY too many times - that wasn't even filmed in Cartagena! Relief workers in New Orleans are getting shot at and she's worried about Colombia!! I feel safer about Cartagena than South Central L.A. So far, I've been lying to her and telling her that I'm going to Ecuador, then I'll tell her the plane broke down in Cartagena and I'll have to stay. Any advice??

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Gomezman5 says on Sep 6, 2005, 23:10:

Katiebird......wait a minute ...Lying??? To your Mother?? Katiebird, your mother has a legitimate reason to be worried about your safety no matter where you travel. At the same time, you should not just summarily dismiss warnings that are out there. This is Colombia, not Cancun or the Dominican Republic.

If I understand you correctly, I believe you said that you are traveling alone. Can I ask (why not afterall I don't know you) How old are you? Traveling to Colombia requires extreme caution. If you are a young lady, you should not be going to Colombia alone. Cartagena is probably the safest place in the country. It's very tourist like, and in general, the security is good. But why three weeks? Is there any special reason why you would want to stay there for three weeks? Unless you have friends or family there, I cannot imagine why you want to stay there for three weeks. You have a few tourist sites, like the Old City, but nothing too special beyond that. The beaches, on an international scale, are nothing special. It is also HOT and Humid there. Even in the night at this time of year, the temperature stays in the 80s but the humidity is horrible. Even most Colombians don't vacation there for 3 weeks.

As to you going anywhere inside Colombia alone, that is just an act of pure foolishnes. If you have someone in the major cities to escort you to known safe places, than maybe. But you said alone and alone means alone. Under NO circumstances should you be going to Colombia alone.

Look, the more I think about it, I think you need to check around the web, and do your own research about travel to Colombia. In fact, I'll make this simple. Start researching in Google the safety issues in Colombia. If you don't want to believe the US State Dept. Travel Advisories, that is ok. But I think you will find the same type of warnings throughout the net. Do you think the whole world is crazy? Just use a little common sense. Everyone can't be misguided can they?
As to this site for getting reliable information about the safe travel in Colombia......forget it. Most of the people on this web site, as well intentioned as they may be, have this built in chip implanted in their cerebal cortex that causes them to jump into an extremely defensive posture when you dare say that Colombia is a dangerous place. In fact, if you insulted their mothers' they would not respond as vigorously and quickly as they would if you were to dare even suggest that Colombia is a dangerous place to visit. In other words, they think this site is the official web site for Colombia's Bureau of Tourism. Nothing but bias here that centers around denying reality.

Anyway, I repeat, don't lie to your mother no matter what you do. That
is just not a good idea. Feel free to PM me for more words of unbiased thought.

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caslug says on Sep 7, 2005, 00:29:

Wow, GMAN..i could've swear you work for.. COL touristism assoc! LOL! But I agree that if you have to lie to your mother about where you want go, then a) you're not old enough to travel COL or b) maybe you're not READY to travel COL. But if you're thinking of traveling for spanish class, you should look into Lima, Peru. ICNPA(IRC) it's $100USD for one month spanish course, it's a university setting, 4 hrs/day. Lima is cheaper is about 20% cheaper than COL and maybe your mom will not be as afraid of you traveling to Lima. It has LOTS of tour group and tourist visiting. PLUS it has better weather than CTG and nicer beaches. OK, the girls are not as attractive, but that maybe OK with you. You'll get the same amount of attention from the guys as COL.

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Gomezman5 says on Sep 7, 2005, 01:13:

But Caslug......isn't "Katiebird" a woman Why would a woman be interested in the girls in Colombia. I mean, I'm Gomezman5, did anyone ever think that I was a woman with my name?

Oh hell, on this crazy site, anything is possible

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quindioman says on Sep 7, 2005, 02:15:

where did the woman dive...?

Reina del baile...: what's this about poor low class boys in knickers...?

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quindioman says on Sep 7, 2005, 02:16:

where did the woman dive...?

Reina del baile...: what's this about poor low class boys in knickers...?

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katiebird says on Sep 8, 2005, 00:14:

Thanks for the info Yes - I am a woman, 29 years old, and I chose Cartagena because I wanted warm tropical weather, scuba diving, and as few Americans as possible so I won't be tempted to use English. However, this Lima course intrigues me - I heard Lima was kind of a dump so I never looked into it. I wrote Venezuela off entirely because I feel way better about Uribe than Chavez. I'm obviously not too bothered about the women, though I wouldn't turn down Shakira, who would? Does Peru even have decent diving? I can't afford Galapagos or I'd be there in a heartbeat. I've already been to Belize, Guatamala, and Costa Rica, so I'd like to expand my horizons to South America, should I completely write off Colombia? I've heard so many wonderful things about it and I'm not an idiot, I don't plan on traveling overland alone and I'm hoping I'll meet cool people through the school that I can hang out with - but thanks for the tip on Lima - I'll google it and see what I can find, maybe I'll just do a weekend trip to Cartagena.

