Before you snort, take a peak here

Robert Jorge says on Mar 8, 2008, 22:24:

The article speaks briefly on the topic of cocaine consumption in the UK (and other "western" countries). I didn't make the connection to expatriates or travelers to Colombia in the article.

Did you witness visitors being a**holes, doing drugs, while you were in Bogota? I am asking, because I would like to hear the story(s).

BEWARE of gold diggers.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Mar 8, 2008, 23:05:

For a while, a ways back, we used to run a dove hunting operation in Cali/Valle and most of the clients used be wealthy US southerners, and although you would get a few that would fit the descritption of "ugly american", the vast majority of them went out of their way to be polite, sensitive, generous and the overwhelming image they left was totally positive. (BTW, I now regret like you wont believe, any part i had in killing any animals), Most (almost all) wanted nothing to do with perico. I really have no contact with gringo or euro tourists when i am in Colombia anymore, but I doubt that it has changed that much.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Mar 9, 2008, 00:05:

Both types of people go to Colombia and I've ran into both types. I'm just not sure why you are surprised by this travelgoddess. Certainly, I'd appreciate if these people stayed home but unfortunately Colombia's lawlessness allows a haven for these people. I love Colombia and would like people to appreciate this, that is why I'm disappointed that you say you won't be returning soon in a tone that appears as if you are writing the country off. God speed, but I don't think you'll find a place in the world where these people you detest are absent.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Mar 9, 2008, 00:26:

TG--I'm thinking you may have frequented the Touristy Areas in Colombia frequented by Ex-Pats where this type of activity that repulsed you so is Rampant. I always Travel alone and avoid Tourist Meccas like the Plague, including Zona Rosa, Santa Marta ect. The result is I rarely(once in a blue moon) run into what you describe in Colombia.

"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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lostgringo says on Mar 9, 2008, 00:48:

I read the article and thought it was not newsworthy. Also the point, "The tense confrontation also sucked in Venezuela" was pretty stupid. Nobody "sucked in" Venezuela. The article was written for the purpose of sensationism. My question to you travelgoddes is " IS THIS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS?" Also I actually lived in Colombia for 2 years and never experienced gringos being rude on a wholesale level. Quite the contray. Yes you always meet the odd one who is an A hole. But doesn't that happen in your own country? Most gringos go to Colombia for fiesta. What's wrong with that? I have never seen the use of coke and maranjauna on the streets. I see more deviant behaviour in my home country of Canada. Maybe we should write all of Africa off because of blood diamonds. There's allot more to Colombia than coccaine. I would venture to guess that 99.999 of Colombians have never touched the stuff. Miammike is correct in that you need to get away from the tourist areas and see the real Colombia. Same thing regarding vacations in resorts. You need to get out into the real population to understand the culture and the people. In the end, however, Colombia is not for everyone. Enough said.

http://www.welovebogota.com
http://www.apartmentinbogota.com

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Mar 9, 2008, 00:53:

si hay gringos que quieren comprar perico...¿cual es el problema?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Alma del Norte says on Mar 9, 2008, 00:55:

you're back then?

La vida es una rutina

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Mar 9, 2008, 01:01:

no entiendo Alma del N y no me importa un jopo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Mar 9, 2008, 01:14:

5 bucks a gram no esta mal...es menos en la costa...no jodas entonces.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Alma del Norte says on Mar 9, 2008, 01:27:

no te entiendo tampoco. no me jodas. you retired long before that toilet cleaner geriatrico.

La vida es una rutina

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Mar 9, 2008, 04:04:

Plenty of it by foreigners (drug taking) - just stay in any hostel to see all the coke snorting. Have not seen to much rudeness though.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

SiV says on Mar 9, 2008, 04:26:

The drug of the productive go-getters?

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Mar 9, 2008, 07:53:

You are most likely hanging out with the scummy hostal backpackers or the expat party animals.

Drug use in Colmbia is looked down upon and carries a negative stigmatism. Compared to the US where drugs like pot and cocaine are labeled "Social drugs". Yes there are Colombians doing drugs but outside of the rich club culture they are far and few. Compared with North America and Europe where it also exists outside of the club culture. 80% of Colombians can't afford it and the ones that can don't necessarily do it. It's mostly the foreigners.

