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Australian girl kidnapped in El Rodadero Santa Marta

Rescatada australiana secuestrada en Magdalena

Bogotá
La australiana Bobbi April McGeachin, secuestrada en el departamento de Magdalena, fue rescatada por militares y detectives en la zona turística de Santa Marta, informaron este martes fuentes oficiales.

La australiana de 22 años fue liberada por agentes del Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS), de la Fiscalía, y miembros de grupo del Ejército contra el secuestro en un edificio del sector hotelero de El Rodadero.

McGeachin al parecer fue retenida hace dos semanas mientras pasaba sus vacaciones en la zona hotelera de El Rodadero, cercana a Santa Marta.

En la operación fue detenida una mujer cuya identidad no fue revelada, señaló el DAS y añadió que se investigan los motivos del secuestro, que al parecer eran económicos.

By robi666 on Jan 22, 2008, 09:54 in Friendly Talkzone.

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:05:

http://www.elcolombiano.com.co/BancoConocimiento/A/ac_rescatadaaustral...

Here you are served PBH's geniuses of all is safe, all is quiet, Taganga is a cool ambient.

I have been telling the situation is out of control in Santa Marta. Too many ex paracos with no money.
Let's see... a 22 years old Australian woman.
What do you guess?
a) A VIP used to 5 stars hotel and living at Irotama
b) A backpacker who likes to go to El Centro at La Puerta and Taganga?

I tell you once more, you live there you hear the horror.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:33:

Of course this is an advice for the PBH Go go Paracos Boyscouts group.

bill230 says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:38:

Robi: Did you hear anything about her disappearing or only now that she has been released?

also Have you heard anything about the guy that was kidnapped from his finca east of S Marta last fall - still being held?

guacharaca says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:48:

I saw the aftermath of a some executions there on my last trip. The place is ripe for some more disappearances.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:50:

Bill,
1) No I was not aware of it, but I am not in SM now. Surely enough, DAS knew it and, like most of the time, the fact did not make it to the news.
2) Yes, I heard about him. From a Finca in the Buritaca area. Architect Arango from Bogota. The guy is told to be probably dead and that he owed money of protection (50milions) to Bloque Tayrona before the demobilization. Street talk of course.
As you surely know, another woman was kidnapped and freed by GAULA in 24 hours. The wife of El Cappy. Same area around Buritaca. The finca is 30 minutes walking from the Troncal or 10 by boat on Rio Buritaca. The bad guys were her neighbour of the vereda up there. A woman, her husband, her brother and a friend. This was not on the news also.

For the one who does not know it, Buritaca is the starting point for the excursion to Ciudad Perdida.

bill230 says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:54:

Thanks Robi. Yes I knew about the woman who was released.

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:01:

No response from the "All is safe because it is Paracos' land" group? Well...

I've just heard on Caracol news that they were asking 30.000 USD for ransom.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:20:

There was an Aussie woman posting on this board a while ago who was living in El Rodadero, wasn't there?

I wonder if this was her?

Chalk one up for the DAS and the Gaula.

jorgegdiaz says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:32:

PBHers, please forgive my innocence... Going to playa in Santa Martha, Tayrona, Taganga, even Rodadero is forbidden now?

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:55:

Forbidden? Thousands go to the beach there, only a few are kidnapped.

tejasmarcos says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:57:

robi - so you are infering that she appeared to have $$ because she was staying in nice accomodations? hence, she was snatched?

whereas a broke backpacker would not have been a target?

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

The Mono says on Jan 22, 2008, 12:08:

Hey did anyone actually know this girl, because almost all were completly in the dark, i'm an aussie journalist based in Bogota and would love to speak to anyone who knows more about this than what the DAS press release says.

Thanks
Fin

Finley Garside
Editor
The Mono
www.themonodigital.com
( 57) 316 731 0225
( 571) 2840395
Bogotá D.C
Colombia

Finley GarsideEditorThe Monowww.themonodigital.comeditor@themonodigital.com(+57) 316 731 0225(+571) 2840395Bogotá D.CColombia

juancegomez says on Jan 22, 2008, 12:53:

Just one notable comment:

It's curious how the headline (in English) here mentions that the girl was kidnapped, but not that she was rescued, as the article itself (in Spanish) makes clear.

