medellin - a word to the wise

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 08:38:

you know, i will say how naive they were , me being Colombia will never go in a car full of stranger, no in Colombia nor in the UK. Specially in Colombia and i don't think many Colombians will do that either

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Robert Jorge says on May 22, 2008, 08:42:

I wouldn't get in a car with strangers, even if they were the Swedish Bikini team, in Colombia.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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tejasmarcos says on May 22, 2008, 08:43:

thanks for the warning bob. good advice here guys.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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morphus says on May 22, 2008, 08:45:

I've done it many times in Colombia. I never had a problem. You just have to know how to read people.

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durito says on May 22, 2008, 08:49:

i'm surprised it's the first time you've heard of it happening.

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gorgonabob says on May 22, 2008, 08:50:

look it may be naive but ive been here for about almost six or seven years now and this is the first time ive heard this happening. a lot of foreigners are getting into cars with colombians they just met and very very few have any troubles. as i said in over 10,000 foreigners this is the first time i have heard this happening. clearly the people from medellin are overwhelmingly trustworthy but who knows.. clearly the people who did this will do it again as it was successful, they made off with a few hundred thousand pesos a couple of watches and some credit cards.

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gorgonabob says on May 22, 2008, 08:52:

it really is the first time and you know how many drunk backpackers are wandering around this city at 4 in the morning happy to get in the car with anything with a pair of tits on it or a bottle of aguardiente hanging out the window

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Mononoke28 says on May 22, 2008, 08:53:

I'm with Kat. I don't even do that here in Denver which is a pretty safe city to begin with. If you do that, especially in Colombia, then don't complaint if you end up drugged out, with no money, no wallet and a bloddy a$$.

Just sharing my thoughts. =D

Diana

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 08:59:

well gorgonabob there is always a first time

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papiChulo says on May 22, 2008, 09:04:

sounds like some clever paisas have figured out gringo back-packers are the new cash cow...lol. At least they (kiwis) came out of it alright.

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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dwr says on May 22, 2008, 09:09:

Ridiculous behavior. No respect whatsoever for one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Acting like Colombia is a big Fraternity part. Jumping in a car with strangers. Who would do that? You must have a death wish to jump in a car with strangers in this day and age.

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Mononoke28 says on May 22, 2008, 09:13:

Amen.

Diana

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angelitabogota says on May 22, 2008, 10:00:

How old are the New Zealanders? 14 years old?

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webmanco says on May 22, 2008, 10:07:

Well strangers had jumped with me into a car and nobody got hurt, even a woman stranger jumped in to a motorcicle on a road heading to San Jose de Istnos near San Agustin, and she managed to get off alive and kicking. :-)

I had picked people stranger to me in La Costa, El Eje, Antioquía, even in Bogotá and everyone is fine, maybe I had been lucky. Am I am not a cabdriver. :-)

Well maybe not.

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

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dwr says on May 22, 2008, 10:21:

I think the best phrase to live by in Colombia is: NO DAR PAPAYA!

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papiChulo says on May 22, 2008, 10:27:

I have hitch hiked in Colombia a few times. I have hitched a ride in almost every country I've been to and its been a few.
For me hitching a ride in Colombia was a great experience but no I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. Hitching a ride in the campo/montanas is the most fun. I love those people.

some dangerous countries to hitch hike... lol
USA
Australia

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 10:27:

Thanks for the reminder. Next time I'm out drinking all night in Medellin, I'm leaving my nice watch (below) at home.

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gorgonabob says on May 22, 2008, 10:28:

also to make a side comment.. colombians, especially colombians who have recently spent several years living overseas are the worst people to take or give advice with regard to travel in colombia and the security situation in colombia these days. if i had taken any advice from a colombian when i first came to the country eight years ago i would have flown from Bogota to Cartagena and then left the country because god forbid one should ever take a bus or jump into a car with a stranger. its nice to know that hundreds/ thousands of foreigners here have taken the genuine goodwill offer of a Colombia to show them the city or whatever. A lot of times also I've had people arriving in the country for the first time share a ride into Poblado with someone they met on the plane an hour earlier who offered them a ride to there hotel.

a recent example of my own two weeks ago a young guy came around to my place after reading my website without even knowing me offering to take me to a well known hotel in San Jeronimo for the evening the following week he said his family owned. I took his word on it. Anyway he picked us up in the follwing week in the afternoon drove us to his familys hotel, fed us, had stuff members bringing us food and rum all night whilst sitting in the jacuzzi and put us up in the best room in the place. the next day the bill, 0 pesos. just a bit of genuine hospitality. sometimes you've got to trust people.. sometimes you'll get burnt but thats life.

