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Tulua??????

I seen the recent post in reference to the roadblock on via Buga-Tulua, which I call the road of death, since my younger brother jsut shy of 15 years, got killed in a taxi accident. So needless to say, I call this via, "road of death."-But back to my question, I didn't know that Farc patrolled northern Valle del Cauca. I am scheduled to see Dad around the Holidays, and am wanting some validation that Tulua is safe. Is it???????

Thanks,

Mishelle

By latingirl on Dec 2, 2004, 11:35 in Friendly Talkzone.

mad_lion says on Dec 2, 2004, 12:09:

I think you already know the answer to that latingirl. Tulua is nowhere even close to being fairly safe like Medellin, Bogota or even Cali. If you have family in Tulua, have them escort you all the way from your arrival to final destination. However, if you look Colombian, speak fluent spanish and can camouflage yourself to NOT look like a foreigner - that would be best if you MUST go.

Otherwise, stay away from Tulua. There is NOTHING to see or Do there that is remotely appealing to the foreign tourist. Consider Tulua the ghetto section of el Valle.

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 2, 2004, 14:45:

I visited a friend in the Tulua jail over a period of about a year taking the collectivo up from Cali. Walking around the city park one time I saw four people with long sticks and plastic dog crates. They were collecting all the iguanas to ship them to more remote natural areas since they were dying from hunger and had no water. In general walking around I didn't find I drew much attention as a foreigner but there's no question there are plenty from both the right and the left there. Tulua has an upscale part I'm told with some really nice homes. The Dutch guy Mr. Gerry of the hotel of that name in Bahia Solano told me he lived there (in the up scale part) with his family for many years.

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eagle46 says on Dec 8, 2004, 18:57:

Tulua-Valle Travel in March 2005 Hi,

I just read a posting by "Gator" and "litost" who replied to my posting about Tulua. I am planning on flying into Cali and meeting my Colombiana friend at the airport. She will come with me to TULUA because that is where she lives. She said that there is a good hotel there and safe. The FARC is in the mountains. She knows the area well. Now I speak VERY LITTLE spanish but look hispanic. She speak NO english. We have been talking for a while and is a very nice intelligent woman. SHe has family in TULUA (her parents) that she wants me to meet.

I am from New Orleans and it is no picnic there. Murders EVERYDAY! Now I am not suggesting to go run out in the street when traffic is coming, but where ever you go, pay attention and plan safely.

See responses to my posting from "Gator" and "litost" dated 11/23/2004. You can search this site under "TULUA". That's how I found out the response to my inquiry. They responded favorably. But be wise! Hope this helps!

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 9, 2004, 08:33:

Actually New Orleans' murder rate (56.5 per 100,000 in 2003) would make it among the safest cities in Colombia. Depending on the year, Medellin's rate has been 10 times higher. Currently it is about 3 times higher. Someone is murdered in medellin every 80 minutes. Every 9th person has lost a close family member to murder.

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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