Descontructing The Popular Myth About The Big Bad Tough Colombiano

durito says on Jan 6, 2008, 12:12:

This should have 37 replies from GIB by tonight.

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 6, 2008, 12:35:

QUE CHIMBA SER DE MEDELLIN... POR QUE?

Porque aquí el amigo conoce al amigo del amigo del amigo del amigo Por todos ponemos plata pa coger un taxi Por que no son policías sino tombos Porque para nosotros no es el amigo(a) sino el parcerito(a) Porque no es una mujer bonita sino una vieja chimbita Porque no vamos de fiesta sino de rumba/farra Porque nosotros no nos besamos sino que nos parchamos Por los típico paseos al parque de las aguas, a tu-tu-can, a todos los comfamas, el parque de los pies descalzos, a santa fe de antioquia Por los hombres!!! “Que Papis� Por las mujeres!!! “Mamasitas� Por el nacional y el medellin Por los tablados y las fondas de la Feria de Las Flores Por ir “al hueco� y gastarse toda la platica Por ir a la esquina a comprar salchi-papas y perros con huevitos de codorniz Por las farras que se hacen en la casa de tus amigos Por el Ron Medellín que te da un guyavo al otro día pero lo seguís tomando jaja! Por ese puto viaje hasta la puta mierda a ir al aeropuerto Jose Maria Cordova Por montarse en bus y pagar 1.100 pesos pa ir al centro Por el clima que solazo en el dia y en la noche que brisa mas buena Por la 70ª, el parque lleras, envigado, itagui, y el poblado aunque queden en la puta mierda todavía nos pegamos el viaje para rumbiar por haya tan lejos Por ese estadio que se llena hasta las guevas pero no salimos de ahí Por nuestra Pilsen, Brava y Club Colombia Por gastanos 10.000 pesos en arreglarnos las uñas de los pies y manos (LAS MUJERES) Por la carne asada que venden por el hospital Por esa putas viejas chismosas del barrio que hablan de uno pero es pura envidia Por el sancocho que se hace los domingos en la calle después de beber parejo todo el fin de semana Por rumbiar barato en Manrique Por el metro y el metro cable (que buenas ideas) Por las viejas de San Diego de noche Por dar la poca platica que te queda para mandar a comprar otro litro Por tanto puente (Gracias a Dios pa seguir la farra)

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 12:37:

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

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toneloc24 says on Jan 6, 2008, 12:54:

Just because you don't hear about it on these boards, doesn't mean it ain't happening.

People post the good experiences in droves, yet fail to come back to post the bad experiences, be it petty robberies, milionarios runs, overcharged taxi costs, pickpockets, getting played by those sweet innocent girls who turn out to be sharks, getting fleeced for paying for a group's night out, etc. How about the dudes who barely know these girls nor the culture nor the language, but fall head over heels with them, marry them, then one year later are looking for divorce options? How about those who get visits, calls, or e-mails from the "other" guys? Man, shit happens in reality when you speak to folks offline.

Foreigners do die in Colombia more than you think. Some make the papers, some don't (esp. those self-inflicted i.e drugs). Murders are a different thing, but should be treated the same way that the reporting of the murder of locals are treated. It might not make front page, but doesn't mean it didn't happen.

For instance, in 2007 in Cartagena while I was there, a foreigner (Dominican, if I remember correctly) was found dead in his Bocagrande hotel room after 3 days. Coke-related. Made the paper, but buried in the middle. Apparently he had checked in some female guests a few nights ago, but wasn't see since. Maid and hotel security found him. Also, the bodies of 2 dead foreigners were found further down on Bocagrande beach one early morning (approx. 7 am). I caught the end of it (ambulance/coroner/police/local beach vendor gossip) as we were trying to catch our last bit of beach that morning before leaving. They asked us to stay down the beach for a while. Not sure if it made the paper or not, or what happened. Never saw anything posted.

