My 1st experience driving in Colombia

makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 10:07:

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 10:08:

thepieman says on Oct 9, 2009, 10:15:

what with the motos and dogs to avoid the cars were on the whole not too bad. as its just one road to guatape.. in the towns its chaos but great fun
It was also dark when i returned which made trying to spot the road humps very hard

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kenblanquito says on Oct 9, 2009, 10:56:

Hi Pie
Great pictures and glad you went: the climb up the 700 steps is not easy for the over-forties who smoke but I managed it a few years back-haha!
If you are still online, will dog and bone you later! Just saw your pm!
Cheers

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 11:08:

pavo says on Oct 9, 2009, 11:46:

The key is to aim at the objects in the road and hope they are gone by the time you get to them.

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kingfish5515 says on Oct 9, 2009, 12:20:

Guatape and El Penol is a place everybody should try to visit, its drop dead gorgeous. But,,, prepare for those 700 steps. I got embarrased as my young novia just trotted up easily but after about 1/4 the way up I had to slow to a crawl,, and it must have been 100 degrees that day, the first time our big age difference showed. While there dont forget to take the boat ride to see Pablos bombed out house. KF

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tannedincali (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 13:07:

saddlespur says on Oct 9, 2009, 17:56:

Thanks for the pictures! My first few visits I rented a car out of Pereira. The cost was crazy high. Couple that with tolls, fuel, tipping folks for thinking they need to help you park...I finally learned my lesson and take the taxi and occasional bus. Wow! dropped the costs from about $75 a day to about $10-$15...and no hassle!

To Get What You Never Had...You Must Do What You've Never Done.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 10, 2009, 04:31:

thanks, bud.............really glad you're haveing a wonderful time. hello to your friend.
douglas

patriarch

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davidslc46 says on Oct 10, 2009, 04:37:

Pavo,

The key is to aim at the objects in the road and hope they are gone by the time you get to them.

Yep, thats what everyone else does!

In my opinion, this is where the greatest risk to your life is found in Colombia, barring some extreme sports or behavior.

David

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mcheasley says on Oct 10, 2009, 08:12:

I was reading the Gringo Driving Handbook here in Medellin before I bought my car and it only had one page in it... "sit in your Bumper Car, attach the seat belt, put your foot all the way down on the pedal, and turn the steering wheel around in circles... Collisions are expected and encouraged... And of course you get extra points for the Bumper MOTOS." I have followed that handbook ever since and to this day all is well.... Gotta love the Renault 12T... make it a great day................

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2009, 03:52:

that's funny, mark.
d

patriarch

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excavator59 says on Oct 11, 2009, 12:33:

Bit different to England yes?I took a risk yesterday & went into Pereira for the Big bike meeting on my 1960 Lambretta TV 175 (200) & sidecar check out my profile pic nearly got squashed twice on the Ave 30 de Agosto by dickheads coming from the left & undertaking they just don't give a f*** but touch their precious car a different matter ,must add it's handed like an English car driving on the right of the machine which adds to the fun .
Hope your liking it piece of advice when in Rome (Bogota,Cali etc) do as the Romans do (Colombians).

Life is like a Pubic Hair on a Toilet Seat (Sooner or Later you get Pissed Off)

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larryrn says on Oct 12, 2009, 12:53:

One thing that is funny is the cops always drive with their red and blue flashing lights - in the US it means pull over but over here it doesnt mean anything (grin). I enjoy driving here - but sometimes it does get old like when I was making weekly trips from Montera to Medellin. Now that I am in SM basically the drive is to BAQ which for the most part is flat and straight and you can go 140km/hr..

Larry

Your Source for Nursing CEUs - www.RN.ORG - www.RNCE.US - www.EnfermeriaSite.com - www.Enfermeria.US

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 12, 2009, 18:14:

thepieman says on Oct 13, 2009, 13:13:

how did the bike meet go excavator? def different to england but much more fun

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excavator59 says on Oct 15, 2009, 21:32:

It was fine mate all the Harlistas wanted to take pics of them & their Women on it ,they seem to be ok now as before they seemed a bit elitist & looking down on The Lambretta as it's a Scooter but now it's starting to be recognised as a classic here in Colombia after 18 years of trying to tell them.
I had a quick ride up to Santa Rosa de Cabal with them all ,think I suprised them with how it pulls up Hills/Mountains with the sidecar on.
So where are you now ?
Maybe you should be Empanada man? Rough translation (Empty Bread Nothing)

Life is like a Pubic Hair on a Toilet Seat (Sooner or Later you get Pissed Off)

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thepieman says on Oct 16, 2009, 11:24:

Glad you had a good time.. did you get any pics? im going to post more once i get home
im still in rionegro, i have been based here, great place and people, the climate suits me fine except the last few days been a bit crappy.
Unfortunately fly home monday after 3 great weeks.. might take 1 last trip to medellin this weekend not sure yet
Im hoping to come back again in January

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davidslc46 says on Oct 16, 2009, 16:06:

Driving or crossing the street in Colombia. Just last weeks news reinforces my belief that the real danger lies on the roads in Colombia.

My wifes fathers novias son had invited a couple to go away for the weekend. On their way the invited couple who were on a moto crashed into a car. The man was killed instantly and his wife was seriously injured. They related that the dead man died with his eyes wide open and that they could not get them closed which would be a little freaky dont you think.

In a taxi yesterday the driver reported that he routinely took the owner of the ( excellent with real chinese people cooking ) chinese resturaunt in Premium Plaza across from Tennis store. Well the older chinese owner had called him to take him to work but the taxi driver declined because he had pica placa. Another driver took the old man. Instead of dropping the man off infront of the mall the driver dropped him off across the street. When attempting to cross the street the old man was struck and killed. I believe this is an accurate accounting, but it maybe off slightly because of translation. But the old chinese man who owned the Chinese resturaunt in Premium Plaza was struck and killed crossing a street recently in Medellin.

Now I do not expect to stop driving or crossing the streets but vehicular deaths do seem to occur very often in Colombia.


David

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lpdiver says on Oct 16, 2009, 18:59:

I believe it David...I have as a pedestrian been struck twice. Once by one of those rediculous micro vans with 12 inch tires and once by a taxi. I was so pissed at the van I damn near tackled it. I am sure I could have knocked it on its side with ease.

ts

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

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excavator59 says on Oct 16, 2009, 19:46:

I thump taxis very regular when I'm crossing the Zebras in Pereira when they cross on a green light (R souls)

Life is like a Pubic Hair on a Toilet Seat (Sooner or Later you get Pissed Off)

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thepieman says on Oct 23, 2009, 17:15:

Pedestrians have no rights as far as i can tell

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