Other than that, it's basically repeating the same things that have been mentioned before...no, Colombia is not absolutely safe nor safer than your hometown in *insert first world country*. Yes, several places are safer at this time and coming here is not an automatic death/rape/robbery sentence, but many other places are not, dangers still exist and people should really do their homework by researching conditions in each location beforehand if possible, luck is always a factor, etc.

jorgegdiaz says on Jan 22, 2008, 12:57:

Amen JC !

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

mikeinpuerto says on Jan 22, 2008, 13:01:

I am an Australian living here in Rodadero ...first I have heard about this ...

Smile and everyone will wonder what they are missing.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 22, 2008, 13:28:

That's why I asked, GIB. She was right in the age range.

nueva york bombero says on Jan 22, 2008, 13:39:

I just got back from SM and not a single problem. I spoke with every native I possibly could,
went to every beach/ bar/ restaurant, etc.
I wasn't flashy, wasn't looking for drugs or trouble, apologized if anything even looked hostile (hit on a guy's gf).
There's more to these stories of doom and gloom. If you look weak or present yourself in a vulnerable way, you're fucked.
It's kind of like jail, but with beautiful beaches and women!!!

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 13:48:

Yes, she was in that age range.

Juancegomez, i perfectly understand your curiosity. I explain...
At first I posted "Australian girl made free by DAS", and none was posting.
Then I changed it to "Australian girl kidnapped"... a few post.
Then I thought: i'll change it in "FARC kidnapped an Australian girl"... just to see what was going to happen to the post. :-) But I did not do it.

My target was to put the accent to the situation in SM and the fact that the real danger is PARACOS (thanks to the law of peace), but FARC is in fashion on PBH.
Now they will say it was common criminals...

Marcos,
I would bet the girl liked backpack style and those place I mentioned later in a comment.
The same people who goes around without a clue, drunk on the streets, using Ecstasies and thinking Parque Tayrona and Taganga are the ultimate hippy paradise and give confidence to anyone in the streets there.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against Ecstasy, which should be compulsory for politician (think about Chavez and Uribe hugging each other) at least once each two months. I am just telling how it is around those places. I love Ecstasy And I love La Puerta.

Mr.H
"Forbidden? Thousands go to the beach there, only a few are kidnapped."
LOL Exactly

manINred says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:36:

"My target was to put the accent to the situation in SM and the fact that the real danger is PARACOS (thanks to the law of peace), but FARC is in fashion on PBH."

I am aware of the danger of ex-paracos on the coast, in fact I am intimately aware of it, including the situation west of Santa Marta/Taganga in the. It isn't very good at all, believe me.

In Taganga, for instance, other than corrupt police, when i was there, there was a shoot-out and some dude left dead, i don't know if tourists were caught in the crossfire. I would still go to Taganga, hell, if i was afraid of being kidnapped or crime, i wouldn't bother going to Colombia in the first place.

I don't see the problem with the FARC-bashing on this site, the point you're trying to make is a bit confusing.

manINred says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:38:

And in terms of 'real danger' as it relates to guerrilla or paramilitaries, that completely depends on what area of the country you are in.

mikeinpuerto says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:53:

I have spoken with the army and they said that Bobbi has travelled to Bogota with an Australian official.

Smile and everyone will wonder what they are missing.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:59:

"There's more to these stories of doom and gloom. If you look weak or present yourself in a vulnerable way, you're fucked." NY Bombero

You seem like a nice guy. And it's easy to be glib and cocky. But spend some more time in Colombia getting to know people's family stories. Everyone has a story about a brother killed, a grandparent kidnapped, a beautiful finca lost, a business ruined. It can't simply be that they were all weaklings or involved in bad things or asking for it. There's a lot of tragedy in Colombia. Never believe that you're immune.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 22, 2008, 15:04:

That was GLIB and cocky, not GIB and cocky. Two totally different animals.

nueva york bombero says on Jan 22, 2008, 15:43:

I seem like a nice guy? all of a sudden you know me? Why because I post on the same message board as you?
I appreciate the head's up about Colombia. My best friend grew up in one of the worst barrios of Medellin. I've heard the stories. I'm not stupid, weak or cocky. I know how to travel and hold myself. But thank you for the traveling tips!

