Finally I am in Bogota

litost says on Sep 24, 2004, 07:48:

Very exciting Christina, I hope every step of the experience will be just as interesting and enjoyable for you. Remember that my friend Johanna, you have her email, is there and ready to help you out or just give you advice if you need it. I hope to be in Bogota in a couple of months too... in what neighborhood are you staying finally?

Good luck, say hi to El Externado.

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feamoda says on Sep 24, 2004, 09:16:

Ola! Ola Christina! Como esta? I'm a Malaysian too. Which part of Malaysia are you from? You're very fortunate to have the chance to live in Colombia. Thats my favourite country.....been dreaming of living there for a few years. How's the environment in Colombia? Met any drug lord yet??

Nada Pero Fea

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Bquilla says on Sep 24, 2004, 09:30:

"Met any drug lord yet" Is that an attempt at humor?

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ColombianoX says on Sep 24, 2004, 12:06:

"Met any drug lord yet??"

Feamoda,

Why do you want to know if she's met any drug lord yet? Are you a junkie?


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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caslug says on Sep 24, 2004, 12:32:

Drug lords Feamoda, unless you're interesting in the export business i doubt you'll bump into one. If you're just a users, the most you'll meet is a low level seller. I'm sure it's no different in you country.

I'm pretty sure when I was in couple casinos in Cali I've played in the same table w/ at least one mid-level drug guy. We actually beat the house because he knew how to play Blackjack Vegas style. BTW, i'm sure you're just joking, but try not let sterotypes color your conversation, especially if you haven't been to Colombia yet.

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webmanco says on Sep 24, 2004, 19:32:

Sure she is just joking Guys, it is not about Colombia against any other citizen or country, why get so overprotective with a comment "joke" as you said it. She said is her favorite county "Colombia". To refer "same as your country" it is not very wise or diplomat.

And I would not be pretty sure the guy at the next table is a "Miami Vice" type drug lord. Nowdays your neighbor could be one.

Let's welcome people who like Colombia.
Feamoda you will be as well wellcome to Colombia.

Take care.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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feamoda says on Sep 25, 2004, 08:49:

COLOMBIA RULEZ! Thanx for the welcome voipcolombia! Well, ColombianoX, Bquilla and Caslug, the 'met the drug lord yet?', ......just chill! thats what i love about colombia in the first place. Caslug, how i WISH my country has drug lords!Besides, from a documentary i watched recently, a late drug lord (forgot his name...i think he'sfrom Cali Cartel)was a saint to the citizens of Colombia. He's like a modern version of Robin Hood!!
Nada Pero Fea

Nada Pero Fea

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ColombianoX says on Sep 25, 2004, 12:47:

feamoda,

I can't imagine how anyone could say they wish their country had drug lords. Drug lords are nothing more than despicable criminals who amass their wealth by selling poison which harms people. The drug lord you saw in the documentary was Pablo Escobar and believe me, he is no saint to the people of Colomiba. Thousands of colombians suffered because of this man, many lost their lives. Only ignorant people would admire such a ruthless individual.

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 25, 2004, 12:50:

Cali drug lords??? are a bunch of criminals, admired and respected by no one! Where did you ever get these foolish notions about cocaine kingpins being friends of the people?
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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caslug says on Sep 25, 2004, 15:11:

Femoda, every country has it's criminal element, US, Malaysia, Col, etc., so if you want to met a drug lord(joke) then you certainly don't need to travel half way around the world for that. I know you were joking about you comment, which is why I wrote nicely watch what you say, don't let sterotype color your words. Yes, drugs is easily obtainable in Colombia, but so is it in US, the people I met in Cali/CTG were hardworking, law-abiding, & friendly.

