American dies in Santa Marta

vladimiro says on Jul 15, 2006, 10:02:

Went to Santa Marta for the first time recently and noticed the absence of panhandlers, beggers, and pesky vendors in Rodadero compared to Cartegena or other Colombia cities. In Taganga I was told the vendors have to stay outside at the mirador. I am not sure but I got the impression that the police or paras have cleared a lot of the poor people out of the turist areas.

aztec says on Jul 15, 2006, 10:03:

As I have indicated in earlier posts... ...Santa Marta is not safe if you can't pass as a Colombian.

Tex says on Jul 15, 2006, 10:55:

My first trip to CO soon I've read your post and was planning on going to Barranquilla and Santa Marta....is the crime that bad in these locales or are the large cities worst? Pass as Colombian?? What's that?

aztec says on Jul 15, 2006, 11:07:

Pass as Colombian?? Do you look like a Colombian? Are you tall, blond with blue eyes?

Having said that you will indeed find all races of all colors in Colombia. There are just more people who have Spanish/Indian/African heritage.

If you fit one of those "looks" you may pass as a Colombian if you keep your mouth shut. (When in questionable areas my wife always advises me to not speak).

In any event, you can have a good trip if you are alert and careful where you go especially at night. Same advice you would give someone visiting any medium to large city in the States.

Rubiazo says on Jul 15, 2006, 15:38:

You can be sure you don't fit in if you can't find clothes that fit you off the rack there :P

Lauthra says on Jul 15, 2006, 16:05:

****(When in questionable areas my wife always advises me to not speak).

That is good advice indeed, I tell my boyfriend that as well, even in alright places to keep him shut :P
Nato

(='.'=)

Nato (='.'=)

Atrevido says on Jul 15, 2006, 17:25:

Has anything about this murder been published in El Heraldo? I'd like to see the artical.

mcraig says on Jul 15, 2006, 17:45:

I stick out badly I am headed to bogota Colombia in two months for some dental work an some liprosuction. Will I have any problems there? I mean there is noway I can hide my height , my hair , my eyes an my my size? I plan to map out my travel to an from an will spend most of my time off the streets an inside. I have gone to some pretty unsafe places before but nothing like bogota colombia. Any information?

vladimiro says on Jul 15, 2006, 19:20:

I was surprised to read on the webiste of the British embassy in Bogota that they recommend those with light hiar to die thier hair black and grow a mustache before entering the country. If you grow a mustache and die your hair black you won't have any problems. Check out the british embassy website for more info.

Lostgringo says on Jul 15, 2006, 19:21:

Over Rated The crime in Bogota is not what some on PBH would have you believe. Just like a city like New York or Chicago you will find trouble if you look for it or are very stupid.

From what you are saying you will be busy getting a "makeover." You will have absolutely no problem going to and from the doctors offices if you take a little precaution. Make sure you call the taxi from your apartment or have the dentist etc., call one for you. And, they will with no problem.

I stuck out like a sore thumb and had no problem. If you have attitude, like wearing alot of jewelry and flashing money around..then....guess what... 99.9% of the apartments in high rises and the hotels have 24/7 security. I was there for 6 months and went out almost every night for cervasa. I had no problems except for greedy and crazy taxi drivers and a cigar. The people of Colombia are friendly and approachable. They like to help if they can. Look out for the directions thing though. I found that Colombians will give bad directions to save face. Some feel embarrased that they do not know where you want to go and will point you anywhere lol. I, like Miami Mike had extensive dental work done in Bogota. I enjoy flashing my teeth now very much. The best value for my money I can think of. Use that good old common sense you have used to get by all these years and you will be just fine. If you require any info on Dentist or Plastic Surgery you are welcome to contact me. Again, Miami Mike has extensive experience in this area.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

miamimike says on Jul 15, 2006, 20:14:

Frank Hi! How are you doing with your Teeth? haven't seen you around lately and meant to ask you about this!