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 15:57:

manINred, about my point...
1) As you correctly stated, it depends on which area. Chances for people on this site are much higher to have problem by Paracos then by FARC. Why? ...Where did you travel? Who's gonna visit Guainia this year?
2) Some people here think Paracos are a sort of boyscouts that look at foreigners with a good smile.

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 16:02:

Actually, like always, there's a lot of street talking about this... I'll post rumours... :-)

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 22, 2008, 16:03:

manINred says on Jan 22, 2008, 16:29:

Robi666, that makes sense. In that sense, I agree! Since the majority of tourism in Colombia is coastal (carribbean), and as far as I am aware, paramilitary presence is worse than guerrilla presence. Guerrilla presence in the caribe coast, all in all, isn't so bad compared to narino, huila/cauca and the pacific coast.

And do you know where the #2 impression comes from? Believe it or not, some paracos actually oversee the area of ciudad perdida and help tourists out who go there! Other than that very specific region, any Colombian would tell you that if you see a paraco, stay the hell away.

robi666 says on Jan 22, 2008, 16:43:

manINred, about number 2 and impression, we can say more...

In effect, when the AUC was at its best, things were apparently better. I am told that you could leave your wallet on the sidewalk downtown, and none would touch it.
In particular El Rodadero was an off limit zone for crime.
This last six months, at least for the few things I know, we had a few men shoot, a couple of kidnapping and a big shooting in a restaurant with many wounded (and one dead I think). Not bad for a tourist estrato 6 very small barrio...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

If something like this was happening, it was taken care immediately, and the authors, family and friends were bound to be thorn apart and buried in a "fosa comune".
It was the effect of the bloody "limpieza social" of those days. Rich families were not a target. And tourists were not a target. That's how things were accepted by politicians and why Magdalena had the biggest paraco-gobernador of Colombia.

With the demobilization, everything changed. Rich people are a great target. Extorsion is widespread.

About Paracos in the Ciudad Perdida area:
actually there is a stronger than ever military presence up there. Paracos are falling almost everyday, while trying to preserve their labs. One of the Mellizos was almost taken in the Orinoco area (secret big operation from Bogotà).
Los Nevados finance chief arrested in Casa Grande near Guachaca and "urbana" chief almost taken in a finca in front of Parque Tayrona (seven of his personal guards shot down).
Sierra Nevada was declared by Uribe to be "Ejemplo de Seguridad Democratica" for 2008 and after two days the war started (after, naturally, substituting the chiefs of Gaula, Army, Police with people from Bogotà).

lampltr says on Jan 22, 2008, 17:49:

Paramilitary presence is worse than guerrilla presence. Guerrilla presence in the caribe coast, all in all, isn't so bad compared to narino, huila/cauca and the pacific coast. Good post MIR

Valle del Cauca is definately the wild west (Pereira/ok), mama mia!! Very unique place to live. One who visits these locations needs to watch themselves and don't be stupid with a camera out in the open in the country and at country roadside resturants. Taking a bus in the evening through this area in not highly recommended either. Believe the guerrilla & paramilitary presence is equally as bad, narcos can possibly be inter-mixed too while we are at it.

tejasmarcos says on Jan 22, 2008, 17:54:

robi - great reporting amigo. you certainly have your finger on the pulse of the area.

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

adrimm says on Jan 22, 2008, 18:10:

Worse for who lampltr? I find it hard to believe considering I've had distant relatives plucked from vehicles and homes by the guerilla.

Portena says on Jan 22, 2008, 18:28:

Thanks for posting about this kidnapping. Guess my Cuidad Perdida trip will be on hold for a while. Maybe a long while...