In my younger days, when I was hanging out in sleazy bars in US, I partied with my share of gangster & drug dealers, all the ones I meet were quite friendly(they bought drinks for everyone), and they tend to look like you and me-regular people. Poor/uneducated/lazy people are sometimes drawn into the criminal lifestyle, because it's a quick money, and they're not afraid of the consequencies(jail, or death) because they feel they got nothing to lose. Ironically, if your smart and have criminal tendencies(in US) you go into the corporate world and steal money there(ie, Enron, Tyco, MCI), you'll make Billions in stolen profit. White collar crime is more profitable and less dangerous than street crime.

I recommending reading the book "killing Pablo" by Mark Bowden, it's eye-opening view of the history of drugs in Colombia and specically the life of Pablo Escobar(medellin cartel). He could be quite generous, but was also a pyschopath(he liked to kill people by hanging them upside down and burning them alive). The only people that look up him were the poor and disenfranchise.

I think this board is great, because it allows the exchange of information. This is the only way to slowly, but surely dispell various sterotypes that people have with one another. Feel free to ask any type of questions about Colombia, just try not say blanket statements based on sterotype.

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vladimiro says on Sep 25, 2004, 17:15:

Popularity of Cartel Leaders. Narcotics trade probably does a lot more harm than good, but I remember when the former Cali cartel leader was released from jail recently (he was subesequently re-arrested on other charges) many Calenos were happy and hopeful that the economy would be revived as a result. Cartel leaders invest in legitamate businesses and its said the skyline of Medellin was changed by the economic growth driven by the cartels...There were jobs and a booming economy before US started tagetting Cartel leaders.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 25, 2004, 17:28:

and the devastation Cali has a number of unoccupied housing complexes where nobody dares to move in....the scars that the narcoeconmy left are still palpable but believe me, nothing that caleños are proud of. Most caleños (this is my estimate) feel like the narcos were the worst news in that city, and are rather ashamed of them. Yes, the real estate prices bloomed at a time, economy looked good, but everybody knew it was a bubble ready to burst. It did, and the city is facing hard times. Wish I was there.
Cheers, Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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vladimiro says on Sep 25, 2004, 17:37:

That's true, and drug mafia is not something Colombians want be known for internationally.

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vladimiro says on Sep 25, 2004, 18:44:

Narco-economy I've read articles about the good times, high-rolling type life-style in Bogota during the 80s. In one article an economist referred to it as the result of "false economy" that they knew would come to an end, basically what Desi said above. Also read that Medellin was changed dramatically during the 70s and 80s from the rise of the cocain industry. I got the impression from somewhere that the US break up of the Medellin and Cali cartels brought this period of growth to an end.

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feamoda says on Sep 26, 2004, 02:21:

thanks for the info guys! Thanks for the useful information...but i donno...i just find drug lords fascinating. I guess my definition of a drug lord is the opposite from you guys. Besides, of all the crimes in this world, i think drug dealing or whatever is much better than the kidnap-rape-n-kill. Agree? In my country, there's been a lot of rape cases...especially child rape. Sometimes, i just feel like executing all the rapists I can find!And torture them! HEHE!
Nada Pero Fea

Nada Pero Fea

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 27, 2004, 07:51:

The problem with your logic is... Feamoda, the only flaw to your logic is that the drug organizations here in Colombia are responsible for a huge amount of the murder, kidnapping, bombing and other crimes committed here. If it were just about selling some drugs I don't think most people would feel so strongly, but Colombia has suffered terribly at the hands of this form of organized crime.

BTW, welcome to Colombia, Christina. I'm glad you're having a good time.

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caslug says on Sep 27, 2004, 12:17:

Feamodo, what's your impression of a DRUG LORD? If you tell us, we can tell you if it's more myth or reality.

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feamoda says on Sep 27, 2004, 23:18:

my impression of a DRUG LORD is... My impression of a DRUG LORD is POWER! DOMINATION! I know most people fear drug lords...so since this whole world is so *tooot* up with loads of useless incompetents, mind as well...
I donno....i jes haf this fascination towards drug lords ... how do you guys survive with all the drug lords in your country anyway?
Nada Pero Fea

Nada Pero Fea

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Christinalkc says on Sep 28, 2004, 07:29:

Updates Hola......
Let me go one by one...

