Contradictory reports..

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 21, 2005, 11:57:

Provincialism Colombia is a lot like Spain in that people can be VERY provincial.

Bogota is great. The weather is reserved and cold but the people are wonderful. Cartagena is also fantastic.

Come to Colombia and have fun. Be careful but not paranoid.

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kernow62 says on Aug 21, 2005, 12:54:

Don't pay attention Ali, Mr. Hollywood is correct. People in Colombia all like to put down Bogotá, but deep down they are proud of their capital. Generally speaking though the people in Bogotá and Medellín tend to be a bit more formal than those from the coast or from Cali. Each region is very proud of their area and think it is the best. No matter where you go you will find something to interest you and the people all over are warm and for the most part friendly and interested in meeting foreigners and learning about different cultures.

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quindioman says on Aug 21, 2005, 13:04:

LOL I think Mr. Hollywood has a point.
I know I'm not very fond of Bogota, when I get to Colombia I cannot wait to get out of Bogota, but that's just me (I'm too much in love with my part of Colombia). However, Bogota is not just about the Museo de Oro, there are PLENTY of things to keep you occupied in Bogota, and I seriously doubt the people are that spiteful. Go to Bogota and enjoy the hospitality of our capital city and tell us all about it (include a few pics)

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ColombiaBoard says on Aug 21, 2005, 17:53:

Bogota You should get your information not from people who live there in Spain but from foreigners who have visited the city and can give you a more or less objective opinion.
Now, the things this guy has told you are mostly bullshit.

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Rubiazo says on Aug 21, 2005, 19:28:

Direcftions I have yet to have somebody give me wrong directions here, on purpose or otherwise. They are very helpful and friendly here. The weather is a little on the cool side for some, but personally I love it. I hate it when it gets too much above 70f-20c.
My gf was actually telling me about when she did her internship in northern Boyaca and there people would give her the wrong direction just BECAUSE she was from Bogota. And this was in a supposedly ´friendly´rural area.
The only place I´ve seen people do that kind of shit is in Quebec City, if you don´t make any effort to speak to them in French they will give you the runaround.

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Estefania says on Aug 22, 2005, 06:28:

Regionalismo Right from the bat, ill let you know that everywhere in Colombia is Beautiful, every part has its ups and downs, nice places and ugle places, etc. I always have an argument with my bf cause of this. He is from Cali and im from Barranquilla, and i hate it because he always has something to say about my part, or any other part that isnt his. Ive noticed that there is alot of regionalismo in Colombia...and that no matter where you go, someone will always put down some other city there, when it shouldnt be like that. Colombia should be united and as one....but all u notice is ppl sayng bad thigns about other parts just b/c they think there part is better.
From my experience ive been to Bogota, Cali, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena, and some parts of el Valle....and each having its own beautys...but why dont Colombian ppl just stick together? Such a beautiful country, we should all appreciate eachothers opinions and accept why we love our sector so much. I think thats one bad thing about Colombia...i hate it because everyone puts down Barranquilla and they say its better than there part, but i love barranquilla and maybe its not the biggest city but the people there are friendly, and "El AMbiente" is the best overthere.
I think we colombians have to change the way we think..and for once STICK TOGETHER.

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vladimiro says on Aug 22, 2005, 13:39:

Colombia Ali, have a look at this interesting article by an Iranian that went to Bogota.

The entire article at:
http://www.iranian.com/ArefErfani/2001/October/Colombia/index.html

""You're out of your mind!" ... "WHAT? WHERE? Khol shodi?"... were some of the reactions I received from friends when I mentioned that I am headed to Bogota, Colombia, for a couple of days. There were a few supportive exceptions, including family members (hoping to get rid of me?)...

Colombians are extremely hospitable and warm-blooded. In restaurants, when they discover you are a visitor, the attention and care showered on the guest is endless. They are "mehmaan navaaz" in the truest sense. You will notice some "taarof" as well. For instance they insist that you eat, even if you are not hungry. They do, however, stop after you politely turn them down the second time, and do not force-feed you Iranian-style.

In the markets and shops, you should be weary of very polite but slick shop-keepers. "chooneh zadan" over any and everything is strongly recommended. Nevertheless, it is hard not to notice the laid back attitude and "haalaa fardaa dorostesh mikonim... cheraa inghadr ajaleh daari?" or "mañana"..."

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Lucia Rojas says on Aug 22, 2005, 16:29:

Great things Bogota has changed a lot in the past 10 years or so... maybe your friend hasn't been here recently... Eventhough it has a lot of big-city annoying things... it also offers the variety of any big city, in a colombian way.

A word on my favorite thing in Bogota:
I have been to many museums in the world and my favourite is The Banco de la Republica in Bogota, it contains the Botero donation, and european and american art and sculpure (Dali, Picasso, Braque, Monet, Dubuffet, Miro, Calder Renoir,Roualt,etc,etc.) and a great collection of latin american art...AAAND THE BEST THING: Its absolutely free!!!! You can just go in any time of day you want... and leave whenever you want..come back the next day... whatever.. Plus it has agreat Juan Valdez coffee shop.........

Come to Bogota... You will have a great time!

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carter says on Aug 22, 2005, 17:42:

its catchy Ive never been overly proud of Australia (my home country) or Melbourne (though it shits on Sydney and Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart are good though(they play footy))

but here in Colombia I have caught the defensive diseases maybe its cause everyone else is crapping on about how good there home town is I have to step in for my new town. Anyone brags about there town I´ll straight away jump in with its a shit hole compared to San Gil.
If anyone from Socorro claims its better I ussually knife them.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 22, 2005, 18:19:

You're not proud of being an Aussie, mate? You oughta be.

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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kernow62 says on Aug 22, 2005, 18:21:

UTC You proud of being Canadian?

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Rubiazo says on Aug 22, 2005, 19:10:

Different strokes Me, I am loving it here in Bogota. I really have no interest in some place that completely closes down at 6pm. I dont even like getting up before 1pm so what does that leave me? If you dont like big cities, then it´s definitely NOT for you, but as far as cities go, Bogota rates pretty highly on my list.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 22, 2005, 19:33:

Sure I am! Not because it's "better" than everywhere else but because it's where I was born and grew up. Thanks to Pierre Trudeau, I am able to continue to be a Canadian citizen along with my children and my grandson. Others may feel that it's a big frozen shit hole but it's my shit hole!

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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kernow62 says on Aug 24, 2005, 10:16:

You surprise me, I hardly hear you mention anything good about Canada.

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BAQ says on Aug 24, 2005, 10:27:

Bogota is OK, I think it is a clean city and a majority of the people seem to be well educated, well dressed and well spoken. I have never had a bad experience there. Always found the people to be friendlt and helpfull. My ONLY complaint about Bogota is that it is a BIG city (Obviously) and the traffic is horrable. Other than that, it is GREAT. I live on the Northern Coast of Colombia and it also is ok. Not as "Clean" as Bogota, a hotter and the coast has more of a layed back flavor in the way people dress act and conduct business.

As far as crime, I don;t see any difference in Bogota and the Northern Coast. I think it will be the same any place you go with one exception, there is MUCH MORE security in Cartagenia. You see police and military damn near on every corner to keep the tourists safe.

Just my opinion.

Semper Fidelis !

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mikecolombia says on Sep 10, 2005, 19:08:

contradictory reports Colombia has changed alot in the last 10 years. everything you read about Colombia happens but mainly in guerrilla territory. So my advise is stay out of guerrilla territory.

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ws244 says on Sep 10, 2005, 21:44:

vermicelli They have vermicelli in Bogota!

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