How is San Agustin? Is that a FARC stronghold?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

john_stark says on Jan 22, 2008, 22:06:

I'd be the last guy on the planet to say that the "boys" are Boy Scouts. Actually they can be a bunch of very bad customers towards anyone who doesn't behave himself. So behave yourselves.

JustoXT says on Jan 23, 2008, 04:54:

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Ciudad Perdida in about 2 weeks or less.

Is this typical or semi typical events or is the an additional reason to think twice about doing the trip at this point in time??

jack_jason says on Jan 23, 2008, 05:24:

Robbi666, IQ=11?

This is just spanglish, please do not correct me

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 05:49:

Interesting comment Jack... tell us more

The Mono says on Jan 23, 2008, 06:20:

From The Australian

Aussie model rescued in Colombia

January 24, 2008

COLOMBIAN security forces have rescued an Australian model held captive for two weeks by a kidnapper who had demanded a $US30,000 ($34,600) ransom.

Bobbi April McGeachin, 22, of Perth, was rescued from a home in the exclusive resort town of El Rodadero, near Santa Marta on Colombia's Caribbean coast, after a tip-off from Australian officials.

Ms McGeachin had been able to raise the alarm with her family via the internet and they contacted Australian authorities.

Colombia's anti-kidnapping squad and other agents rescued her on Monday, and arrested a woman over the kidnapping.

Colombian army spokesman General Manuel Guzman said Ms McGeachin had been invited to the country by her captor.

"The information that we have is that (the owner of the property) detained (Ms McGeachin) in her house and was asking for $US30,000 to set her free," Mr Guzman told local television station Caracol. "(Ms McGeachin) had the opportunity to communicate with her family via the internet, who notified the Australian embassy in Chile."

There is no suggestion that left-wing rebels, usually responsible for abducting foreigners in Colombia, were involved.

Cyndi Gilbert-Den Boer said she learned her daughter's first overseas trip had soured in emails in which Ms McGeachin told of physical and emotional abuse.

"There was one point where I said, 'Bobbi just pack an overnight bag, go out the front door, go straight to the police'," Ms Gilbert-Den Boer told the Ten Network.

"It got to the point where she couldn't leave the house. She was absolutely frightened for her life and did not think she was going to live another day." Ms Gilbert-Den Boer said she had contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Australian Honorary Consul in Bogota then alerted authorities in Colombia, who were able to determine Ms McGeachin's location and launch a rescue mission.

Ms Gilbert-Den Boer said her daughter was still scared: "She's very frightened, she just wants to come home. To hear that on the other end of the phone, it's very difficult to deal with."

Ms McGeachin, looking healthy, appeared on national television yesterday. She has since boarded a flight to Santiago in Chile, where she is awaiting a flight home to Australia.

A DFAT spokesman confirmed that an Australian woman was receiving consular assistance and was on her way home.

On a modelling website, Ms McGeachin lists herself as an "amateur" with no work experience, but states that her preferences for modelling would be in the fields of fitness, fashion, swimsuit, lingerie and glamour.

"I have worked for promotional companies previously and am in the process of designing a personal web page and a porfolio (sic)," she says on the website.

She is expected back in Perth by the middle of next week.

Finley GarsideEditorThe Monowww.themonodigital.comeditor@themonodigital.com(+57) 316 731 0225(+571) 2840395Bogotá D.CColombia

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 06:41:

Justo,
this kind of events are not typical. Maybe cyclical but not typical.

It is hard to say if it is safer now (more military presence) or less safe (events escalation) to go to Ciudad Perdida nowadays.
You have to consider that maybe the Australian girl was kidnapped by simple lowlifes, or she organized everything by her own to get money from her parents... who knows at this point.
I would hardly think about something happening to tourists, but if some bad guys want to do something up there, they easily can. Easy target.

Generally speaking, especially in very active moment, one tries not to be an easy target.

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 06:49:

Last year I was in Barranquilla for Carnival.
I was amazed at night, seeing so many gringos, young backpacker style, dancing like mad, full of alcohol, in the streets downtown.
Talking with confidence with everyone. And all sort of people around them.