"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.,

chrispej says on Jul 15, 2006, 20:23:

I'll take my chances...... The Washington Post just reported 14 murders committed in 13 days around the United States's capitol. Every time I visit Colombia, I love telling the people about the crime in the U.S. While I always take precautions when I'm in Colombia, I definitely feel much safer there.

Simon says on Jul 15, 2006, 20:50:

"I have gone to some pretty unsafe places before but nothing like bogota colombia."

mcraig,

Dude, don't be a schmuck. I just saw in the news this week that Bogotá has a homicide rate of 18 out of every 100,000. That is lower than many latin american cities such as Caracas, Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City. That is even lower than Washington D.C.!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

robi666 says on Jul 15, 2006, 21:00:

Here you have the "murder", from "Diario del Magdalena" Hope all can read... and get a free from preconceived opinions idea of it!

En El Rodadero
Investigan muerte de norteamericano

* Fue hallado por su esposa en el apartamento convulsionando y posteriormente falleció.
Un extranjero falleció en extrañas circunstancias luego de ser encontrado por su compañera sentimental, cuando convulsionaba en su apartamento ubicado en el sector de El Rodadero.

Así lo dieron a conocer las autoridades policiales, al indicar que los hechos se presentaron en horas de la tarde del miércoles, cuando la víctima fue ingresada a una clínica de esta ciudad debido al estado que presentaba.
Como John Peter Zielinski, de 59 años de edad, fue identificada la víctima, de nacionalidad norteamericana, era pensionado y llevaba tres años viviendo en esta ciudad. Residía con una colombiana con quien compartía su vida sentimental en el Edificio Torres de Colón ubicado en El Rodadero.
Indicaron las autoridades policiales que el extranjero quien se encontraba limitado de sus extremidades inferiores, presentaba problemas de diabetes por lo que se encontraba recibiendo tratamiento médico.
John Peter Zielinski ingería pastillas para tratar su problema y el día miércoles se encontraba solo según lo relatado por el subcomandante del Magdalena, Santos Édgar Rodríguez.
La compañera de la víctima quien había salido alrededor de la una y treinta de la tarde, regresó a las cuatro y encontró a John Peter convulsionando.
De inmediato lo trasladó hasta una clínica privada de esta ciudad donde recibió atención por parte de los médicos de turno.
En horas de la media noche la víctima nuevamente convulsionó y falleció pese a los esfuerzos de los galenos de turno que hicieron lo posible por salvarle la vida.
La fiscalía seccional URI en turno se presentó al lugar para la inspección judicial del cadáver y posteriormente fue trasladado hasta la morgue del Hospital donde le practicaron la necropsia.
Las autoridades esperan los resultados de medicina legal que les permita determinar las causas que le ocasionaron la muerte al extranjero.
Hasta el momento la versión manejada por las autoridades es que al parecer ingirió medicamentos que le ocasionaron la convulsión y que finalmente terminaron quitándole la vida.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

billyb says on Jul 15, 2006, 21:17:

Simon I read the same... article and to put it in Perspective, Caracas had 152 homicides per 100,00. and DC had to recently declare a crime emergency.

BillyB

Miguel says on Jul 16, 2006, 07:39:

robi666 Thanks!

Lostgringo says on Jul 16, 2006, 08:20:

miami mike Hey Mike: My teeth are still holding up. I owe you big time for your referral. My life is dramatically changes since I can smile now and show my pearly whites. I have not yet submitted the costs of my teeth to my insurance company, but did submit my Lasik costs. They paid for the entire Lasik surgery! Again, thanks for the referral to Jacky for my teeth.

getting back to Bogota. As many in this thread have pointed out the crime rate in Bogota is not as great as some would have you believe. The only way to truly understand or appreciate life in Bogota is to experience it. One last thing, in all the times I went to clubs and bars (mostly upscale I admit), I never saw a fight. You can almost expect a fight in many of the bars in Canada. Colombians for the most part (in my experience), would rather make love, sing or dance than fight. Many people will tell you that the Spanish language is the language of love. In many aspects their culture reflects this statement. Lasty, I once thought that Cuba would be dangerous (especially Havana), and that Cubans danced in bars etc., like they do in Colombia. After living in Old Havana for a brief period, in a person's casa my beliefs regarding these two issues were smashed. First, Castro has such a grip on people in Cuba that they are afraid of their own shadows. Secondly, 99.999% of Cubans cannot afford to drink in a bar. And, I never saw people just getting up and start dancing like they do in Colombia.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the overall experience in Colombia far outweighs the security concerns, which I feel are minimal in Bogota....if you use your head.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

utopiacowboy says on Jul 16, 2006, 09:16:

"Every time I visit Colombia, I love telling the people about the crime in the U.S. While I always take precautions when I'm in Colombia, I definitely feel much safer there." That's odd. My wife, who actually is a Colombian, always tells her mother, who is also actually a Colombian, how much safer it is here. We don't even lock the door to the house here. You're right, dude, they are so wrong about Colombia - it's the safest place on earth.

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.

Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 16, 2006, 09:55:

The SKY is FALLING! Welcome to the ChickenLittle Club!!! PBH is becoming like the National Enquirer! This post went from an assasinated/murdered Gringo in Santa Marta, to requiring complete makeovers, a complete new "local" wardrobe, and plastic surgery if you want to visit there, to a gringo who died from diabetic seizures in less than 13 hours on PBH! Whats next? Two-headed Alien Babies??? =)

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

Monpirri says on Jul 16, 2006, 10:20:

United States has highest crime rate among Although I do not advocate Colombia "It is the safest place on earth", nor I like to depict the US as the crime capital of the world.
I just do not understand why some people take time to post crap about Colombia rate of crime without taking the issue into a global perspective, or could someone have a real objective point of view on this crime bologna?
With that reference in mind, let’s take a look at the crime issue from a relative but not equal perspective:

“One-fourth of all American households are touched by crime; annual number of homicides is now about 20,000; pervasive fear of crime (especially among women and senior citizen) remains; although large percentage of serious crime is not reported, only 20% of offenses are settled through an arrest; United States has highest crime rate among the industrialized democracies, with two million inmates in prisons.�

http://www.hpn.org/beyond/ref408.html


Crime costs Americans $450 billions annually
http://www.natural-law.org/platform/crime.html

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

Miguel says on Jul 16, 2006, 10:41:

~~

daniaman says on Jul 16, 2006, 13:17:

bogota dentists hey im heading to bogota for the third time and would like to find a dentist..any recommendations....thanks daniaman

getting better says on Jul 16, 2006, 13:23:

Have a great trip! I have been to Colombia many times and travelled in some of the remotest parts of the country. I am going again next month. I look very foreign and I speak poor Spanish with a very bad accent. Bogota, except the South which you won't go unless you get on the wrong bus by mistake like I did once, is pretty safe. In fact most places are pretty safe now. I have run into FARC, ELN and AUN and not had much trouble with them, though they are not to be trusted as different commanders have different attitudes. Anyway you would be unlikely to meet them these days. The worst thing is amoebas if you drink polluted water in poor rural areas, they give you terrible stomach illness until you get to a chemist and get some drug that cures them almost immediately. Also mosquitoes and horseflies (tabanos) can give unpleasant bites. So if you go in the forests, and you should as they are very beautiful, take insect repellent and wear long sleeved shirts. Also if in a wet area buy rubber boots, which you can easily buy in any town.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 16, 2006, 14:21:

in colombia you have to exercise precaution in some places, but there places which are safe, Bogota it's a big city and you will find lots of mugging specially being a country where there is a lot of poverty. travelling? depends where you are going, there are places which are a non- go areas and others are ok. my husband has been travelling Colombia from north to soth but some situation in some towns have change so i would tell him not to go there anymore, just keep up to date, listen to the locals, and you will be alright.

engage brain before opening mouth

miamimike says on Jul 16, 2006, 14:27:

Daniaman If you iare nterested I can give you the name of the Dentist that Frank44 and myself have used. Let me know.