I commend you that you've gone off the beaten path and associate with Colombians when you travel. I do the same. As most of my buddies on this site will tell you, one of the last things I want to do in Colombia, is talk English and hang with other foreigners. LOL!!! So I don't, and rarely have any issues.

However, as I'm sure your Colombian friends have repeatedly warned you, never let your guard down. Be comfortable, but also vigilant. Just because these sites don't display stuff, don't mean it ain't happening.

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

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 6, 2008, 12:57:

Foreigners are found dead in the US of A as well.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 13:18:

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

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 13:29:

" por favor..I need a little "kind and understanding" education. What does "Paisas" exactly mean?" - Catgirl

A local in Medellin is known as a "Paisa." Info Edited Out: For correction.)

Also great post on your comparison to the "myth" related to Chicago. It is defintiely something I get all the time on my travels. AL CAPONE = Chicago. Also see many similarities between Chicago and Medellin, that's why I want to start a "sister campaign" between my great city of Chicago and Medellin.

I am aware that I won't find all the answer on PHB or the internet but I'm just asking folks on here, so we all could maybe get a better understanding of the "myth" as I referred to it.

I am well aware of the violence that is associated with Colombia, but to what extend it has to do with all out random killings is what I'm interested in and well as the reputation of the Colombiano around the globe.

Last year in Chicago public schools childeren were getting killed almost every week. It was nuts. The same level of violence affected my years in Chicago schools.

I wanted to post more so regarding my own personal curiousity as to what others thought about the subject.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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durito says on Jan 6, 2008, 13:35:

How much traveling outside of Medellin have you done MT?

While much of this city is pretty safe these days for the most part, there are places near here and all over Colombia that I wouldn't go without a private army (and there are also plenty of places where it's safe enough to visit).

Safety is a relative issue and thus very hard to define. Surely most of Colombia is not at all as it is portrayed in American movies (but nowhere is). It's also not nearly as safe as some occasional travelers might like to believe. The answer is probably somewhere out there in the middle.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 6, 2008, 13:39:

"Chicano" to describe someone living in Chicago? That's news. I thought a Chicano was a Mexican-American?

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E-Man says on Jan 6, 2008, 13:58:

Person from Chicago = Chicagoan
Chicano = Mexican American

MT,

I think that every major city (in US, Colombia, etc.) has good and bad areas and that the American media over portrays Colombia as overly dangerous. There are certainly dangerous areas and people in Colombia (as in the rest of the world). However, by being in the safe areas and safe people you certainly minimize the dangers. I believe that in general Colombia is more dangerous than the US but that should not prevent someone from visiting or living there. Even if it were dangerous, some people enjoy the ability to take risks. Or some people enjoy the less restrictive environment in Colombia.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:03:

As for "Paisa" -- someone gave the commonly accepted definition long ago. It covers people from two or three orginal departamentos that are now three or four departamentos (one of them split). Paisas are not just people from Medellin or the departamento of Antioquia.

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:14:

Tinto/E-Man -

Thanks for the correction. I chatting on line to Medellin, eating Chicago's famous "stuffed pizza" all the while posting on a few forums. Dam, this pizza is delicious.

The Paisa I believe was used to refer to those in specific Zona, but I would guess it has been adapted by all nowadays. Everyone I meet throughout Antioquia has referred to themselves as Pasias.

I love forums such as this... the sharing of information is a great thing!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:23:

MT, first, I don't think it's fair to say that MOST Americans have a particular view about the average Colombian, period.

In terms of the Hollywood villain, archetype, take it for what it is -- a caricature, just like the Chicago mobster, the middle-eastern terrorist, the nerdy Japanese.

MOST Colombians are really lovely people just like you describe. They're not the ones you should be worried about, any more than you should be worried about MOST Americans. But the statistics about Colombia don't lie. It's still a place you can get into some serious trouble and where, without you doing anything, that trouble can come find you, too.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:30:

it doesn't help either that a lot of movies in Colombian cinema are mostly mafia/drug related. Most Colombians I know hate movies like Sumas y Restas/Rosario Tijeras and refuse to watch them.

