Hello i'm new to this forum and Going to Bogota For the 1st Time.

scotty says on Jul 4, 2007, 16:44:

you wont have any problems, you'll love it!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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griffbos says on Jul 4, 2007, 17:02:

they only advice I would offer is listen to the girl friend and her family they will keep you safe

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LEYENDA says on Jul 4, 2007, 17:11:

Thanx for the advice so far. any other are welcome to comment thanx.

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getting better says on Jul 4, 2007, 17:43:

If you post the rough address people will advise you on how safe it is. Earlier this year I stayed with a friend in the south of Bogota and quite frankly I was scared as it has a bad reputation, much more so than in the north. However I was q

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getting better says on Jul 4, 2007, 17:48:

uite relieved that it was not as bad as I expected, though I wouldnt recommend it.

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LEYENDA says on Jul 4, 2007, 18:02:

i dont know the exact addrees but it's by the american embassy

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goin_south says on Jul 4, 2007, 18:33:

...by the American Embassy.

Now,... since we have had a few 'warning's as of late... you know, and then the Iranian guy lately in the news... ... The American Embassy sounds like.... not the place to be, maybe for now. I'm even reconsidering not showing up for the interview ;)

Or, is it another building? office? consulate?

Where do we go from here?

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LEYENDA says on Jul 4, 2007, 20:03:

HEY gringoinbogota LET ME KNOW YOUR E-MAIL ADDY SO WE CAN HAVE A DRINK

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goin_south says on Jul 4, 2007, 21:51:

for real, LEYENDA... I expect you're gonna have a great time.
So far.... I believe I like Bogota THE BEST! I just returned from there, and just spoke with my gf on the phone and she agrees,....."Soon, again.... together in Bogota!'

GIB, please don't let him leave without going up to Monserrate.
And, take your gf up there, and take in some 'fine dining' at the San Ysidro restaurante.
As we returned from there, the manager of our hotel said the only thing that could have been done better, was if it had been under the Stars; I think they are open til 11 pm.

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Jul 4, 2007, 21:52:

which leads me to another post, on a topic I've yet to see discussed here. Maybe some posters have some experience, or not.

Where do we go from here?

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zeineguy says on Jul 4, 2007, 23:52:

hi, have not been to bogota. only cali. but the same rules i think follow for anyone. Dont flash your wealth. leave your gold at home. esp watches and chains. Dont carry large sums of money.. i found in cali i can use the ATM's and get a good rate. When i was in cali, my last weekend, two americans showed up ( btw i am from canada) and the older male had gold necklaces, gold watch, and rings. as we were sitting there having beers outside our hotel, he opened his wallet, and he had about $1000 USD plus another mil in pesos. along with his gold cc. If you want a bad experience.. this is the way to come. You will be sure to be targeted. I knew little spanish and brought very little with me. but had an amazing time there. If you are from LA, then just think about how to act in the worse neighborhoods there. I am thinking of going to bogota in august.. as i have a few friends that want to meet me.

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LEYENDA says on Jul 5, 2007, 00:00:

HEY GOING SOUTH THANX FOR EVERYTHING I'LL TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS I CAN. I REALLY WANT TO HAVE ALOT OF FUN IN COLOMBIA WITH MY GIRL. IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO GET TO KNOW THE PLACE WHERE SHE WAS BORN I REALLY LOVE HER AND I'M PLANNING TO HAVE ALOT OF FUN. I ALSO HEARD OF A PLACE CALLED LA ZONA ROSA PEOPLE TELL ME THAT'S WHERE ALL THE CLUBS ARE, IS THIS TRUE? AND IF SO HOW SAFE IS IT?

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goin_south says on Jul 5, 2007, 00:17:

Read some of the recent posts, from the last week. There's lots in there about Zona Rosa. It's safe. It's fun.

Where do we go from here?

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jul 5, 2007, 02:07:

Within a day you'll think: "Why was I worrying so much?"

Have fun!

Poor but snappy

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goin_south says on Jul 5, 2007, 06:27:

seiously... thanks for the heads-up, GIB.
about ZR.

Oh, shit. Now you tell me about the 'legend has it'... Monserrate :(
Can you also tell me 'how soon' I'll be 'foot-loose-and....'....
Nawwwwhhhhh. Jus kiddin ladies. I'm going to prove this legend wrong.

Now.... how do you 'remove the curse'???

I'll 'toon' in late this afternoon; I should have LOTS OF HELP, BY THEN :)

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Jul 5, 2007, 06:30:

I'm surprised my gf didn't know about 'the legend'.

Was that why all the mouths at the hotel lobby dropped ? ? ? ? when I started telling them about our fabulous day?

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Jul 5, 2007, 06:31:

What sort of concoction am I gonna have to burn at the bottom of the hill? jejee

Where do we go from here?

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Waterdawg says on Jul 5, 2007, 07:16:

... Well I live five min. from Zona Rosa and spend many , many , many a night there . No problems mate ! ..

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 5, 2007, 07:46:

I know what you meant, but this is almost as good as something from Yogi Berra.

"Probably if you were going to have a problem here it would be there." -GIB

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Waterdawg says on Jul 5, 2007, 07:51:

.. You want to get into a pissing match , knock your self out ! .. Maybe my Dad is bigger than yours .lol .. I was not addressing you any way ! .. I was commenting on ZR. ( As I see it ) in the year of our Lord 2007 ! ..

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msaucey says on Jul 5, 2007, 08:29:

Hey Leyenda.... I think you'll have a blast... You pretty much have to take any precautions you would on a normal trip... Meaning... You are always more alert and cautious in areas you are not familiar with.... If you are Mexican, you'll appreciate Colombia a little more... I must confess that I am biased... I actually think it's safer in Colombia then it is in Mexico.... I've been to Mexico City and I was truly more scared of being mugged there then I ever would be in Bogota... And you'll appreciate the fact that Colombians, again are much more friendly....

Enjoy your time!... Once you go to Colombia, you'll want to go back... and you will see what I'm talking about... The cultures are just very different....

Don't forget to tell us about your trip, upon your return...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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LEYENDA says on Jul 6, 2007, 00:36:

Thanx msaucey for the kind words. i know i'm gonna have a good time and i will tell you all how my trip went whe i return. even tho it's still a while before i leave to colombia but will definetly be in touch.

one more thing fellas how are the prices there as far as food,drinks etc..... also how much should i tip the waiters/waitresses at the restaurants hotels etc......

let's say for example how much would i be looking to spend for me and m girl in a nice restaurant.
what about clubs how are the prices there as far as cover charge drinks bottles etc... thanx in advanced

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gbeckler says on Jul 6, 2007, 05:29:

I would add these comments: use a moneybelt, put your wallet in your front pocket (you might want to carry a fake wallet with a few dollars), only carry enough cash for your immediate needs, don´t flaunt wealth, be aware of your surroundings, avoid risky neighborhoods. Don´t show a large amount of cash when making purchases. Watch for pickpockets on the Trans Milenio when it is packed (a local advised me to empty my pockets before riding the Trans Mileno during busy times), I was in Bogota all last week on vacation and had a great time with no problems.

I believe tips are included in the restaurant bills so you should not tip...maybe another reader could confirm this.

Gary

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gringoloid says on Jul 6, 2007, 07:09:

Oddly, I was in a restaurant last night on septima called Patinicos, (sic), and this is the first time in a long time the propina was not includio. Good restaurant by the way, entradas, 2 dinners, drinks, propina, =$38.000 COP. This couldn't have been done in the states.

Who are the three blind men?

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 6, 2007, 23:51:

I agree, tips are not necessary - sometimes inappropriate. It took me a while to realize and appreciate that fact - but it is a fact. I did a 180 on my tipping habits in Colombia. I started out feeling embarrassed and cheap if I didn't tip, to now feeling uncomfortable if I do tip. There are exceptions and special circumstances, but by and large, as a rule, don't tip.

Moneybelt??? Are those, those things with the nylon or canvas pouch that hooks around your waste with a belt strap. I personally wouldn't use one. I think they make you look like a tourist. Not trying to knock gbeckler's advice - but I respectfully disagree. Besides looking dorky, it is like wearing a sign that says, "here is my wallet". I totally agree with everything else he said and also put my wallet in my front pocket. Or more often didn't even carry it.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Miamigo says on Jul 7, 2007, 04:47:

LEYENDA is mejicanoamericano so he doesn't look like a gringo, nobody is going to target him in zona rosa so it's as safe there for him as it would be for anyone who isn't a gringo. If there are worries about FARC throwing a grenade you might as well tell him to go party in Plaza de las Americas instead because it would be safer in that respect and no one is going to target him as a gringo there because he doesn't look like one.

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Shanidar says on Jul 10, 2007, 16:10:

The only thing I would add, that is not obvious.... Is this. Offically they say you should never hail a cab, but especially don't hail a cab in front of the US Embassy. Several times an American has been f*cked over, after hailing a cab from in front of the Embassy.

As far as going drinking, there are plenty of decent neighborhood areas, that are safe, and not full of americans, and therefore, not targets.

Try Plaza de Las Americas in Barrio Milenta. I never had any issues there, the mall is nice and lots of bars on the street leading up to it (1 de Mayo, I think? Someone assist, please)

Have fun and turn off your American Newscast, it is alarmist and will make you worry over nothing

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orestesdd says on Jul 18, 2007, 12:33:

Do I look like a gringo or a foreigner? Let me know and I will be careful during my trip in August. Thanks.

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