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Threatened by a punk in Medellin today

2 o 3 of them (black guys) wanted to shine my shoes. One (a young 6 ft tall kid) has pestered me before in a restaraunt and i have told him to take-off. He doesnt like that... but he is too agressive to the point of sticking his finger in my chest.

so when i turned down the bigger of the group with...mi sapatoes no esta eso clase...bad spanish probably but they are hikers and cant be shined. The kid again with his finger at my chest says "watch your back" his only english it seems.

I go to this area, estadio until 9 or so pm regularly so it crosses my mind that I am now going to feel like I am in cali on those occasions je je je. ( I was just reading the post about cali being a bit dangerous).
suggestions are welcome.

Oh when I walk home to suramerican on a mainstreet at 9 or so there are several people per block and I am sure I saw a guy walking past me with an open 6 inch blade 2 days ago. the area is considered safe but maybe not by him???? actually estadio is the area where a poster here reported a gun holdup a week or 2 ago. A colombian friend said some of the punks in a poor area nearby come by for a little extra income once in a while.

At this point...hmm I have been here 3 weeks and lived in centro (2 blocks from the drug addicts area where you dont go from 6 pm to 8 am), in guayabal a nice safe stratos 3, in estadio and suramericana maybe a 4 i think, and in Poblado a secure but kinda sterile neighborhood a little like any canadian nighborhood except it is a lot prettier and has great sidewalk cafes.

I have made a few friends (probably 6 or 8) who know me verywell and of course extended friends through them.. not counting and lost a few...and i guess if i had more stronger friendships here I would be more sure i wanted to comeback for my 6 months next year. but i think partly it takes a bit of luck to develope real strong bonds insuch a short time even here in colombia.

well.. I told my (doubtfull friends) that this trip was up to me to make it what it would be and because colombia is what is...the statement I think that was very true.

Any comment on the threat from the punk¿

By DonkeyDust on Feb 5, 2006, 12:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 6, 2006, 08:46:

Ese clase Maybe a native speaker can chime in and correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like "clase" in Colombia can be a bit more loaded than "type" or "kind. You might have been misinterpreted as suggesting that your tenis were too good for them.

Either way, the guy has no right to get in your face about it. I agree with GIB about not acting visibly intimidated by it. I'd actually put on a pair of leather shoes and walk down there today to have one of his buddies shine your shoes. All will be forgotten.

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quindioman says on Feb 6, 2006, 11:31:

"voy a matarte" keep on using that one and pretty soon one of them dodgy modefoques will use you for target practise.

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DonkeyDust says on Feb 6, 2006, 11:59:

I think this giving money thing is not all it is cracked up to b Well I won´t have them shine my shoes but...

But I could pay for someone who I know a bit...there is always someone closeby...like a waiter or even another patron in the area. So long as i know the minimum price and his name. and then give him a big...Muy bueno trabajo, Como te llamos, nos vemos otra vez.
Really I am not so bothered but it is one more thing to think about after dark. Even a vendedora I had helping me with my spanish in the same area said "quidado con la ladron". So it is on peoples minds.

There was a big soccer game that day and I gave some kids a few dollars to help them get into the game. One of the kids was talking to the shine guys and the fact i was giving money away to other kids may not have indeared me to him.

I thought it was great at first. I gave 3 14 or 16 y.o. boys asking for cash 200 pesos each (about a dime). They genuinely gave me the thumbs up and smiled. I thought about it and decided i could give a few thousand more. That could have caused jealousy or...?

I think this giving money thing is not all it is cracked up to be.
Changes in Latitudes...attitudes.

Latitudes attitudes & platitudes.

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Rubiazo says on Feb 6, 2006, 13:35:

Don't say 'voy a matarte' unless you seriously intend to kill that person!! :P It could easily be taken seriously!

Somehow I don't think the police anywhere in Colombia will have trouble with a gringo if he beats the living shit out of some street punk or even kills him. Unless they start getting to thinking that you are trying to take over their jobs jajajaajaj!!

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Lostgringo says on Feb 6, 2006, 15:16:

sorry for your trouble I do not think it is in you best interest to give money away with these shoe shine guys around. Too much papaya. Remember that when you start giving money away in Colombia, people think you are rich! If they think you are rich then you become a target. I give away money but I try to be very discrete when doing it. I agree with GIB in terms of not shying away. I personally don't mind looking behind me and even stopping and turning around if I feel someone close behind me. If trouble is coming I may as well face it directly. I personally believe these "shoe shine" guys are losers! They likely could not fight their way out of a paper bag. Like GIB says, the minute you show any weakness you are vulnerable. If someone sticks their finger in my chest I am likely going to break it...I would rather be aggressive at that point than having to avoid them all the time. Admittedly, this all takes place rather quickly so what I say and what I would have done in your situation may have been different. Every situation is different and it depends on how many people are around. Although that makes little difference here in Colombia lol. In terms of putting on a pair of shoes like Hollywood suggests and suck up to them, forget it. You are only playing into their game...they have threatened you so why in the world would you want to have them shine your shoes? What else could they get you to do? Maybe a little walk to the ATM? If the problem persists you have two choices, either face up them or run. Maybe invest in a good "interpretor" like GIB. I have also found that these type of cowards are nothing alone. Getting one of them alone (aggressor) is often good. Give him a tune up by himself and often everything is back to normal.
I am sorry to hear about your trouble as it sure puts a damper on a vacation. I hope it all sorts itself out and you are ok.

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Lostgringo says on Feb 6, 2006, 15:24:

Walk Away Yes GIB is correct. It is best to walk away when you can. There is no shame in walking away. But when you are followed and become a target you must do "something." Or, you become a "victim." Easy prey! The walking away obviously did not work. They are in "intimidation" mode now.

