expensive stuff safe?

British Paisa says on Jul 29, 2004, 09:24:

u should just use a bit of common sense as I imagine you would do in the states, there r obviously some parts of the city where it will be unsafe to take the camera or wear a falshy watch, the best thing you can do is ask around prior to going to the places you want to visit to see what the "mugging" factor is; also try not to be to flashy with stuff as Colombians find it quite annoying, just take the camera out when it is needed (don't walk with it around your neck) as to minimize the tourist factor and you will be fine; just do some homework before going out in town and u will be fine; trust me, I have lived in Medellin for 9 years and got mugged 5 times in the first year!..., so it is just a matter of being street wise and keeping your wits about you, as you would do back home;

Hope this was of some help.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

daver says on Jul 29, 2004, 09:29:

I wouldn't wear the watch. But, if you feel its your right, and it is, then wear it. Or, keep it in your pocket.

I brought a nice digital camera to Medellin. I took pictures when I was relatively alone in a quite place. I didn't pull it out downtown, or when surrounded by people.

If you have an expensive watch on, and you are taking pictures of everthing aimlessly with a fancy camera, without considering your surroundings, you are increasing the chances of something happening to you. Probably nothing will happen, or maybe, some Colombian is going to have a nice watch and a nice camera.

Its your choice,

Dave

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jmmyers says on Jul 29, 2004, 10:17:

FIVE times the first year? Why did they target you? What did they take?

I think casio makes some nice watches I might invest in. I might bring 5 credit cards and just plan on cancelling one and losing 10 or 20 thousand pesos every few weeks.

Any chance of fighting back or did they use knives or guns?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

daver says on Jul 29, 2004, 10:49:

I'm not so sure you will get mugged 5 times. I doubt you will get mugged at all.

Medellin is right on the equator (or close) so just look at the sun, and guess the time. If its above you, time to have lunch, if its setting, its about 7:30pm, if its rising, its about 7:30 am. OR JUST PUT YOUR WATCH IN YOUR POCKET.

Why do you need to know the time... got dinner reservations?

Jesus. Don't fight back unless you are getting kidnapped and your parents are too cheap to pay the ransom (JOKE!)

Its hard to tell what happens if you fight back... if $100 is worth you life, then giver. Chances are they will have a knife or a gun... Colombians don't rob people with nerf bats. Or they will grab your stuff and run, if you want to chase them, do so at your own risk. Maybe you will kick the crap out of them and get your nice watch back, or maybe you will get shot in the head and your mom and dad will have to pay $20,000 to get your body home. Would you fight back in Harlem? Its up to you.

I tried to fit in while in Medellin. Not many Colombians wear expensive things while walking around... petty theft is common, like in all of Latin America. They don't carry large amounts of money with them, and they are aware of their surrounding. People take a lot of measures to protect their things in Colombia. Perhaps leave your credit card in a safe place, and just walk around with cash. I never once, in a week, ever felt threatened, nor did I see any theft or violence. I also didn't go to the ghetto to take pictures.

Have two wallets, keep about 300,000 pesos in one of them, and hand it over if you have to. Keep the other one beside your watch in another pocket.

If you loose 10 or 20 thousand pesos like you said, that is around $4 or 7$ bucks. Most Americans pay more to have their car washed.

Just relax, be cool, and don't go making a target out of yourself.

Dave

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ShazCas says on Jul 29, 2004, 11:44:

Watch and camera Don't take anything you wouldn't miss if you did lose it. That goes for all travel. I would say don't wear the watch, and carry the camera only when you need it in a really boring bag and only take it out when you really want to film.

But really, if you would be really upset to lose these things, don't bring them.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

caslug says on Jul 29, 2004, 13:03:

Wearing a basic looking watch should be fine. Get a money belt that go inside your pants and put copy of your passport, ATM card, one credit card and most of your money(300k-500k). I keep smaller amounts(10k-50k) in a cheap wallet in my regular pockets, so if you get mugged all they took is a cheap watch and your small change. Wrap a rubberband around your wallet if your carry one and put it in your front pocket.

