PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

for women visiting colombia

My experience was horrible. I stayed in Colombia for three weeks, and was not expecting my period. I've been irregular for a while, and didn't think anything of it.

But then I had it, so my aunt went and got some pads, although I asked for tampons. I COULDN'T BELEIVE THE SIZE OF THOSE THINGS. They were either the same length of a soda can, or a little under that. Plus, they were as skinny as a scrap of paper. I was not having a good time.

For women visiting Colombia (santa marta is my personal experience) take your own AMERICAN products... or whereever it is you come from. I'm sure anything is better than what they have there.

-ericha

By happenstance on Feb 28, 2005, 11:17 in Friendly Talkzone.

claudia82 says on Feb 28, 2005, 11:37:

Well your aunt didn't look enought for tampons or better pads

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Feb 28, 2005, 11:43:

The moral of the story is to always travel with your own preferred brand of toiletries even if you don't think you'll need it. I learned the hard way in the worst possible place for this, Cuba.

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 28, 2005, 11:44:

should not be a problem there are pads of all sizes and shapes available in Colombian stores and drogerías. Tampons too. The only place I wasn't able to buy tampons in Colombia was in Ipiales (a small town on the Ecuadorian border) and that was a long time ago. I'm sure they're available even there now.
Pads take up unnecessary space in the luggage and are cheaper in Colombia.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miamigo says on Feb 28, 2005, 11:47:

Ask your aunt to get some toilet paper I bet she'll bring back some leaves.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Feb 28, 2005, 11:48:

Oh Desi, trust me, after what I went through I have a huge paranoia now about this kind of thing..hahahaaa. In Cuba I had the choice of nursing pads or black thong panty liners. But alteast I know now I'll be safe from this kind of disaster in Colombia, thanks ladies.

By the way, how do you all find other products down there for quality and pricing etc... like shampoo, soaps, hair product, you know drug store type stuff?

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 28, 2005, 12:02:

I had one of the worst experience I've had in Ipiales trying to buy tampons...this indigenous drugstore clerk just stared at me for at least five minuts...he probably thought I was totally crazy or from another planet. Well, that was a young lad, and had not probably met many gringas needing tampons before. I spoke fairly good Spanish at the time already and he understood my words, but could not for the life of him figure out what I needed. Finally he said that they had none. Fortunately they did have regular grandma size pads and I was saved.
I didn't see much difference in quality of toiletries and such in Colombia compared with US or Europe. It's the same multinationals that manufacture them there. They're cheaper than the same stuff here in Sweden but then again anything is cheaper in Latin America, US or the rest of the world than here. An elderly relative from Austin Texas came to visit us and didn't even buy a postage stamp here totally shocked at our prices.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Feb 28, 2005, 12:08:

depends where & who buys I've not had much trouble finding my preferred (or very similar) brand of hygenie products in Colombia, in smaller towns than Santa Marta too - just go to the biggest pharmacy. BUT I haven't really gone any where too far from major civilization, and this is all in the last 15 yrs.

Also how old is your aunt? My mother's generation gravitated towards diaper-sized sanitary napkins despite the nice newer (last 20 yrs) ones available and sitting right on the shelf next to them. I've learned to shop for my own supplies after a few disasters.

PS If I wanted to take American products, that would be a costly detour indeed!!!! ;)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Feb 28, 2005, 12:19:

I never had problems finding american or british products in Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ShazCas says on Feb 28, 2005, 12:32:

Pads are more popular My experience was that while the supermarket shelves groaned with every possible kind of pad, even black ones for thongs, etc, there was only usually one brand and one size of tampon squeezed into a tiny corner beside all the pads. All the women I knew used pads, and I had to travel to one particular drogueria for the tampons I use. Is that a Catholic thing?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 28, 2005, 12:39:

I don't think so Shaz maybe it's a Bogotá thing...I had no such problem in Cali. Many women don't use tampons though, because they think it's unhealthy and cause infections and even cancer.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adela says on Feb 28, 2005, 13:19:

Desi,, you're right: most women here use pads instead tampons

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Neonovo says on Feb 28, 2005, 13:20:

The final authority on this subject is.... El modefoque; ask him. He won't steer you wrong.

Paz

Neonovo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Feb 28, 2005, 13:20:

Yes, my wife will not use tampons either preferring to use pads that she changes often. She doesn't think it is healthy.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Albatross says on Feb 28, 2005, 13:22:

. I hate when that happens...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adela says on Feb 28, 2005, 13:55:

(shhh, girls..men in our lady's room)

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Feb 28, 2005, 14:02:

Yes, Adela, I see you edited your comment. You were getting us too excited.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adela says on Feb 28, 2005, 14:14:

don't say that..please..

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Feb 28, 2005, 14:41:

you know utopia... i've found, over time, i don't like tampons either...maybe it's just me.

dw

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 14:55:

my aunt is 31. We were near the beach a lot. Near el Rodadero. All the shopping there, and I finally went in for some pads myself. I found nothing better than what she got me. They didn't come from America. They were all in spanish. And the over night ones were just as small as the day ones. They look like they're made for little seven year old girls. Honestly.

And yes, the clerks there do find us a bit strange because most girls and women there wear pads. Especially if you're still a virgin. They don't want you using tampons.

When The Pawn Hits The Conflicts He Thinks Like A King What He Knows Throws The Blows When He Goes To The Fight And He’ll Win The Whole Thing ‘Fore He Enters The Ring There’s No Body To Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, Yo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Michael_B says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:02:

I Agree, take your own I had the same problem of sorts...when I went to buy condoms in Cali they were way too small, go figure

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:07:

How much are the small condoms? I wouldn't know. I didn't look.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Michael_B says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:10:

Don't like to brag My 10 was about 3 sizes too big. Perhaps if you pack a pencil you can suffice

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:11:

hmmmm, Paranoid still guys, Bring your own favourite brand from home that way you know they fit, feel good, etc....

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:12:

oops,..that was re: condoms this time, not the tampons..hahaa

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:12:

What's funny is I brought a bag of pads back as a souvenier. I show everyone. :)

But what I regret is having the security at the BAQ airport having to see them. If they had seen tampons, I would have felt a lot more mature and American.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:14:

This is an on-going conversation between us all.

I have AOL. Anyone wanna IM me, go ahead.
GibsonL6Splayr

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:15:

I brought a pack of black thong panty liners from Cuba as a souvenier too..hahaha, hilarious!

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:20:

black?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:21:

Ya, black, unfortunatly that's all they had available.

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 15:22:

like the pad was actually black?
I don't remember those.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Feb 28, 2005, 16:49:

Common - aren't they? you've never seen black thong panty-liners!!? Don't they have them in the states? They have them where I live.

"They don't want you using tampons"

I'm sorry, but this is just too riduculous. They may not be common, but this "reason" is the first I've heard of this. I'm of Colombian extraction and Catholic, and this is news to me.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 16:54:

To be more clear, a lot of mothers don't want their young teenage daughters to use tampons. Especially because they're still virgins and it would "mess" up the purity of the child... or something.

Although my mother was born in Colombia, I have no problem. She doesn't have anything against me using tampons.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Feb 28, 2005, 17:04:

Wait a second. You said in the other thread that you don't speak Spanish but here you are telling us what "they" think about tampons. Also if your mother is Colombian, how come you don't speak Spanish?

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.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

happenstance says on Feb 28, 2005, 17:12:

She came to America and learned to speak english very well. Spanish wasn't really needed anymore. I don't speak spanish and neither do my other sisters and brother. We were never taught.

My mother has told me what they think about tampons because the woman who raised her in America (not her mother) was Colombian and beleived in those things.

I'd also be asking her what men think of american women but she wouldn't know that anymore than I do - and i don't... she's always lived in California. Since she was seven. The first time she went back there was December 2004, and I was with her. See, so she wouldn't know.

That's why I ask your opinion

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Feb 28, 2005, 21:12:

Geez, that's kind of depressing. Hard to imagine a Colombiana who would not teach her children Spanish. I'll be lucky if I get my wife to be able to speak English in this lifetime. Although she was pretty frisky when I came home this evening and spoke more English than I can ever recall.

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.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Feb 28, 2005, 21:52:

First trip off-continent? Just curious, was this your first overseas trip? If so congrats (travel is a great thing!) One thing you will notice as you travel is that the world a very diverse place. Colombia is a great example of this, even within the country each department has it's own quirks, just like people have their own quirks. To a visitor some quirks are delighful, and others are not. It's just part of travel.

While the apparant lack of your preffered products might be inconvenient to you, remember it goes both ways. Lots of Colombians who have gone to live or visit other places dearly miss the wonderful fresh fruits or other aspects of their life that are best found in Colombia.

As for this idea of tampons and purity, while I concede that a portion of Colombians may feel this way, it is probably inaccurate to assume the everyone thinks something based on what one individual said years ago. Times change and ideas change with them. My mother used to tell me "girls in Colombia always wear skirts and dresses". Well when she was a kid they did. But as I'm sure you noticed that's changed.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Dan says on Mar 1, 2005, 02:07:

so I heard something on the news regarding Tampons that women (Young ones) are taking Tampons, sticking them in a drink of Rum or something else and then putting it inside themselves in order to get drunk faster. This was on the news about a week or two ago. they say that there is a little pain (I believe it.) but it works.

God Bless America!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

SiempreHero says on Mar 1, 2005, 05:27:

The Other Side My Wife always makes me buy pads when i travel to colombia. I have to lug these huge cartons through customs in Miami. Not to mention the airport checks. I never check bags so they are carry on items. She says only the Colombian Pads will do. Cant stand the US Pads. You women are just a bunch of princesses, cant you make due?