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pedro says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:33:

None so blind as those who will not see.

que nota!

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:35:

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

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:35:

"It's still a place you can get into some serious trouble and where, without you doing anything, that trouble can come find you, too." - Mr. Hollywood

Yes. I agree, trouble always has a way of finding anyone, but usually it's at a higher ratio if you are inloved in some "serious" business.

When I was growing up running the streets with my friends, one of our favorite replies to police officers telling us to stay out of trouble was, "How can we? We are TROUBEMAKERS!" Once I stopped living by that adage, I stopped putting myself in a postition to have trouble find me.

Also, getting back to the examples of the situations I posted above, that would seem to me to be more than enough to get anyone in any country into a hariy situation. Why didn't anyone take care of business proper if they are so-called Violent and Murderous Colombians by so many?

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Enrique187 says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:37:

"What is really funny is Colombians love to play this tough guy I am connected to mafia narco bullshit." yep GIB. I have also seen some gringos on here make that same type of claim. The wonders of the internet.

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diabloblas says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:41:

i see what gib sees in just about every country...putting on the local macho attitude

...in the states they put on the john wayne persona

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:45:

"What is really funny is Colombians love to play this tough guy I am connected to mafia narco bullshit. Hwo many times has that been tried on me? Yes the gringo, boy do some love to put on a show for him. They like the movie version when it suits them.Usually when their big mouth has bitten off more than it can chew. Or they want to impress the girlfriend. Has anyone else seen this? hard to beleive not."- gringoinbogota

Like what happend to "what's his name" a few weeks back.

That's what was my initial post was all about, if every Colombian is as violent as we are lead to believe, why was that gringo not taken out?

Also, don't need to get your panties in a bunch over this discussion. ;0) I'm just curious and thought I'd post this thread for an open discussion for all to learn more about Colombia; good. bad, or otherwise.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Enrique187 says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:47:

GIB maybe their bad attitude lately is a response to some travellers that come just for the women and drugs and shit on the country. I am not saying all are like that but I have seen some really arrogant Americans in my times there.

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john_stark says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:50:

You're living in a fool's paradise, MT. Any paisa who tells you that their lives have not been touched by violence is a liar or doesn't want to upset you with reality. GIB may be at one extreme but you're at the other and his extreme is more connected to reality than yours is. When you're a victim of violence and you will be, I wonder if you'll come here and post about it. OTOH, you may not be in a state to be able to.

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john_stark says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:51:

Just out of curiosity, MT, do you know any Colombians who have admitted to killing anyone? I didn't think so.

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pedro says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:51:

Medellin Traveller -- "When I told my friend about "taking care of business" she said that she has never been exposed to violence and does not want to start any trouble."

Hmm, now why do you think that is...?

Why do you think many Colombians have trained themselves to be so non-confrontational?

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

que nota!

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:53:

GIB "The people are getting a real attitude toward the gringo these days"

Yes..I have had personal experience with this too. But in many countries...the US is not too popular right now. But even before that...there are stereotypes. Sad..kitty tries not to sterotype...but it is the way of the world. It is the nature of humans.

So GIB you are returning to the US? When and Why may I ask...or has that already been thoroughly covered somewhere else? PPuuurrr

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

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tomtom33 says on Jan 6, 2008, 14:56:

There are arrogant Americans and there are arrogant Colombians. In fact there are arrogant people all over the world. I just don't run into that many arrogant Americans in Colombia.

Maybe Bogotá is different. I don't see what GIB sees in Medellín or Cartagena. But then I'm just an old, retired bum who does not need to earn a living anymore. And you will rarely find me anywhere but in my bed after 8:00 pm.

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:01:

GIB - sorry...I must comment. Maybe there are other stories. But this happened in a "bar". You know, I have witnessed some interesting things in "bars" - alcohol hormones inhibition = trouble. So I would like to hear your stories, but problems in a bar do not alarm me - it is it's nature. So, I don't go to "bars" without keeping my guard up...Mmmmeaow

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

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john_stark says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:04:

Are you really this naive, MT? If you ask my wife about Medellin in the Escobar years, you know what she'll tell you? It was always muy tranquilo, nothing to worry about. Of course when you ask her specific questions then the stories will come out about the bombings and the gun battles and the sicarios and getting shot at and getting temporarily kidnapped blah, blah, blah... That's their style.

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wendell13 says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:09:

I can vouch for what Stark has to say after what happened to me

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:11:

GIB - after reading your comment about learning more spanish...I understand. I have had the same (different language). But I think there is local propaganda too and gossip. I think these people are simply jealous and see you as a threat. You can here those same type of conversations anywhere. See and older guy with a younger woman....uh..well you get the idea....anyways interesting coments..

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

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:16:

wendel - You had something bad happen?

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

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:28:

"Why do you think many Colombians have trained themselves to be so non-confrontational?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction." - pedro

A great way to look at things in Colombia. Thanks.
----------
"One example I was setting at a bar in my first year here. I was setting with a gringa and there was a table of two guys and two girls over to one side of he bar. They were making threats on her life while we sat there, playing the tuff guy. I went over to the table and told them what was what. They didn't say anything just tried looking hard. They got on the hone and a little while later this turkey shows up. Probably their uncle or someone. He takes one look at me, shits himself and then goes in and speaks to the guys. Then he leaves. Was I supposed to be scared? I was not scred, it was a pathetic bluff of manhood and I knew that from the beginning. Maybe I would be wrong and get a bullet but all I can say is this game get's bluffed a lot here. All the time someone is going to kill me or whatever. It just get's old. I am pretty sure that a lot of that bull is they beleive me to be afraid of their Colombian rep. They are counting on me watching too many movies and jsut scare right off. It doesn't work like that."- gringoinbogota

Yet another great example to my original post. If we're all to believe the "myth" you'd be history.
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"And you will rarely find me anywhere but in my bed after 8:00 pm." - TomTom33

Hopefully, not alone. :o)
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"Are you really this naive, MT?" - john_stark

I was asking questions regarding situations that werent' handled the way I was led to believe things are handled in Colombia.

Why did the family let a gringo start shit with a male cousin of his novia, who he beats? This was not in El Poblado but in estrato 2 barrio de el pov venir.

Why didn't GIB get straightened out by all those murderous Colombianos?

I am very aware of the violence in Colombia. I am not a naive, just asking questions.

I have done, seen, and been privy to many a bad situations in my life. I would think I am aware of the potential for violence in certain situations from my experience growing up in the mean streets of Chicago.

I'm just asking questions out of my own personal curiousity, hopefully benefitting all regarding life in Locolombia.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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E-Man says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:52:

MT,

Pretty interesting stuff written here. I do agree with what is written here that Colombia is a very dangerous country. I actually compare it to the Wild Wild West. The information here gives precautions on traveling to Colombia. I am sure you could tell some interesting stories about Chicago (my hometown) too and some of it's worst areas as I can. I do love Chicago though.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:53:

"If every Colombian is as violent as we are lead to believe, why was that gringo not taken out?"

I think there's your answer, MT, they're not as violent as you claim we are led to believe. Neither are all American's sword rattling imperialists.

Dangerous places, even open shooting wars, are almost always surprisingly "safe" feeling on the surface of it all. You could most likely hail a cab out of the airport in Baghdad today, take a nice tour of the city, eat dinner, sleep in a hotel and NOT get your head chopped off. It might surprise you all the nice folks you'd meet. Or you might just get nabbed and chopped to pieces, or die in a bombing. It's a roll of the dice.

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CatGirl says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:59:

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

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Leeroy says on Jan 6, 2008, 16:02:

The Lonely Planet discussion forums are full of posts by backpackers etc... naively stating

"Oh yeah we spent two weeks in Cartagena and Medellin and nothing bad happened to us - so, you know, Colombia is perfectly safe!"

Statistically, Colombia is still quite a dangerous country. But the picture is more complicated than that. Dangerous for who? Where? In what situations would one find oneself in danger? Most expats and visitors have no problems at all - this place is hardly a warzone.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 6, 2008, 16:07:

GIB, I think it may have more to do with being confrontational and opinionated. I rarely feel the need to prove anything to anyone. I live in safe areas and don't bother anyone.

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Lowell says on Jan 6, 2008, 16:24:

I'm glad that we don't out much. Me in a Disco, forget it. I had enough frights working as a criminal defence PI, when I had to go deep into Watts (LA) and some of the rough areas of San Diego. Being macho isn't important anymore.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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diabloblas says on Jan 6, 2008, 16:48:

gib...if i were to go back to my first decade ...living in watts in south central los angeles...i would be living on a more finely sharpened edge than thou

...why live where you are not wanted?

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milanojps says on Jan 6, 2008, 17:02:

MT:

I've lived in the Chicagoland area for the past 30 years and travel to Colombia on a yearly basis (business/pleasure). If you are around (in the Chi) I'd enjoy hearing about your experiences in Medellin - a city I have yet to discover.

GIB : Been reading your posts for several years and have enjoyed them. Good luck with things (whether you end up staying or coming back here)!

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 17:36:

"I said most are great, 99.9 percent are fine. It is the .1% that goes around causing all the trouble at will." - gringoinbogota

That's it? Try visiting the Westside of Chicago back in the day, when 86% :O) of the boyz in the 'hood were troublemakers, now it's like 45%. There is a "very special pass" if you are a gringo looking to score.

Overall my post was about the "myth" that all Colombians are stone-cold killers, as is portrayed in movies and the US media.

My examples were to prove that that was b.s. because there were situation that could have more than warranted a violent response, but did not. But as Pedro pointed out in his reply, "Why do you think many Colombians have trained themselves to be so non-confrontational?"

Milanojps,
No problem. I live in Chicago, we could meet up and chat.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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carrasco says on Jan 6, 2008, 19:42:

MILA & MT can i join too,? chicago area as well (oak park),



also if someone mess with my people in the the villita area, u can get in big problems
a lot of gangs, hate it

busca una mujer la cual digas la pude haber encontrado mas bella, pero no mejor.

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osuspain says on Jan 6, 2008, 19:54:

I totally agree GIB….

I was having an innocent conversation with my cousin a high ranking official and his wife a Paisa in Cartagena regarding property my father gave me addresses to look at a while back and said to pick one (which was BS but we already discussed this one).

Her aunt and uncle live and have a business in Cartagena. The Paisa and I went over to the families business and she commented to them we were headed to look at some property my father owned and to accompany us.

This is two different sides family they did not know about each other’s existence until I came in the picture. They are decent presentable people. I had no reason not to trust them. This was “my family� one needs 4 eyes and ears at all times.

They asked my fathers name totally causally. TARGET…at whatever angle one can if given the opportunity. They somehow found his information in the U.S. jajaja probably the high-ranking official cousin used his work to get the information…I don’t know. They contacted him and offered him a low, low price and he closed the deal while I was there. jajajaj it was not even for sale until the offer.

These people aunts and uncles of cousins saw me and there face was in shock. They said “Oh this is your father….what a small world�. Now they have a hotel up in Cartagena making bank.

LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS…….

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toneloc24 says on Jan 6, 2008, 19:57:

"Why do you think many Colombians have trained themselves to be so non-confrontational?"

Bravo Pedro!!!!

MT - This is the question you really NEED to examine and understand, esp. in Medellin. There's a real reason why everyone's so nice. They've trained themselves to be overly nice to everyone, rather piss off the wrong person. Not to say that there aren't genuinely nice pople there. However, it's a learned survival technique.

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

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 20:31:

"MILA & MT can i join too,? chicago area as well (oak park)," - carrasco

I took my mother to Kyber Pass this past Saturday for brunch. It was her first time eating Indian food and she LOVED IT! Let's all meet up.

toneloc24,
Yes. I agree. I thought that was a great reply.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 6, 2008, 20:38:

tinto paisa used to be for people from antioquia, caldas, quindio, risaralda and even some parts of el valle.

but you ask any person from antionquia nowadays and they will tell you a real paisa is only from their department/state.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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droble77 says on Jan 6, 2008, 20:44:

"Overall my post was about the "myth" that all Colombians are stone-cold killers, as is portrayed in movies and the US media."

MT, I agree with you for the most part. The paisas I know are friendly, non-pretentious, and just plain fun to hang out with. Still, there's some parts of MDE that I would NOT enter much less explore alone. There are definitely some "mala gente" out there, I don't doubt it. But it sounds like you've met some really good people out there, paisas who will look out for you, as long as you stay with the pack.

Now as for your stories 3 & 4, I will say this:

amongst latinos, it's usually good form to ask permission of the guy if you want to take his date/girlfriend out for a dance. Still, if they were cousins and this was a family get-together, there was no reason for the gringo to go off. And what the cousin was saying may just be bull/hearsay, we don't know for sure do we? Also, maybe they tolerate the gringo because of the plata the family is getting from him. . . ? ;-))

Also, you appear to be the type that's not into rumbeando toda la noche and hookers and drugs, so you'll probably run into less problems than some of the other regulars here. Bogota in particular, it being the big bad city of Colombia, seems to attract quite a number of sketchy tourists and expats, at least from what I've observed. Not that I'm judging anyone, it's just an observation. ;)

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 6, 2008, 20:53:

droble77,
Just so there is no confusion. I am the type of guy my mother warned me about as a young child :O) When I'm in Medellin, I sleep about 4/5 hours a day 'cause I'm out and about all day and all night long. But I'm always in bed at 4:00 am.

I believe the gringo in question is a broke drunken gringo living (hiding out) in Medellin, with no money to spare.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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john_stark says on Jan 6, 2008, 21:30:

"amongst latinos, it's usually good form to ask permission of the guy if you want to take his date/girlfriend out for a dance."

Absolutely right. No Colombiano ever dances with my wife without coming up to me and asking permission.

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 6, 2008, 22:26:

I was never asked permission directly ... I take that back. A couple of times that happened. But the norm was for men to ask permission from the girls. And even that happened only in the seedier bars. Large discos, we were left alone.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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john_stark says on Jan 7, 2008, 05:47:

No, not strangers. Even her brothers would ask me first.

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Chelesupercono says on Jan 7, 2008, 05:53:

It takes a real Moron to even THINK about asking some Colombian guy if he can dance with his women......why in the name of God would you even THINK about it?.....what is the purpose of it? to dance with a hot looking chica? Whatever happens to that dumb ass...he deserves, it is simply incomprehensible

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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Chelesupercono says on Jan 7, 2008, 05:58:

There places where you can have a bad day for just looking at his women.......there so many hot women why bother with that chit

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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Chelesupercono says on Jan 7, 2008, 06:05:

Maybe this old Russian Proverb: "A single pussy hair is stronger than a thousand tractors"

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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toneloc24 says on Jan 7, 2008, 06:15:

"this is just a lack of respect shown to a gringo that they would never show to another Colombian."

This is so true. I have NEVER seen any Colombian guy, other than their own circle of close friends, even try to approach our table to ask one of my Colombian friends' permission to dance with his wife/gf. That kind of action would cause a severe reaction, and most Colombians know it. They fuck with the gringos that they know they can get over on.

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

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morphus says on Jan 7, 2008, 06:32:

I think I know what Medellin_Traveller is getting at. You take away the narcos, guerillas, banditos, guns, ect, and there are'nt too many big bad Colombianos. I have'nt met too many big bad macho Colombianos in Medellin. I've hit on a lot of girls with boyfriends in Medellin. There was never a problem. One night I met a waitress in Poblado. She took me back to her house. There was a party going on outside. A couple of guys thought we had something serious going on and wanted to make sure it was ok if they danced with her. I told them its ok and not to worry about it.