"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.,

mcraig says on Jul 16, 2006, 16:48:

badly sticking out Thank you for the information on the crime an sticking out in Bogato, Colombia. I have already booked my lipro with Dr. Bermudez an now am looking for a cosmetic dentist to have some extensive Bridge work done. So , If you have a few dentist names an where to locate there info it would be much appreciated. In Mexico City six years ago my father was the target of an attempted kidnapping. He travels around the world to some pretty bad places with his job an usually stays for tow months or longer. Ever since that attempted kidnapping on him my thoughts of security come first when leaving the country. My mother is an accounted for American Airlines for the past 24 years so I can fly an have flown to alot of different places but when the guy posted if you cant buy your clothes off the rack then you shouldnt go well that made me wonder. I am ex - college offensive lineman an I am 6'6 about 275 pds with real blonde hair an green eyes an hell I stick out in the US , I am sure in Colombia they'll think I am some big goofy wrestler with some cash LOL. Someone with a hand gun can make a big man real small real quick as my dad found out in Mexico City. I feel more comfortable after reading your post. An like I posted if I can find a good dentist near the hotel in North Bogota then my trips will be short an my time will be inside. I would like to see the city but if its not safe then I wont. I dont go out to party anymore solo so my main objective will be to get home to my wife an three kids safely.

Thank you
MCraig

mcraig says on Jul 16, 2006, 17:02:

US Crime I agree with you to a certain point but you have to remember your comparing 20,000 to 296 million people. An the fact that Bogota has had many years of kidnapping americans for money , civil war coming to the city, goverment functions being invaded by the Farc an your senators being shot dead in Cold blood doing there job. An eventhough by what I have read Uribe has cleaned this up you cant blame people for asking questions an wanting feed back so they can protect themselves its just commons sense. An if it where my state an city they where asking these questions about it would make me upset ,but really its just for safety an you should think of it in that perspective.

Atrevido says on Jul 16, 2006, 19:33:

Robi66 Thank you! Finally the real story.

toneloc24 says on Jul 16, 2006, 20:28:

Yeah, thanks Robi Maybe the moderators could see fit to change the title of the thread to Gringo Died in Santa Marta. Diabetes, not anything nefarious.

I mean, they kept the duplicate thread of Gringo Killed in Medellin for far too long also. He was shot, but still lives.

Not trying to downplay either incident. However, accuracy is a good thing, sometimes.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

miamimike says on Jul 16, 2006, 22:13:

Mcraig-Turn on your email function and I'll pm you with details Others here have used her also with good luck!

"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.,

miamimike says on Jul 16, 2006, 23:03:

C:Documents and Settingsod46My DocumentsMy Pictures15727127924013d943ef448.gif

"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.,

calipro says on Jul 17, 2006, 00:33:

LOL !!! "Hasta el momento la versión manejada por las autoridades es que al parecer ingirió medicamentos que le ocasionaron la convulsión y que finalmente terminaron quitándole la vida."

Up until now the version mantained by the autorities is that it appears he ingested medicines that caused him to have convulsions that finally ended up taking his life.

Where does it say he was murdered? LOL !!!

robi666 says on Jul 17, 2006, 07:46:

No Don, they just changed the title of the thread from "Gringo killed" to "Gringo died"... it was funny to find the article in "El Diario del Magdalena", which is the newspaper of Santa Marta, website. I let it go for a while, but maybe I should have waited more before posting, to wait for the "in Colombia, they are forcing the press to not report this kind of news to not damage tourism" kind of posts...
Peace ;-)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

toneloc24 says on Jul 17, 2006, 08:54:

Rumors and misleading thread titles As a card-carrying member of the Go-Go Colombia cheering squad, I can admit that Colombia isn't the safest place. However, the titles of 2 recent threads about violence against "gringos" were just misleading. I only asked for a correction of the matter.

As to the Medellin thread, Calipro had to up the real story. As to this Santa Marta thread, Robi had to post the real story. Look at all the hysteria and bs opinions that had absolutely nothing to do with what actually happened.

Thanks mods!!!

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

mcraig says on Jul 17, 2006, 11:34:

email function I think it is on now!

Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 17, 2006, 11:58:

STicking out What makes gringos stick out is neither their hair color nor eye color nor being tall (unless you're, say, 6'6''). More than anything it's a way of dress (shoes!), body language and speaking loud English in public places.

To be honest, I don't think there's a lot your average gringo can do to not stick out and it's not that much of a worry unless you decide to go some really BAD places where your average middle-upper class Colombian would also stick out and fear to tread.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 17, 2006, 12:09:

Shoes? Are you saying some tourists stick out because they wear tennis shoes or Sperry Topsiders while on vacation?

mcraig says on Jul 17, 2006, 12:57:

thanks I dont act obnoxious an dont go to places to party unless my wife or close friends are with me keeps me out of trouble. She will not be with me in Bogota for two weeks. So , I will hopefully get some sight seeing done during the day after my procedures an just act like myself. There is nothing I can do about my height 6'6 or my weight 275-290 depending on my wife's cooking( I shouldnt say that LOL she is doing better after 8 years of marriage LOL) an my exercise routine an just go with the flow an enjoy my time. The reason the subject was brought up on my part is the fact that you would be amazed the bigger you are everywhere you go some drunk short sawed off pecker head always wants to mess with the big guy. Which is fine in the US but in Colombia instead of me just knocking the fool out of him he could very easily blow me away with a gun.

platano says on Jul 17, 2006, 22:53:

toneloc24, When Americans die in Colombia there is a good chance we will never hear about it.
Check this out (NucNews - July 2, 2003):

"A month later, another plane took off to find the hostages. But it also crashed in Colombia, killing all three Americans on board.

All the men were private citizens, working for private companies under contract to the Pentagon. It's part of what some call a secret war against drug traffickers and guerrillas. The U.S. government hires private contractors for military missions to minimize cost and reduce direct involvement of American troops.

But unlike Iraq, Americans killed in Colombia don't come home to a hero's welcome.

Louis and Gretta Ponticelli are still trying to get answers on why that second plane went down, killing their son, Ralph.

"I sent out a man who was very responsible, very accomplished, and I got back a box of ashes," said Louis Ponticelli.

"If they'd said to us, 'We can't tell you, its top secret,' at least we would have accepted that. But to be lied to with four different stories, I'm sorry I can't accept that," said Gretta Ponticelli.

They're even confused about who Ralph was working for. "We're not sure where the chain of command starts or where it ends," Louis Ponticelli said.

So NBC news followed the paper trail. Three years ago the Pentagon awarded a contract to conduct surveillance in Colombia to California Microwave, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman.

NBC News has learned that shortly after the first plane went down, California Microwave transferred the contract, along with the planes and pilots, to a brand-new company called Ciao.

California Microwave officials, who requested anonymity, tell NBC they sub-contracted the deal to reduce potential liability.

Incorporation records obtained by NBC show "Ciao" is located at a tiny airport in rural California, Md. It may not look like much, but records indicate it became the headquarters of an $8-million-a-year Pentagon program to spy on Colombian rebels.

Why would the government handle a military mission this way?

"They want to do it on the cheap. They want to avoid accountability. They want somebody else's fingerprints on it if something goes wrong," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

The Pentagon, Northrop Grumman-California Microwave and Ciao all declined interviews. In a statement, Northrop Grumman said it is deeply saddened by the accidents, has provided "frequent assistance" to the victims' families and is cooperating with investigations. The Pentagon also said it is deeply saddened, and that search and rescue operations "will continue round the clock."

ANYBODY BELIEVE THAT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ARE CONTINUING AROUND THE CLOCK? I THINK THOSE THREE GRINGOS ARE FORGOTTEN, EXCEPT BY THEIR FAMILIES.
plátano

plátano

toneloc24 says on Jul 18, 2006, 07:10:

Platano I have zero feelings for contractors who choose the risk of doing the dirty work of the US govt in dangerous areas of the world in excahnge for money. If they are military, they are military and limited in number of personnel allowed in Colombia. I can respect that. If they are contractors for the military, they are nothing more than mercenaries.

