Late night arrival: safety

goin_south says on Aug 7, 2007, 23:31:

take your freakin chances; probably.... (anyone givin odds, or takin bets?)... you will be jus fine... if you make it to the hotel parkin lot.... all in 1 piece., then... write back and let us know that your fingers still are attached.... jajjaj

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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goin_south says on Aug 7, 2007, 23:41:

or... West County, St.Louis....Baldwin.
Now, that's safe.

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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goin_south says on Aug 7, 2007, 23:41:

maybe Manchester.

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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timeforachangeofscenery says on Aug 8, 2007, 00:45:

Muchacho,

Relax man, You should bear in mind that all the drug smugglers, gun runners, murderers, kidnappers and horse-fellatiants have cashed up and migrated to Florida. SH!T, I heard they even voted one of them in as PRESIDENT!!!! - guess which one !!! LOOOOL

You have a great trip muchacho and if anyone hassles you, you just whip out your passport and tell them where you're from.

Buena viaje.

Timefor.

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muchacho_escondido says on Aug 8, 2007, 08:45:

Well, thanks to those who actually addressed my question-- meaning GIB and lencon.

Timeforachangeofscenery-- the joke is appreciated :)

The "don't come if you're scared" crowd-- thanks anyway.

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vicshere says on Aug 8, 2007, 11:30:

hey mario 100,000 i am sure you would get any taxi driver for that day fare

listo

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Philly says on Aug 8, 2007, 12:14:

First, do not get intimadated. There will be tons of people waiting outside. Just look like you belong and you will be okay.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Aug 9, 2007, 06:02:

Here's a guide to what to expect that might help:
http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/travel/ArrivingInBogota/

Poor but snappy

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LA_MONA says on Aug 9, 2007, 06:07:

Peter pretty please

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 9, 2007, 06:22:

When "my people" (haha) pick me up at El Dorado, it's a very short walk to the surface parking lot to get in their car. I've done it many times and I always come in between 8 and 10 p.m.

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orestesdd says on Aug 9, 2007, 08:02:

Can you arrange a driver from the hotel to come to pick you up? I am traveling to Bogota pretty soon and that's why I am doing. Someone from the hotel will send a car to pick me up. I will just have to pay $30,000 COP. But then, again I don't look like a gringo and I do speak the language.

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vicshere says on Aug 9, 2007, 08:40:

GIB you got it right do everything random.....go to the bank random....go shopping random....go to church random......take a route home random..... go jogging random......you do routine in Colombia someone will be onto quickly
and If you speak the language what's the problem...good grief

listo

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muchacho_escondido says on Aug 9, 2007, 08:45:

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now when I get that ticket, where do I go? Is there some area where only legit taxis are allowed? Or do I have to "look people in the eye" to choose the taxi?

If there's no official taxi area (with a controlled entrance and exit), I don't see how having a ticket can even help. If the taxi driver wants to rob me, I don't see how that piece of paper could help me.They see a foreigner, they go for his stuff-- ticket or not...

So it is really important if there's an official and controlled queue of taxis like, say, in JFK.

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podborski says on Aug 9, 2007, 09:05:

muchacho, just remember to turn to the RIGHT as you exit the airport. RIGHT. There's a little walkway with a waist high fence to keep all the hordes of family back, and you turn RIGHT again to the little booth to get your ticket.

Once ticket is in hand, a guy will probably try to help you take your bags the 5 to 10 feet to the waiting taxi, no worries, they are right there. The guy will want a small tip for helping you with your bags.

The only reason you MIGHT want to go left when you leave the airport is to go up the escalators to the departure area to use a cash machine before you go get your taxi. I prefer to do that than get ripped off by the money change place at the arrivals area.

So go get some pesos, then go back to get your taxi.

relax, it's nothing to worry about.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Aug 9, 2007, 10:37:

Everyone just relax please :) Bogota airport is really quite safe.

The ticket is right outside, the taxis are right next to the ticket booth. Really nothing to worry about, and if you get in an "illegal" taxi you'll most likely be totally fine too.

Poor but snappy

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ecco says on Aug 9, 2007, 16:13:

Hi- just want to say thanks also to Peter, GIB and the others for this info. I'm arriving in Bogotá next week for the first time. I'm pleased I'm not worried about it though. Having pictures helps too..

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goin_south says on Aug 9, 2007, 22:29:

escondido... Call lencol for a ride from the airpot; he (states that he) lives in the UK... jajjje maybe he's on vacation, though. Who knows? Maybe you can give us a live report about those TWO PEOPLE HE'S TRYING TO GET TO TALK.

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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