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bickerss says on May 22, 2008, 10:29:

Thanks for the post - can you give more enfo on how it happened (if they are able to remember at all). Did they meet them inside the bar and then leave with them or just meet them on the street outside? How did they rob them (ie have more guys there to threaten them?)

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 10:32:

but gorgonabob look at what happened to those guys, yes some are lucky some don't, and remember you are in Colombia and you need to have a bit of common sense, gezz what do you mean the Colombians living abroad are the worst people to give advice, when i am in Colombia my family is very protective towards me and the kids my dad would have hit the roof if he knew we jumped in a car with strangers that is stupid, yes maybe nothing could have happened but why take chances.

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webmanco says on May 22, 2008, 10:40:

sometimes you've got to trust people.. sometimes you'll get burnt but thats life.

I do agree, it is sad to see even returning colombians so scare, they claim they love so much Colombia but with the paranoia and bad influences "information" don´t get to enjoy as much, but what is worse they misjugde.

It is also good to clarify that locals can be also in danger with visitors, it cuts both ways.

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

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gorgonabob says on May 22, 2008, 10:40:

kiwis can be a bit reckless and trusting for sure..

basically they drank about 10 aguila 500mls here, then went out to lleras and to a bar, drank some rum etc, whisky.. i know i know pissheads. then met some people outside a bar in a car (guys and girls in the car i believe) . next thing they woke up in some hotel/motel on the other side of the city mighty grogy at 9 in the morning. back here at 10am one could hardly walk. i guess it was the date rape drug.

oh well.. shit happens

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 10:41:

and you wrote this
"so next time theres a car outside some bar think twice before getting in, or dont take too much out with you. "

well this is an advice from from someone not living oversee eh?

i would have adviced the same thing or maybe telling them don't go in the car at all.

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rocinante says on May 22, 2008, 10:42:

This can happen in any country when you're a bumpkin in a big city.

Backpackers getting robbed is nothing all that new but a bit rare I'll aaaaagree with Bob. Usually backpackers are in larger groups when they head to Parque Lleras and stay in those bigger groups so not a problem there. However these were just two guys didn't have street smarts. By themselves and too trusting. Poor owner of the hostal a Kiwi as well had to pay the cab but I'm sure he'll add it on to their bill when these two come around.

"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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dwr says on May 22, 2008, 10:42:

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/2008/

Here is the Global Peace index that came out in El Tiempo the other day. I always find this information interesting. Colombian ranks more violent than Nigeria, Mayanmar and Pakistan among others.

I disagree that you sometimes have to trust people when it comes to Colombia. I think you should always be on your guard and never trust people you don't know when it comes to putting yourself in their power. To say nothing happens in Colombia is to turn a blind eye to reality. To come to Colombia as a bumbling backpacker willing to jump in cars and see the country is extremely naive.

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miamimike says on May 22, 2008, 10:44:

This is Colombia; How could a dastardly Crime like this happen in the year 2008 and of all places, in Colombia??? Now here in Miami we know better about the Pitfalls roaming around late at night on South Beach, Coral Gables, weston and Kendall.

"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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webmanco says on May 22, 2008, 10:45:

I rather be navie than paranoid, of course comun sense needs to be taken into account.

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

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dwr says on May 22, 2008, 10:45:

http://www.eltiempo.com/tiempoimpreso/edicionimpresa/internacional/200...

Here is the article.

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dwr says on May 22, 2008, 10:47:

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/2008/

Here is the Global Peace index that came out in El Tiempo the other day. I always find this information interesting. Colombian ranks more violent than Nigeria, Mayanmar and Pakistan among others.

I disagree that you sometimes have to trust people when it comes to Colombia. I think you should always be on your guard and never trust people you don't know when it comes to putting yourself in their power. To say nothing happens in Colombia is to turn a blind eye to reality. To come to Colombia as a bumbling backpacker willing to jump in cars and see the country is extremely naive.

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dwr says on May 22, 2008, 10:48:

I also believe this applies to most countries. The United States as well. Lot's of sicos in the U.S. as well. How many people disappear in the U.S.every year?

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 10:51:

webmaco neither naive nor paranoid is good is better to have common sense and see the reality as i said i bet not many Colombians do that and as i said i would not do it in any country in the world.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 22, 2008, 10:52:

my mum taught me, stranger danger

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rocinante says on May 22, 2008, 10:53:

You need to be on your guard. Period. If not you deserve what's coming in any country or big city you are visiting. Not to be harsh but uh.....

