There is a thread going on on thjis at WLC.I thought I would post this here as well.
To me Colombia has so much more danger than we normally encounter in the US.Its not so unsafe as to stop a guy from coming here or living here.I have never had a problem here,but part of that is because I know about the dangers.Its not so unsafe to stop me from coming here or living here,but I don't kid myself it is ANYTHING LIKE LIVING IN THE US.
Yes you can find very bad area in some cities you don't want to go to.But in Colombia the problem is MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD.
I don't need statistics to tell me this when just about every Colombian I know has had a friend or relative murdered.My girlfriends brother was murdered.My ex girlfriend had 2 friends killed in 2 weeks last year.Since then another has disapeared,presumed murdered.The mother of my ex brother in law was murdered just taking a walk in the morning.In the US I never knew anybody personally who had ever had a friend or relative murdered.Whoops,just remembered one.Murdered by his wife.
In the US I can get in my car and drive anywhere in the country,backroads,mountains,small towns without worrying at all about being robbed or murdered or kidnapped its so uncommon.Yes,some bad areas of some cities to avoid,but thats an infentesmel part of the country and nowhere I want to go anyway.Things are MUCH BETTER under Uribe.You don't have rebels setting up roadblocks on major highways in the daytime any more.But if you are going to drive or take a bus to Ecuador you are at risk if you travel at night.I told the story of a guy from Cali getting kidnaped brining in dry goods from Ecuador recently. My girlfriend lost her money because she pre paid for goods on the truck.
I mentioned in another post here thinking about buying an SUV I found.Toying with the idea really,I don't need it but
there are advantages.But I have to admit to myself I would be taking a risk I wouldn't be taking in a taxi.I would be spotted as someone with money and someone with a car worth stealing.Jim C's ex girlfriend had her car car jacked at a major intersection in Cali.A colombiana friend of my ex,same thing.
Also,who you are can increase the risk.People with money are more at risk.My nephew married a Colombiana from a rich family.She is much more concerned about safety than my ex wife.Her brother was kidnapped in SPAIN by Colombians.They knew who he was.The Colombian father paid up to get him released.
I went to a finca one time,the uncle of a friend.He was saying it was safe to live there.My girlfriend said for him it is.It wouldn't be for you,me.They would figure out a gringo was living there.I would be taking a robbery and kidnap risk.
Guys here give examples of getting mugged in the US.It can happen,paricularly if you go to a very bad neighborhood.I saw areas of East Palm Beach where I wouldn't get out of my car.BUT ITS SO MUCH MORE RISKY JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE IN COLOMBIA COMPARISONS TO THE US ARE LAME IN MY OPINION.Most of the US,EXTREMELY low risk.Most of Colombia moderate to high risk,some places Extremely high risk.
So,don't let it stop you from coming.Er on the side of safety and only do more unusual things after getting advice and asking.Chances of something happening are small if you are smart.For me the problem is limiting my activity to be safe.
Pete
