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Help me visit Colombia

I live in Los Angeles, California and I want to visit my best friend Silvana who lives in Colombia. She has two houses. One in Bogota and one in Cartagena. My parents wont let me go visit her because of the media's representation of the horrible violence that goes on in Colombia. While I know violence is present in Colombia, from the articles Ive read on this site, I know the precautions and warnings about buses and traveling alone, and just to use common sense. I will be staying with my friend's family, who are native Colombians, so I know that I will be safe. How can you help me convince my parents that I can go?
Please share your own experiences of your stay or life in Colombia, and anything that will help convince my parents to let me go to visit my friend.
I want more than anything to experience this amazing country, and my amazing best friend.
Thank you all so much.
-Natalie

By nataliew on Nov 20, 2006, 21:32 in Friendly Talkzone.

Lisa Zee says on Nov 20, 2006, 21:59:

I can help Hi Natalie: I live in L.A. and I am from Medellin, I don`t blame your parents, but I tell you, I just got back from Medellin, and my friend was very scared of going, and his family did not wanted him going with me. He had a great time. If you have friends there you will have no problem, I would not advise a girl alone, backpaking or something like that, but with friends you will have no problem.I have a very big, BIG, family there, most of them are welthy, and have a wonderful life, they would not want to live anywhere else, they visit many countries but Colombia is the place to live!. Don`t miss a chance to see a most beautifull place, and the friendliest people on earth!

Feliz Navidad!

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nataliew says on Nov 20, 2006, 22:11:

thank you : )

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timeforachangeofscenery says on Nov 21, 2006, 04:02:

the silly season I was in Colombia for about six months and I had a great time and made a lot of friends there. Having said this, I wouldn't advise any of my female relatives or friends to travel there right now. In fact, I'm terrified for my wife who is holidaying with family there. The main problem right now seems to be an increase in criminal activity associated with the lead up to Christmas. It would appear that criminals can sense that there is money to be made with people accessing their savings to buy gifts for their loved ones . This really hit home the other day when my wife (a native colombian) was walking through a crowded park with her sister in the middle of a weekday. She said that two guys started to follow them and chased them into a building. The two men even tried to get past the security guard at the front desk by claiming that they just wanted a drink of water. I have nightmares about this situation and couldn't even begin to imagine how a parent would feel if this had happened to their daughter.
I'm with your parents on this one Natalie. Hey, why not ask your parents to buy your friend an airline ticket to the US. I think they'd jump at the chance. I know I would.

Take care and good luck.

Danny

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webmanco says on Nov 21, 2006, 05:56:

The easiest way is to tell your parents that DonGringo (Colombia security expert) :) will scort you while in Colombia.

That should do it.

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

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jinksmiester says on Nov 21, 2006, 06:30:

colombia can be safe if you are with the right people who know where and where not to go...but you have to keep in mind that what a typical colombiano might take as a safe place may not be quite as safe for you.as a gringo you will stick out like a sore thumb.it can be a beautiful country but it is also a country with lots of poor people and a lot of criminal activity...there are a lot of very poor and desperate people.ive been here 8 times but as a canadian with blonde hair im an obvious forienor here and im always aware of where i go and what i do...while your friends may be good people with good intentions there are a lot of people here who do not have good intention.....im with your parents on this one....id be worried for my daughter if she was here ....the only way id want her here is with me to keep an eye on her

A man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams

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rmykita says on Nov 21, 2006, 16:05:

Tell your parents to call me Hi. Gringo from L.A. who packed up and moved by myself, without knowing a soul or having a clue. I can field any question from the rents. I am down here, but I have my SKYPE phone - if you are feeling risky, tell them to call me or email me. ryan.mykita at gmail.com 949 485 5083

Ryan

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Chuck says on Dec 6, 2006, 23:03:

Just follow these simple rules If you stay at home in your bed, maybe a meteorite will come from mars and vaporize ur head.. or maybe not. In Colombia 35 million people live normal lives all the time while the rest are having problems with the guerillas or paras. So stay where most colombians live, in the cities and do not travel by bus to known places of conflict. Your friends know how to avoid that... that's why they still love to live in Colombia.

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