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Lost all belonging in hotel , Itagui

I have been staying at hotel AlCaravan Itagui for ten nights, last night when I enterd my room fund out that All my valuable belonging such as the lap top, camera, as well as all cash from the safe box in the room has been stolen, looks like inside job since the entrance door is not broken but the safe box is broken, the hotel manegement dosn´t accept any responsibility and the police here worth nothing, any sudjestion what can I do about it ? I apreciate all help

By Gypsy on Nov 6, 2009, 12:29 in Friendly Talkzone.

Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 6, 2009, 12:39:

Thats the most outrageous story I have heard of.. Post the website of the hotel and can you make a complaint to the tourism board or Colombian chamber of commerce? Whats the hotel management telling you on how they broke into the safe? Do they have security cameras?

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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ColombiaBoard says on Nov 6, 2009, 12:43:

I remember I replied to someone who suggested this was an OK area to stay in, it isn´t.

Itagüi is not considered safe for tourists.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 6, 2009, 12:45:

Gather all the identifying information on the employees, management/owner, business contact information you can, possible for future use. I hope you didnt prepay your stay there????

Also, i think you are screwed in this deal.

"So Many PBH Potatoheads.......So Little Time"......El Titiritero (The Puppeteer).....www.slapdoll.com

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makopp5 says on Nov 6, 2009, 12:47:

http://www.hotelalcaravan.com/home.html
Is that the hotel? Is it close to mayorista?

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pedro says on Nov 6, 2009, 12:53:

Itagui is pretty sketchy. That's where most of the dead bodies have been turning up these last few months.

Are you dealing with the top level of hotel management?

Get used to the idea that your stuff is gone and it's not coming back.

I hope the missing cash was just a manageable amount, and you were using ATM withdrawals for your funds? You can get emergency cash using your Visa or Mastercard if required (even if the card is gone). They will send an authorisation directly to a nominated branch, who will then release the cash to you.

Did you have travel insurance? If so, you will need a police report to claim.

Are your immediate needs taken care of?

"this may seem a strange post but it is not...when in colombia men need to be aware that colombia women may try to be seductive and entice a travelling gringo to have sex with them..to be forewarned is to be forearmed..." -- pow wow

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roccatanski says on Nov 6, 2009, 12:54:

As someone that suffered a break in (own house) and had things stolen I know the feeling,it fucking sucks and you feel like putting a bullet in someones face,but like Miguel_Clavo said I think your screwed as well,it is not like you have home insurance on this stuff,do you at least still have your passport and bank and credit cards?

"A man is defined by his actions, not his memory" ( Kuato-- total recall)

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el norteño says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:05:

File a police report anyway. Create a record. Maybe the management starts taking security more seriously.

It looks like a brand new facility, but the neighborhood is not good.

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nine inch nails says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:12:

Oh I seen this posted in here several months back. Monger zone??

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theflatline says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:20:

Why would you stay in Itagui?

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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roccatanski says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:35:

I live in Bogota and not familiar with a "Monger zone" what is that?must be a Medellin term

"A man is defined by his actions, not his memory" ( Kuato-- total recall)

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nine inch nails says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:36:

you talkin to me moron(s)?

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roccatanski says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:39:

you used the term "Monger zone"what the fuck is a Monger zone,and now you resort to name calling hahahahaha who is the Moron?

"A man is defined by his actions, not his memory" ( Kuato-- total recall)

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davidyamiga says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:58:

Okay...kiddies! Wash those mouths with soap!

Back to work! It sucks,....

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 6, 2009, 14:16:

That really sucks. Sorry to hear what happened. Although it was 17 years ago, I had my room burglarized and lost everything of value. It is a horrible feeling. Like being violated or something.

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lpdiver says on Nov 6, 2009, 15:30:

As was stated above at least make and obtain a copy of the police report. I know my home owners covers this type of situation but I carry a rider for that.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Catfish35 says on Nov 6, 2009, 15:34:

Itagui is actually very nice...Only thing I lost there was my clean bill of health!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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capt_j says on Nov 6, 2009, 18:05:

I have had stuff stolen from my hotel room, by employees, in places that were supposed to be first world. In a place like Colombia even the safe is probably not secure enough, unless maybe you're at the Intercontinental.

Sorry about your stuff, it sucks to get ripped of.

This to me seems to be a reason to stay in an apartment, only you have access.

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dwmte7 says on Nov 7, 2009, 04:21:

well in contrast to fish's opinion, itagui sucks. have family there, poor souls. and therein lies colombia's big slam.

moral: welcome to itagui!

and sad to say, i wouldn't hold my breath about getting some resolution to the matter, either from the authorities or the owners (probably culpable as well). good luck. one could live a long wonderful life and never visit itagui.

patriarch

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kingfish5515 says on Nov 7, 2009, 05:52:

I was in hotel alcaravan for one night and it was a very very nice clean well kept good size hotel with a pool and restaurant but located in a less than nice area of town. As far as I know it is in mayorista and not itagui. The reason to stay there is that it is cheap, like 30,000 cop or $15 per night for a place that would be $100 or more in poblado. I actually recommended it a long time ago for the budget traveller but now rescind the reccomendation based on this robbery. Sorry for your loss gypsy, I know how you feel, my office got hit several months ago right here in the good ol usa. kingfish

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 7, 2009, 06:05:

What to learn from this? because that is all that is going to be done here.

If your going to "budget" travel then you don't take your laptop and all the goodies. If you are going to have to bring all that you go the high end. When people don't follow this rule they stick out like a sore thumb and well this is exactly what happens. Example: Don't answer your Blackberry while saving money by taking the bus, just things like this, etc.

Oh and anywhere this is true but Colombia and some parts more than others is not forgiving of this rule.

All that up in the high life you can have it. False rich, false friends and well a false life. Get down to the bear bones of it and you will find yourself, your friends and your life. Colombia can show you the way if you look...

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nevertrustapaisa says on Nov 7, 2009, 06:15:

The hotel is directly facing the Mayorista. It is part of the group of hotels used primarily by the truckers who move merchandise to and from the Mayorista. While it is fairly modern hotel, by Colombian standards, it is a poor environment to hang out. Even staying in the center of Medellin is better, and some places cost about the same.

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Lowell says on Nov 7, 2009, 06:21:

It's very easy for a prior customer of a rented short term apartment to make copies of the keys, stake out the apt later for a good ripe victim, wait until the coast is clear and comit the crime. Elemental my dear Watson.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 7, 2009, 06:29:

Monger is a term used for people that enjoy the company of prostitutes, typically cheap ones.

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ranaquajo says on Nov 7, 2009, 07:16:

... i received a message from the fish bowl this morning while i was out walking the dog ... es de mi primo elSapo ... i don't know who or what this is directed at since i haven't read the thread yet, but ...

elSapo says:

"There is only a reason for a tourist to stay there at Majorista in Medellin and it is not paying cheap for the hotel.
It is paying cheap for putas and liking underage girls. That's it.

So, I believe that you are a NMG sick sex monger as ANY gringo who is staying or stayed in that place.
Ask your friend Frank Casio for a confirmation and thanks him for his ridiculous safety info."

... sorry for the delay cuz ...

... nihil declaro .....

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 7, 2009, 08:04:

Geee you mean a gringo came to Colombia looking for puta? OMG what will happen next here in Colombia.

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nevertrustapaisa says on Nov 7, 2009, 08:33:

"

ranaquajo (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 7, 2009, 07:16 (today): flag

... i received a message from the fish bowl this morning while i was out walking the dog ... es de mi primo elSapo ... i don't know who or what this is directed at since i haven't read the thread yet, but ...

elSapo says:

"There is only a reason for a tourist to stay there at Majorista in Medellin and it is not paying cheap for the hotel.
It is paying cheap for putas and liking underage girls. That's it.

So, I believe that you are a NMG sick sex monger as ANY gringo who is staying or stayed in that place.
Ask your friend Frank Casio for a confirmation and thanks him for his ridiculous safety info." "

-----

Doesn't take much for some people to jump to conclusions based on so little information. Some times this place resembles FOX network with all the exaggerated loonies coming out of the woodwork, making ridiculous accusations before their meds wear off. At least FOX gets paid to do it to entertain the red-necks! Can't see much excuse for the "get-a-life" types here.

