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Just wanted to send out this reminder to travelers headed out to Bogota and staying in the Candaleria. The place can very dangerous at night.
Last Friday night about 1 pm I was headed out with a friend to meet up with some other friends at a bar. On the way to catch a taxi about one block from the Fatima Hostel, a teenager grabbed my arm and held a big piece of glass up in the air and screamed "plata, plata, plata!". My buddy distracted him for a second and I managed to pull away a safe distance. After that we ran into the nearest bar and called the police.
On the way back to the Candaleria the same night about 230 a guy flashed us a knife again near the hostel that we were staying in. I was alert so I saw him from a distance before he flashed the knife. I was far enough away so I told him NO and managed to walk away without incident.
Anyway, backpackers beware. The Candaleria is next to a really dangerous barrio and the thieves do come out at night! If you just keep our eyes open and stay away from ANY suspicious people you should be ok.
By bogotabrian on Apr 12, 2009, 15:00 in Friendly Talkzone.
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:04: Go to North Bogota. It is very safe there The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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aussiesam says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:21: an American friend of mine got robbed and they put a machete through him..he almost died was in hospital for 2 months.. in the north on the 19
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:26: "an American friend of mine got robbed and they put a machete through him..he almost died was in hospital for 2 months.. in the north on the 19" The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:30: A Colombian friend of mine just called me to say that he was in San Francisco and had to dodge bullets on Mission Street. He then run to Florida Street where he had to dodge some more bullets…says he is on the next plane back to Colombia The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Sam Salmon says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:46: Here I thought Colombia was all about Puppy Dogs and Ice Cream! ' a la orden!' 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:52: Is it verbotten to compare crime in Colombia to other places now? The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 15:58: Four men slashed with spoons maybe? The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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toneloc24 says on Apr 12, 2009, 16:05: But it also seems like he's intent on downplaying the OP's crime experience IN Bogota. Whatever. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 16:10: “But it also seems like he's intent on downplaying the OP's crime experience IN Bogota” The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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toneloc24 says on Apr 12, 2009, 16:11: Then why would you introduce crime in New York City or San Fran to this thread? "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 16:17: "Then why would you introduce crime in New York City or San Fran to this thread?" The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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bogotabrian says on Apr 12, 2009, 16:21: I was simply giving a warning to those staying in the Candaleria. It was not a dig on Colombia.
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tasco66 says on Apr 12, 2009, 16:33: “i got lots to say about this” The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Cheers Terry says on Apr 12, 2009, 17:33: Unless you were a really drunk/stoned idiot (and it was late at night) Candaleria used to be no problems, but in the last few years that neighbourhood has gone downhill really fast. The fairly recent explosion of backpackers and hostels has resulted in the bad guys moving in.
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Sam Salmon says on Apr 12, 2009, 17:43: Cops won't do anything until they're paid to do so/some gringo gets murdered and the shit hits the fan-if it ever does. ' a la orden!' 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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durito2 says on Apr 12, 2009, 19:02: 1pm or 1am?
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webmanco says on Apr 12, 2009, 19:40: at night is 1:00 am talking about giving papaya, the latest I was at a bar in La Candelaria was about the same time, a brawl evolved with trhowing chairs and bottles. Before that people were snorting inside, a few foreigners among them. No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Apr 12, 2009, 21:52: bogotabrian, ...
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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 12, 2009, 22:49: I was told it was unsafe after dark back in early '06... as far as I know that hasn't changed. Wasn't a problem for me - I really enjoyed hanging out at the hostel chatting with others in the evenings. Those that did go out, went in groups of 3 +.
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Cheers Terry says on Apr 12, 2009, 23:55: adrimm, I spent lots of time in that neighbourhood in '05 & '06 and it wasn't anywhere near as sketchy as it is presently. Way more druggies and losers now.
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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 12, 2009, 23:58: Ahh too bad, sad to hear.
