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Colombia Trip

Hello Everyone,

I've been planning a trip to South America for over a year now, have all the financial situation taken care of,(I think), I am backpacking solo through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. I have as much time as I want really, basically however long my money lasts me. I plan on staying between 2-3 months(May-Jul,2006).

I am currently planning on starting in Peru then ending my trip in Colombia, because I feel that to get the most enjoyment out of Colombia, I should feel as comfortable with travelling in this continent as I can.

I plan on staying in commonly known hostels when i feel like meeting people and I have heard once or twice i should try to stay at a coffee farm? I plan on hitting Cali, Medellin, Cartagena, up to Santa Marta maybe, then back down to Bogota. Fairly common route i know.

Basically I was just curious if you guys had any advice for my Colombia section of the trip. Advice or questions. Any comments would be appreciated.

Here are some of my questions:

1) Is it safe or even worth trying to take a Bus from the Ecuador border through into Colombia. Because i'm pretty sure that the heavier guerilla activity is south and along the border and jungles...But i'm not sure? Should I just fly?

2)I expect to get mugged/robbed, once or twice on my trip. Whether its taxis, buses, or on the street, i figure, keep enough cash on me to appease the thief, and just stick out as little as possible? How often have you guys heard of a lot of violence in these cases? Please experienced comments rather then "I read this on the internet"

Comments?

By Pahlke09 on Dec 12, 2005, 22:53 in Friendly Talkzone.

Pahlke09 says on Dec 12, 2005, 23:03:

Another Question: How much would it cost approx to send packages back to Canada?

Pahlke

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dwmte says on Dec 13, 2005, 04:46:

pahlke... i think you'll have a wonderful and educational trip IF you remove the thoughts of 'i'll only get mugged once or twice' from your thought processes. that's sort of planning for disaster.

colombia is a wonderful place and putting it last on your adgenda is a good thought as it allows you time to get your latin american 'ships legs' in order.

contrary to your assumption, the greatest guerilla activity and presence is in the east, south east, and northwest. however, the armed insurgents, regardless they be paras or farc, etc, are not your only danger elements. there are just 'bad guys' out there you should be alert for. DON'T travel alone in unknown areas, where other travelers (and common sense) have alerted you to. don't carry a lot of cash. be wise and not brave. i've lived in colombia for near five years and found that common sense and courtesy/thankfulness were my best friends and protectors. not taking dumb chances and not listening to good advise.

just keep your senses about yourself and treating the locals with thankfulness and courtesy will prove to be invaluable. you shouldn't have a lot of trouble on public transport although 'shit can happen'. so just watch your back and be nice. you'll have a wonderful trip.

if you want info on the area around medellin, just e me at dwmte at bellsouth.net or PM me.

good luck and happy traveling.

dw martin, te.

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 13, 2005, 09:07:

You will have a great time in Colombia... and as Dwmte said it's agood idea to leave Colombia last, or else you might end up staying the whole 3 months here. I have met many backpackers to whom it has happenend. They start in Colombia, fall in love with it and never make it to Ecuador...they prefere to stay here.

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carter says on Dec 13, 2005, 11:34:

I don´t think its a bad thing excpeting to get robbed once or twice only a fool would come here thinking there is no chance that anything would happen to them and even though the chances are light at least if you do get robbed you put it behind you and keep travelling.

Pahlke, Im sending you aprivate message

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dwmte says on Dec 13, 2005, 15:25:

you've a bit of a point, carter... i've been robbed in colombia, but not because i was expecting to get robbed (i actually prefer to think of it as getting ripped off) i just fricken got ripped off/robbed. mierda happens.

my advise...keep smiling.

dw

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Pahlke09 says on Dec 13, 2005, 23:17:

Getting Robbed. Thanks for all the helpful pointers and discussion guys, I really am thankful.

As for my comment on getting robbed, I'm not going to be broken hearted if i go through untouched or will I be surprised haha. Its not that I really EXPECT to get robbed, but i just feel that I will know how to handle it, unless it turns really ugly and violent. I'm sure there are a ton of backpackers who go through untouched, likely because they were experienced, or knew what to look for and how to not stand out with gold chains and other accessories.

Basically, as it was said earlier, realise that all they took can be replaced, as long as its not a part of my body, and i'll keep a smile on my face, because i'll still be in the middle of my trip with no itinerary or schedule and all the time in the world.

Freedom?

Pahlke

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Ella says on Dec 14, 2005, 07:48:

Your going to love Colombia, I went to visit my family out there earlier on this year. I live in London now but I cant wait to go back there. You will be surprised by how genuine people are out there. Don't be afraid, nothing will happen if you think positively. Best thing is to be nice and meet some friends out there that will guide you.

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elmodefoque says on Dec 14, 2005, 09:25:

Pah, I’ve read your thread and find it quite shocking, how you could walk around accepting the idea of getting rob. I been on this planet for a long, long time, just to give and hint, I had an 8 track when it fist came out. I lived mostly in NYC when it was suppose to be dangerous, NEVER been rob! In my youth I lived in the worst most dangerous places in Barranquilla and still go there and NEVER been rob, ok, one time when I was 7 this older kid, maybe 10 took my butiffara money, but I whacked him on the head with a 2x4, that modefoque never fu—ed with me again. If you walk around looking like a victim, like a prey, damn right modefoques out there will take advantage of that. Most important is never show any fear, shit I had cut throat, murderous hard core criminals in Barranquilla look straight at me to see my reaction, to see if I make an easy prey. I stared right back at them, I give them that. “Do feel lucky punk? while in reality I had crapped my pants from pure fear, but he don’t know that. Now, don’t tell me “hey, I’m a Mr. Rogers looking gringo, I expect to be rob!”, If you took away that mean stare, put a sweater, and those silly sneakers on Clint Eastwood, he too will look like Mr. Rogers, but we all know that once Clint gives you that stare, better run for the hills

PROUD ENEMY OF THE RIGHT WING!!!!!! THANK YOU!

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litost says on Dec 14, 2005, 12:43:

Staying on a coffee farm is more of a family type activity... but by no means should you miss the Coffee Region. Go to Salento, a few good hostals there, and to Santa Rosa de Cabal (hot springs in mountains). Throw in Manizales for a day or two, and if you don´t mind the cold and altitude go on a tour to the nearby Nevado del Ruiz for a complete change of scenery.

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mzzmerized says on Dec 14, 2005, 17:32:

Show No Fear Attitude is everything...it is a good thing to do those other countries first...you will feel very confident by the time you get to Colombia...a cocky, fearless attitude (I'm sorry all you nay-sayers out there) will carry you through a lot of dodgy neighborhoods (if you are budget-travelling). Keep your wits about you, look behind you often (often just the fact that you look aware will get you through) and forge ahead. Colombia is the greatest, but it's not for everyone.

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Pahlke09 says on Dec 14, 2005, 23:30:

No Fears Shown... I agree with you guys, the more fear a person shows, the more they will appear an easy target. I'm not scared at all, and i'm confident that the people in Colombia will be surprisingly open. Well I hope anyways?

What is your guys opinion on this....

I know the more spanish i know the better my trip will be.

-People will be far more friendly!(seeing you attempt their language)
-I'll be able to step off the common path without a total language barrier.
-I'll have less of a chance of getting taken advantage of.
-Hopefully i'll meet more people through knowing spanish.

So my question is... I'm going to have 4 months University Spanish before i leave. I am JUST starting my course. I'm a fast learner, and I am almost fluent in French. I feel that I will pick up more then just the basics in Four months, combined with learning on the spot during my trip. How good at spanish should someone be when travelling anywhere in South America?

Pahlke

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elmodefoque says on Dec 15, 2005, 07:11:

Pah, all your above plans will work perfect in middle class and wealthy neighborhoods where I hope you’ll be residing. Don’t go around in a poor neighborhood trying to practice your Spanish with the locals, good chance you’ll end up on the ground with an old rusty knife pressed against your neck. Anyway you gonna be far away from all that so don’t even sweat it. Is like here in NYC, a pasty white ass New Yorker is not gonna be crazy enough to come up to Harlem at 1 am and go over to a group of 6'4" muscular black and latino thug out kids wearing 2 thousand dollar bling, bling (jewelry) around their neck to practice Ebonics, is insane and suicidal. I could do that cuz I have lived in Harlem all my life and went to public school with those modefoques and if I wanted, I could be talkin Ebonics too. I also went thru the system like most of them.
Colombia is a great place for gringos to visit and live BUT stay and hang out with the middle class and wealthy, they LOVE that crap outta gringos and would like nothing more than to practice Spanish with ya, but they’ll insist on practicing their English too, after all is only fair. The wealthy reside in very modern and safe surrounding with all the same conveniences and security you enjoy in any big city in USA. Please go there and enjoy but if you find yourself making a wrong turn and ending up in a rough area just remember that Clint Eastwood stare.

PROUD ENEMY OF THE RIGHT WING!!!!!! THANK YOU!

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