So You Think Travel In Colombia Is without Concern:

. says on Aug 12, 2006, 13:37:

well... I do not think it is good idea for a white guy walking through the Bronx of New York at 12 o'clock at night! and nobody says that travelin to USA represent a concern. The thing is that no one is as stupid as to go to the War zone in Colombia (Cauca), this place is not visited by any one. The cities are not a concern in Colombia, actually are quite nice and very enjoyable.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 12, 2006, 17:18:

Surely, GringoD, you don't intend to inject a note of reality into the fantasy world that is PBSH? The PBSH vision of Colombia reminds me of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegone where "the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average".

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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. says on Aug 13, 2006, 00:56:

Well, the ignorant has spoken! Yes that right, I've got little narrow mind but you have hugh narrow mind, I think people who travel to the USA must be more careful than people who fly to Colombia, Cities in USA are in red alert because every single terrorist (and trust me, there are millions!)in the world hates the Yanks obviously thanks to the Yanks stupidity (just 49% of them, thanks to God!), then the problem in Colombia is in the rural, but in the USA can be in what ever. The twin towers is the most horrible thing has happened after pearl harbor where 5 thousand people die including a couple of friends from Colombia, and trust me, terrorints will never give out their atacks on USA, I am really afraid of flying from UK to Yankspolis. I think you have not heared about the ten planes that where going to be bombed by 21 terroris just three days ago, wake up gringodiego, the world is not USA, the world is so much bigger than that, and if USA do not re-think their economics policies, they will keep putting in extreme danger the USA population and the population of the countries that follow them (ej. UK). So, the arrogance is the cause of STUPIDITY. Do no talk to me about economy when your country has a selfish economic regime and unfair way of trading. the reality in the world is that USA is on war, that's the reality. Colombia? if you think that Colombia is a treat to your life, it makes me think that you are not being enough smart for standing it. Be god boy and come back to the "safest" place in the world, "USA!"

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Lostgringo says on Aug 13, 2006, 07:10:

English content not to confuse things but I thought this board was supposed to be for English speakers. I for one have no idea of what was posted. Here is a funny scenario though...on my return to Canada from Bogota in February I rented a room in a hotel via the internet. The rooms in the hotel were quite nice. I found out later that the bar downstairs and the night club were a little dangerous. In fact the week before someone had fired off a hand gun in the bar. I could see the where the bullet had lodged in the wall that night. Anyway I roughed it out there for a month. In my final week someone else had got by the bouncers and fired off a gun again triying to hit a biker that was there. We a HUGE amount of tourists here every year. Do you think they should all stay away because of these two isolated incidents? All kinds of people are being murdered in Canada and the US and they are not all over DRUGS. Most of the murders that happen in Colombia originate over drugs be it FARC or whatever. Why is that I staid in Bogota for 6 months lately and never saw a fight and never saw a Colombian that was shit faced drunk? I am not saying it does not happen. I am saying it does not happpen as often as it does in North America. I am returning to Bogota this September and I am going to do some travelling this time. If I listened to all the negative stuff here I would never leave my apartment. Please anyone reading this stuff take in with a grain of salt.

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 13, 2006, 09:20:

jp I guess we should all take lessons from the UK in the assimilation of our minorities.

One stupid Yank.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 13, 2006, 11:07:

Yeah, we've got an unfair way of trading all right, to the tune of of a trade deficit of billions every month. I agree we should try some fair trade where other nations buy as much from us as we buy from them.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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adrimm says on Aug 13, 2006, 12:32:

Porque franko? Si este foro fuera especificamente solo para discurso en ingles, creo que Peter hubiero incluyido eso en el titulo.

If this friendly talkzone had been specifically intended to english-only discussion I imagine Peter would have written it into the title.

Personally I find your issue with Spanish in posts a little odd, given that it *is* the language of Colombia.

I also would have to take of opinions of the country that are formed across a language barrier with bigger grain of salt than those that aren't. Communication is a key aspect to understanding the circumstances or situation of anything.