I leave the rest of my credit card back at the hotel/apartment room safe. I would carry my camara, dictionary, other items in a purse size "manbag" and only take it out when I take pictures.

Of course like everyone said before, prevention is best. So make sure your aware of your surrounding especially in a crowded situation(ie., bus, club, etc.,) or late at night. Nothing will happen 99% of the time so don't walk around "looking scared". Don't walk around areas you don't know and finally trust your instints.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

British Paisa says on Jul 30, 2004, 06:17:

I got mugged just because I was naive and used to walking around England with little interuption; I got two watches with wallet and three bikes taken off me; most of the bikes were people on motorcycles who would pull up along side me, the watches were just other pedestrians who took a fancy and just happened to be carrying knives.
Don't be put off by this though, if you use common sense and just be aware of what is happening around you then Medellin and Colombia in general are very safe and incredible places to visit. You shouldn't feel as though their are parts of the city that you can't go to, you can go anywhere, just interact with the people and you will have no problems; even if you don't speak Spanish fluently.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

larryste says on Jul 31, 2004, 20:20:

Camera Time If I want to take pictures and it is a place that I do not feel safe. I go in the early morning. Most crackhead and robbers do not keep morning hours.

What you have to think about is if you have a camera that costs $2000.

Lets say that the average columbians make around $50 a month. The camera you are flashing around is worth almost 4 years of pay. If you say that the average americans make a $22,000 a year.

It would be like walking around bad areas of new york with a $73,000 dollar camera.

Same gos with the the watch. How much is your life worth.

I am not saying everybody is a robber. It is not a good idea to tempt them.

Get you a cheap watch and digial camera. I spent $150 on a digial camera that takes great snap shots.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ShazCas says on Aug 1, 2004, 02:20:

Average wage That is good idea, larryste, going early in the morning. However, I used to get the bus for work in Bogota at 8.30am and was sometimes hassled by people to give them money, one of which then tried to threaten me (I shouted really loud, everyone came out of a bakery nearby, and he left) so it really depends. Mind you, I was hassled about twice in four years, so you'll probably be ok.

Generally, if you're in an area with some people around, it's a bit safer. Going accompanied and getting your friend to keep guard is a good idea too. In Bogota, the north is generally safer than the centre, but I know lots of people who have gotten their bags snatched near the Centro Andino, near the Zona Rosa, which is a very popular place.

I wouldn't be afraid, these people prefer not to hurt you and just want your camera / watch in the easiest way possible. If you do get them stolen, they'll be gone in the blink of an eye!

What larryste said about money was a good illustration, and I know it was only to illustrate, but I thought I'd let you know that the average Colombian salary is around $150.

If you're going to bus from city to city, practically everyone is going to notice that nice watch on your wrist, and you'll really draw unwanted attention to yourself. Also, in the cities, thieves are very eagle-eyed, and will see your watch miles away, and will start planning how to get it off you. Do you really want all that hassle? I wouldn't.

I would say all the advice given is sound and that any wise person would pay heed. My conclusion would be that there are no guarantees. You could always claim back on the insurance, mind, if it did happen.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on Aug 2, 2004, 14:48:

Mugged? British Paisa, the same thing or worse might happen in any rough part of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, London etc.

I am from the North of England and consider myself fairly street smart but I almost got mugged in Liverpool all the same. I now live in Orlando Florida and trust me there are many many places you don't want to go with a camera or nice watch on. I've had knives and guns pulled on me in Orlando, I have to go into bad areas at night as part of my job unfortunately. I even had a crackhead try and rip my gold chain off my neck in broad daylight in downtown Orlando (a safe area), SHIT HAPPENS AS THEY SAY.

Best advice for our friend visiting Colombia, if you must wear a watch wear a cheap plastic one, if you must use your camera follow the advice of others and consider a crappy camera even a diposable one for really bad areas if you must photograph.

I am leaving my expensive digital camera at home and taking a eBay special $150 unit. If it gets stolen I'll be upset, but not devastated, I would be more upset that I might not be able to take photos on my trip.

Jim

0 funny, 0 helpful.