Back from Cali.....quick observations

[bundy_138]

This will not be a trip report, but a list of observations I have made.

(1).   Almost everything I have read about Cali was so out in left field.

Papi must be refering to Columbia South Carolina.  Every restaurant I went to had plenty of Ketchup.  It may not be Heinz, but they definitely have Ketchup ( as well as 5 other different sauces....Pina is my new favorite)

(2).  The women are not always late, asking for money or need any money.

My Novia (yes, I commited to one) was ALWAYS early, ALWAYS paid her cab fare, and bought me dinner a few times AND paid for our special night together at the Geisha Hotel!  All that and she doesn't work!  Explain that one. 

(3).  Avenita Sexta is a tourist trap. 

I can see why so many people get screwed.  I drove Sexta to get a look at all the discos, restaurants, prostitutes, and drug dealers.  This place is as shady as you can imagine, hence why I feel so many gringos get "took" there.

(4).  I felt safe, welcomed and loved by everyone.

Maybe it was my blue eyes, maybe my gringo look, but I was in bad barrios, discos and casinos off the beaten path, and never once felt uneasy or afraid.  I ate at restaurants that seemed to have NEVER served gringos and never had a problem.

(5).  Cab drivers do not "stick it to you" as I have been told so many times.

Each cab has a meter and it shows you the correct price.  They even have a listed chart of the fare based on the time you spend in the cab, as well as a list of rates for hourly service, trafic jams, etc.

(6).  Nothing, and I mean nothing, in Cali is free. 

Everyone has their hand out for pesos.  Either opening your cab door, carrying your luggage, etc.  Gotta have lots of small bills to tip em'.


(7).  The ATMs are defiinitely the way to go.

I averaged 2220 pesos per dollar.  My bank (Wachovia) charged anywhere from $1.00 to $1.50 per international transaction fee depending on the amount of the withdraw.
 

I loved Cali.  I saw all the sights, ate at all the restaurants, visited Chipechape, Unicentro, Jardin Plaza, the zoo, the greatest diso in cali Kukamungagara (sp?) and did everything else a gringo is expected to do.  Had a blast and have a great trip report to share.

My next trip is in April.  Will give those you interested times and dates later. 

I left my corazon in Cali with MY CALI DIAMOND (sorry DT, had to borrow your line)  Yes boys, sad to admit it, but after many, many dates, I ran back to the first woman I met and never looked back.  bundy is now spoken for, and she is everything I have ever dreamed of!  God was definitely looking out for me!

Bundy

 

[papi]

(1).   Almost everything I have read about Cali was so out in left field.

well, it was your first trip but I love the place too

Papi must be refering to Columbia South Carolina.  Every restaurant I went to had plenty of Ketchup.  It may not be Heinz, but they definitely have Ketchup ( as well as 5 other different sauces....Pina is my new favorite)

where? it was worse a few years ago. They'd give you a one skinny packet of salsa and 1 skimpy napkin to handle the greasiest burgers on the planet

(2).  The women are not always late, asking for money or need any money.

True, maybe 70% fall into the above category...higher as the babe factor goes up and the age goes down

My Novia (yes, I commited to one) was ALWAYS early, ALWAYS paid her cab fare, and bought me dinner a few times AND paid for our special night together at the Geisha Hotel!  All that and she doesn't work!  Explain that one.

sounds like you found a winner. very doable. love motels...paradise sold

(3).  Avenita Sexta is a tourist trap.

yes and no. i have my hangouts there

I can see why so many people get screwed.  I drove Sexta to get a look at all the discos, restaurants, prostitutes, and drug dealers.  This place is as shady as you can imagine, hence why I feel so many gringos get "took" there.

not that many gringos get "took" there...but it is sleazy. Yet, I have my favorite spots

(4).  I felt safe, welcomed and loved by everyone.

first trip delusions but glad you had fun

Maybe it was my blue eyes, maybe my gringo look, but I was in bad barrios, discos and casinos off the beaten path, and never once felt uneasy or afraid.  I ate at restaurants that seemed to have NEVER served gringos and never had a problem.

