advice to american 1st time visitor

ColombianoX says on Jun 26, 2005, 13:15:

ptarmigan,

I have a suggestion: UN NOVIO COLOMBIANO!!

You won't have to worry about convincing them to go to Colombia because of "all the bad reputation and news he has heard of Colombia" and they won't be "so traumatized by the media, the travel warnings, etc."

Problem solved.





ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 26, 2005, 13:36:

GringoDeLouisiana, I think ColX was planning on hitting on Ptarmigan and youve just ruined his evil plans.
Ptarmigan, the hardest ting to do is to get him to say yes to coming over, and apparently thats already happened. Ask him to read some of the posts on this site and try and chill out. I dont think you should worry about coming over, im sure that as a colombian you pretty much know where to go and how things work here.
Good luck.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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adrimm says on Jun 26, 2005, 13:45:

Get him to read Kernow's Journal www.gringoincolombia.com

Prepare him in advance for what he will see. For someone nervous, I think that seeing the level of (very visible) arms on military and police will be stressful, it always freaks me out for the first few days, and I've been before. It is just part of the scenery tho (as most of us know).

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 26, 2005, 14:59:

Ive just read Kernow's blog...awesome, I really enjoyed it. Very useful info, cant wait to go to Cartagena :)

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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ptarmigan says on Jun 26, 2005, 15:28:

Great blog Thank you guys for your comments! That doesn't mean I don't want to read more comments.
Kernow's blog is great! A must see and read!

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007CA says on Jun 26, 2005, 16:13:

Just tell him that I went alone as a gringa woman and was fine! That should make him and his family feel better, especially if he is going with you and be with natives the whole time. And, tell him that Bogota is safer than most parts of the country. Have fun!!

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 26, 2005, 22:06:

Make sure he's heavily sedated at first. Once the sedatives wear off, he'll realize the place is halfway normal and he'll chill out a little. The first time I went to Colombia I wasn't going to leave the airport in Bogota - I was just going to stay there until it was time for the flight to San Andres. After I got there, I realized that I wasn't a character in a Tom Clancy novel and I could relax.

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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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 26, 2005, 22:44:

The degree of culture shock all depends... on where he's traveled before.

WRT violence, there are dangerous places and safe places. Stick with a local (e.g. a family member of yours or a tour guide) who knows the difference and you should be as safe as you can be in a big city. Remember there are places in Detroit, Philiadelphia, NYC, LA, etc. that a gringo shouldn't go. The same is true in Colombia.

WRT armed police, I haven't seen anything in Colombia that I haven't also seen in European cities. So if you're used to seeing police with submachineguns in France, Germany, Italy, etc. then seeing them in Colombia won't seem any different. If you've never left your suburb, that can be a little disconcerting, especially if Colombia is your first visit.

WRT poverty, I don't think it looks any worse there than any other Latin American city. Go to Mexico if you want to get a glimpse of a Latin American city before you go to Colombia.

In all fairness, I haven't see anything that lived up to the warnings. Hopefully that's because I've kept my eyes open and stayed out of the places I don't belong. Anything is possible, and trouble is there if you want to go looking for it, but it can also be avoided if you want.

That said, it also took me about 4 years of getting used to the idea, before I actually ventured down there. (I'm really a big chicken, I suppose). Rather, I should say, it took 4 years to replace all the misinformation with information from more first-hand sources (actually meeting and talking with real-live Colombians and not just getting my information from CNN & the www.state.gov) That was the secret.

Good luck with your adventure!

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miamimike says on Jun 26, 2005, 22:56:

I would be personally concerned with somone who I had to spend 4 years convincing. How old is your "Boyfriend"? I'm probably more cautous then most but it only took me a few days to decide and buy my ticket (On my own-the Lady had no influence on my decision to visit COlombia). Seriously, You may want to reconsider him a BF if you have to allote so much time to convince him on what is a rather simple travel decision.I mean 4 years to decide....

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 26, 2005, 23:02:

some perspective... It only took me four years of convincing because I didn't know anyone down there and had plenty of other things to do...When I wanted to meet my (now) fiance in person, I was down there in a New York minute.

