mom freaking out about saftey in colombia!!HELP!!

billyb says on Jun 10, 2007, 00:43:

Does your mom communicate with her relatives.. in Colombia? They should be able to inform her how much safer it is now. But then again, she's still your mom and as a mom she will always be overprotective and you should be gratefull that she is that way.

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thur says on Jun 10, 2007, 01:41:

Habla con pasión cuando hables de Colombia. It's Bogotá for crying out loud, one can say it's pretty safe in general terms. It's not like you're going backpacking in Arauca, Córdoba or Chocó. And what's her problem _now_? You've already been there twice, you know the language, you have friends... you're already a lot better prepared than most '[kno haw-blow espa-yole]' tourists.
No real advice; she should let you, love her country :-)
Greetings,

~ Sights & Sounds ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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scotty says on Jun 10, 2007, 02:46:

wait a minute didnt you post here before with the same questions? this all sounds very familiar.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Bill Turley says on Jun 10, 2007, 06:15:

No Problems I am a Gringo who has been living in Colombia for about 10 years and have had virtually no problems. I have even wandered into central Bogota. I now live in a rural area about 3 hours from Bogota and have never felt unsafe. I have 2 granddaughters one of whon is your age living in Miami and since they have recently lost their father, I hope they will return to Colombia
Mr. Bill Somondoco

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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cayita says on Jun 10, 2007, 07:28:

yesterday we were setting in our car outside a hospital in the north and my friend was talking on her cell phone. Two guys approached the car and it was pretty obvious they wanted the phone or whatever else we had. Fortunantly the car was running so when the one of the two tried to get to the other side of the car we sped off.

Bogota is not a safe city. That is just the truth. A lot of things can happen to you here. Kidnapping being way way down on the list unless you family had some problem with this in the past and is the reason you went to the US? If that is the case your mother has every right. Those guys have long memories.

Bogota is not too dangerous to visit by any stretch of the imagination but you really have to be careful ALL the time here wherever you are.

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Monpirri says on Jun 10, 2007, 07:29:

Your mom is suffering from paranoia I have a couple of sisters and their kids who were born in the states, my sisters avoid mentioning Colombia at all cost and their kids hardly know Colombia.
I say my relatives are suffering from paranoia about visiting Colombia. My sisters and brother watch too much TV from the states but mainly in Spanish.

Ask your mom to buy a one-year subscription to DirectTV so she gets reconnected! And when you do visit Colombia do follow your parents’ advice! Do not to go places that are considered dangerous and do not go out alone.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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jinksmiester says on Jun 10, 2007, 07:57:

With your family there to help and watch out for you,you would think she would let you visit.But a mother is a mother and its her job to watch out for you.I think Bogota is reasonably safe,but like everywhere you need to use common sense about where you go and what you do as monpirri recommends.Manny young people don,t use a lot of common sense and maybee she does,nt trust that you will.I think its a good thing that you want to maintain relations with your family in colombia.Perhaps if you tell her this is important to you it might help your case.Good luck.

A man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams

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bufalo says on Jun 10, 2007, 09:00:

I'd be more worried about the pervs in Colombia if it were my daughter, not so much the violence..........

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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poco says on Jun 10, 2007, 10:14:

Need to find out if there is a hidden problem and is the reason you went to the US? If that is the case your mother has every right. Those guys have long memories.

I hadn't thought ANYONE with problems in Colombia EVER wanting to return. Then again, I hadn't considered a person NOT KNOWING.

A Colombian where I live skipped town and didn't pay his employees. He returned 4 years later and was dead in less than a week. He must have known,, suicide I guess?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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elreydelostrolls says on Jun 10, 2007, 13:56:

For your information, Thur, she would be a lot safer backpacking in Cordoba than she would be in the streets of Bogota. Please tell us how it is that you are an expert on backpacking and safety in Cordoba?

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Gomezman5 says on Jun 10, 2007, 14:28:

She said she is 17...... First I would like to commend billyb for saying this:

"she's still your mom and as a mom she will always be overprotective and you should be gratefull that she is that way."

Good job billy

Look, she is 17. So you cannot just throw out the party line stuff about "being cautious". Most 17 year olds, especially in an enviornment like this just are not cautious. That is why we don't let 17 year old drink liquor in this country (US).

Lolalove, you are your mothers pride and joy. A child cannot be replaced. I presume the previous times you went to Col., you went with one or both parents, so there was no need to worry. Just stick with your parents advise and while they may very well be a bit over protective, defer to your parents wishes and go with them when they accompany you, or don't go at all.

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njtea5 says on Jun 10, 2007, 16:03:

Medellin I am moving to Medellin in under a week I am 6-1 200 lbs 26 yearold Colombian-American and I am still nervous. I dont Blame your Mama. You are too young i wouldn't let my Daughter go!!!