I avoid tourists like the plague but from what I've seen a 50/50 blend of jerks to good people. I think you will find that anywhere.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

travelgoddess says on Mar 9, 2008, 09:23:

Eh? I never said this was the reason I am not returning soon. The EFL job market is the reason for that. Nor did I make any black or white statements about this being the only place where idiots travel or where drugs are done. My message, I thought, was plain and simple. I liked Colombia and was embarrassed that there were, shall we call them, "coke and women" travelers who were making a very bad impression about their/our home country. Thats all. I know this exists elsewhere, but it especially pissed me off there because I like the place.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

durito says on Mar 9, 2008, 09:36:

I never see people doing coke here in Medellin. I did see it all the time in the states. I lived in a college town so that's a bit to be expected and I don't hang out in the hostels here, but still as rocinante said, it's looked down on here more than in the US.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 9, 2008, 09:41:

Hey Goddess... Have you been to Cartagena yet?
You'll really be upset with the antics that go on there!!!
Let's just say it is Vice City.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on Mar 9, 2008, 19:42:

Roci said "Drug use in Colmbia is looked down upon and carries a negative stigmatism"

From my own personal experience This is TRUE. In fact, I know a few Colombiana/o's that are even afraid to take an aspirin.

TGoddess: Not sure what you were exposed to?? Are you from the US?
As an American, when I have travelled - the only thing that has embarrased or shocked me as an American is the number of morbidly obese Americans I see.

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 9, 2008, 20:08:

Coke isn't a hostel drug, it's a hotel drug. Mary Jane is much more popular with the hostel crowd. Personally, I did not see much use of narcotics in Colombia because my friend's all look down it. One, however, does own a farm and has a couple of plants that he utilizes for a joint or two or for cooking. I did get offered yaje as well, but declined.

Just be thankful that Colombia isn't as close to the US as Mexico, the drunk little kids on spring break can be extremely annoying and disrespectful. And there is a ton of them. Climbing all over cars and shit like they own the country.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jonas says on Mar 9, 2008, 20:27:

TG everybody here seems to agree to the fact that you may have been visiting Colombia but you have not lived here. It seems you met very few Colombians but a bunch of party-travellers. You have been recommending hostels here. Why are you worried about tourists doing drugs at hostels if they do it all over the world. Colombia is not about what goes on in hostels. It seems you haven´t been outside the US a lot. You will learn.

Simon Presidente!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Man Tequila says on Mar 9, 2008, 21:46:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca

I wouldn't do this myself. Course, I'd NEVER do cocaine either. I tend to see the more harmful effects of drugs, so don't condone their use.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 9, 2008, 21:52:

Rubito, I don't mind that the travellers are getting fleeced by the locals...that's great; however, as long as the drugs are illegal I do not like to see people using them. Their illegality means that the profits go into the hands of illegal groups like paras/guerrillas/cartels and the result is that the US inacts a devastating and fruitless drug war on Colombia. It simply exacerbates the problem. If it was legal, I would not have the same issue with it. Nevertheless, you are in music and I am sure you've run into quite a few people who turn into complete a$$holes when they powder their nose.

I knew what to expect with yaje, but I did not partake because it's not my thing at this point in my life. My friend's dad, however, did it for the first time and he's around 70 years old. He loved it. I have several other Colombian friends (all of them are much older than me which I found to be quite interesting) who enjoy it as well, but they only do it on occassion as a means of cleansing the soul. It is not something that they do for recreation. Anyway, I have no desire to hang out with the spirits...I am afraid of what they might say.

I would imagine that many Colombians would be annoyed by idiots coming to snort some blow. Here they are blamed by destroying the US and as a result US policy focuses mainly on them (Despite the fact that it is a US problem, not a Colombia problem. It is driven by demand and prohibition). Then, on the other hand, you have gringos traveling there to shove that stuff up their nose and party. Aaaaaaaayyyyyy, gringos!

jonas: I agree. It's not as if Colombia is the only destination for travellers that want to do drugs or take advantage of women who have no other means of making a living outside of selling their bodies. This happens all over the place.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Clinman says on Mar 10, 2008, 08:09:

Jonas you hit right on the head about TG's over the top comment. It is not a good practice to generalize across the board about a particular social behavior without providing more facts to defend your stance.The link TG provided ...was about cocaine in UK but what does that have to do with her original statement.
Catgirl, you are so right about Americans and obesity.....just look at the majority of people waiting for flights at US airports. I traveled to Chile working for a US start up company for a new device being implanted for weight loss in investigational clinical trials.Obesity is now a becoming an increasing contributor of the co-morbitities of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia in US citizens.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Mar 10, 2008, 08:35:

Que viva colombia, lo mejor que tiene sur america. Colombia, produce la mejor del mundo pero los gringos de mierda son los que la consumen! Saludos gringo hps.....