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Lowell says on Jan 7, 2008, 09:06:

We may have our problems. However my wife does respect that I'm her husband. She always asks if its ok to go out with a girlfriend. IE: into town for businnes or errands and an occasional fiesta/disco for a birthday or special event.... Never has she been away with a male not of the family. At times her friends will ask if it's ok that she goes with them. This is all of her doing. I've never once insisted on it.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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diabloblas says on Jan 7, 2008, 09:10:

just my view lowell...but even if i didn't consciously make my wife abide by caesar's wife dictate i'd feel really guilty that she feels she has to abide by it

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john_stark says on Jan 7, 2008, 19:10:

I don't feel guilty at all. She is my woman and she knows it. That's how it should be. In fact she would be suspicious if I didn't have this attitude because she feels it is the natural one.

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acpm69 says on Jan 8, 2008, 17:35:

Thanks for the good comments about us Colombians, they are really appreciated!
Same people who recommend going to the bad areas post about how "unsafe" Colombia is... hmmm... wouldn't the same happen if you go to any bad area in any US big city??? duh!!!

Colombianita

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msaucey says on Jan 8, 2008, 20:38:

Respect.... What a concept, it still exists in some parts of the world.... This would also explain why I was stuck dancing with my 2 guy friends all evening instead of anyone new or interesting.....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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john_stark says on Jan 8, 2008, 20:40:

Actually MSaucey, a whole bunch of Colombianos wanted to dance with you but whenever they'd ask your friends for permission, they'd say no so they could keep you all to themselves. Just kidding.

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msaucey says on Jan 8, 2008, 20:48:

Well, I couldn't keep one off of me.... He was sweet and cute (I know guys love being described like this).... Too bad, 10 years earlier he may have had a real good time...

Actually what I really loved is that there was this one table full of guys, there was maybe 2 girls with them.... Anyway, they were just there to have a good time and brought their own campana to play along with the music... I thought that was pretty cool... Don't see that unless it's like a beach bon-fire or something like that...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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manINred says on Jan 8, 2008, 21:49:

"Any paisa who tells you that their lives have not been touched by violence is a liar or doesn't want to upset you with reality"

Actually, the way violence has affected people in Medellin varies greatly. I know several who grew up in the Escobar years of the 80s and horror decade of the 90s and violence didn't touch them in any profound way. Of course they saw the odd shooting, they didn't leave their house after dark, they couldn't stand at night on their balconies, but abide by the rules, and chances are you'd be ok. Hell, I've been touched by more violence in Toronto than many paisas I know.

Nowadays of course things are much different in Medellin. However I am aware of the realities of living there (having done so). Occasionally I give advice to people wanting to visit South America. I never send them blindly to Medellin. Never. I'll send them to Peru, Ecuador, but I'm afraid I can't justify advising people I know to go to Medellin yet. There are simply much safer places out there, and I wouldn't trust a lot of people I know in the city, or in Colombia for that matter, unless I was to house them with my friends and family down there myself.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 9, 2008, 03:24:

"...wouldn't the same happen if you go to any bad area in any US big city??? duh!!!"

Ummm....NO.

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 04:56:

Most likely, your killer in Colombia is going to be a little guy with a knife or a gun. Not the big bad tough Colombiano...LOL

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acpm69 says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:38:

try hanging out in Bronx late at night... or anywhere in NYC before Giuliani...

Colombianita

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:41:

I've been hanging out in the Bronx for 30 years.

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:42:

the only places i would even care to visit in the bx are riverdale and yankee stadium.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:45:

The Bronx Zoo is nice.

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manINred says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:05:

i liked the bronx, or my little night escapade there, i would live there probably. but then again, according to pbh, women in New York don't like sex, so i'm afriad i'll probably cross that off the list ;)

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:07:

Just stay out of Manhattan and you'll do ok with the ladies.

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manINred says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:14:

...as long as she's not colombian! jeje

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