I never had much problems either but i don't look at it from rose colored glasses. There are certain realities of the place which may have escaped you on your first trip

(5).  Cab drivers do not "stick it to you" as I have been told so many times.

they do, but on rare occasions. Keep in mind that they have meters in Cali. This is not the case in all of colombia. Also, there have been mini-taxi kidnappings taking gringos on the $1 million peso ATM ride. The airport is most dangerous..good idea to have a trusty taxi waiting on your arrival. I have known several gringos who got jacked. Yet, I actually had one taxi feel bad for me after i got screwed by one of my dates and had a 50K pesos taxi fare back to town. He ended up buying me a couple beers

Each cab has a meter and it shows you the correct price.  They even have a listed chart of the fare based on the time you spend in the cab, as well as a list of rates for hourly service, trafic jams, etc.

Not all taxis have meters...however, they do in Cali for the most part

(6).  Nothing, and I mean nothing, in Cali is free.

ain't that the truth

Everyone has their hand out for pesos.  Either opening your cab door, carrying your luggage, etc.  Gotta have lots of small bills to tip em'.

annoying at times...

(7).  The ATMs are defiinitely the way to go.

agreed, best exchange

I loved Cali.  I saw all the sights, ate at all the restaurants, visited Chipechape, Unicentro, Jardin Plaza, the zoo, the greatest diso in cali Kukamungagara (sp?) and did everything else a gringo is expected to do.  Had a blast and have a great trip report to share.

glad to hear it went well. I knew it would

I left my corazon in Cali with MY CALI DIAMOND (sorry DT, had to borrow your line)  Yes boys, sad to admit it, but after many, many dates, I ran back to the first woman I met and never looked back.  bundy is now spoken for...

did you meet the lawyer? i always thought she was a little weird but possibly a keeper nonetheless

[P Daddy]

(4).  I felt safe, welcomed and loved by everyone.

first trip delusions but glad you had fun

Papi, I've made probably around 50 trips to Cali, and I've always felt safe, welcomed and loved by everyone...

Nice observations Bundy....good luck with your new girl

[bundy_138]

Thanks P-Daddy.  I appreciate it. 

I also forgot to mention knowing Spanish.  I do not know much, but what I did know was just fine.  I can understand much more now and have added a number of words to the old vocab.  The speed at which they talk is unbelievable, but if you politely ask them to slow down, they understand and help out as much as possible.  It is not 100% necessary to know the language, but it does help.  I got by great and even took out several girls that knew NO English.  They appreciated the fact that I tried, and what I didn't know, I looked it up in my handy travel book and made them understand! 

Papi. El Corral (each one I visited) had a plastic container on the counter with as many packets as you could grab.  At the nicer restaurants (La Vaya Argentina) you had to ask and they actually had glass bottles of Ketchup, not Salse de tomate.  Most places had ketchup, mustard, mayo/ketchup mixed, and pina.  And yes, I took Katherine out for dinner and a movie......real nut case.  I'll let you have her!  jajajajajaja

Bundy   

[daytrader]

first trip delusions but glad you had fun

There are some major gaffes in PP's advice, another person, who is new blood, proves PP and others that agree with him flat wrong on many key points (and yes, they each have a zillion stars!). This forum needs "new blood"  (less than a zillion stars) to infuse fresh, current thinking, not opinions that were made 5 years ago when the security situation in Colombia was much different. 

Every assertion of Bundy's I agree with, except the one where "everyone has their hand out" ....if you have a certain look about you, they won't ask (look like you know where you are going and what you are going to do, even if you are totally lost).  There was a situation where I had to ask for directions, and I insisted on giving the man a tip - he never asked for one.

Good going Bundy...remember to ignore those that give wrong/dated advice on this forum....I'm glad you got YOUR Cali Diamond! 



DayTrader   

[papi]

colombia is a dangerous country. Period! However, so are parts of my hometown Detroit. Yet in the USA, it is less likely to be kidnapped by FARC, jacked by a taxi, shot while wearing a clown suit, mistaken for a drug dealer and killed while sitting in a traffic jam, the subject of genocide/massacres, victim of violent crime/civil war, or having your children blown up at your club's daycare. Yet, this happens in colombia. The security has improved but only the delusional argue it is safe

[papi]

i know a couple gringos that were welcomed by 4 hoods at their hotel on arrival from the airport and lifted of all their bags, passport, etc. Another friend was sitting in a cafe drinking a beer. A girl was standing next to him a few feet away...moments later a guy walked up to her and shot her in the head. Gringos like to stay at the Cali Plaza, great place, yet a few months ago shots hit the building and luckily no one was hit, the ATM down the street from Cali Charm was blown up, a few years ago me and hundreds of others had to hit the deck in el centro after hearing nearby gunfire, i know another gringo who got taxi jacked. they emptied his ATM and then took him to the gas station to fill up taxis on his credit card. Everyday stuff in colombia my friends...

[papi]

And yes, I took Katherine out for dinner and a movie......real nut case.

she told me if i loved her i'd wait (to get it on). wait for what? Christmas???

[P Daddy]

Papi, there is no arguing that Colombia has alot of danger, especially Cali...but re-read Bundy's post...he said he FELT safe...

I have always FELT safe in Cali also...but I also have taken precautions to ensure my safety...Who knows, at times maybe I wasn't safe, but at least I felt that way.  Many of the scenarios you painted could have been avoided by the gringos if they would have taken precautions...

[papi]

Many of the scenarios you painted could have been avoided by the gringos if they would have taken precautions...

agreed, but being the self-appointed champion of my fellow gringo, I think it is important to paint a realistic picture and counter the youthful enthusiasm of my newbie friend. Don't worry, you are still the Pdaddy and I respect your opinion on such important matters ranging from gringo safety to scoring with hot women 

[daytrader]

PP sez -- I think it is important to paint a realistic picture and counter the youthful enthusiasm of my newbie friend.

One of the main points of Bundy's posts is that reading this forum, one does NOT get a realistic picture of Cali or Colombia. 

Bundy sez --  Almost everything I have read about Cali was so out in left field.

Bundy and I are 2 good judges of what is in left field on this forum [at the present time] because we've been there (me mutliple times, totaling a month) and both of us recently.  Most all those situations PP recounts can be avoided by precisely NOT going to places that some multi-starred purveyors of whatever recommend. 

DayTrader

[blockbuster]

(2).  The women are not always late, asking for money or need any money.

My Novia (yes, I commited to one) was ALWAYS early, ALWAYS paid her cab fare, and bought me dinner a few times AND paid for our special night together at the Geisha Hotel!  All that and she doesn't work!  Explain that one. 

Bundy, if she does'nt work, how does she pay for everything? Are her parents rich and don't want her to work?

 


[/quote]

[daytrader]

The purpose of this forum is twofold - a give & take of opinions and a place to deposit helpful, **accurate** information for future intrepid explorers to the Latina Universe in SA. 

If my judgement was poor, I wouldn't be making 5 and 6 figures a day during the past 5 trading days, while all those fat cat know it alls in New York are losing billions in this market correction. 

Enjoy the Cali World out there guys! 

DayTrader

[daytrader]

Bundy, if she does'nt work, how does she pay for everything? Are her parents rich and don't want her to work?

The reason she doesn't work is I trade her futures account. She makes mucho dinero from that...right Bundy?  LOL   

DayTrader

[rpcv]

(5).  Cab drivers do not "stick it to you" as I have been told so many times.

Each cab has a meter and it shows you the correct price.  They even have a listed chart of the fare based on the time you spend in the cab, as well as a list of rates for hourly service, trafic jams, etc.

Glad you had a great time in Cali Bundy!   I'm going back at the end of this month for my third trip. I agree partly with your comment regarding the cabs. But you still have to be careful. Try to call first for them if at all possible.