So, I would agree with MiamiMike's caution...If Colombia is a big part of your life and your BF is afraid to go and getting pressure from his family, that could be a bad sign for the relationship. If it was important to you then that should make it important to him, and he should be doing this research instead of placing the burden on you to do the convincing.

But what do we know? We're just some anonymous internet voices.

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tigredelnorte says on Jun 27, 2005, 05:53:

Kernow's blog Does anyone have a link for this?

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ptarmigan says on Jun 27, 2005, 10:52:

Kernow's blog link www.gringoincolombia.com

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kernow62 says on Jun 27, 2005, 12:28:

Kernow's Blog Thanks for the kind comments, it is a work in progress, I still have one or two pages of the English language portion, and I am about 50% finished on the Spanish language section. I am relying on friends from all over the world, many of whom are PBH members, to translate pages into Spanish for me.

A lot of good links are on the LINKS and ENLACES pages, in fact I even bookmarked this page on its own. I am looking for other good links as well as additional categories; so please PM them to me or send to gringoincolombia at earthlink.net

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caslug says on Jun 27, 2005, 13:54:

Saw similar situation in Peru.. This guy from Texas was on the same flight with me from DFW to Lima. I asked what he's in Lima for, he got married and is completing the paperwork to take her back. Asked him if he likes lima or Peru. , While waiting in the immigration line in lima airport with TONS of peruvans around. He proceeds to tell me in a LOUD voice how Lima and it's PEOPLE SUCK!! The city is poor, nothing to do in the city or country, the people are poor & criminals(at least the poor ones), AND his wife family is DIRT poor(no roof on their brick shoebox house). Since we were in a VERY crowed line I couldn't excuse myself so i was stuck. The kicker, he say once he gets his wife to the US he'll be happy because HE WILL NEVER have to return to the godforsaken country. BTW, He was generally in love with her they were introduce by her friends/relative living in Dallas with him. He loved the girl but hated the culture and country. I was thinking, HOW in HELL can that relationship work? Relationship is about SHARING each other LIFE/FAMILY/CULTURE equally, in his case he just wanted a one way traffic. His culture and life in the US is GOOD but her culture and Life in Peru was BAD.

This was the ONLY time in my travel to S. America that i encounter the sterotypical UGLY AMERICAN. I've felt a little ashamed for being american. This guy could've been a poster child for Rednecks of Americas! He certainly wasn't some culture, educated guy making those comments. But other gringo i've met was a college professor in LA married to a spanish women, and LOVES Peru, he travels frequently and is a tour director for US students every college break.

Moral of the story? If a guy who loved his wife BUT hated everything she represent CAN STILL FLY to see her. Then origanl poster's boyfriend should be able to do the same. Considering he doesn't HATE COLOMBIAN, he's just scared. I've never know guys that let a little FEAR get in the way of LUST or LOVE.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 27, 2005, 16:38:

It makes you wonder how long that relationship can last. My wife's always telling me things about Colombia and singing songs etc. It's a lot of fun!

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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Peter Miami says on Jun 27, 2005, 16:46:

Caslug You are right on!

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caslug says on Jun 27, 2005, 17:07:

Safety in BOGOTA.. IS ALOT better to the average eye than Cali. If the original posters boyfriend was going to Cali or city near the FARC area, then i can see his hestiation. I remember my FIRST trip to S. America, it was going to Cali AND not knowing ANY LOCALS! I arrived at night too, talk about scary. The taxi was driving me to avienda sexta and i remember seeing homes/business with bars on windows and high gates around the porperty. and that was the nice area! I was scared, I ws a stranger in a strange land, didn't know the langauge no friends or guide. BUT my fear went away after a day, when i saw the city during the daytime.

BUT BOGOTA come on! After Cali, Bogota was a snap(AND LIMA)! Heck some clubs/bars in parque 93 is JUST as "sophisticated" as any ritzy bar club/bars i've been to in SF/NYC/LA. Maybe her boyfriend saw Mr./Mrs Smith one two many time, seeing BOgota blowned up!