The reward in $$$ is great, the risk??? That same government will disavow any dealings with you and you may die or get kidnapped. Sound familiar in this Colombian case from 3 yrs? How about in Iraq?

They chose this operation. The risk didn't work out when something went wrong. Oh well. Was the money worth it?

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

pegwin says on Jul 18, 2006, 07:42:

funny, funny, funny I forget to check up on this site but when I do I often find some funny information. Such as with this topic. So much mis-information and paranoia. Colombia has its problems but I have lived in Bogota for 4 years and really I have been problem free. I have been every where you can go - both good and bad with no problems. I often say that Bogota Norte (the North more upscale section) is boring in that it is so safe and clean and organized. It truly is one of the safest cities I have been to. I don´t worry much about anything. Simply when walking in crowded areas maybe locate your wallet into the front of your pocket. But I don´t know of anyone that is foreign who has had anything stolen from them when on the streets or breakins or anything like that. It is like many North American cities and at times for me this can be boring.If it is true that the Br. embassy told people to change their looks that is the most hysterical thing I have ever heard. Hilarious! I can just imagine all these tallish, darkhair guys walking around with mustaches. Hmmm, wow they look Colombian. Unless you are in Monterrey or something or Chihuhuan in Mexico you don´t see to many moustaches here. Shows how our govt are so out of touch. And yes, medical treatment is much cheaper and of excellent quality.

alexis33015 says on Jul 18, 2006, 10:47:

last week

becareful in barranquilla
try to leave your fancy jewlry at home

i was in the coast
it was very safe enjoy

mcraig says on Jul 18, 2006, 22:19:

I dont care if there mercanaries because Until this ridicolous civil war stops then there will be generation of the generation of children uneducated with no futures at there one life on this earth. Almost 50 years of this ridicolous war. Until the FARC an ElN are removed in any manner there is nothing but a recycling of helpless unskilled people with lives of nothing. American an Colombia investment one day will be able to bring funds to the areas held by these terroist groups an people will farm there land for profits have ownership in there homes , an the freedom of voting , an there children will be given an opportunity. This is what we all should pray for giving terroist groups the hell out there so life can start for the people in poverty.The fARC an ELN are pathetic an worthless .

mcraig says on Jul 18, 2006, 22:36:

if your talking about my height it really is not that funny My oldest son colby 11 years old about to be 12 who just finished the 6th grade an will be going into the seveth grade this upcoming year is nealry 6 ft. He is starting his growth spurt the same time I did. An everyday I have to look at the large bumbs in his knees an growth plates knowing how bad it hurts for your body to grow that fast. i try to make sure he is involved in every sport like I was so he wont be uncordinated because there is alot of tall clumbsy people that stay that way ther whole life. My 9 eyar old son cannon is 5'9 in the fourth grade an he is already starting to endure alot of growth pain. Now thank god my 4 year old girl jillian is taking after my mother side of the family an my wife wife's who is about 5'8. So again would you like to look at your young sons going through a bunch of pain knowing that its you that caused it. Its not funny in the least bit. An just praying that your daughter takes after your wife or mother so she wont be some gorganious giant an be made fun of in school as she get older. Things are not as they always seem.

RJQuilla says on Oct 1, 2006, 21:57:

Santa Marta I just came back from Santa Marta last month and did not have a problem the week I was there. I dont look Columbian and stick out cause I am a bald black male. I did hear about a kidnapping while I was there however. I dont think it was an American. I was also in Barranquilla and have heard of people snatching jewelry but never seen it. One thing I noticed about the two cities is that in Santa Marta there are security gates around the resort hotels and major shopping mall. Your taxi drives up to the gate and the security looks in the trunk and under the taxi with mirrors to assure that no explosives are present. This is not the case in Quilla.

nbase41 says on Oct 1, 2006, 23:25:

Dental Work Elsewhere In Colombia........ I would love to get some dental work done in Cartagena, anybody know what the deal is there? Word of mouth is best (slight pun).

BASE Jump Naked !!!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 2, 2006, 06:20:

was this guy the same PeteE? an ex member from this site?

engage brain before opening mouth