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katiebird says on Sep 8, 2005, 00:32:

Peru Sorry - but what does ICNPA (IRC) stand for? I google it and it sends me to some sex tour operator! I really just want to learn Spanish!

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Gomezman5 says on Sep 8, 2005, 08:13:

Katie 2 points Then go to San Andres. It is beautiful and much slower pace for things like Scuba diving. It is a beautiful island. You can then take the short boat ride to providencia.

My second point is that the Galapagos is an experience second to none. It is a really interesting place. As to the cost, look, when it comes to your security, cost is NOT an issue. The Galapagos is safe as any other place I can think of outside the continental US. (I don't know if you are even from here--sounds like you are not)

In the end, you will be ok if you just stay in Cartagena of course. But, since you do not know anyone there, do not.....I repeat....DO NOT travel to any part of the interior of Colombia alone. Period.

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Hunter says on Sep 8, 2005, 09:25:

Ctg is as safe as any small City is.

You will meet many foreigners in Ctg, who can can give you advice on where to travel to in the local area.

Don't the US travel advisorys warnings say neutral things about Ctg?

Hunter

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caslug says on Sep 8, 2005, 12:36:

Kaite.. what better way to learn spanish than with sex! LOL!

I dont remember the exact spelling of the place, i'll see if i still have a brochure from awhile back. BUT every hotel operator in Lima knows of the place, they start class on the first week of the month.

As to diving, i dont think lima has places to do it you might have to head north up the coast. I think CTG is a better city for diving than Lima, but Lima has more touristy things to do outside of the beach. BUT CTG is pretty safe for a tourist, you'll most likely be staying in tourist area and partying in tourist areas, which are very safe. Since you been to central america, you'll have no problem with the weather(hot/humid) in CTG.

Medellin also has a "famous' school teaching spanish, it's called EAFIT(IRC) it's in a nicer part of town. Don't know what the price is and I dont know if it has short course or juster semester ones.

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katiebird says on Sep 8, 2005, 22:05:

Hablo la lengua de amore! I must admit my heart still is into Cartagena, and I am from Phoenix, Arizona - so heat is not an issue, and I can't imagine a place more humid than Guatamala or Key West in July, nothing a few margaritas couldn't take care of! Do I fly to San Andreas or take a boat from Cartagena? It seems like it is so expensive to fly from Cartagena to anywhere! Is it the Bel Aire of Colombia? I'm also such a huge history buff and I'd love to walk the same streets Sir Francis Drake walked - I love pirates too! (What girl secretly doesn't?) So basically, unless I meet cool, safe people who can travel with me, stay in Cartagena - but is Provadencia safe for a lone Americana? Thank you all for your advice.

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litost says on Sep 8, 2005, 22:29:

Let's say Gomezman5 is well intended, just overprotective.

I HAVE to disagree with his emphatic message to all solo female travellers about forgetting about travel in Colombia. What kind of alarmist, very 5 year-ago-ish information is that??? I am colombian (also american citizen, by birth) and have travelled a lot around Colombia lately, backpacker style, and met several solo female travellers who were having a great time enjoying Cali, Medellin, Bogota, Boyaca, Eje Cafetero, Santa Marta, etc. etc. etc. Oh wait, actually there was one australian lady who got her purse stolen... in CARTAGENA! Gomezman, maybe you personally are overly cautious, and that's fine, but exactly what do you base your warning against travelling through Colombia on? Have you met or heard about some femmale solo traveller who had problems? Would you also tell them not to even consider going to Mexico or Aruba, where things have actually happened? And please, don't answer with the US, UK, Canadian or whatever government travel advisory, I think most of us are smarter than to pay full attention to that.

For good balance info from the travel experts, try the Thorn Tree forum on lonelyplanet.com. On this site you never know who's self appointing themselves Colombia gurus, many times without ever even setting foot in the country.

Ladies, get informed and take the usual travel precautions, and welcome to Colombia!!!

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tidal says on Sep 8, 2005, 23:50:

You really can't avoid the attention Colombian men give. It can be dangerous sometimes (depending on the area) but other than that, I think it's cute :)

I've run into plenty of guys (even ones who pass by in a car, or see me from far away) that blow kisses and what not.

Enjoy your trip to Colombia... don't worry about it.

-ericha

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aztec says on Sep 9, 2005, 06:35:

My wife and I(Colombian&Gringo) have been in each of the places discussed here. In addition we have visited some of the barrier islands off the coast of Cartagena(Islas del Rosario). The only trouble we had diving was in Rosario when we ran into a school of Jellyfish. Darn we can still remember the pain.

You really can't compare the areas in which you are interested. They each have a distinct personality. All offer the tourist something they will probably never see anywhere else. Too many to even list here. You should do more research on each.

I will tell you we were in Isla de Providencia when the crabs(smaller than your fingernail) were returning from the ocean. Absolutely unbelievable. The whole island was red. You could not drive or walk without stepping on them. They were everywhere even in the hotel rooms. You had to clean them out of the beds before going to bed. Difficult at first but in looking back on the event it was a once in a lifetime experience that we wouldn't change for anything.

katiebird, I am a father of two grown sons and I can tell you for sure that their going to South America without telling me would cause huge problems between us. That is a mistake and indicates some immaturity.

Furthermore, in spite of the heightened level of political correctness in the U.S., you will not necessarily be accorded the same kind of freedom in other parts of the world. It can be dangerous out there for any one and probably more so for a young single and attractive woman.

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aztec says on Sep 9, 2005, 06:42:

My wife and I (Colombiana&Gringo) have been in each of the places discussed here. In addition we have visited some of the barrier islands off the coast of Cartagena(Islas del Rosario). The only trouble we had diving was in Rosario when we ran into a school of Jellyfish. Darn we can still remember the pain.

You really can't compare the areas in which you are interested. They each have a distinct personality. All offer the tourist something they will probably never see anywhere else. Too many to even list here. You should do more research on each. A google search will return much information.

I will tell you we were in Isla de Providencia when the crabs(smaller than your fingernail) were returning from the ocean. Absolutely unbelievable. The whole island was red. You could not drive or walk without stepping on them. They were everywhere even in the hotel rooms. You had to clean them out of the beds before going to bed. Difficult at first but in looking back on the event it was a once in a lifetime experience that we wouldn't change for anything.

katiebird, I am a father of two grown sons and I can tell you for sure that their going to South America without telling me would cause huge problems between us. That is a mistake and indicates some immaturity.

Furthermore, in spite of the heightened level of political correctness in the U.S., you will not necessarily be accorded the same kind of freedom in other parts of the world. It can be dangerous out there for any one and probably more so for a young, single and attractive woman.

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caslug says on Sep 9, 2005, 11:41:

Katie, since diving is a big part.. of your interest, as other poster mention CTG or San Andres Islands. I think going to CTG will be cheaper for hotel, food, diving, partying, etc., because it's not an island. Also, depending on your time of year going to CTG, you maybe there during tourist season/week then it's very easy to meet other COL(some foreign) tourist to party with. CTG has more things to and you can take the bus to BAQ or San Marta(which i hear has awesome beaches). While if you're on an island and get bored, you got get a plane out.

If you can survive central american men, then i dont think you'll have problem with COL men.

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katiebird says on Sep 9, 2005, 12:14:

OK OK - I'll tell my mom the day I leave Thank you all for the advice - and immaturity is not the reason I don't want to tell my mom - she actually said, and I quote - "All latin american people are nothing but gangsters and drug traffikers who just want to kidnap and murder you". I know she's just worried, but I thought that was a fairly racist ignorant assessment of an entire population of people! I believe Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and Jefferey Dahmer were all white Americans, so it's not that I WANT to lie to her, but I'm sick of the negativity. Besides, my Dad and the rest of my family know where I'll be, because they have Latino friends who are actually NOT gangsters and/or drug traffikers! She means well, she's just sheltered - Cancun is as far south as she's ever been - maybe if I bring back a nice emerald she'll ease up a bit!

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katiebird says on Sep 9, 2005, 12:17:

Colombian men If you can survive AMERICAN men, Colombian men will be a breath of fresh air - at least they play REAL futbol! World Cup 2006 - Vive Colombia!!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 9, 2005, 12:28:

katie you'll be fine on your own. Take just the normal precautions for any female in a foreign country and don't let those suave speaking latinos get you in state of marbles lost and spilling all over the place and you'll have a good time in Colombia. If you go to San Andrés the north end downtown area gets a little dodgy at late hours, but basically it's one of the safest places in Colombia.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 10, 2005, 11:57:

So you would do Shakira? If you get the chance can you post some pics?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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riomagdalena says on Nov 3, 2005, 18:29:

Choco region or ???? Question:

I would like to know where the darker complexed (skinned) women in Colombia are from or where one is likely to find them.

I am talking about chicas that "look like" moranas or negritas. I once had someone say that darker Colombians livesmostly in Cali oe MEdellin and the Choco region. Is this accuarate? Why in these areas? My abuelita is a negrita and I believe she was raised in Letica or maybe the Choco region.