;-)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 1, 2005, 06:26:

Dan That sound painful and weird why they do that? how can this make you to get drunk faster? :-o

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Mar 1, 2005, 07:35:

Someone did mention this on the site two or three weeks ago. And both boys and girls were doing it. I have no idea if the alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream more rapidly, but I think the main reason they do it is to avoid alcohol on the breath (breathalyzer/drunk driving tests).

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 1, 2005, 08:01:

I mentioned this to my kids and they said oh yeah, they've heard of it too, in Sweden kids do that too but as tinto said it's because they don't want to lose their driver's licences (provisional here for the first two years; caught once and they lose the licence and have to start from the beginning to get a new one at the cost of around $US 3000 as the minimum, for the classes and tests.)
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 1, 2005, 08:01:

aughhhhhhhhhhhhh !Boys! i better don't ask where they put this in.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Mar 1, 2005, 08:02:

It always gets back to El Chiquito.

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.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adela says on Mar 1, 2005, 09:36:

It is true, Adrimm...check it out: (Desi...translate for other please).

Pero el consumo de licor no para allí. Los jóvenes han encontrado nuevas formas de sentirse embriagados sin consumirlo por vía oral. Las razones son múltiples, entre ellas para evitar el denominado ‘tufo’ por el temor a reprimendas, o para evitar que las calorías del licor afecten el peso corporal.
http://elpais-cali.terra.com.co/paisonline/notas/Diciembre052004/A1005N1.html
Recientemente se han registrado casos de jovencitas recurren a prácticas como impregnar tampones con alcohol para ‘mantenerse en forma’.

“Si yo introduzco un tampón con alcohol, quema. Ellas no lo hacen sólo para no tener aliento al emborracharse, sino para no subir de peso. Acá se presenta una situación complicada, que es cómo han cambiado los valores en los adolescentes: es más importante tener un cuerpo como lo exige la sociedad, que cuidarse. En este caso están equivocadas, porque de cualquier manera el azúcar del alcohol es absorbido por el cuerpo�?, dice la ginecóloga Karin Franco, de la Unidad de Medicina Reproductiva Gestemos.

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 1, 2005, 09:40:

That is CRAZY

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 1, 2005, 10:18:

translation "but the consumption of alcholic beverages doesn't end there. Young people have found new ways to get drunk without having to pour it down their throats. There are multiple reasons: among them to avoid the stinking breath and not be scolded or to avoid gaining weight.
------
There have been recent cases of young women who impregnate tampons in alcohol to be able to "keep their figure".
""If I insert a tampon imprgnated in alcohol, it burns. They're doing it not just to avoid alcohol breath getting drunk but also for not to gain weight. This is a complicated situation, as the values of young people have changed: it's more important having the body that the society demands than taking care of yourself. In this case they are wrong because the sugar contained in alcohol is absorbed by the body anyway"" says Karin Franco, the gynecologist of the Medical Reproductive Unit Gestemos."

Cheers (not!)
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 1, 2005, 12:05:

Clarification for Adela Adela, si creo mucho le de el alcohol, le que no creo es que toda las mujeres Colombianas creen que uso de tampones desminue la "puridad" de las muchachas.

Translation: I heartily believe the drunk on tampon thing.... (won't tell you if I've tried it). What I don't believe is that most Colombians feel that Tampons reduce purity. Maybe a generation ago, but even from my mother or aunts I never heard such a thing.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adela says on Mar 1, 2005, 13:23:

no, Adrim...the tremor is rather to have a painful situation about tampons. If mommy use tampons children will use it too, if mommy doesn't...girls don't use it.

It is not a retard mentality Adrimm, in my case I can't stand a single one..I feel a regular tampon is so wide..

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

babygirl says on Mar 1, 2005, 17:36:

That's true, most daughters usually follow in their mom's footsteps, not just in Colombia, atleast from what I've seen anyway. I know I'd die in the summertime not having the option to go swimming.

I can't believe that about the alcohol & tampons! May I ask where this report came from? I'm really curious. I've never heard of anything like this with alcohol. Can you imagine going that far just because you think you're saving a few calories? Very very scary.

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Dan says on Mar 2, 2005, 15:39:

News I was in Colombia when I heard about the stuff about getting drunk in this manner. I happen to be with my girlfriend when we saw the news report and after that was over, we just looked at each other with a baffled look on our faces asking each other why the HELL would anyone want to go through that.

It still sounds pretty stupid to me.

Dan

God Bless America!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greenday says on Mar 3, 2005, 02:58:

I still say Desi should be the "official" resident expert on tampons here at poorbuthappy...

no fair deleting posts, unless of course, they are Desi's

0 funny, 0 helpful.