"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."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Mar 10, 2008, 11:07:

Lcacique says on Sunday March 9th, 2008 21:52:

Rubito, I don't mind that the travellers are getting fleeced by the locals...that's great;
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lcacique--That is your opinion but for a country trying to build up their Reputation as a Tourists destination, I don't think its "great" to acquire a reputation as a mecca for fleecing the Visitors,,,

BTW-I have stayed in AYH Hostels across the USA(as we ll worldwide last 25 years) and never found this drug problem evident and rampant as some here mention. I never saw it at the Platypus Hostel for that matter either.

"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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on Mar 10, 2008, 12:10:

Clinman: said "I traveled to Chile working for a US start up company for a new device being implanted for weight loss in investigational clinical trials.Obesity is now a becoming an increasing contributor of the co-morbitities of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia in US citizens."

Are you talking about the gastric pacer?
If you are, I met the surgeon that is using and promoting it (ASBS convention). Problem is - his sample size is small at this time, it still feels like a gimmick.
I think Amercans just need to get a grip...My last vacation...I missed my horse back excursion because they had to load 9 morbidly obese Amercians onto the transport boat I was on. It took so long! 3-4 staff for each person to get them from the ship to the boat. One was about 12 years old! I was so embarrassed...Arrgh

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juanes says on Mar 10, 2008, 12:51:

a mi no me gusta el capital, bogota.

who on earth would want to stay more than four days in the capital city. there are so much more places in this great country, during my visit to virtually all departments of locombia i was really pissed off to pay some 7000 or 8000 pesitos for a pinche cerveza in the zona rosa - i could get five of the same beers in santa marta or six in places outside df.

the climate and the people are cold and after visiting cerro de monseratte and going horseriding in the hills and possibly go to zipaquiera i would save your pesos and go to some worthwhile cities.

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

0 funny, 0 helpful.

megs622 says on Mar 10, 2008, 13:31:

man you guys are all up in arms over this issue and for good reason, it's a big issue. But for me, I still love this country and I don't see us gringos messing around with any illegal stuff. There are hard working gringos down here living and having an adventure. drugs aren't needed. I never see it and it is looked down upon. But if you go looking for it, it's there. Just like in any other part of the world. But maybe I run in a different circle of friends down here. To each their own is true. You hang around bad places, you get bad things around you. you hang with good people, there isn't bad things around you.

and I've seen quite the opposite in gringos down here like myself. I've seen nothing more then nice people who want to see a good country. Work hard and enjoy working in another country. People stop me all the time to ask directions, something in the grocery store, a translation and they are never less than super nice. And it's funny when other foreigners talk to me because I look so gringa but I just fit in well. I've been here awhile. So I guess I'm just disagreeing with everything that some of you say. But hey, that's my opinion!

and by the way, it's reciprical. All the Colombians have been just as nice as us foreigners!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Clinman says on Mar 10, 2008, 13:50:

Are you talking about the gastric pacer?
If you are, I met the surgeon that is using and promoting it (ASBS convention). Problem is - his sample size is small at this time, it still feels like a gimmick.

Catgirl, so you attended the ASBS in San Diego, nice location...make me jealous. I attended the 2006 ASBS in SF and it was an interesting experience. Are you talking about Dr Shikora from Tufts in Boston? The device I was talking about is a gastic sleeve which is a teflon sleeve that line the upper intestine blocking the gall bladder and the pancreas enyymes from mixing with the food for 2 feet...malabsorbtion. His junior partner is/was the medical monitor for this trial. Are you a nurse, Catgirl? Obesity, the brain and cardiology are the three big areas of medicine in the next 5-10 years in my opinion. The gastric pacer was approved in Europe but not in the US I believe and I am in agreement that it is not a true weight loss alternative

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Mar 10, 2008, 14:40:

"Que viva colombia, lo mejor que tiene sur america. Colombia, produce la mejor del mundo pero los gringos de mierda son los que la consumen! Saludos gringo hps....." robbi666

Without demand there is no business. The demand existed before pablo had any idea what cocaine was. If Colombia shut down every cocao plant the drug problem in the US and Europe would be exactly the same. Exactly.

Like if GM stopped producing cars people would find an alternate company to buy their cars from.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on Mar 10, 2008, 15:11:

Clinman: "Catgirl, so you attended the ASBS in San Diego, nice location...make me jealous. I attended the 2006 ASBS in SF and it was an interesting experience. Are you talking about Dr Shikora from Tufts in Boston"

LOL - Well - I was at both the San Diego and SFO - so we may have passed by each other!! Small world eh? ...hehe. I will not tell you my title but my function is secret squirrel medical director for now, hehe. We are talking about starting the gastric sleeve soon BTW...(never say never). Did you attend any of the surgeons lectures?

