Not sure which forum to ask this on and it may be a stupid question but...

john says on Apr 22, 2004, 17:43:

ah? Where exactly are you going?
John

John

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 22, 2004, 19:04:

Kidnapping 101 I think the primary form of kidnapping in the big cities is done by rogue taxi drivers. That would be the old "express kidnapping" not the more long-term FARC/ELN roadblock kidnapping. Which, of course, leaves out the targetted kidnappings where they know exactly who they're trying to get.

But the good news is that kidnapping is way down.

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SiV says on Apr 23, 2004, 12:39:

More details required I´d be happy to help you, but need more information, like when you´ll be here, where you´ll be staying, the purpose of your visit, family background. etc.
SiV

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 23, 2004, 12:58:

now I got worried When in Cali, I move around in taxis a lot. Is this "rogue" taxi thingie really common? I never call a taxi but hail one of those small yelow cars right off the streets. I've even sent my teenage daughter alone in a taxi to a friends house.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 23, 2004, 13:17:

Taxi Driver Well, you've seen the DeNiro movie, right?

No, really, I think as a percentage of taxis it's a very small thing. But a lot of Colombians have warned me away from hailing taxis on the street in Bogota because of the possibility of being robbed or kidnapped. This includes a couple Colombians who once were cab drivers and seem to know the business.

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crotalus01 says on Apr 23, 2004, 16:00:

SiV i have a 1 day layover in Bogota en route to Quito (get in at 2100 in the evening which sucks). thinking about bus from Tulcan to Popayon, then flight to Cali and Medellin where i have a friend. he advised me to stay no longer than one week for security reasons (and yes he was born and raised there - i think he is more worried about it than i am ).

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ShazCas says on Apr 24, 2004, 05:02:

Don't worry Unless you are a millionaire or something I really wouldn't worry at all. Your friend seems to be TOTALLY exaggerating, as by the way Colombians often do. Unless he lives in a shanty town, that is, which I doubt! STAY AS LONG AS YOU WANT TO!! There really is nothing to worry about unless of course you are loaded or are going to trek through the jungle!! And even if you have money, how are the guerilla going to find out?? Rest assured that the kidnapping is not something that's going to affect you in Cali, Medellin or Bogota. If you were planning to trek around in dangerous areas that would be a different thing. Do be careful about taxis on your own especially in Bogota-ring them and ask for the numberplate on the phone and check it's the same one. As for the bus journey, travel by day and the flight from Popayan to Cali is a good idea - I did the same myself. You'll be FINE!!!

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