The joy of San Andresito

My first experience of San Andresito was to go to get a European playstation chipped to work in Colombia (and play copied games). It was reminiscent of a scene out of Bladerunner - I instantly fell in love with the place. Not just for the Cheap Everything, but the whole vibe of the place. "You can buy a gun here" my girlfriend (helpfully) informed me, I still believe her. I didn't feel fear as I watched a moustached guy with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth (drinking beer at 11 in the morning) attack my playstation with a screwdriver, rather a childish sense that I was doing something naughty in a very suspicious place.

Since then I have made it a regular pastime to go to San Andresito and spend my money - booze, perfume, games, a second playstation (after the first one blew up), and TV series - all at below average prices. Season 5 of The Sopranos in a real shop will set you back 150,000 pesos - in SA it will cost you about 20,000.

Part of San Andresito's continuing allure is the air of mystery it has for me. Some say it is run by the FARC, others say it is a completely legal enterprise - some have told me that it gets sporadically blown up (which, paradoxically, makes me want to go more). Things are cheap there, so they say, because the goods are not taxed (much like in San Andres itself) - but I sometimes wonder how many fake/stolen goods end up there too.

I have "my guy" in San Andresito del Norte (which is tame compared to the one further south) - whatever I need, he gets it for me. Until now they have been electronics, but I suspect that if I were to ask for a rocket launcher or conflict diamonds that he would obediently return in 5 minutes with my order in tow.

Along with tejo and tiendas, San Andresito is one of the things I truly like about Colombia.

By Leeroy on Jul 22, 2007, 17:11 in Friendly Talkzone.

poco says on Jul 22, 2007, 18:41:

Do they have cellphone holders there ???

Where I live, in the country, you know,, where the FARC, Para's and Mafia hang out, the people are really poor. They do seem to have money for food but still can't afford a proper holder.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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vicshere says on Jul 22, 2007, 18:50:

Lee be careful buying - booze, in the San Andresitos.....they are famous for watering their booze down with nasty shit...your better off buying at the big box stores and pay a bit more

listo

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robi666 says on Jul 22, 2007, 19:26:

San Andresito,
donde dan en la cabeza a los gringos bobos y lo dean contentos, sonrientes y limpios.
(como diria bueno_pues)!

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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webmanco says on Jul 22, 2007, 20:21:

Just for the record, as fas as I know there are 4 San Andresitos en Bogotá,

San Andresito San Jose (where tiendas get their goods.) Abarrotes
San Andresito de la 38 Clothes, imitation tennis shoes, electronics, pirate movies games etc
San Andresito de la 13 like the above
San Andresito del norte, everything but abarrotes.

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

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bickerss says on Jul 23, 2007, 01:23:

I stopped for a beer at a side store there, where, the owner proudly informed me she had 13 % russian beer which ''todos los gringos gustan''. That was very interesting to me as an Australian, so I bought one. I couldnt drink it all - very dire situation - but got a little bit further than my seppo buddy!!!

Good place to wander around though.

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