Going to Colombia

MacGringo says on Oct 18, 2005, 14:39:

I think that you should wear a kilt because I have heard that the F.A.R.C are scared of men in skirts....jajajaja

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fre4077 says on Oct 18, 2005, 14:42:

Are you serious?????

If you are that scared about coming to Colombia, you probably shouldn´t come.

I am an American living in Bogota for a year.. I look very American, and I don´t try to hide it.. I don´t think you can. I´ve never had any problems here. It has been a great experience.

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goosekirk says on Oct 18, 2005, 15:54:

Good point I've been living for Bogota for a year, and I've picked other Americans out of a crowd just by body language.

Best thing Iceman there could do would be colored contacts, a wig, some kind of tanning pills, a priest's outfit and a wheelchair.

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Crazy4Cali says on Oct 18, 2005, 16:16:

"Find the gringo" is a game my wife and I play in Colombia (no points for finding me, though). Fortunately, there's some challenge in that they are pretty scarce in general (Gringo hangouts notwithstanding). Unfortunately, she (the colombian) can spot them a mile away so it's not very fair.

Bottom line, if you can't blend in completely, and you can't, don't even try or you'll just attract even more attention.

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litost says on Oct 18, 2005, 17:06:

Blending in, yeah it´s a general recommendation just to avoid attracting too much attention to yourself as a tourist. This does NOT mean, however, you should go through an extreme makeover!

PS - lots of blond and-or clear eyed colombians FYI.

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PGScooter says on Oct 18, 2005, 17:24:

theiceman: I have never been to Colombia, but am going soon. And although I agree with the others that you shouldn't be too afraid to say you're american, I disagree with them slightly because I think when you go to a different place you should do your best to understand the culture. And, if you are able to blend in then that is a sign that you understand and are comfortable with the culture. I have been abroad for over a year in Europe before and find that general guidlines apply everywhere. Be confident... obviously if you look confused or are carrying around a map or camera or looking at all of the buildings, then people will know you're not a native (once again, as the others said, not necessarily bad). Best advice is just to observe other people. Go to a cafe and sit down, relax, and watch other people walk by. Which ones look like foreigners to you? Why? What kind of clothes do they wear, how do they walk, how do they look, how do they interact with strangers/friends, etc.

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goosekirk says on Oct 18, 2005, 19:03:

Alright, seriously Iceman: people LIKE Americans here, and they WILL know you're American no matter what color contacts you buy. Well, some might guess you're Italian or French or British if you dress half-decently. But still, just forget right now about blending in, 'cause A, it ain't gonna happen, and B, there's no point.

I wanted to wear Colombian clothes the first time I came here, too. I even packed light, anticipating buying local garb. Here's the catch: you want to dress like a local, just go to the Gap. If you plan on buying clothes here, you're just going to be buying the same crap.

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 18, 2005, 19:21:

Why is it necessary to attempt to blend in in order to demonstrate that you understand and are comfortable with the culture? I don't follow this. I am surrounded by Colombians (wife and stepchildren)every day and I think I am comfortable with the culture but I would never think of trying to blend in. Just as it would be ludicrous for my wife to attempt to impersonate a gringa likewise it would be ludicrous for me to attempt to impersonate a Colombian.

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.

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Gator says on Oct 18, 2005, 19:35:

Most of the Posters Hit the Nail On The Head 1. My Spanish is damn good but still I would NEVER pass for a Colombian.

2. There are not really any real Colombian clothes but I guess you have the Guahibo Indians whip something up from palm bark. Other than than most Colombian dress better than most gringos-at least in Bogotá

3. The fact that you are a gringo will present no problems and the Spanish will help-don't be afraid to use it. Colombians, most anyway, sincerely like people from EU. Anyway , they will know you are a gringo as soon as you open your mouth but will not really care.
Fre4077 made a very cogent point and I agree. Loose some of the paranoia or choose another destination.

4. Mrs. Gator can spot a gringo almost as far away as she can spot a mall or shoe store.

Come, relax, have fun and enjoy a wonderful country and some great people.

In a pinch use this:

"¿Dije americano? Quería decir canadiense. ¡Bueno, gracis! El cárcel es magnífico. Mucho mejor que me hotel."
(Did I say American? I meant Canadian. Good, thanks! Nice jail you got. Much better than my hotel.)

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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b bruce says on Oct 18, 2005, 20:28:

American is Santa Marta! By all means just relax and enjoy Colombia. You will find the country a wonderful experience. The very best part of Colombia is the Colombian people. They are beautiful. honest and fun loving. I have been to Santa Marta three times, and have never met another American there. But if you do choose to keep a low profile. I suggest just do not leave a tip at any resturants, bars or cafes. They will think your a Canadian!

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Colombiche says on Oct 18, 2005, 20:50:

ha ha ha... contact lenses and tanning sessions? There are lots of people in colombia that are pale and have light eyes, I have cousins that are almost transluscent, have freckles, are tall and have blue or green eyes!! If you go to Medellin or Manizales, most people will actually be very fair. FYI, we are a rainbow nation!!

I guess you have watched too many of those Hollywood movies where they get Mexican natives to play members of the Medellin cartel, "orale puess mijo" LOL!

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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YTO SAN says on Oct 18, 2005, 23:59:

Absurd Look Man, no offense intended with my opinion.

