Pasto?

medefockinllin says on May 12, 2009, 11:25:

Las Lajas is spectacular

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Londoner says on May 12, 2009, 13:30:

Pasto has 4 famous chuches,worth a visit.Las Lajas is 2 hours away so I don,t know if it qualifies as Pasto.Problem is Pasto is in the middle of nowhere,however,it,s cheap,you get good service,the weather is cool.The airport is too far and is often closed due to bad weather.There,s an atractive lake nearby ,can,t remember the name,food is so so.People friendly.Few attractive women.

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 12, 2009, 13:35:

arent pastusos known for being not so bright? a few friends mentioned this....=)..a friend of mine from Dallas is Colombian and a heart surgeon for the VA,,,,he is from there and told me about people from Pasto....kind of made me wonder since he is a doctor and all.....=)

Lets hear it for the new PBH Experts on Colombia! DrPhilinamillion, KY, and Darloops!!!!!!! We Salute Your Valuable Contributions to This Forum!

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 12, 2009, 15:05:

goin_south says on May 12, 2009, 16:27:

sanandressi...
What are you wanting to know?
I visited my fiance there, about three years ago.
She was originally from Cali, but lived in Pasto for 20 years.

Although conditions have generally changed in Colombia as a whole over the last 6 years, and even in the past year, I don't think things 'around Pasto' have changed much, and by that, I mean since you are gringo, I wouldn't be wondering too far away from Pasto.... and, I wouldn't be leaving Pasto by myself. Laguna de la Coche is about 45 minutes away, towards the southeast of Pasto, but my gf always told me, I probably shouldn't go away from there any further, due to guerrilla activities, and that goes for just about any direction from Pasto.

Pasto is a relatively large (population, I think... about 300,000) city, snuggled away in a valley, way up there in the Southern Colombian Andes.
More largely referred to as a 'peasantry' community... I think they have a university there... and I think Pasto is the capitol of the Departmento de Nariño.

The people tend to have a lil more the indio appearance, but are as nice and cordial as any where else in Colombia. No different.
I was fortunate to get to visit during the Festival Blanco y Negro! They have a blast at that party the week after New Years!... and I thought they were going to burn the town down, New Year's Eve night!

I think the people I met were as bright (minded) as anywhere else in Colombia.

I don't think there are or ever have been too many gringos there; it seemed everyone wanted to talk to 'the gringo'. (edited) my spanish was REALLY BAD THEN, (a lil better now... like a second grader, maybe third!) But, I remember many wanting to attempt to converse in some REALLY FRIGHTENING attempts of their own, in english! LOL

They speak spanish, it seems, almost without moving their lips or jaw... so, maybe a lil more difficult to understand, even their spanish.
I drove with my gf, from Cali... about a seven hour drive.
She and I returned to Cali, by taxi... by night.... JAJJjjajja.. about 5 frighteningly mad hours! (I think that was Juan Pablo Montoya's brother!)

All in all.... I'm really glad I got to go, and would go again and venture a bit more, as long as I was with some locals.

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Londoner says on May 12, 2009, 17:52:

Yes Pasto has a security problem.You can,t go far in any direction without entering guerilla territory.Pastuzos are the butt of many Colombian jokes,and particularly their accent which Colombians tend to imitate.But I,ve always found the people helpful and friendly,if a bit behind the times.

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Londoner says on May 12, 2009, 17:54:

Its a pity because Narino and Cauca have wonderful scenery which us Gringos are destined never to experience.

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 12, 2009, 18:08: