Tick Tock

kernow62 says on Jun 5, 2005, 22:00:

What were you warned about the buses, that you must air out the seat before sitting down? They are great.

As for a traditional Chiva the only sort you will find in Bogotá are the party buses.

I didn't heed the taxi advice, but if I were on my own I suppose I would be more cautious.

I'm sure you can do a search on this site and get loads of conflicting info.

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daver says on Jun 5, 2005, 22:33:

The basics...

Don't carry lots of money. Just what you need for the day.

No expensive watches or jewelry.

Don't let yourself be invited along to anywhere with strangers.

Don't take anything offered by strangers.

Photo copy of the passport.

Keep your head up, look like you belong, walk fast, and pretend you're in your own neigbourhood.

Take advice from your contacts in the city about where NOT to go.

Dave

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poco says on Jun 6, 2005, 00:47:

Bus Riding You'll be safe, although I saw someone say they had a $3,000 limit on their debit card,, gezzzz they will take ALL day robbing you, but just as happy as if they'd won the lottery. Keep extra money in your underware strategically placed in the front. (folded, not rolled)

There are chicken carrying buses, regular buses and reserved seat buses. No matter which they are,, no seat belts. The unwritten law states that a good bus driver is worth 50 paying passengers, thus the driver gets a seat belt. The chicken carrying type sometimes operate the longer routes to outlying areas but they stop for every Mami, Juan and Pedro that even looks like they need a ride. Get on early so you get a seat, by mid route,,, you will be standing and hanging onto the rail. The every second the last passenger has at least one foot on the door entry the bus is gaining forward momentum. The chicken carrying buses will remind you of school, except they are not yellow.

Getting a good isle seat on the chicken carriers allows a view of the scenery

The Cali inner city city has the chicken carrying type for the most part. School bus sized down to stubby bobtailed, crowded people haulers with the drivers assistant hanging out the door, jumping on and off with death defying abandon, packing in the passengers, collecting money and announcing their ultimate destination at every corner. Maybe not packed "off peak" rush hours.

The buses between towns and cities are the nice reserved seat rides. When it comes to spending 13,000 pesos nothing is to good for me so I ride the Mercedes Diesel 15 passenger mini buses. Arrive early and ask for and (maybe) get the front two seats opposite the driver,, it may just be better to open the door and sit there, but you should have a nice girl dressed in Studio F attire to sit in the middle to operate the radio. Plus you get a seat belt.

Getting a front seat also gives you an excellent view from the bus remember don't distract the driver, especially on curves.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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TioJoe says on Jun 6, 2005, 04:10:

Talking in Public I usually try not to speak any more in public than necessary or at the very least softly - I look enough like a gringo when I travel to Colombia without opening my mouth to prove it.

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kernow62 says on Jun 6, 2005, 04:23:

The buses in Cali sound more like those in Cartagena than those in Bogotá. And that view was the one that got me an elbow in my ribs.

The bus ride in Bogotá is great fun, you can stick your hand out when you see the bus you want and no matter which lane of traffic the driver is in he will somehow reach you, or if he is stuck in traffic like in El Centro, just wend your way through the maze of buses and taxis out to him. The prices and destinations are clearly marked on the windscreen. The driver takes your money and makes change whilst accelerating at maximum throttle and dodging the odd other vehicle. They are fantastic, the shifter is actually behind the driver, so they are shifting through the gears, taking fares, watching the kerbs for other passengers all at the same time. When they do see a person waiting they will screech to a halt, there is nothing subtle about a bus ride.

It is a riotous asault on the senses, diesel fumes, the sound of the air shifter, the colourful decorations, the music, and the occasional vendor who makes a long flowery speech before handing out their wares for inspection. Plus you get a nice view of the city.

As Poco mentions the intercity buses are usually very nice, with AC (you really need that in Bogotá), some have TVs. It is best not to sit in the front unless you don't mind seeing huge trucks and other buses heading straight for you in the wrong lane on a blind curve in the mountains. If you have the balls, like Poco does then it will be great fun. ;-0

Transmilenio is a different beast altogether, and should present no problems other than standing room only.

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felixuribe says on Jun 6, 2005, 05:36:

Vallenatisimos.com A todos que aman el Vallenato, aqui tienen su nueva emisora!
Vallenatisimos.com, vallenatos de hoy y el ayer!

VALLENATISIMOS.COM

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 6, 2005, 08:27:

Nice scenery, Poco. ;)

Jay

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emiami says on Jun 6, 2005, 09:34:

Just returned from Bogota and Cartagena I just returned from Bogota and Cartegena yesterday. My advice is since you are with the family, just ask and be smart and avoid the areas the locals do not go as you would in any other U.S. city while walking around or venturing out. I felt safe both during the day and evenings.

In Bogota, call for a cab and get the number of the cab, do not pick up a cab off the street. I walked and ventured out with my girlfriend during the day and evening hours, not a problem at all. ATM's are safe and some banks only limit you to 200,000 pesos but you can make as many withdrawals as you want.

In Cartagena it is even safer, walked through the old city and downtown outside the old city (day and night)with my girlfriend and I am 6'1", white male and stood out like a sore thumb. Felt extremely safe. With reference to cabs, learns the rates to destinations (ask within the restaurants and hotels) and always ask for the rates prior to getting in the cab. Negociate your price. We always asked for the rate and if a driver does not want to give you the rate, another driver will gladly take your rate. Cheaper during the day and more expensive during the evening hours. Some cab drivers will even point you to a cab and walk you over someone who will honor your rate.

All in all I felt safe in both cities and had a great time!

Just a note, get to the airport at least 3 hours prior to your departure when retunring to the US. The security for returning to the US is tight, baggage was xrayed 4 times, passport was shown 12 times, baggage was hand checked in detail 3 times. Get your passport stamped to allow for a lesser airport tax when leaving Bogota. I missed my first flight because I was not at the airport 3 hours in advance, but Avianca was great in getting me on the next flight.

Have a good time!
emiami

emiami

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miamimike says on Jun 6, 2005, 10:08:

Poco-Very Nice "View of the Scenary"--was that with a cellphone Camera? Do a search here on Security at the top right -you will find tons of info.

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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mcclumi says on Jun 7, 2005, 15:38:

RE: Just returned from Bogota and Cartagena Hi,
do you think it is doable (safety wise) to visit Bogota & Medellin without knowing anyone or knowing any Spanish? thx for your response,

Michelle

Michelle

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 7, 2005, 16:49:

As my stepkids say, a person in that situation is bound to find trouble or have trouble find him. They're such optimists.

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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juanalejo says on Jun 7, 2005, 20:09:

Taxis You have been given some very good advice, I really liked Kernow´s description of the busses. Taxis are metered in Bogota but not in Cartagena so the negotiating takes place there not in Bogota.

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Inti´illapha says on Jun 7, 2005, 20:12:

If you have to ask about safety in Colombia after so many posts have been made in this forum about it, then better dont go.

Inti
Rimini, Llagta, rimini may carupi causangapa; Mana quiquin Llagtashina cuyanguichu runataca.

Rimini, Llagta, rimini may carupi causangapa; Mana quiquin Llagtashina cuyanguichu runataca.

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caslug says on Jun 7, 2005, 20:19:

Michelle... You COULD go to COL w/o ANY spanish or friends, i've bumped into groups of americans that didn't speak any spanish, they were w/ a tour group. So you might want to consider something along those lines. Bogota/Medellin are NOT cities you want to walk around and get lost in, without knowing any spanish. Maybe you should goto Cartegana instead, again recommend you hoook up w/ a tour or at least some sort of guide.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 7, 2005, 21:30:

Reminds me of the family from Quebec on the plane to Medellin who were having trouble with the Colombian customs declaration because they couldn't speak Spanish or English. Just about everyone on the plane had the same thought- these people are F*CKED! I'd love to know what happened to them and if the FARC ever released 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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kernow62 says on Jun 8, 2005, 03:58:

utc does speaking English or Spanish help you avoid being captured by the FARC?

Actually I suppose if you wanted to learn Spanish and were captured it is likely you would be quite fluent by the time you were released.

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emiami says on Jun 8, 2005, 10:17:

Positive attitude I am sorry, every airline has its bad apples, I welcomed the security traveling from Bogota to the U.S., my flight was 100 dollars cheaper that Continental or AA. Gladly fly AVIANCA any day.

With reference to ATM's, just be street smart and stop being paranoid.
Get a positive attitude, life is to short

emiami

emiami

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 8, 2005, 10:21:

then again your captors might become fully bilingual during the months and years in your company and then when they're back in the civilian life they might get jobs as English teachers at Centro Colombo Americano, which, of course would not be so good because they'd be taking the jobs that gringos traditionally have held...

Cheers,
Desi
(with a positive attitude)

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

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