Advice on going to Colombia

tomtom33 says on Jan 10, 2006, 12:36:

Bogotanas are pretty pale too. Don't venture out without your boyfriend or his family and friends.

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Hyla says on Jan 10, 2006, 12:43:

I don't intend to :]

Do you think I'll be safe enough to go? I REALLy want to, but of course it's quite a country to travel to...

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tomtom33 says on Jan 10, 2006, 12:47:

I think it's safe enough if you do the above.

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Hyla says on Jan 10, 2006, 12:54:

Great :] thanks!

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ronald1168 says on Jan 10, 2006, 12:56:

Don't worry Hyla You are going to have a great time in Colombia, The north of Bogota is known as a quite safe area. No problems at all.

R. Donders
London
ronald at donders.co.uk

ronald@donders.co.uk

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Hyla says on Jan 10, 2006, 13:00:

I am feeling much better now. I talk to my boyfriend about it and he tells me I will be fine, but I just wanted more opinions.

Except the huge amount of money the flights cost. Eep. :]

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Slovenkita says on Jan 10, 2006, 13:05:

I was in Bogota for 2,5 month and i didnt have any problem. And well you speak spanish just a little but i dont speak spanish so no worries just enjoy your nice holiday with your boyfriend. Anyway for sure he or his family will stay with you.
Forget about wrong prejudices.

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Hyla says on Jan 10, 2006, 13:08:

I guess my main worry is cos I'm white perhaps I will be perceived as rich when in fact me and my family have hardly two pennies to rub together.... I get nervous thinking what if I am kidnapped and when they realise ransom money is out the question I get killed? I know it's a bit paranoid but what can I say :p

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ronald1168 says on Jan 10, 2006, 13:11:

Hyla You will not be the only white person in Bogota, the people from Bogota are quite pale as well.


R. Donders
London
ronald at donders.co.uk

ronald@donders.co.uk

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SPECTRASORT says on Jan 10, 2006, 13:21:

Colombia for the British Hyla,

I have been travelling to Colombia since 1991 , Back then for a Gringo it was quite dangerous but since Uribe has restricted the Guerilla activities Colombia in my opinion is a safe as any other Central South America Country , I worked off and on over the years for around a year in Colombia in most of the cities , visiting on average one time per year.

There are however some basic common sense rules that apply,

1...Dont go out walking the streets laiden with fancy clothes and gold.
2...Find out what areas of Colombia are still deemed as dangerous , there are very few but if you are staying in Bogota you will be safe , its a safe city.

Enjoy your vacaction and whilst in Bogota be sure to visit the Restaurants , Bars and Cafes around the Zona Rosa , HSASOON restaurant is rated as Colombias best restaurant and for 20 pounds or $30 you can get the best food on the menu.Also be sure to try La Luna pizzaeria magnificant food very good price.

Have Fun.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 10, 2006, 21:34:

Blondes don't stand out Hyla, what's going to make you stand out is your nervousness, your accent and the clothes you wear, not your white skin and blonde hair. Blondes are a dime a dozen in Bogota and won't turn anyone's head.

Bogota is a nice place. Take a couple deep breaths and relax. You'll have a great time.

BTW, "early this summmer" still leaves you plenty of time to learn more Spanish.

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morphus says on Jan 10, 2006, 23:59:

don't worry Colombia has the best kidnappers in the world. If they find out you don't have any money, they usually let you go. But, if you do have money and don't pay, they kill you though.

What you really have to worry about is those Colombians that will kill you for a few pesos. If you wander into strange niegborhoods late at night, there are people that will cut you up on the spot.

There are a lot of arrogant Colombians with money that are more likely to get kidnapped and killed before a tourist. They drive around in nice cars, go to the bank with bags of money and hang around casinos. If i was a poor Colombian, i would go after them.

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Hyla says on Jan 11, 2006, 09:49:

He is from... ohh let's remember.. a place beginning with P... :/ He moved to Bogota with his family a few years ago. Per-ray-ya it sounds like. I don't know how to spell it.

I don't think we will venture that far from Bogota to be honest.

Checking my finances I am not sure I can go this year, though I am trying. He suggested I go with him in 2007 and we stay for a year. Should I take a short holiday there first or will it be ok to be there for a year straight off?

Thanks to everyone for their replies x

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caslug says on Jan 11, 2006, 09:57:

P... for periera? that city is NOT near BOG, it's about a 5 hrs bus ride. It's a small city compare to BOG, but it's in the heart of zona caferteria(coffee region) and is near some spectactcular parks. You should definitely checkout COL BEFORE you move there in order to see if you like it or not. Plus, unless you have a work or student visa, you can't stay more than 6 mos. Unless you're planning to get marry.