Call me paranoid, but I know who can be in those people. I don't do that shit.
Let's hope nothing happens...

tejasmarcos says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:00:

she was an easy target - a 22 year old flower petal, come on.......

amateurs......

i don't think most girls should be visiting this county alone. come with friends or a boyfriend, or they can just call me when they get here ;-)

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

webmanco says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:10:

Colombian army spokesman General Manuel Guzman said Ms McGeachin had been invited to the country by her captor

It sounds like "delicuencia común" not organize crime

If old Bill goes bodyguard-less to el Rodadero, then it is safe. :-)

Amigos de Colombia

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

tejasmarcos says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:21:

jajajajaja - that damn sure looks like him. bill "elmers glue" clinton. he's whiter than the sand!

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

pedro says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:30:

Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours...

Military rescue for kidnapped model
Dylan Welch
January 24, 2008

Cyndi Gilbert with a picture of her daughter, Bobbi April McGeachin.
Photo: Sharon Smith

AN ASPIRING model's first overseas trip began as a tantalising promise of a South American holiday but ended with her rescue by Colombian soldiers after her host family held her to ransom, her mother said yesterday.

Bobbi McGeachin, 22, a beauty therapist and aspiring model from Perth, had befriended a Colombian-Australian family who lived down the road from her mother, Cindi Gilbert. The family had offered her a two-month holiday, starting in December, at their house in the Colombian resort town of Santa Marta.

"She's never been outside of Australia, even Perth, before this, and she was so excited about seeing a new country, but it all ended up going so wrong," Mrs Gilbert said.

According to Mrs Gilbert, things quickly went sour with the "volatile" family, and Ms McGeachin ended up being forced to sign documents in front of an armed bodyguard and the family matriarch, promising to give the family $US30,000 ($A34,500).

Shortly before, she had fled to her room and locked the door, but had been pursued by the family matriarch. "The mother got a guard and they axed down the door and verbally abused her and made her sign documents that (said) she owed them $30,000," Mrs Gilbert said.

During an email exchange after that incident, Mrs Gilbert told her daughter to "just get out" but Ms McGeachin, under constant armed guard, responded: "I can't leave. They would kill me if I tried."

After that email, Mrs Gilbert contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs, which in turn informed an Australian Federal Police officer in Bogota. The officer liaised with the Colombian army and, after 24 hours of surveillance, a team of soldiers and officers from Colombia's anti-kidnapping squad raided the house on January 19. A woman, presumed to be the family's mother, was arrested during the raid, an army spokesman said.

Ms McGeachin was last night en route to Chile, from where she would fly back to Perth, her relieved mother said. On a modelling website, Ms McGeachin lists herself as an "amateur" with no work experience but says her preferences for modelling would be in fitness, fashion, swimsuits, lingerie and glamour.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/military-rescue-for-kidnapped-m...

que nota!

slguy says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:38:

You guys see the foto of that gal in the other thread? Wouldn't have been difficult for her to smell scam, if she'd just checked the mirror, then looked at some fotos of Colombian women....;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

pedro says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:44:

I read it as just a normal holiday, not a search for modelling work. The model angle is just something the newspapers added, even though she's apparently never had any professional work.

You wouldn't normally recommend Colombia as a first time holiday for someone who's never travelled on their own and undoubtedly speaks no Spanish. But you'd be surprised how many people go under those circumstances.

que nota!

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:55:

I just red El Diario del Magdalena.
Something is smelling in this story... Strange

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 23, 2008, 08:09:

http://www.purestorm.com/profile.aspx?id=bobbiapril

Albatross says on Jan 23, 2008, 09:01:

Just another average-looking dumb-ass who was told once by a horny high-school kid that she's hot.
Anyway, she dodged a bullet this time, maybe she'll learn something and go to Disneyland next.

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

slguy says on Jan 23, 2008, 09:04:

at the risk of dating myself - she looks a LOT like Twiggy, from the shoulders up, no?

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 09:55:

ehm... go check your sails Slguy, wind has changed... :-)

Colombiche says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:01:

I remember 2 weeks ago I posted about my friend's robbery (or who knows what else) attempt in El Rodadero and a few people thought my friend was paranoid:

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/beware-of-taxi-drivers-and-their...