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. says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:37:

Gringodiego, We do not have a civil war in Colombia, we have a war against of terrorists and Drugs barons in Colombia, got the difference? And for your knowledge, you are right by saying that you do not have a civil war, how ever, you have an international war against of 1/4 of the world population (the rest (3/4)are just being hypocrites). Now, I think that the war against Colombian terrorists can finish when any president decides to legalize the Drugs, then those armed groups will not have where to have the money from, hence this stupid war will finally be ended. Now, Do you think United State will be on peace with the Middle East any time in the future? I do not think so, the war between Muslims and USA will last for so many decades, and will get worst if USA do not show a little bit of humbleness for the sake of its citizens and the countries that are following it. 7 Years ago, a girl told me...Juan, your shirt is just disgusting, and I said...well, Tomorrow I will have a new shirt, will you have a new face?. And Franco44, where did you read...."this board is just for english speakers", could you please let me know? or it is another Yanks making up as 49% of all of you normally do?

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Lostgringo says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:56:

juanpbadillo There is a board here for Spanish only no? For the most part this portion of PBH is English, at least I thought so. If I could read Spanish I would be in that forum. Anyway, lighen up a little. Gringodieago I am not in Bogota I am in Canada. I have been here since February. I will be going back to Bogota in September. First thing I am going to do is enrol in a school to help me with my Spanish. I think I could have enjoyed my trip so much more if I had known more spanish.

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 13, 2006, 14:07:

So you're calling them terrorists, Juanpbadillo. You sound a lot like a guy named George. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. There will be peace in the Middle East before there is peace in Colombia.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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webmanco says on Aug 13, 2006, 16:25:

Some posters want to portray Colombia as the Amazonas Colombia is not the dreamland or tranquilandia, we got issues but what country does not?

Por sus calles ruedan, como en una película de Vietnam, unos 13 mil 'motocarros', unos carruajes de hierro para dos personas que arrastran unas ruidosas motos. Por esas mismas calles deambulan de noche las 'hamburguesas', como apodan tristemente a las niñas que se convierten en 'comida rápida' de los gringos, en busca de dólares o un viaje al exterior

El Amazonas: historias de indígenas salvajes, pueblos sin ley y colombianos perdidos (El Tiempo Agosto 13 2006)

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

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tomtom33 says on Aug 13, 2006, 16:44:

jp I hate to break it to you, the war is between the radical extreme Muslims and everyone not of their ilk including non-radical Muslims and Brits.

Suggest you try pulling your head out of your ass.

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pedro says on Aug 13, 2006, 18:21:

. Why is that I staid in Bogota for 6 months lately and never saw a fight and never saw a Colombian that was shit faced drunk?

You probably just need to get out more!

C'mon, really. Spotting a drunk Colombian guy is not exactly elusive like a four leafed clover.

que nota!

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webmanco says on Aug 13, 2006, 20:02:

I am not a big believer in statistics but here you go

Assaults United States

Rapes per capita United States, South Africa, Canada

Car thefts United States, United Kindom, Japan

Burglaries United States, UK, Australia

Frauds by country Germany, United States, UK

Manslaughters Mexico, Sout Africa, India

Embezzlements Rusia, South Korea, United States

Kidnappings Colombia, Mexico, Brasil

Murders by country India, Rusia, Colombia, South Africa, Mexico, United States

Some of their statistics are not updated.

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

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webmanco says on Aug 14, 2006, 04:41:

Reality, get into the bullring and talk about reality Civil War?
Security, politics, all is resumed in one word, Power.
The Army benefits from crime, Politics benefits from it as well. Unfortunaly "ciudadanos del comun" we pay "por los vidrios rotos"

I didn't post those statistics to offend you or anyone else but to make a point that if in Colombia it rains, elsewhere it rains as much. I will take her own words Uno nunca sabe, therefore it is better to err on the positive side than in the negative side.



As I don't believe much in statistics, I don't believe much in news. The towers were blown that is a fact, in the link you posted it is said also that only military personel were the target.

As much as I don't like to post things I heard about, I will repeat what was told to me once,

The Colombian Army got the posibility to reduce guerilla activity many times over, but higher commands in the Army are told not to attack. Doesn't make sense?