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utopiacowboy says on Nov 4, 2005, 09:25:

There are dark-complexioned people everywhere in Colombia but they are prevalent in the coastal areas.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Hunter says on Nov 5, 2005, 03:34:

riomagdalena Choco yes, they are very dark skinned there, the Caribean coast is quite dark, the most morenas will be found there.

Cali is a very mixed City, so plenty of morenas there, but also a lot more with some Indian blood.

Medellin, is mostly white, so not so many there.

As UC says you will find morenas everywhere in Colombia, just in some areas there are a lot more of them.

Hunter

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Nov 5, 2005, 04:15:

some of the sweetest people I have met in my life are quite dark-skinned and come from the Pacific Coast of Colombia, way down south from the afro-colombian communities in Cauca and Nariño (Guapi and especially Tumaco). You can meet lots of them in Cali and you can distinguish them if not by the looks by the southern dialect and gentle manners.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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katiebird says on Dec 29, 2005, 21:44:

Safety in Cartagena Could anyone please help me plead my case to my parents about the safety of Cartagena? I leave in two weeks to study at Nueva Lengua for a month and my mom has been calling me crying every day begging me to cancel, convinced that I'm going to be snatched right out of the airport and held for ransom or sold into slavery - she's actually starting to get me paranoid to the point that I'm wondering if I'm being stupid for going. I've talked w/ many Colombians and other travelers and have not heard anything bad about Cartagena - I've heard bad things about other places, but not CTG. Can someone please level w/ me and tell me if I should cancel? I'm a 30 year old American girl w/ blue eyes and red hair, I've met Colombians w/ green eyes and blonde hair, so I don't feel I'd stand out all that much. I'm traveling alone, but I figured I'd meet other students and travelers at the school so I'd be OK. Is there anyone out there living in CTG at the moment who could tell me about it? Please help - I leave in two weeks!

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adrimm says on Dec 29, 2005, 22:28:

You can tell your mom that giant cruiseships like Carnival and Princess and Holland America stop in Cartagena and let their passengers off to explore the city.

You can tell her that the Cartagena Film Festival is huge, and frequented by celebrities from all over the place

You can tell her that Cartagena is a UNESCO world heritage site and has hosted UN meetings such as the Convenion on Biological Diversty which were attended by high level beaurocrats from all over the world.

Cartagena is also host to many many many many international conferences and conventions. They have Hilton Hotels there.

You can get her to visit www.gringoincolombia.com and read the Cartagena section.

Note: You will stand out from the locals becuase most coastal Colombians have African heritage (descendants of slaves), but you probably will fit in with lots of the other visitors. A large cruiseship can have well over 1000 passengers...

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MarieAnna says on Jan 31, 2006, 14:56:

Another solo gringa Like the suprising number of others above I'm a young gringa and I've been planning a trip to Colombia and while I won't be going alone... I'll be going through a language school for about a month this summer and staying with a family, I've still received some pretty strong advisories. I guess I'm just a little confused, being as I read all of the entries on these site and cant help but think that some of the writers are a little cavalier about the situation in Colombia, knowing all that I do about it. And of the few Colombians outside of this side that I've talked to, all seemed deeply concerned about any young woman travelling to their country alone - they themselves didn't feel safe in it, and that's why they spent years and years waiting for visas for America. But then again, most of the people writing here have been to Colombia many times. Anybody have insight to offer?

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Crazy4Cali says on Feb 1, 2006, 13:14:

it's simply a case of "your mileage may vary" Ask people about anything large, diverse, and complex and you'll get a range of answers. Some people are afraid to go back to Colombia because they pissed someone off, some just like the "good life" the have in the U.S. Some people travel to Colombia and have a good time, some are scared out of their wits.

If that's you're idea of a good time, then have a good time. If not, then Colombia is probably not the best place for you to go and study Spanish.

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MarieAnna says on Feb 1, 2006, 14:04:

True enough Well, that's true... its hard enough to get a group of people to agree on a movie to watch or flavor of ice cream. I suppose its just the incredibly wild disparity between the accounts, but then again, that's to be expected if half are from the human rights worker crowd and half are more from the tourist sort. For myself, there's not another city in South America that I'd pay 2,000+ to spend a month in, so its mostly just an issue, like for any good traveler, of trying to wrap my head around conditions on the ground before getting there. I'm not the sort to be too unsettled by the account of an occasional shooting or such, considering that a couple weeks ago when I visited one of my friends in a sketchy neighborhood in the U.S. as I drove up, two people had just been shot behind his house and he wasn't exactly all that surprised by it... if you know what I mean.

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White Rhino says on Aug 12, 2006, 23:15:

What happened to Katie? Did she ever go scuba diving? I would be interested in hearing the end of the story...

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