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elSapo says on Apr 13, 2009, 00:18: In '05 & '06 not even Poblado was near as sketchy as it is presently. Way more pimps, scums, sex tourists and losers now. ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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manINred says on Apr 13, 2009, 00:23: casi que temo lo peor cuando vuelvo :s
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elSapo says on Apr 13, 2009, 00:28: Just try to seat down at a cafe in Parque Lleras in the afternoon of whichever day of the week. ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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manINred says on Apr 13, 2009, 00:36: I will avoid lleras when i go back. i haven't been back for over 2 years, and i definitely won't go back to see a bunch of desperate slobs
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elSapo says on Apr 13, 2009, 00:38: You know... this is a good idea for a new thread... thanks. ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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manINred says on Apr 13, 2009, 00:48: well, i hope its not deleted by the time i log back on ;)
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bogotabrian says on Apr 13, 2009, 09:26: Yeah, I used to hang out in the Candaleria a few years ago with my girlfriend from Bogota. I actually love the area. It has some really cool bars and restaurants. I think with all the hostels going up the thieves have found a new source of income.
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mundoflex says on Apr 13, 2009, 17:36: but so what is new about it,all over colombia where you find Backpackers, street crime is rising,why ,,well you know as you are from the business!!And Cali its not better than cartagena and medellin just declared to the most dangerous in colombia,so no worries,its all our falt,take it easy?
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toneloc24 says on Apr 13, 2009, 18:32: I stayed at a hotel down in Candelaria in Feb-09. Nice hotel, but very sketchy area at night. The hotel folks BEGGED us to allow them to call us a cab at night. We found their insistence peculiar, until we we driving through the area at night. Several shady folks out and about, hiding in the darker side of the streets. The hotel folks knew what they were talking about. In the daytime, plenty of people hustling and bustling around, but my guard remained up after what I saw the night before. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 14, 2009, 16:28: Just got back from Cartagena again. I think just about anywhere on the coast is more dangerous than Bogota.
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durito2 says on Apr 14, 2009, 17:07: La Candelaria has always been somewhat dangerous at night and backpackers have been robbed there for years. Some got robbed at knife point when I was staying at the platypus in 2002 right outside the hostel.
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La_Huella says on Apr 14, 2009, 19:41: KISS are from Astoria and Woodside bro.
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webmanco says on Apr 14, 2009, 19:43: ELMOKiss No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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toneloc24 says on Apr 14, 2009, 21:16: LH - So wait a sec. You stayed in a nice conjunto in the middle of a shitty gang-infested neighborhood???? And that's your point of reference for the coast being so dangerous??? Just sounds like a bad cheap lodging decision to me. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 14, 2009, 22:34: like my daddy used to tell me, "son, nothing much good happens when you're out after 12 at night". I think he meant anywhere in the world, but who was I to listen? Gotta learn our own lessons. traveling hopefully is always better than arriving 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Robert Jorge says on Apr 14, 2009, 22:48: Some of the best things that have ever happened to me were after 12am. LOL. But good point CristoB. "You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 14, 2009, 22:50: good one RJ. When I was writing that comment, I was actually thinking the same thing. traveling hopefully is always better than arriving 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Apr 14, 2009, 22:52: Candelaria? during the day? are you kidding me?
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Robert Jorge says on Apr 14, 2009, 22:59: Seriously GS, That barrio can get really rough - even in the day. If a person is cautious there and street smart, I would give them 2 weeks until they had some kind of negative experience pertaining to street crime. Kind of like hanging out in downtown Miami for a period of time. "You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Apr 14, 2009, 23:23: ohkay,m roberto.
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 07:10: Torices is paradise compared to where I stayed the last time I was in CTG. Tone, that's my whole point, the moment you get out of Bocagrande Laguito and the old city it's ALL gang infested. And $40 or $50 a night, man, who are you kidding? I was bitching about the 15000 pesos a night we had to pay as it was!!! This wasn't a vacation this was business, and we weren't getting paid that much.
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 07:14: There are good places to live in Cartagena outside the ones you mentioned, Rubi. ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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toneloc24 says on Apr 15, 2009, 07:30: Dude, if you're bitching about paying 15.000 pesos/night on a "business trip," I don't know what to say. I guess you get what you're willing to pay for, but you can't bitch about it after. You got bad advice, dude, and you ended up in a gang-infested slum. That's about as bad as going to Bogota on a "business trip" and staying at a cheap hotel in Barrio Santa Fe or even Soacha. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 07:45: Believe me next time I will INSIST on PROPER accomodations if I'm going back there.
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goin_south says on Apr 15, 2009, 08:37: Even Negatively Territorial! jajj
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toneloc24 says on Apr 15, 2009, 09:44: LH - Kill the names. LOL!!! "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 09:47: Whatever... i noticed that Rubi got more prudent lately. In the old good times, he would have said: "I go out walking where the FUCK I want wherever the FUCK I am"... ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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toneloc24 says on Apr 15, 2009, 09:57: LOL!!!! But it took 5 stab wounds in that ass to teach him to respect 3 little Colombian robbers in Bogota. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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bogotabrian says on Apr 15, 2009, 11:34: "mundoflex says on Apr 13, 2009, 17:36: flag
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durito2 says on Apr 15, 2009, 11:58: Is crime really rising in Candeleria? Or is it like it always was? Every time I've been there it's been sketchy after dark.
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 12:56: I still walk where the fuck I want wherever the fuck I want to.
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 12:58: jajajajajaja... calm down... we love you. ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:00: That really pisses me off when people take me for a punk bitch. I dunno what's up Tone's ass today. I doubt he'd ever dare say that shit to me in person.
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:02: Is it snowing in Burungota? :) ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:08: No. As a matter of fact i was just riding my bike with my shirt off for 20min. I have to get accustomed to this fucking tropical sun one way or another.
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Brians says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:14: That is a site I would love to see the red ass canadian skin baking in the coastal sun. 12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia. Brian 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:16: The sunblock did a good job, but I hate wearing that stuff. It's not natural. Plus, I have problems with exzcema in the humidity.
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toneloc24 says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:23: Rubito - Watch the words. We ain't that cool. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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pavo says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:30: Rubito man. Stay safe. You can live a long time down here without an incident. The phrase no dar papaya exists for a reason. There are no winners in the morgue.
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:33: You're damn fucking right we aint that close. Certainly not close enough for you to go off on me like that. Respect for fucking punk-ass kids robbing? What kind of a eunuch BITCH do you take me for? And pretty ironic YOU telling ME to watch the words.
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toneloc24 says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:39: LH - Aight, dude. You took it there with calling me "nigga." We straight. No further words. "PBH is dead!!!!" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 13:44: If you don't want to bring the cacique out, don't go around saying dumb shit like "I respect the people that robbed me" or that "I've learned my lesson". Especially since you should KNOW the difference. THEY learned their lesson. And I continue to educate people around here that they need to stand up and do something about it, and not depend on the police or just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. People need to grow some fucking BALLS. THAT is the lesson I learned a damn long time ago, and I will NEVER forget it.
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 14:04: This document is like GOLD. I wish more people could understand Spanish on this website. So true... ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 14:14: Ay los cachacos, ellos se mataban en la época del bipartidismo y crearon guerrilas y paras y inventaron toda clase de vuelta rara y chanchullos que hoy nos tienen jodidos, crean burdeles de animales en el centro de Burungota. No se acuerdan que mientras ellos se odiaban en la costa había protestas contra la opresión capitalista (las Bananeras) y entraba la modernidad (Scadta o Avianca, la radio, el teléfono etc) ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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webmanco says on Apr 15, 2009, 14:16: ElmoKiss, there is nothing to see do in BoringQuilla No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 14:19: It's ludicrous. And like I said, in Bogota you have to worry about groups of kids with knives. In the coasts it's bigger groups and armed to the teeth.
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Robert Jorge says on Apr 15, 2009, 14:31: Elmo - are you going to be back in Currumba in late May? "You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 14:32: And what about getting a fokin granizada in the head????? ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 16:49: It's truly amazing how many costeño musicians there are here, but ALL IN BOGOTA. Funny thing, I don't know a single musician from BOG on the coast...
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 17:55: It is because on the Coast they do not like that Inti Ilimani shit... ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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elSapo says on Apr 15, 2009, 19:01: I just want to add that this is what happens when cachacos try to sing Vallenato... El mejor Conjunto de Vallenatos al estilo Burungotano. ANTI IS GONE! ELMO IS GONE!YOU KEEP THE PAPAYA. VIVA PBH. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Apr 15, 2009, 19:21: Yeah but only 20% of Bogota is Rolos. Most of the rest is Costeños that moved here. There are more Costeños here than in any other place on earth, although Miami is pretty full of fucking corronchos too. All the best musicians in the coast have LONG since moved to BOG. There aren't hardly any left. Can't say I blame them either!!
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webmanco says on Apr 15, 2009, 19:24:
No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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