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SPECTRASORT says on Jan 11, 2006, 10:07:

Colombia is very Different from the UK Hyla , if you are used to the high life in London then you might be in for a shock , Colombia is not a modern as the USA/Europe , however they are getting there and growing rapidly.

What you will find in Colombia is probably more diverse terrain then you will ever find including Amazons , Rainforests , Jungles , Caribean Coastlines , Mountain Ranges , partial Desert like areas , Tropical. As you can see it really has it all , however I would suggest that you go there firstly to check it out before you venture over there for a year.

The town that you mention is quite nice I have been there , you will like Bogota it allmost like a European city now.

It will be a good experience to be there for a year , and you will get memories that you shall never forget , I would visit one of the vacation spots whilst over there either San Andreas , Providencia , Gorgona , Isla Palma , Rosario Islands or Cartagena.

Enjoy.

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Hyla says on Jan 11, 2006, 10:56:

Ok thankyou :]

By the way I don't live the high life in London, no- I live in the sticks in rural Cornwall ;]

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NewBoy says on Jan 12, 2006, 04:23:

Rural Cornwall Hyla, I think you will find the nightlife in Colombia a bit better than there.

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California says on Jan 12, 2006, 13:38:

No worries! Just wanted to let you know that you'll be fine. I am American living in Bogota and have had a few blond, blue-eyed girlfriends come to visit and us girls go out and have a great time without any trouble. Like any big city, there are some ugly parts, but I doubt your boyfriend will take you there. You'll be surprised at how many English-speaking, light people you see. Two things are important though- always carry an over-the-shoulder purse- handbags are easy to grab. Try not to take your passport anywhere out, and never hail a taxi from the street- always call. Good luck and enjoy what Bogota has to offer.

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ricardo.pinzon says on Jan 13, 2006, 21:52:

Que_Lindo_Pais I think Colombia is misunderstood by many. I would like to take some time to thank Peter Van Dijck on a job well done. And Hyla I don't think your boyfriend is doing a good job at making you feel secured. Sweety don't worry about a thing you will be just fine. I had to deal with similar feelings from my wife the first time she visited Colombia in june of 2003, we've been back twice ever since.

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rocinante says on Jan 14, 2006, 15:24:

Bring a local Hang with people who live there - if your boyfriend relocated to Ye Merry Olde England when he was 11 that doesn't count. Does he have family down there? Hook up with them.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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CrazyGirlPerez says on Jan 14, 2006, 17:44:

girl i'm colombian but i look like a pure white girl, every one that meets me can't belive i'm Latina
i have been 2 colombia a few times and i have always felt safe,
you will be ok girl, no worries

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Hyla says on Jan 16, 2006, 12:05:

No, He was born in Bogota, lived in Pereria, moved to Bogota at about 11, is a student here with me, has been here for about 3 years. :]

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kernow62 says on Jan 16, 2006, 12:30:

Hyla you want to swap your place in rural Cornwall for a nice place in Florida? ;-)

Much closer to Colombia too!

What part of Cornwall?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2006, 13:00:

a swap? Tintagel for Mickey Mouse? Interesting...
Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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tobntno says on Jan 16, 2006, 16:50:

I would have to disagree on the blond thing Hi everybody,
I live in Bogotá and to be honest with you until this day I have only seen one really blond person like me and that is a coworker (from Germany) at the University - they call the office "oficina de los monos". As a blond and rather pale guy I DO STAND OUT. Of course people won't stare at me because it's the first time they see somebody who is blond but still it's not that common. And the pale bogotanos are still much darker than I am.
Anyway - if you don't mind being approached by a few homeless who will ask the "rich" monos for money Bogotá is perfectly fine for you.
My spanish is alright but far from perfect and I get along without any problems. I won't travel by bus outside the city by myself though - but flights with aerorepublica or avianca aren't too expensive and a much more comfortable way of travelling, too.

So don't worry about anyhting - especially if you'll stay in the north. Most neighbourhoods there could easly be in a European or American city. The downtown area is alright as well - but the south is a place I wouldn't go to without at least a couple of "bigger" friends.

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Hyla says on Jan 18, 2006, 08:15:

I am thinking about moving to Florida actually... except Americans are insane. :]

I live near St Ives, the artist place.

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utopiacowboy says on Jan 18, 2006, 08:18:

Florida? Are there any Americans there any more? All Latin Americans from various places and those damm Canadians. For insane Americans, try California.

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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Albatross says on Jan 18, 2006, 08:39:

No we're not... We're not "Insane", we're "Reality Challenged".

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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kernow62 says on Jan 18, 2006, 12:04:

Hyla, I used to live in Nancledra, about half way between St. Ives and Penzance. I have family in St. Ives, lovely place except when the emmets come to town. ;-)

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