Mr. Hollywood, thanks for welcoming me to Bogota. I have gone to 2 classes so far and it was great. It's almost like a private class with only 3 students including myself. My Spanish is still very poor and I hope within months, I will be able to speak and understand. I have learnt to take a bus,learnt to buy things on my own...... and it feels great!

Feamodo, it's a pleasure to find another Malaysian on this site but I must say, Colombia is a great place and I certainly do not want to bump into any druglords as i am not that interested in them. Yes I may heard of the druglords in Colombia but I guess I prefer to find out about the history of Colombia and Bogota... anyways, it is a common joke in Malaysia that when you say Colombia, the first things we think of are the drugs and the dealers. All thanks to the media manipulation. Anyways, feamodo, if you would like to come to Colombia, please do come and u will know what we have missed! And the thing is, Bogota is very much like Kuala Lumpur. Even the Centro is like the centre of Kuala Lumpur, full of buses, people and stalls on the streets. You will feel very much at home. There are some things I have never seen before in my life. It's amazing what people here can do to make a living such as selling things and performing in the middle of the streets. And the variety of fruits that I have never seen and talk about the size of the avocado!!

In short, Colombia and Bogota is not as bad as what people think and yeah I was so paranoid and nervous because of the scares and warning I was fed with. It is true is that I have to be cautious and things but I guess that's juz part of the deal whenever you step foot in a foreign country especially with no knowledge of the language. I supposed being humble, no flashy items and a smile work best!!

Last Sunday, I met up with voipcolombia aka Pedro and he was great to bring me around places. In just half a day, I have seen whole lot of Bogota such as Chorro Quevedo, Iglesia Lourdes, Chapinero, Hacienda Santa Barbara, Toldos de San Pelayo, Plaza de la concordia where I tried chicha and masato, Museso del siglo 1800 and Parque Nacional... Thanks a lot Pedro! We took a lot of pictures and I will upload them soon!

Okay, now I will improve on my Español and hope I will be able to write in it soon!!!

Ojitos en Bogota,
christina

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ColombianoX says on Sep 28, 2004, 10:19:

"how do you guys survive with all the drug lords in your country anyway?"

Feamoda,

We survive the same way you guys survive with all of your drug lords.

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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caslug says on Sep 28, 2004, 16:14:

Feamodo, r u pulling our leg?? ha, ha... You're either incredibly shelter & naive or just joking around w/ us. If you're joking around, I recommend you curtail it regarding drugs & colombia, it's not a joking matter. If you're just naive, and want to have a honest&intelligent discussion on this issue, then I recommend being less juvinile with in your writing.

ie, fascination towards drug lords after the Iraq war

What does war in iraq have to do w/ drugs in colombia?

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feamoda says on Sep 28, 2004, 23:07:

Christina, are you studying in Colombia? I want to go to Colombia.I plan to further my studies there, but my parents would kill me if i do. Yeah, i do agree that people in Malaysia thinks Colombia is filled with drug dealers. But not me... I think its a great place to live...

Nada Pero Fea

Nada Pero Fea

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Christinalkc says on Sep 29, 2004, 18:10:

feamoda,

Yeah I am studying Spanish (beginner's) at the moment at Universidad Externado de Colombia and it is a great place where everyone is helpful regardless where you come from. I do agree with you that Colombia is a great place to be though you don't know anyone or speak the language but then I believe those so called barriers are just for a short time.

When I first announced my plans to go to Colombia, everyone thought I was crazy and my mom was hysteric about my decision. So, feamoda, if you really want to come, please do. Don't wait till you are too old.

Anyways, just let me know if you need any information about Bogota and at least you know you have a friend from the same country here. This is my email address (christinalkc at yahoo.com.au) and write and tell me more about you. All the best..

Ojitos en Bogota,
Christina

P/S: I have uploaded some pictures I took when I was touring around the beautiful Bogota! Enjoy!

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