It does sound like the australian girl was kidnapped by common thugs. Any info out there on how the kidnapping took place?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

webmanco says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:14:

wasn´t she? ask Arthur.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

pedro says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:21:

'Biche, the article I posted here has the background.

que nota!

Colombiche says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:25:

I see pedro. What? she was kidnapped by the host family? LOL. I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but I can't help it.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Marysol says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:29:

Oh come on, guys – cut the girl some slack about that picture. She'd just been through a very traumatic experience. Anyone would look like sh** under those circumstances, even the most caliente Colombiana.

Man Tequila says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:30:

Man, you guys are real soft-hearted.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

Colombiche says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:33:

I wasn't laughing at the girl, I feel bad for her. I was laughing at the absurdity of the whole thing. You invite a friend down to colombia and then your mom holds him or her hostage. There is a business idea... jajaja.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

slguy says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:45:

The entire story makes me giggle, frankly. Does that make me a bad person? jajajajjajaja

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

Man Tequila says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:47:

They don't call it Locombia for nothing.

Note to self, vet e-mails after kidnapping guest.

Maybe there is a small voice in every Colombian that wants to pull off some outrageous stunt with an utter disregard for the consequences. Kidding! Well, mostly.

Man Tequila says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:48:

If I was unaware of your fondness for Muppets, slguy, it would indeed. ;)

slguy says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:49:

Careful MT- did I mention my penchant for channeling Oscar? ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 10:58:

"amateur" model --- yeah and I'm an amateur chippendale's dancer!!!!

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 11:31:

Just because she has a profile on a model site, doesn't mean she's a model. That would make me a model too, which I'm not.

And what a ridiculous story, I doubt that the family down the street from her will remain friends... that's gonna be ackward, something to experience in small-town Australia... "hey those are the neighbours that kidnapped little Bobbi...!" and not to mention the pretty bad effects it will ahve on the reputation for Colombia.

nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 11:36:

It wont affect Colombias reputation, because it was an inside job. It could've happened anywhere. These jackasses are just using Colombias reputation to seek reward.
A good example is this: In NY there is a bad mall called Green Acres in Valley Stream.
If you want to have your car stolen, just say it was there!! More car thefts are done here in the parking lot than anywhere in the US.
I know it's tough to see the simularities, but the amateur thieves are using the environment as a cover. Get me?

kalder says on Jan 23, 2008, 11:42:

So you're on a model site mINr? Although I appreciate that does not make you one, it does beg the question: Are you actually planning on taking to the catwalk?

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 11:43:

How can you say it won't affect Colombia's reputation? What is the entire community going to think after the girl goes and travels to (gasp) Colombia and ends up being kidnapped? It is a ridiculous exacerbation of the stereotype.

And it wouldn't have happened here in Canada!! Not many places where this sorta thing happens

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 11:45:

Man Tequila says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:08:

Could have happened anywhere. But didn't.

Colombiche says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:11:

"And it wouldn't have happened here in Canada!! Not many places where this sorta thing happens"

You are right. In Canada girls are not abducted for ransom, but for much darker motives. Remember the notorious Bernardo/Homolka case? Leslie Mahaffy and the others were not lucky enough to make it out alive. The beauty of it is that Homolka is roaming around freely in Montreal and Bernardo is sitting in a protected jail cell receiving love letters from his admirers.

That is just one case in Toronto, I can come back with a LOT more.

Doesn't happen everyday but you can't be so smug as to say "this or that wouldn't happen in Canada" because it does.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:18:

Yes, obviously bad stuff happens in Canada. We have psycho-killers. But do we invite people to our country and hold them ransom? I'm not saying it is the norm, but let's look at this for a second here...

kidnapping + Colombia = stereotype.

Why? Because it is a frequent event in Colombia (comparatively).

When a girl in an australian community goes to Colombia and gets kidnapped by the 'trusted' neighbours, this formula only gets legitimized one way or another. Which is what is so frustrating by the whole thing. If it were to happen in Canada, the Australian neighbours would think "oh, bad luck".

And this brings me back to a point i was making before, Colombia's reputation among the common Canadian/European (of all races) is not very good. It won't be good for quite some time, and this bullshit only exacerbates it.

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:20:

To add, I was shocked and horrified to see a disgraceful article in my university paper that painted Colombia as some backwater corrupt undemocratic place and insulted Stephen Harper for trying to create ties with it. Now if it were a shit university, i would have no problem, but god-damn it, it ain't half-bad so it has no excuse for the one-sidedness and disingenuous portrait it painted of beautiful Colombia.

So when people around ask me if i've been kidnapped or how many kilos I brought back with me or whether i've taken scopolamine, well, I look at stuff like this and articles in my wretched university and no, I am not surprised.

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:26:

I might add that the article was front page and was the huge centre-fold piece... set back my pro-Colombian praises by a lot, that's for sure.

Colombiche says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:27:

"But do we invite people to our country and hold them ransom?"

Who is "we"???

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:27:

And come on Colombiche... smug about Canada? Of all the things I've been called. Everyone who knows me knows that I do the utmost to leave this country. I do not take to the cold and snow very well.

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:36:

i was speaking from the perspective of an uneducated australian/north american... about the dark element of whichever society, and certainly not implying that all Colombians are as such. I was implying that stereotypes would dictate that is the way they may be perceived in light of such a story.

At least this won't make much news in Australia, what with old Heath passing and whatnot.

Colombiche says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:36:

I'm not saying you are smug but the comment sounded smug in the sense that it was so absolute.

For instance, a couple of years ago there was a Japanese or Korean (I don't recall which one of the two) foreign student who was raped and killed at the York University campus. I remember that case very clearly. She was not "invited" per se, and it isn't the exact same situation, but we are talking about two young women who were in a position of danger on foreign soil.

Is Canada safer than Colombia? Absolutely... but I don't believe in saying "this wouldn't happen here or there".

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:41:

Lol Kalder! Yes, but I haven't used it until today when I was reminded of it by this story. I was supposed to do a shoot a couple of times, but never got round to it, school's too busy. I once walked into some place by mistake and they took me aside and told me I was late, put me in front of the cameras, etc... I was a bit confused, and then told them I was just looking to buy something or other... they were pretty amused, so was I.

But no, realistically I wouldn't make the cut.

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:42:

yeah you're right colombiche, i was saying that tongue in cheek... a perceived notion of what would and wouldn't happen somewhere, if you know what I mean. Having lived in Toronto for most of my life, not much stuff surprises me about the place, and yeah, I don't go around saying "that wouldn't happen in Toronto" really, because quite frankly, it can and does.

pedro says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:44:

You have to wonder if the matriarch had a telenovela style plan... to hook up the australiana with one of the family and have him go live in Oz. Now imagine that she pulls out the best pretendientes she can find among the family -- cousin Juanchis, sobrino Armando, senor Jorge and none of them can go over the top.

Maybe the kidnapping was a desperate and poorly thought out Plan B. Along the lines of "this is my meal ticket and goddammit, I WILL get something out of this!"

All this is entirely speculation, just thinking out loud here.

MIR, the girl is from Perth, which is equivalent in importance to what Vancouver might be in Canada. A population of 1.5 million, McMansion territory. When talking about "what will the neighbours think", the main surprise is that the family even knew the Aus - Colombian couple down the street.

que nota!

manINred says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:51:

yeah, but when oyu look at the residential neighbourhoods in Australia, they are often divided into little communities unto themselves, where poeple within that community are familiar with each other. It would not be surprising that she should know 50-60% of the neighbours on her street, from what i've been led to believe about australia. I'll confirm that with you in a couple of months time ;)

JustoXT says on Jan 23, 2008, 14:49:

"Out of all the places in the world you could choose to go to you choose to come here. Then you want to know if it is safe or not? Wrong place to come and ask that."

GringoInBogota,
You don't need to be an ass. I asked if there was an increase in situations as of late regarding that area, not whether or not Colombia is safe.
Cities experience crime waves, I was wondering if this was an increase (which would mean that is is particularly bad time to visit the area), if this was an isolated incident or if it was typical.

