I'm a gringa traveling to Colombia for the holidays...

rocinante says on Nov 29, 2006, 18:03:

A bunch of strangers on this site will be your guiding light. I eat glass and stick nails in my head and I pick chunks of guys bigger than "the Rock" out of my stool. I grew up on the South Bronx and look Latino. I'm in Colombia all the time and it's safe as hell. Trust me.

I'm sure you're just like me so take my advice and relax - you'll have a great time, nothing to worry about.

You're gonna get flamed and I hate to be rough but this stupid topic gets potsed here once a week. No one ever agrees, and how could they? We're all different than you. Search this site or ask your Colombian friends. They know better than me, listo?

If I must add something I'd have to say I would not risk the 5%-10% chance of "trouble" travelling all the way from Bog to Costeño-ville in a non-airplane. Some here will agree and others will disagree - if they have the energy to post about this for the 115th time this year.

I'm not always on this site so I have the energy.

I hope this helps.h

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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pearlyone says on Nov 29, 2006, 18:17:

OKAY... BUT WHAT ABOUT... thank you for your response rocinante. i'm not quite sure what it all means... but i appreciate it any how. =)

one more thing...

my travel companions' lovely colombian family and friends are hosting us during our stay.

any suggestions of some great gifts i should bring them????

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morphus says on Nov 29, 2006, 18:52:

Right now a road trip from Bogota to the coast is safe. But how do we know when the turning point comes when it becomes unsafe? Things can change tomorrow, next week or years from now. Nobody can answer for sure.

Although, if I had to gamble my life savings for whether you make it or not safely, I would bet you make it unmolested.

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Piatt says on Nov 29, 2006, 18:55:

Road Trip Im currently living in Colombia as a foriegn student and from what I noticed is that during Holidays there is a lot of Security present on the Roads everywhere. So if your going to make the road trip do it during a holiday or close to it cause its safer.

When I get the low down of Barranquilla and the neighboring cities Il post some good spots to visit.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

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adrimm says on Nov 29, 2006, 19:52:

Gordon, you went! Good for you, how is it going and what city did you end up choosing?

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adrimm says on Nov 29, 2006, 19:58:

Pearlyone You'll have fun, on the coast in the touristy bits you shouldn't be afraid to haggle or bargain with the vendors.. but seeing as you will be going with Colombians, I'm sure they'll stop you from overpaying too much.

Gifts: High-end chocolates seem to *always* go over well in Colombia. If there are any local liquers where you are from that might be an idea.. um you could formally treat everyone (if it isn't too many) out for a meal at a nice restuarant of their choosing.

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podborski says on Nov 29, 2006, 20:46:

you will be fine relax and have a great trip. Your friend's family will look after you. Don't do anything dumb of course, like go wandering around late at night drunk and alone. Same advice you'd follow anywhere in the world.

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miamimike says on Nov 29, 2006, 21:15:

I hope you are traveling in a Private car and Not on a Flota (equiv of our greyhound bus)if you are going from Bogota to Cartagena. The Bus drivers and Buses are not known for a sterling safety record(like maintaining the brake pads or Headlights on their buses). If you are heading out on a Bus, you are going to Experience the Trip of a Lifetime.... That said, its a beautiful trip from Bog to the coast. I hope you enjoy it! Nice Mountain Side Views, bring some Scopolamine Patches,,,hehe

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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oswaldorb says on Nov 30, 2006, 06:01:

It gonna be fine No worries. Colombia is absolutly great. Bogota and all the way to the coast is really safe.. adn FUN!

So I hope you enjoy yourself!!

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pearlyone says on Dec 1, 2006, 16:06:

ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT GIFTS... Hi Everyone! Thank you for all of your feedback! It is much appreciated!

Re: gifts to bring. I was thinking of bringing hats, t-shits and/or beach towels that say LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, or HOLLYWOOD on them. Do you think this would be a nice gift??? Or is this something that you can find in Colombia???

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Crazy4Cali says on Dec 1, 2006, 20:36:

Shopping You can find anything in Colombia. Some of it is even genuine. They even make C-notes ($100 bills) in Colombia.

Seriously, the fact that you're giving it is more important than what it is (unless it's a fruitcake or a Mariachi band, those might not go over well).

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 3, 2006, 20:42:

Why would a mariachi band not go over well? My wife's family loves mariachis.

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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adela says on Dec 4, 2006, 00:15:

gifts, security tips
Pearlyone: hats, t-shirts or beach towels are ok but not necessarily that say "Hollywood" or something like that. Use your commong sense and bring something you wish to have, something cheap and nice.

Your friend's family is your best guideline about where to go and what to do in Colombia. They will protect you and embrace you.

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

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goin_south says on Dec 4, 2006, 01:19:

T-shirts that say "BUSH SUCKS" should go over well from the folks I've spoken with. no, no... pearlyone. You are on the right track: Dodgers, Lakers, Hollywood. I don't know why someone said 'no Hollywood stuff'. They'll love that. Metallica! even better! for teens. Really, everyone above is steerin you right.
(Do they have mariachi bands in Colombia?? I thought that was just a mexican thing.) Save the mariachis.

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 4, 2006, 05:52:

Of course they have mariachi bands in Colombia! In Medellin there is an area where they congregate and you can make arrangements with them to come to your house or apartment and play. There are many different bands and you negotiate a price for a certain number of songs, usually paying half up front and half when they are done. I should post some pics of them bursting into my wife's apartment playing like maniacs.

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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Boatygringo says on Dec 4, 2006, 07:18:

Mariachi Lots in Barenqilla too.Boatygringo

Boatygringo

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