"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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webmanco says on May 22, 2008, 10:54:

Many colombians don´t get to know many places for being paranoid, period. Don´t get to know the people for being paranoid, but do get to jugde and instigate fear, period.

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

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gorgonabob says on May 22, 2008, 10:57:

i remember six years back a friend and i decided to take the night bus from Medellin - Quibdo... not the safest route in the country to put it mildly.. we turned up at the bus station bought our tickets and were sitting eating some tasty chicken when four bus drivers told us it was far from a good idea to take the bus and we should reconider.. like any stupid kiwis we decided they were probably right so we cancelled the tickets went back to the cheap hotel and decided instead to sleep on it and go in the morning.. back to the bus station and we bought our tickets and off we were. a thirteen hour bus trip (250km distance). surely enough we arrived in a small town a couple of hours before Quibdo which was entirely in the hands of the guerilla.. woops.. an hour with them on the bus and a few lectures and half an hour with the passports and we were allowed on our way... the next two hours on that road in the middle of nowhere were absolutely crawling with guerillas.. luckily we made it to Quibdo late in the evening. no electricity in the town of course.. either a big storm or guerilla attack cant remember which.... then as naive as we were we had the bright idea to go out and buy a couple of machetes and try to hack our way through fifty kms of the thickest jungle around to the pacific coast... trying to explain our plan to a bunch of colombians in quibdo in our terrible spanish must have been a sight... after a day we realised that was another stupid idea. ... so we found a small four seater plane leaving the next day for Nuqui loaded up with ron and guaro.... in nuqui we found a little shop selling some fish bought them for like 50 cents and headed south... after a couple of hours including a river crossing we found a little spot on the beach and set up tents and hammocks for a few nights.. probably also naive.. but i tell you those are the adventures you remember... im probably not so young and stupid now but i dont regret those times on the road

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rocinante says on May 22, 2008, 10:58:

Many Colombians rich and poor only know their neighborhoods and a few other places. I have a few friends here who constantly tell me - "You know more about Medellín than I do!".

Then again I meet foreigners in the US who tell me, "You've never been to the Statue of Liberty!? or Las Vegas!? or...."

"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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papiChulo says on May 22, 2008, 11:17:

"back here at 10am one could hardly walk. i guess it was the date rape drug".... was there grass stains on his knees? LOL

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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rocinante says on May 22, 2008, 11:30:

""back here at 10am one could hardly walk. i guess it was the date rape drug".... was there grass stains on his knees? LOL" Papi Chulo

Somewhere there's a detention hall monitor looking for you. Please don't waste all this good comedy on bunch of adults.

"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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ColombianoGringo says on May 22, 2008, 11:30:

Why on Earth would you get in a car with strangers regardless of where you are? That is just asking for trouble in Colombia or anywhere else. I guess drunk people tend to do stupid shit.

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capt_j says on May 22, 2008, 11:42:

I wouldn't get into a car with a bunch of strange people in the US, much less Colombia. I believe the story was there were guys and girls in the car, I'm betting more girls than guys.

If it looks to good to be true, it probably is.

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morphus says on May 22, 2008, 11:42:

Taxi drivers are strangers. You are taking the same chance when you get into a taxi in Colombia.

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papiChulo says on May 22, 2008, 12:00:

chill out rociante... it wasn't meant to ruffle any feathers... now you feel better my little friend?

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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rocinante says on May 22, 2008, 12:06:

My feathers weren't ruffled. I feel fine. I just felt bad for your neighborhood bathroom stall missing out on your quality comedy. 'Don't waste it here on us' was my only request. Buy a new magic marker and get back to work my big friend.

"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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papiChulo says on May 22, 2008, 12:09:

dude... wots is ur problem? you like to pick internet fights? Shit I'm not even isreali and ur pissin in my pocket...lol

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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tejasmarcos says on May 22, 2008, 12:10:

don't talk to strangers and keep away from dangers !!!!!!!

i can't think of a better song to identify with this post.....

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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jonas says on May 22, 2008, 12:12:

no risk...no fun
maybe there is a reason why so many of us here use the internet to talk to strangers ;-)

Simon Presidente!

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robi666 says on May 22, 2008, 12:19:

This shit does not happen in Barranquilla. Must be a cachaco's thing.

"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."

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slguy says on May 22, 2008, 12:28:

elmo? is that you? ;)

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

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jonas says on May 22, 2008, 12:38:

In Barranquilla the girls pull you up onto the donkey, the donkey gets jealous and that´s where it gets really dangerous.

Simon Presidente!