All important things to know.

If you don't like something I've asked, feel free to not respond in the future.

Robi666,
Thank you for the info. I've been talking around with people that were recently there to try and get a feel for the current situation in the area.
Sounds like there has been a recent increase in situations, and subsequently an increase in military presence as well. No?

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:03:

Yes

JustoXT says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:05:

ok thanks.

I think all in all we will still go.

At least once we are there we can get a feel for whether or not we want to stay for the trek. But many people have said they say military guarding pretty much the entire trek.

robi666 says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:12:

Take care, take great pictures and post it on here!

JustoXT says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:16:

Gracias!

durito says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:27:

"But many people have said they say military guarding pretty much the entire trek."

Those may or may not be Colombian military these days, they didn't used to be though. Have fun.

john_stark says on Jan 23, 2008, 20:00:

Actually I feel a little bad for her. Here she is young and stupid and deluded. Maybe it'll be a wakeup call for her.

tejasmarcos says on Jan 23, 2008, 20:02:

i darn sure bet it makes some headlines in perth and reduces the aussie imports from that part of the world.

does anyone know if it hit the perth papers? she was from perth, right?

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

john_stark says on Jan 23, 2008, 20:04:

Yes, from Perth.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 23, 2008, 20:26:

Man Tequila, I'm going to call up the "Colombia Es Pasión" people tomorrow morning and suggest an adjunct campaign, "It could have happened anywere, but it happened here!"

Then they can produce neat videos about all the little things like this that make Colombia such a unique and fascinating place.

tejasmarcos says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:17:

i just read about a realtor in my usa hometown that was stalked and stabbed 27 times by a nutjob. he was just released 9 months earlier on previous sexual assault charges due to prison overcrowding.

it was in an upscale neighborhood as well.

atleast here, the motivation goes beyond just being psychotic, like it or not.

maybe the usa & colombia need to get together and come up with the campaign of "die here or there - it is your choice". i dunno?

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

Man Tequila says on Jan 24, 2008, 17:43:

Not such a bad idea, Hollywood. Kind of catchy.

But I'm not sure many of the good times I have had in Colombia COULD have happened elsewhere.

robi666 says on Jan 24, 2008, 18:48:

Well... now we can talk about it...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/01/24/Aussie_model_returns_ho...

Robert Jorge says on Jan 24, 2008, 18:56:

tejas - that might be the difference. "atleast here, the motivation goes beyond just being psychotic, like it or not." That's perhaps the reason why I feel more comfortable in Colombia than in the US. In Miami, I could be shot for simply walking my doggie. I could honk at the wrong person and be shot. At least in Colombia, there is a purpose to violence usually. A person is marked and then resists. A person wronged somebody and the somebody has them whacked. In the US, you can be sitting in a McDonalds and have a dorky Asian geek storm in with an AK47.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

tomtom33 says on Jan 24, 2008, 23:01:

RJ, there are many parts of the US where that shit does not happen. Try Kansas. Of course no place has a monopoly on dorks with guns.

manINred says on Jan 24, 2008, 23:53:

" I could honk at the wrong person and be shot. At least in Colombia, there is a purpose to violence usually. "

are you joking? any paisa I know tells me not to look the wrong way at someone, it's not worth the risk... i know people who've seen dudes get out of their car and shoot someone else dead just for honking at them.

tejasmarcos says on Jan 25, 2008, 05:25:

good find robi.

a young girl was recently abducted in wichita, kansas and killed. i believe the btk killer was from wichita too. there just is no way to completely escape violence any way you go. the tradeoff is how fullfilling the rest of your time is in the spot you choose to reside. i guess the rest is the risk....

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 25, 2008, 08:58:

Didn't Pedro Almodovar already make this movie about 20 years ago?

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 25, 2008, 08:59:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0101026/?fr=c2M9MXxsbT01MDB8ZmI9dXx4PTB8dHQ9MX...

webmanco says on Jan 25, 2008, 11:18:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

manINred says on Jan 25, 2008, 13:17:

jaja, that's the idea!