Yes, there tends to be a lot of gals catering to the truckers there. But, the hotel is contemporary, especially for Itagui. And they advertise themselves as being very convenient to both the airport and Southern bus terminal. Without prior knowledge, it is more than possible the poster assumed he would be staying in a decent area.

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 7, 2009, 08:49:

stereotypes stereotypes...welcome to colombia

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 7, 2009, 09:31:

If that is the website and hotel MAKO supplied it certainly doesnt look like a PUTA hotel or cheap either. Hey but looks can be deceiving, who knows.

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 7, 2009, 09:33:

who knows but this guy was a one hit wonder, never came back. I guess that means it wasn't true. No one gets robbed in Colombia! jaja

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turnmeon says on Nov 7, 2009, 11:31:

I stood at that same hotel (Hotel Alcaravan) and never had any problems there, I would recommend you to go to a brand new hotel called Sauces del Estadio, it is located right behind the obelisco mall, the price is a little bit higer but not too much and the hotel looks better.

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turnmeon says on Nov 7, 2009, 11:33:

the hotel staff have keys to all the rooms except for the safe key which you have to pay 10k to have it.

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Catfish35 says on Nov 7, 2009, 13:21:

I try to never stay at a place that doesn;t have the little box or door where you deal with the management directly in each room!
I remember when I saw this the first time and thought it was the coolest thing! My future ex novia at the time could not get me away from the little two-way box I kept aggravating the help with. I told her I thought it was little Gnomes or something running around in there! I love places like that. Theres actually a real nice one bordering Envigado and Sabeneta on the street directly infront of Mall Mayorca. Invegas I believe the name!

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bickerss says on Nov 7, 2009, 13:31:

Happened to me in a top hotel in bogota - they called the police etc and did a show of trying to help but in the end no responsibility, and as suggested above, I would say that the goods will never be seen again. I lock my valuables now in a pacsafe and lock it to a non moveable object in the hotel, regardless of how many stars it is.

www.pacsafe.com

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Catfish35 says on Nov 7, 2009, 13:34:

On a serious side...I agree with others here and surmise that this post is suspect since he has not returned to supply any answers or to defend truly, why anyone really would vacation in Itagui?
I am very familiar since I had my Ice Cream shop there in the beautiful Mayorista!
Unless you have family there or want a fast track to Pablo's grave I cannot see that it has much to offer. Other than losing your clean bill of health! and laptops and stuff like that!

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Gypsy says on Nov 7, 2009, 15:11:

I would like to thank all of you for your concern and suggestions,

Well, in this two days there have not been a lot of good feeling and time to sit down and write here,

all yesterday was going from police in Mayorista to court house in Itagui and finally was able to file a claim with fiscalia in Envied at 8.PM , had phone conversation with two attorneys, and all this morning meeting with the owners of the hotel and has been going through a lots of things,

I know there are a lots of questions and I will happily inform you soon,

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nevertrustapaisa says on Nov 7, 2009, 15:57:

Catfish35 says on Nov 7, 2009, 13:34 (today):

"...since he has not returned to supply any answers or to DEFEND truly..."

"Defend"? Absurd of you to expect people to defend their choice of hotel, their reason for traveling, their activities while visiting... The same folks who seriously need to get a life (away from the computer), consider themselves judge and jury for each poster and mistakenly feel everyone is beholden to their opinion.

The poster went out of his way to share his personal experience with everyone. His shared experience is useful enough, without being pressured to divulge his private life to some losers. People like this person responding to the poster ruin the site for others. You turn a potentially useful forum into a kangaroo court.

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roccatanski says on Nov 7, 2009, 16:40:

I never been to Medellin before nor have any real desire to,but the pictures of place looks nice and for someone like myself not knowing of these "monger zones" wouldn't have a clue and would rent it without knowing any better..... than warn others here of being robbed only to be accused of being a procurer of cheap prostitutes and that is just a little fucked up,also remember the guy had his laptop stolen so for him to be at the internet every hour would be difficult.Thanks for posting this, if I ever do end up in Medellin I know now to avoid this place.

"A man is defined by his actions, not his memory" ( Kuato-- total recall)

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 7, 2009, 21:50:

gypsy you just waisted and entire day of your life.....

