Hyla has left 18 comments

Hyla comments on

RE: Gomezman5 My problem is that I get very conflicting comments on Colombia. It's frustrating.

Why should I listen to one person over all the others? I must admit many more have told me that I will be fine in Colombia and I've made a point of asking a lot of people that live in the area.

I am well aware Colombia cannot be described as 'a safe place for a tourist to visit', but I am not going to go around with gold medallions and diamond shoes, hailing random cars that pose as taxis, going to the mountains or the south of Bogota, driving around in remote countryside or wandering around at night on my own, so isn't it true to say I'll be ok there, apart from the usual 'could happens' of ANY country I were to visit?

I am probably going to be staying in the family flat most of the time watching Spanish TV, the only two options I'm not sure about are walking by myself to the nearby mall if I get bored or going out in the car with my boyfriend's sister and her English husband and their two small children. These are the most 'risky' things I am considering doing. So I just wanted to know straight- would I be ok being sensible, or am I still going to be randomnly shot/drugged and my liver taken out/whatever else is circling around.

The furthest away from my country I have been before is Cyprus, so that should pretty much tell you why I'm trying to get my facts straight here. A country with a LOT of bad reputation on one side, sounding like it's not all that much to worry about on the other.

Hyla comments on

That's why I worry- my mum can't even afford a new vaccum cleaner :)

Thankyou CB.

Hyla comments on

Heh, England's bad enough in places.

I'm sensible. I just.. yeah, don't want to be taken out by a sniper ;] I just wanted to get the facts straight in my mind because this topic confused me as to whether I should be going!

Hyla comments on

Ok. Thankyou. *wipes forehead*
:]

Hyla comments on

Bogota, being where this incident is... I've never been before, I just want to know if I'm going to be killed for game there or whatever seems to be being said.

Hyla comments on

Well y'know, if I'm a young woman looking at travelling to a country with a lot of bad press, and after being reassured I then read that Westerners get killed for 'fun', do you think it's natural to worry?

I just want honesty.

Hyla comments on

Oh, nice.

I get told there's nothing to worry about and to go and enjoy myself, then I read all this saying foreigners are killed for fun.

Someone set me straight please.

Hyla comments on Going to Colombia in June?

But he said there will be protests from the guerilla afterwards?

Hyla comments on Going to Colombia in June?

He was fine until his mother told him about the random shooting of the couple outside the shopping mall in daylight. Now he is getting the jitters and realising he is practically responsible for my safety over there :D

I really want to go, so all this is cheering me up.

Yes he lives in North Bogota and is pretty well-off. He hasn't been to his country for three years, the same with his sister, but she is panicking too.

I know some basic Spanish but when people speak it I am lost :] I will try to brush up.

Hyla comments on Going to Colombia in June?

You serious about the sex trade? :s I didn't know they used foreigners for that. I thought it was all ransom money.

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

I am thinking about moving to Florida actually... except Americans are insane. :]

I live near St Ives, the artist place.

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

No, He was born in Bogota, lived in Pereria, moved to Bogota at about 11, is a student here with me, has been here for about 3 years. :]

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

Ok thankyou :]

By the way I don't live the high life in London, no- I live in the sticks in rural Cornwall ;]

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

He is from... ohh let's remember.. a place beginning with P... :/ He moved to Bogota with his family a few years ago. Per-ray-ya it sounds like. I don't know how to spell it.

I don't think we will venture that far from Bogota to be honest.

Checking my finances I am not sure I can go this year, though I am trying. He suggested I go with him in 2007 and we stay for a year. Should I take a short holiday there first or will it be ok to be there for a year straight off?

Thanks to everyone for their replies x

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

I guess my main worry is cos I'm white perhaps I will be perceived as rich when in fact me and my family have hardly two pennies to rub together.... I get nervous thinking what if I am kidnapped and when they realise ransom money is out the question I get killed? I know it's a bit paranoid but what can I say :p

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

I am feeling much better now. I talk to my boyfriend about it and he tells me I will be fine, but I just wanted more opinions.

Except the huge amount of money the flights cost. Eep. :]

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

Great :] thanks!

Hyla comments on Advice on going to Colombia

I don't intend to :]

Do you think I'll be safe enough to go? I REALLy want to, but of course it's quite a country to travel to...