Jobs are at stake, benefits for military personel, early retirement, bonuses etc. I feel sorry for bachilleres and low level military personel whose lifes are at stake.

On the other hand nowdays x or y drug dealer is arrested and given the tag "extaditable" tag that makes believe Colombia is fighthing against drug trade, when it is known the Paramilitares had benefit for the same trade, however are in negotiations with the government to get off the hook.

Sorry for your friend but for sure to overact or stress out doesn't help either one, neither Colombia.

Colombia el País del Sagrado Corazon, I invited you to read the editorial of the same newspaper. To see that violence is mentioned but into a happier contest.

Las fiestas en nuestros pueblos

Una fiesta en cualquiera de nuestros hermosos pueblos de Nariño es una experiencia mágica que permanece para siempre en la mente y que siempre retorna a nuestra memoria cuando nos queremos acordar de episodios gratos.

El alegre estallido de los cohetes que se traduce en luces multicolores que tachonan el cielo de nuevas estrellas al ritmo de una “papayera�, constituye uno de los recuerdos imborrables de estas celebraciones tan arraigadas en la gente del departamento de Nariño.

Pocas cosas igualan el maravilloso encanto de estas celebraciones pueblerinas, pletóricas de tradiciones, las cuales lejos de desaparecer son cada vez más fuertes a pesar del paso inexorable del tiempo.

Las fiestas de nuestros pueblos nariñenses reflejan fielmente la idiosincrasia de una gente amable, siempre dispuesta a recibir a los visitantes con los brazos abiertos y brindarles una inolvidable estadía.

En esta época en la que lamentablemente la violencia nos inquieta, esos festejos son un refrescante oasis que nos sirven para dejar a un lado las cosas malas y darle paso al más desbordante jolgorio para solaz de propios y extraños.

Como nariñenses que amamos nuestro terruño debemos respaldar estas festividades. No necesitamos buscar descanso y solaz únicamente en el exterior, si miramos que en el entorno geográfico de nuestro departamento tenemos los más hermosos paisajes y que en cualquiera de sus rincones encontramos el calor y la cordialidad del paisano, que nos invita a volver cuantas veces lo deseemos.

Por eso hay que apoyar nuestras fiestas y ello se hace con nuestra asistencia. En estos momentos poblaciones como Consacá, San Pablo, Ancuya, Gualmatán y Samaniego entre otras, celebran o se disponen a realizar sus festejos, donde de la mano de la alegría va también la fuerte y tradicional fe y devoción del pueblo nariñense, para con sus patronos y patronas, fruto de una religiosidad ancestral que siempre tiene a la tierra nariñense como una de las más católicas del país.

La consigna es disfrutar de nuestras tradicionales festividades y por eso aprovechemos estos días de descanso para visitar a San Pablo; ir a Consacá, deleitarnos con las bandas musicales en Samaniego.

No hay que olvidar que el turismo comienza por casa y en eso, como lo dijimos anteriormente, el departamento de Nariño tiene mucho para ofrecer a propios y visitantes: idílicos paisajes, tanto en la sierra como en la costa; gente amable y buena, exquisitos platos típicos y las fiestas que año tras año compiten por ser las mejores.

Preparemos nuestros avíos y vamos de paseo y rumba a cualquiera de nuestros municipios.

Integrémonos con la comunidad, participemos de todos los eventos programados.

Unicamente de esta manera nos daremos cuenta de todas las cosas buenas que tenemos a nuestro alrededor, muy al alcance de nuestra mano. Tengamos en cuenta que muy pocas cosas en la vida superan la alegría sin par de una fiesta de pueblo en el departamento de Nariño

Festival

Blancos y Negros

Artesania en Ceramica

La Corota

Sanquianga

Volcan

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

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Rubiazo says on Aug 15, 2006, 01:25:

Correct me if I´m wrong but isn't it mostly DESERT south of Neiva and not jungle? Also, I don't think Uribe is pushing the FARC back, that would be the military's job. Pretty hard for one person to do no? Even if he looks real dapper in his kevlar shirt.

And for the record, the Bronx is pretty safe at any hour of the night these days. I should know, I live and work there!

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