Cali can be a dangerous place like alot of other cities in the world and sometimes bad things happen to good folks. But if you try to stay aware of what's going on around you, you are less likely to encounter/encourage trouble.  

[bundy_138]

Well, from what I can gather.....My novias husband was into some illegal activities and was shot and killed 2 years ago.  He apparantly had MUCHO DINERO (can you guess how?)  He paid CASH for an apartment in barrio Normandia (sp?), and soon after he was killed, she sold the apartment and moved in with her Grandfather who raised her.  Her grandfather is wealthy and she has money from him as well as the sale of the apartment.  She took ME shopping at Chipechape and she bought me 4 pair of Diesel Jeans!     (EAT YOUR HEART OUT, PAPI!)  She has her own money, has no intention of coming to the states, and does not want to get involved with any Colombian men.

Papi, as far as safty in Cali.....it all depends on where you go and who you are with.  My novias brother is 6'4, 275 lbs. and I never had anyone look at me in a negative way.  I went to a diso well off the map, and with him being with me, they must have thought I was someone important with a bodyguard.  jajajaja  I always called the Porteria at my apartment complex for taxis and when eating at a restaurant, I always had them call me a taxi.  I did wave a few down on the street, but I was never alone. 

My take on it is if you look like a target, you will become a victim.  I'm a pretty big guy and can handle myself, so I was not concerned. 

Bundy

 

[papi]

I'm a pretty big guy and can handle myself, so I was not concerned. 

i am a tad large myself but would not want to get in the way of a couple of sicaros on motos. No need to walk around in fear but you are not in Kansas anymore my youthful amigo

[daytrader]

.Thanks Bundy....this bears repeating...


My take on it is if you look like a target, you will become a victim.

[soltero]

.Thanks Bundy....this bears repeating...


My take on it is if you look like a target, you will become a victim.

I would like to put my own spin on the above quote for what I believe to be more accurate:

"If you look like a victim, you will become a target"

All predators seek out those they perceive to be weak. If they wanted to work for their money, they would get a job. The reason you should never get too comfortable wherever you go, is that you are always being watched by someone. It is when you slip that you get culled and fleeced.

[papi]

well, no reason to be paranoid. All the same, being aware of ones surroundings and walking upright and with purpose whether in the USA or down south is not bad advice

[curranti]

Hey Bundy thanks for the recent report.  I am going down in May. 

[utopiacowboy]

God forbid anyone say anything bad about Colombia. Reminds me of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegone where "the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average". I like the place, don't get me wrong, but it's not an undiscovered paradise. As for Colombian women, I adore my wife, but women are women wherever you go.

[Dan Las Vegas]

Well said UC!!! 

Dan

[papi]

God forbid anyone say anything bad about Colombia. Reminds me of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegone where "the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average". I like the place, don't get me wrong, but it's not an undiscovered paradise. As for Colombian women, I adore my wife, but women are women wherever you go.

i agree. For that matter, i like going online because it is so easy to hit the sign off button at the first sign of weirdness. More difficult after you've flown 2000 miles and invested thousands in pizzas and taxis.

[el_ruso]

Bundy,

First of all, I am glad about your success and good luck.  I hope it works out for you with the girl.  BTW, what are you planning to do with her if she doesn't want to come to US?

I agree with most of what you said based on my experience in Cali.  The disco is called Kukaramakara, and indeed it is very nice, and I remember seeing tons of unaccompanied women.  The only downside you have to buy a bottle to get a table, and since I don't drink much and the only vodka they had was Absolute (which is not my favorite), I ended up overpaying.  But I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Now, Colombia is indeed a dangerous country.  And among Colombian cities my impression of Cali was that it was among most impoverished and most 3rd world-like.  Your impression of Colombia would be a lot different if you came first to Medellin or Bogota.  You SHOULD be aware of the danger factor and take steps to avoid making yourself a target.  I have not encountered any danger in Colombia, and neither have the vast majority of other visitors.

I agree, I don't remember any shortage of ketchup.  I frankly don't eat to many french fries there.  I guess the guy who was complaining about them went to lowclass establishments.