Going to Cali

thur says on Oct 13, 2006, 02:23:

Why? Why nervous? Facts: first, your cousin has been there before. Second, and more importantly, you have a local that is willing to show you around. If there's anyone who knows where to go and where to stay out after dark, it's him. Third: it's not _all_ bad, there are over 2 million people living there, they're not all living life on the edge and in fear for their lives every minute. There are good parts, "just ok"-parts and bad parts. Enjoy & have fun.
Greetings,

~Sights & Sounds~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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RUV says on Oct 13, 2006, 03:16:

Do not be a pussy, everything will be alright. Do you feel better? It will be alright, I went by myself several times and made it back.

Good luck

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Michael_B says on Oct 13, 2006, 05:56:

Four Times I have been to Cali 4 times and never once had a problem. My second trip I took my 12 year old daughter. If it was not safe I would have never dreamed of taking her.

Enjoy your trip, you will love it

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juanalejo says on Oct 13, 2006, 06:26:

Cali Somebody that says that North Cali is a rough area simply does not know Cali. East Cali maybe, Siloe on the mountains maybe, but North Cali, give me a break.

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Qubo says on Oct 13, 2006, 07:11:

I just got back from Cali Hello poster,

I, too, was nervous about going to Colombia in general but I did my research and overcame my fears. You'll get many opinions good and bad which you will have to decipher own your own. As you mentioned you grew up in a rough area but don't go down there thinking you're still in the hood. If you don't put yourself in places you have no reason being in then you will definitely be ok.

As someone mentioned above although you have locals showing you around don't be oblivious to your surroundings. I always felt safe and tell you that the majority of the people there aren't out to get you. And don't let your gaurd down thinking your in a safe area and start flashing jewelry. My advise is simply be courteous and respectful. I advise you not to go to Siloe and distrito Agua Blanca which aren't places you need to go. I have a thread about places I've been and how much I enjoyed this beautiful city.

Oh, "it's not where you're from but it's where you're at" enjoy and you'll come home safe like me waiting to go again.

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billyb says on Oct 13, 2006, 07:13:

Juanalejo, you beat me to it... the north of Cali is probably the best area to go. You have the Sexta, The Sona Rosa in Granada, Pasarela ,Santa Monica, Chipi Chape etc. I wonder what Cali DG is talking about?

BillyB

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juanalejo says on Oct 13, 2006, 07:26:

Billy Just give him a few minutes, he will probably come up with one if his "stories" telling us that he knew somebody that was killed and tortured in that area, or maybe a "story" of how he fought ten large Colombian wimps who almost killed him in that area.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2006, 07:57:

The cement factory is located in Yumbo and the air quality in the north of Cali has improved much in the recent years due to filters installed to reduce the emissions from the factory. ALL NORTH is good, stratum 5 or 6. There are some dodgy neighbourhoods in the far NORTHEAST, which in Cali terms is not North, but East.

All south is not good or safe either; there are strata 2 and 3 neighbourhoods a little aside the main strata 5 which dominates the south. The southeast, again, is considered east, and has some of the worst neighbourhoods in Cali, like Mariano Ramos, but also side by side, a relatively safe strata3 barrio, Ciudad Cordoba. The further east you get to the municipal dump at Navarro and the infamous Distrito de Agua Blanca, which is like a city within a city. I don't go there at daytime either.

The western barrios are almost all good, strata 5 and plenty of strata 6 (also the furthest south, Ciudad Jardón and Pance is strata 6), except Siloé and Terron Colorado which are, what, strata 2 maybe and stretch all the way up the hillside.

Cheers,
Desi

«Sé que los seres humanos y los peces podrán coexistir en paz». ( George W. Bush, Saginaw 29-09-00)

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

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2006, 08:05:

Glad to hear the air quality is improving those pasty gringos need all the help they can get when chasing chicas. Hehe.

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arthur brode says on Oct 13, 2006, 09:25:

njtea5 ive been in Cali since january and the only problem i have ever encountered was a taxi driver that once tried to over charge me.trust me, your "hood" in the States is way rougher.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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njtea5 says on Oct 13, 2006, 10:05:

Thanks Everyone I feel so much better!!!! I grew up in New York and if I can compare it to that it really isn't that bad you just need to know your surroundings... I really do feel better and actually can't wait to get there!!!!!!!!! Any cool bars any one could think of?

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billyb says on Oct 13, 2006, 10:11:

DG, like desi said... the bad parts you described in the north are considered in Cali to be in the east. Most (if not all) neighborhoods in the North and West are classified strata 5 & 6.

BillyB

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tapeguy says on Oct 13, 2006, 11:58:

Cali njtea5,

GO,

I've been to Cali 4 times with zero problems. Yea it has ruff areas but all large cities do. The people are great and the ladies are super (at least for me). Will be heading back soon.........

Tapeguy

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Crazy4Cali says on Oct 13, 2006, 12:48:

Re: Disneyland... I've seen more robberies at Disneyland than I have in Colombia. (and I'm not just talking about the price of admission).

I wouldn't drop my guard in "the happiest place on earth" any more than in Cali.

But that's just me talkin'

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2006, 13:01:

Let me just go thru this routine one more time: it's more like who you are than where you are. There are people who get in trouble everywhere they go, even "in the happiest place of earth" because they carry their own misfortune with them like an extra baggage. There are freak accidents, of course. There are also people who are just too naive, too unexperienced, too gullible and as we all know by now, a fool and his money are soon departed. Cali is no better than any large third world city, except that the very sweetness, warmth and hospitality of the Caleños may put you off guard and yoy may not be aware that beneath the calm surface of the caleño night there are schools of sharks with a vicious bite.

How do you stay safe in Cali? Easy, hang out with people who know the ropes, preferably locals. Don't act like you were a big shot. Keep your wits and your cool. Stay out of Aguablanca and other barrios where the locals look at you to check out if you had anything they could use on you.

Cheers,
Desi




«Sé que los seres humanos y los peces podrán coexistir en paz». ( George W. Bush, Saginaw 29-09-00)

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

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goin_south says on Oct 17, 2006, 22:23:

Crazy4Cali is right! "I've seen more robberies at Disneyland than I have in Colombia."

Once, just outside of Never-Never Land, an Oriental Couple stole our rented stroller, so their kid could sleep through the upcoming Disney Electric Light Parade ;)
The only robberies I have been subject to in Colombia are at the hands of the Front Desk Clerks at the InterContinental Hotel in Cali and the Park 10 Hotel in Medellin! (According to Gomezman5)
But then, what does he know? I don't think he's been in Colombia in the last 5 years. Hence, 'Gomezman...5'.

Ciao! Gustav.

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GregYohn says on Oct 25, 2006, 17:28:

Going back to Cali! Hola!

I've been to Cali in Sept & October and now will be there in November! Ever heard of N Philly? I used to live there. Cali is alot nicer than that place! I run out of things to do on my visits to Cali!

Oh yeah! I have a GF there in case you could not guess!

Greg

Free Calls to Colombia & most of the rest of the world!
http://www.voipstunt.com/en/index.html

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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