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dwmte7 says on Nov 8, 2009, 04:49:

what i find curious, is how one, looking for a place to stay in the medallo area, would find themselves in itagui? it's like getting more lost after you're already lost. every time we had to go to itagui to visit family, my skin crawled. the atmosphere is/was horrible, dull, kinda lifeless. add to that the slammer there doesn't help anything.

i would always suggest to anyone looking for a place to stay while visiting, stick to the east side. better digs.

patriarch

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davidslc46 says on Nov 8, 2009, 05:00:

dwmte7 says on Nov 8, 2009, 04:49 (today): flag

what i find curious, is how one, looking for a place to stay in the medallo area, would find themselves in itagui? it's like getting more lost after you're already lost. every time we had to go to itagui to visit family, my skin crawled. the atmosphere is/was horrible, dull, kinda lifeless. add to that the slammer there doesn't help anything.

Well when you are led to believe all things are equal in Medellin neighborhoods you probably end up staying in some places you maybe should not be staying.

Douglas,

Can you imagine losing everything in Itagui and not having another friend or family to help you get things sorted out? Well as Robert more or less stated, cut your losses and go home a wiser but poorer man.

David

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dwmte7 says on Nov 8, 2009, 06:19:

i agree, david, it's just that itagui is not atop the recommended stays on pbh, where many glean their info. and i doubt without knowing for sure, that it's recommended on other sites. too, when landing in medallo for the first time, let's face it, itagui is kinda off the map/beaten path. how many visitors up and say, 'i think i'll go to itagui?' i was in medellin over a year before i even heard of it.

i certainly sympathize with the chap for his loss and maintain my contempt for the fact that little of nothing is done by the authorities and the culpable are usually standing close at hand. it makes no difference if he was robbed in itagui or in the hotel intercontinental. it's always a bummer.

i guess i drew the long straw in all my travels in africa, mid east, europe, india and throughout the americas, i never lost a thing to hotel theft. thanks to GOD.

patriarch

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roccatanski says on Nov 8, 2009, 06:42:

You never had anything stolen because you never had anything of value,in your traveling days 2000 years ago how much was a stone tablet really worth?

"A man is defined by his actions, not his memory" ( Kuato-- total recall)

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dwmte7 says on Nov 8, 2009, 10:39:

the value isn't the issue, roccatanski....it's walkin up and down mt sinai getting em that's a bitch.

patriarch

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jcf says on Nov 8, 2009, 12:28:

Gypsy, I feel for you and wish you luck.

I've been to Itagüí many times for legitimate reasons. I've also met professional women (no, not that profession :-) there and spent a pleasant evening with one at a simple, local bar that nevertheless offered an attractive presentation of rum (see below). Knowing the area, though, I'm not sure I would have selected a hotel there. But if I had needed a place to stay, who knows.

I did stay in a higher-end hotel in La Floresta (Medellín) this year and was robbed, apparently by hotel staff and/or an owner since there was no forced entry to the room. The thief slashed my bags. I filed a police report and after pulling some strings, CTI showed up. But the owners reneged on their commitment to hire a private investigator to interrogate the staff with a polygraph and I was never informed of any recovery. After a meeting with one of the owners and my lawyer at the Attorney General's office, he agreed to deduct one half of the loss from my bill. Although I was tempted not to pay the balance at all as was suggested above, I wondered what the repercussions would have been since the theft had left things I didn't want to lose at check-out time.

Jim

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 10, 2009, 00:51:

stay away from cheap hotels. if your a tourist stick to el poblado and major hotels.

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dwmte7 says on Nov 11, 2009, 07:02:

sage advise..........listen up, all. and you'll have fewer incidents to post on pbh.

patriarch

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 11, 2009, 08:11:

If he does that, how's he going to bring in the cheap prepagos?

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 11, 2009, 22:01:

dont they do the same job as expensive ones jajajaj

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dwmte7 says on Nov 13, 2009, 11:42:

maybe more gummie bears on the cheap end.

patriarch

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oneforyourmillion says on Nov 13, 2009, 15:28:

Last night walking up 15 dang there are more prostitutes than ever in the street. Must ahve been some 30 of them. Bogota is really going to crap. One of them was more than she should be.

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