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Diez Y Siete says on Jun 10, 2007, 19:05:

Overcautious Ive been to colombia(5'4'' clearly american, blonde hair blue eyes) and im 17, im planning on moving next year to colombia for college, and the times i have been i didnt feel unsafe, i mean if your parinoid all of the time you are going to feel more unsafe. You mom should lighten up, obviously shes been there and knows the troubles but shes still alive she didnt get kidnapped/murdered/blugended to death. And about the liquor thing it doesnt make a difference if you are in the US or colombia, kids are going to drink and be irresponsibe if thats what they want to do, it doesnt make a difference about the drinking age.

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bufalo says on Jun 10, 2007, 19:16:

Diez y Siete....Like you said, your 17 wait until you have kids - different story.

Maybe your mom remembers how they treat girls your age in Colombia and wouldn't want you to be exposed to that. I wouldn't let my daughter come down here at that age alone. 17 in the states are still kids, NOT down here. Here you are fresh meat from 14 on (that's why guys call girls "viejas" when they are only in their twenties - they are already all used up).

Again, I'd say its more of a perv thing (that isn't considered perv here)

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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lpdiver says on Jun 10, 2007, 19:44:

Your own relatives that live there will be your best chance in my opionion.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Simon says on Jun 10, 2007, 21:24:

I can understand the mom's worrying. Conversely, I'd be scared about sending my kids to school in the US to be shot up by some gun-toting manicac or bullied while someone is taping it and then having it posted on Youtube.

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

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CTina70 says on Jun 10, 2007, 21:43:

Bogota is not the safest place in the world, but there are ways to make it safer for you. When I was living there 2004&2005 we, hubby and I, had rules the US embassy puts out for their people living out in town.

Most of the rules were made because of something or other happening.
I have grown up traveling back and forth to and from Colombia, so I am by no means a paranoid(sp?).

First off, don't hang where a bunch of other Americans hang out and don't sit outside on the patio. (rule made when a bomb was tossed on to the patio of the Bogota Beer Company in the "T" by the Andino.)

Always lock the cab doors when you get in. (other guys can jump in the cab and rob you)

Call a cab, don't hail on in the street call and get the clave. (anyone who is watching you from a cab can be at your service if you hail one.)

Remember to be aware of your suroundings. If you are walking make sure you know who is coming up behind you.

For the most part, if someone is going to rob you, they are going to try to do is with you you noticing. When I am there I use a small purse held tightly under your arm.

I mean other than the first one, the things i have posted here are things I would do if I went to New York.

Remember, you are young and if not this year, then maybe next year
when you are 18.

Good Luck.

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adrimm says on Jun 10, 2007, 22:26:

Agree with lpdiver - in the hands of the family you'd be fine (and that's probably the only way you'll get a chance to spend time there until you are of age).

If it makes you feel any better I'm 28, and my mom still has kittens when I go to Colombia on my own. While Bogota is starting to make it as part of the backpackers circuit, imho, many Colombian expats seem to really struggle with foreigners actually wanting to visit the place as a destination. Some of the nerves are justified, there are more extremes, "vivos" who'll take advantage of a travellers unfamiliarity, etc.

For a dose of fun and to meet other younger folks travelling in Colombia maybe talk one of your slightly older cousins into going with you and staying at the Platypus for a couple of nights. It'll be a great social adventure for both of you.

On my last solo trip to Colombia I showed up to surprise my mother and relatives at a big family event, you wouldn't believe the fits and "OMG where have you been staying?!!!" it wasn't until she saw a photo of all the young backpackers that she breathed a bit easier about me being there on my own (and I was a decade older than you are).

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Robert Jorge says on Jun 10, 2007, 22:40:

Good advice CTina70, and I agree with Gomezman. In all the times I have been to Bogota, the two places I felt a little nervous or felt like a target were: Zona Rosa where there were lots of gringos, and barrio Portal in the deep south, halfway up the mountain past the prison La Picota. Bufalo has a good point about the danger of the pervs. 14 is legal in Colombia. It is not uncommon for 15 or 16 year olds to have babies, fathered by dudes in their 30s,40s, and 50s ... who are married too. It is not illegal and from my limited experience / observations; the wives do not leave the marriage ... even after learning of the infidelity. But that is another topic.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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njtea5 says on Jun 11, 2007, 00:04:

Thats sick I am 26 and wouldnt even date a 20 year old unless she was really mature..

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ColoradoGringo says on Jun 12, 2007, 17:17:

Use common sense I never feel threatned in Bogota. Pick your places and enjoy. Hell, Bogota is not as dangerous as Denver Colorado at night :). There are places we all need to avoid
Regards

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