First of all, if you are so worried and scared about going to Colombia you should stay in the States. I've been going to Colombia for years now and nothing ever happened to me.
Second, Blend in by using Colombia like clothes, you are wrong dude, just be yourself and don't be the typical loud gringo. people there will notice that you are a foreigner yes, but they won't mess with you if you don't mess with them.
Third and most important, YOU CAN GET IN TROUBLE, GET KIDNAPPED, GET KILLED, GET ROBBED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD EVEN HERE IN THE STATES, SO JUST RELAX AND DON'T DO STUPID THINGS.

Don;t take me wrong Dude

=======YTO SAN

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kernow62 says on Oct 19, 2005, 04:54:

GDL, you should actually walk as if you are trying to get somewhere in a hurry, at least in Bogotá. If you just amble along like you don't have anywhere to go you will stand out big time. Halloween? Of course they celebrate Halloween. As has been said, plenty of light skinned, fair haired Colombians. Clothing depends on what you will be doing. If going out to eat at a nice place you must dress nicely if you want to blend in a bit, otherwise blue jeans, dark shoes, etc. are the norm in Bogotá. Just look at many of the photo blogs of people in Bogotá and you will see what I mean. But you still won't blend in, so why bother.

www.gringoincolombia.com

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 19, 2005, 05:16:

kernow not even if he wears a big mexican hat and a poncho jejje

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elmodefoque says on Oct 19, 2005, 05:34:

Iceman, I presume you’re going to Colombia to get laid as much as humanly possible and I also presume you’re not related to Bill Gates or George Bush. Then, the one thing you must do is to make sure everybody knows you’re American. What I suggest your do is walk around waving the biggest American flag you could find and staple 20 dollar bills on you forehead, ok, is a little painful but it works, I do it all the time. I will assure you that Colombian girls will jump your bones right there in the middle of the street, but if you go around looking like an Argentinean, what the hell would they want with another third world modefoque, in that case might as well go for a broke ass Colombian.
Ask GIB, his thing must be nearly worn off, but don’t sweat it, in Colombia they got great plastic surgeons that take pieces of skin off your butt and place it around your abused penis.
I’m sure GIB has gotten more action in Colombia than Hugh Heffner and John Holmes combined.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Miguel says on Oct 19, 2005, 07:11:

A matter of moments before kat1 starts drooling about those argentinos...

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MacGringo says on Oct 19, 2005, 08:55:

Elmo, you're a funny modefoque!!
Ass skin grafted onto your cock...hahahaha

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 19, 2005, 09:09:

he put me off my lunch, i will never see a blonde gringo in Colombia with the same eyes again.

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caslug says on Oct 19, 2005, 11:16:

why change.. i was walking back fr class in cali w/ a tall dutch guy(6'5) and another american. a cute chica was walking towards us and locked on the dutch guy, say hi started a conversation, totally ignoring us american. I guess those extra inches really help! LOL!

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 19, 2005, 11:39:

I don't blame the girl caslug, that Dutch boys are goddess, went I went to Holland I nearly got torticolis jeje

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rocinante says on Oct 19, 2005, 15:57:

Don't speak - dress plain I can only answer with respect to Medellin.

Things that will say you are a tourist in Medellin:

1.) Your ethnicity/country of origin is Asia, Pacific Islands or India
2.) Your clothing is loud or you look and dress like Shaquille O'Neal
3.) Uncertain manerisms (posture) and other 'tells' that might give you away (I don't know what those are but they exist and the Colombianos can spot them a mile away - just like I can spot the out of towners in Manhattan no matter where in the city and how they are dressed)
4.) You speak (This is the #1 DEAD GIVEAWAY)

Most Paisa men dress average and drabby - mostly jeans and solid tops. Nothing spectacular. As people, the men come in all shapes and sizes but the majority are slight - not too tall not too big. Most haircuts are very short and conserative - a good deal of buzz fades. All are clean shaven and there is nothing flashy about their overall appearance.

I just returned from Medellin and was told by friends of locals I am close with that they didn't know I was American until I spoke. Neither my manerisms nor my clothing gave me away. Also my friend's brother-in-law is blue eyed and so freakin' white it hurt my eyes. There are locals who look like they could easily be from Eastern Europe, England, Scottland etc. I will say I didn't spot many freckles....

Honestly, if you're seated at a bar or eating establishment and you're with people who obviously 'look' latino it won't matter how white you are - you won't be labeled a Norto Americano until you talk or start acting like a tourist. In Medellin I saw all types of skin and facial features. If you are of Italian or Greek decent you will look more traditionally 'Latino' than 25% of the Colombian natives.

In all fairness there have been a few posters here who have commented (in other threads) that "because they are white" people stare at them constantly. I rode the metro after the Juanes concert from San Antonio to Floresta and I felt like I was on the N train here in NYC. No one gave me a second look. I guess being a New Yorker (relaxed in 'ethnic' big city environments) coupled with the fact that I was constantly with at least one local really helped me go around unnoticed. The people who get stared at are displaying some sort of something that says 'Norto Americano' - either clothing or attitude or the dead give away: speaking.

The bottom line of this long winded post is: speaking and having tourist mannerisms/clothing are the only things that will give you away. What your face and body look like is of little consequence. So put away the Argentinian Halloween mask, pancho and the tanning pills and relax and enjoy the beautiful city.

Oh, and if you're staying with locals don't expect hot water anywhere. Do expect a loving household, smiling faces and my favourite two things in all of Colombia: Almojabanas and Arepas (the flat ones, toasted and buttered of course)

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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