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germuno says on Jun 27, 2005, 17:24:

buenaventura don't know anything about buenaventura area and looking for any info...beach towns around the area and backpacker type lodging...surf

i will be checking it out around the end of the year.
appreciate any kind of advice

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dwmte says on Jun 27, 2005, 18:04:

germuno.... i think you autta start a new thread on buenaventura.

this ones about something completely different...or hadn't you noticed.

i've been to buenaventura twice and can say with authority, that in the town, there's NOTHING happening. there's only one hotel worth staying in and that's the hotel estacion. stay in the old section of the hotel.

as for the beaches and whale areas, that's available if you do a search here on the site (upper right corner of the page).

good luck,

dw

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poco says on Jun 27, 2005, 18:40:

Little Information,,,,, But Guess you live in U.S. ? You want him to go with you to see the country? Why? Because you are going?

Anyway: Assure him your extended family has ties with both the guerillas and Paramilitary in the area(s) you plan to visit. Having a “number” assigned that proves you have paid your “dues” and are current with “payments” should be reassuring.

In the event you plan to visit jungle “ruins”, volcano(s), river falls etc. tell him not to worry. Any self respecting guerilla left the jungle and mountains long ago and they primarily dwell in the cities. They make infrequent visits to remote areas to supervise “operations” or drop off a hostage or two. Very few U.S. citizens are kidnapped, well for any duration, because they don’t have any money in the country.

BTW: If the unthinkable happens,, will your family come up with or at least “front” the money? Can they afford a negotiator? While I'm thinking of it,, do they have any money in Colombia?

So,,,,,, is there some REALLY GOOD reason NOT to go to Las Vegas?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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goosekirk says on Jun 27, 2005, 19:37:

ptarmigan Show him my photos:

www.pbase.com/goosekirk/colombia

Like gringoinbogota, I'm as gringo as they come, and I've been here for almost a year without problems. I have a gringo friend who's been here for nine years, and he's never had any problems to speak of. And I've certainly pushed my luck with where I've gone and what I've done! Crazy4Cali's advice pretty much sums it up.

He'll do just fine. Keep feeding him enough booze to maintain a low-grade buzz for the first day, and he'll forget about his paranoia.

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lpdiver says on Jun 28, 2005, 12:34:

Ditch your boyfriend
and find one with a spine...or at least make him think you will.

T

"cook some rice!"

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LuIsEnRiK says on Jun 29, 2005, 00:26:

esa esta mejor colombianox que video de man RoLoMbIaNo
you know it true right know my aunt is having the same problems with his husband a gringo too he doesnt want to go for the same reasons your husband is afraid and you know what it is a good theme of forum keep writting people cause i want to have advice too so my new auncle can go with out pissing his pants you know i told him to dress like a farmer you never know it might work but what the hell if something happens is because it was meant to be like that

RoLoMbIaNo

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Zedd says on Jul 11, 2005, 13:54:

Whenever you travel -- Just use your head! I haven't read through all the comments, but some are interesting as well as funny. I am a gringo and married a Colombian woman. We've been married 5 years and live in the States. I am not of Hispanic decent, so I stick out like a slightly-sore thumb when in Colombia(pale-pinkinsh skin, light brown hair, european-based features).

The first time I went was with a friend from college. He lives here, but has invited me a few times to come down to visit Colombia when he goes back to visit his family. Anyway, it took a couple years of urging, but I finally did it. Yeah, I was a bit nervous, but millions of people live, work, and play in Colombia -- Bogota, specifically -- every day. I figured -- it is certainly not a war zone. Don't get me wrong, I am quite aware of the details of politics and terrorism in Colombia. Still, I don't see it as any different than any other U.S. city, in my opinion. You have places you can go and places you shouldn't go. You just need to know the difference. I've been there, I don't know, maybe 10 times in the last 6 years and will be going back at the end of this month. I've been to Cartagena and Villavicencio without incident. I've gone to San Andresito to buy "stuff", downtown to buy emeralds, leather, etc. -- somtimes not the best areas, but almost always in the daytime.

Given the fact that you are a Colombiana, you have the Colombian-common-sense on where to take your boyfriend or not take him. I was always with my wife (or other family members) when I went someplace.

I'm babbling now, but, you get the picture ---- one more example of someone who's not swayed by the liberal media... or the CIA website (although if you're kidnapped -- you're on your own.) Sorry, just kidding.

-- Zedd

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