Stories like the one just told by GIB happen all over the world. Sometimes the world just sucks, you fight and win and lose, you run and hide for safety and become a victim.

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spigrimace says on Feb 6, 2006, 16:37:

If you keep getting harrassed I think I know that shoe shine boy. I was with a friend (a gringo) who let finally let him shine his shoes after not taking no for an answer while having a beer in Obelisco. Afterwards he said it was $10 mil pesos which my friend unknowingly was going to pay when I interrupted and said no no no no no, $2 mil is plenty. The kid got pissed and stood by $10 mil. I said $2 mil or you get nothing but my friend didn´t want any problems so he gave him $5 mil. I´m still pissed at my friend for that because he got taken advantage of.

I´m not calling for a rumble. But if you need any help or at least a show of strength in numbers if someone really starts picking on you and acts like a bully, Morphus (sorry to recruit you without your ok) seems to live close to the stadium, as do i. He´s really well built and I keep my bench press up around 225+ so we´re not going to be all that intimidated by a scrawny teenager.

Maybe the next time someone bugs you for money or to buy something you don´t want, just say with a shameful, no nodding, aw shucks face: "lo siento, no hay plata". You´d be surprised how much the people here relate to not having money and they´ll let you be. Works surprisingly well on girlfriends here too ;-)

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Lostgringo says on Feb 6, 2006, 19:07:

Donkey Dust has Amigos Great support for Donkey Dust ...damn Morpheus looks like you can pump iron..no need for GIB with you around. I agree that you cannot give in to this type of intimidation. Same thing happened to me here in Bogota. I got a shoe shine without asking for the price first. He runned my new shoes...I need to get the color renewed. Shined the damn shoes with a rag that that had black polish on it..my shoes "were" brown. I just gave him $2,000 COP and left. He said something nasty but I could not understand him. My novia said it wasn't very nice. I just laughed and continued on my way. Some shoe shine guys do a great job and get return customers. These guys seem like a bunch of low life..

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 6, 2006, 21:18:

Why does this remind me of Indiana Jones simply shooting the guy with all the fancy martial arts sword work?

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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greg says on Feb 7, 2006, 12:41:

Voy a matarte Whats Matarte mean?

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Colombiche says on Feb 7, 2006, 12:49:

Oooops... sorry! Did I just walk into the Rambo thread by mistake?? Wrong room. I was looking for the "Karate Chop 101 for Colombianas" thread, me and a couple of girlfriends are thinking of heading down to the comunas and pretend we are Charlie's Angels. I hope we find the thread, because we already purchased boots, RayBans and Uzies that match our clothes. Can't wait to practice our Karate kicks avec stilettos on those little 10 year old beggars.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Lostgringo says on Feb 7, 2006, 21:46:

Don't buy a Gun GIB wrote, "A pistol will cost you 400K on the street or 3 million legal (H&K, Glock is 5) Buy one off the street and one legal of identical models."

Having lived on the street myself for most of my younger years I can tell you that buying a gun off the street can mean your death warrant. For example, what if the gun has been used in another crime perhaps a murder? And, the police stop you with this gun! What if you think you can buy it and be safe because there are no serial numbers on it! Wrong again. Because they can still detect the numbers nowadays even if they have been sanded off. Buying a gun off a street urchin in Colombia could be your downfall. You may be better of going to a sports store and buying a nice Louisville Slugger. No serial numbers and no noise! The physical contact is cathartic too lol.

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Lostgringo says on Feb 8, 2006, 03:49:

Have it your way GIB There is no point in arguing the point regarding this. I made my point and stand by it.

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elmodefoque says on Feb 8, 2006, 05:06:

Listen guys, if you’re having a problem with a Medellin punk, I’ll take care of that modefoque. All you gotta do is give my nephew a round trip ticket to Medellin, first week of March, and I guarantee he will knock that modefoque out! That modefoque won’t open his eyes until next Christmas.
All professional boxers in Colombia are costeños, most from Barranquilla. He has knocked out hundreds of modefoques in street fights and is responsible for the high number of toothless corronchos walking around.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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DonkeyDust says on Feb 8, 2006, 09:58:

Je je je I appreciate the advice, It is interesting that

Spirgrimace yes it is the same kid around obleisko. I have hung out there and estadio for 3 weeks. It is my favorite area. also Oros gym is very friendly and a great place to meet babes. (didnt see morphus doing the outdoor concrete wieghts..darn.. but those wieghts are all heavy to keep the rif raf out i guess).

Gib said:
What I don't understand about this post is how the guy is standing there for a finger to get poked in his chest? He must have confronted the guy? I mean as I am walking past these guys I have never had them run out in front of me and poke their finger in my chest as I was walking down the street.

Gib i was sitting in a cafe net to the street. And He didnt make contact with my chest or at least not so I could feel it. That of course would have called for action. Also there is the fact that this is not someone who is going away, he will be back everday as its his area.

If it happens in Vancouver it is a very different situation and unless it is escalated (which i will usually do if I am at work driving a bus..I find if I have last word i dont carry the incident with me.
Well really it is a small thing but being his town and added to the fact that it is Medellin...well it catches your attentin a bit more.
But thanks guys and it is suprising what a small world it is out there with several other guys who know my area so well.
oh and by the way I am in cancun today headed home with a pretty good case of exploding diarreah. Even in Medellin you have to watch what you eat or drink i guess.
Until next year...adios y buena suerte. donkeydust

Changes in Latitudes...attitudes.

Latitudes attitudes & platitudes.

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