Sorry I think we are derailing this thread so PM me if you have any other questions LOL - funny

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on Mar 10, 2008, 15:12:

Oh and yes....in agreement about the pacer....did you see his lecture BTW in SFO?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Mar 10, 2008, 21:08:

who on earth would want to stay more than four days in the capital city. there are so much more places in this great country, during my visit to virtually all departments of locombia i was really pissed off to pay some 7000 or 8000 pesitos for a pinche cerveza in the zona rosa - i could get five of the same beers in santa marta or six in places outside df.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juanes--it was your fault for getting Drawn into a Tourist Ripoff Barrio like Zona Rosa. You could go to any large south american city(including others in colombia) and you will pay the High Price. In Bogota, you could have visited countless neighborhoods and not payed anywhere near the price they gouged you for in the Zona Rosa. Here in Miami, it would be like judging all places by the Rip-Off Area known as South Beach; 50% overpriced at the least. Visit many other Miami area Bars/Eataries/Hotels/Motels located outside of South Beach, prices will be 40% cheaper at the least. And the food as good or Better,,,You are comparing night to day,,,

"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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 10, 2008, 21:14:

miamimike: I do not mind foreigners getting fleeced when they travel all the way to Colombia to do dope and have sex with little girls. I guess I should have been a little more clear about that. I did not mean all travelers to Colombia.

Colombia is beggining to get the reputation that it deserves. The overwhelming majority of people there are extremely wonderful. I have said it 100s of times...My closest friends are from Colombia and their families are my family.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 10, 2008, 21:35:

Los cachacos no son fríos tampoco...

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on Mar 10, 2008, 21:37:

Lcacique...Uhhh...Little girls? ...huh?...wot U talking about now..?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 10, 2008, 22:09:

rubito mentioned that the "dope and women" crowd are getting fleeced by the locals...so, the little girls statement had to do with that since so many who travel to Colombia seem to like there hookers extremely young. I am not very sympathetic towards people who like to take advantage of people who are in need (especially in this sense, i.e. poor and forced to have sex with old/ foreign men to get by). If those types get ripped off, awesome! They deserve it.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on Mar 10, 2008, 22:17:

Phew....cuz little girls is totally different than dope women, thanks ;))

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Mar 10, 2008, 22:59:

You are being conservative with that stat Rubi.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 10, 2008, 23:07:

That's a given. For every Colombian in the US doing it, there are thousands of gringos doing it.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juanes says on Mar 11, 2008, 19:14:

cheers miamimike, i was paying 1800 pesos in my hotel close to the tranmillenio in bogota and the universidad....actually i met two colombian sisters who now study here in england for a salsa night and they suggested i meet them there which is why i was miffed at the 7000 or 8000 pesos cos for 3 months in visiting every part of the country as you can see from my travelblog i normally paid 1200 to 2000 in every place i went to.

as far bogota and the expensive zona rosa...its crap and not the real colombia and the people like the weather are mostly cold to extraneros compared to the other departments anyway so at least i now know.....at least its not all americanised with mcdonalds/ wendy restuarants, pizza chains and american car delaers like most of the countires capital cities i passed through before arriving in gringogena.

chau patron

have you been to panama city yet miamimike.....its kind of like miami;s poor cousin

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juanes says on Mar 11, 2008, 19:16:

oh and miamimike i have been to every large city in the americas and in not one did i get ripped off for 4 us dollars for a beer like the zona rosa in bogota........incuding medellin, cali, manizales, aremenia, popayan, bucaramanga too

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Mar 12, 2008, 03:01:

And all you have to do is get out of ZR and 93 and see the REAL Bogota and things are absolutely different.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bingo! And why travel 1000s of miles to visit with Folks who look and talk just like they back home?? Why travel in the first place?

"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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 12, 2008, 05:53:

In NYC, you can pay up to $9 for a beer depending on what swanky lounge you end up in.....

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Mar 12, 2008, 08:30:

Why isnt ZR the real Bogota? There are not that many foreigners there.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 12, 2008, 09:56:

bickerss: ZR is a side of Bogotá, but it is a side that only a very small percentage can afford.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on Mar 12, 2008, 14:51:

Agreed

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

manINred says on Mar 12, 2008, 14:59:

unless you live in switzerland :)

0 funny, 0 helpful.