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gatogris says on May 22, 2008, 12:40:

Ouch, I feel bad for those dudes, I got roofied with the burundanga once years ago in the Gaujira, and I can tell you papichulo's comment, however unfortunate, is not far from the thoughts of those kiwis. Its traumatic, man, when you wake up after having been at the mercy of some nefarious bastard who slipped you a mickey finn. I went to the clinic a couple of weeks later and waited with my jaw clenched until the results came back negative. Blacking out sucks, and it freaks everybody out.

Unless you're a chronic alchohlic wetbrain with a liver swollen to the size of a grapefruit who likes to soak his own frontal lobe in Viejo de Caldas nightly and wakes up to the sound of a chainsaw every morning, like some people I won't mention.

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RAAAY says on May 22, 2008, 14:29:

gorgonabob says

...." basically they drank about 10 aguila 500mls here, then went out to lleras and to a bar, drank some rum etc, whisky.. i know i know pissheads."


I personally take great offense that you consider these lads pissheads, just because they consumed, what I would think is not an abnormal amount of drinkieeeees.

Jeeeeezzzzzz

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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gorgonabob says on May 22, 2008, 15:03:

nice guys anyway. as most of us are, probably would not have made it back had they been a couple of irish

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Catfish35 says on May 22, 2008, 19:42:

they never were taught to yell and point....STRANGER DANGER STRANGER DANGER ???

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

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Man Tequila says on May 22, 2008, 19:47:

Life is a bit risky. Maybe riskier in Colombia.

I have gone into cars with people I did not know well. I have accepted many drinks from strangers in Colombia, and got fairly drunk with strangers, once (in Medellin) to the point of being barely able to walk.

I have also taken hundreds of taxis in Colombia. On two occasions I got a very bad vibe from the driver and got out of the cab as soon as possible.

I trust my gut, and know how to travel safe. One balances sensible precautions with a little risk. If you don't like risk, there are many fine destinations in the Carribbean which have a less dangerous reputation than Colombia, but if you act foolishly anywhere you can get called on it.

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)

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Bluesdude says on May 22, 2008, 21:29:

I have done some really stupid stuff in my life, and I have been really lucky. As I get older, I take less risks. Bottom line, getting into a car with strangers is a crap shoot, and you are gambling with the stakes of what you have on you, and or your life. I would be willing to bet that if you are drinking, your BS detector and your judgment of character don't work too well. These guys are lucky that all they lost was their watches -- ("watches? watches?" "I don't gotz to show you no stinking watches!") (sorry, an impulse) and a few hundred thou pesos. Better than a kidney or liver.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

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miamimike says on May 22, 2008, 22:44:

And maybe, just maybe, they lost a lot more then they let on they lost and out of embarrassment, this is all they are letting on they lost,,,

"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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papiChulo says on May 22, 2008, 23:13:

miamimike... don't go there man... lol.
I made an off colour remark in jest but I think it was taken the wrong way by some... no harm no foul hey guys?

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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goin_south says on May 22, 2008, 23:24:

" ten thousand backpackers/ tourists in medellin and this is the first time".... from the OP.

I'll take those sort of chances/odds most any day.... only 1/10K??? Si!

Where do we go from here?

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Cerealkiller says on May 23, 2008, 06:36:

I don't think this is as isolated as some make it sound. Last time I was in medellin I met an aussie couple who got their bags stolen while waiting for a cab in terminal de buses. They didn't even have passports or credit cards it was such a nightmare for them. It made me feel really bad and angry, I cannot believe how is it that someone decides to steal from a young foreign couple with a baby like that.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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gorgonabob says on May 23, 2008, 06:36:

the above is really the point i wanted to make... its not that common thats why i was quite surprised when they came back and told me what had happened. turned out the bastards went on a shopping spree with one of the stolen credit cards spening several million. not sure how they got away with that. the banks in new zealand are going to cover it though apparently. if i could give anyone any advice it would be never go out with your credit card just go out with cash. makes life a lot simpler.

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Cerealkiller says on May 23, 2008, 06:36:

I don't think this is as isolated as some make it sound. Last time I was in medellin I met an aussie couple who got their bags stolen while waiting for a cab in terminal de buses. They didn't even have passports or credit cards it was such a nightmare for them. It made me feel really bad and angry, I cannot believe how is it that someone decides to steal from a young foreign couple with a baby like that.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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bickerss says on May 23, 2008, 09:12:

I guess street 10 does not have crime cameras?

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durito says on May 23, 2008, 10:58:

In 6 years traveling all over this continent i've never once taken my credit card/debit card out drinking (or out at all, unless going to the atm) and I never will.

If you are traveling with all your stuff, you should be carrying your passport/credit cards in a money belt. If your bags are stolen at least you should hang on to them.

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