traveling these days....

[genode]

I'm heading to Cali on my 4th trip later this week.  I've never had any concerns before....but with everything happening around the planet these days, I've got a small concern.    

With the anti-war sentinment in Latin America, does anyone share the same thoughts?  My novia and I are heading to Armenia with some friends for few days to see something other than Cali.  Anyone been to Armenia and care to share their experience there?

[cancunhound]

... in response to traveling these days...., posted by genode on Apr 8, 2003

Just got back from Cali - I did see some grafitti like "fuera los gringos de Colombia" on a wall near a university - I think any bad sentiment is really contained with some students that just jump on to any cause whatsoever.  I personally never noticed any evil stares or the such.  As far as Armenia - I believe I noticed a new flight posted in the newspaper - it was cheap so it would be worth considering.  I noticed that the security was really intense leaving the country - plan on getting to the airport a little earlier than normal - and be ready with a response to "what are you doing here".

[Brazilophile]

... in response to Re: traveling these days...., posted by cancunhound on Apr 14, 2003

CCH, did you see that grafitti near the university that is on Calle Quinta between Unicentro and Hypermercado/Makro close to Ciudad Jardim?  I have repeatedly seen political grafitti on a wall surrounding a high rise apartment building.  It is interesting reading until you realize that either army, FARC, or UAC, operatives may be watching to see who is reading and writing the stuff.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: traveling these days...., posted by Brazilophile on Apr 15, 2003

I believe that was the place - and that's about all I saw.  (I hope that FARC operatives aren't watching - that's damn close to my condo!)

[genode]

... in response to traveling these days...., posted by genode on Apr 8, 2003

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[AlexG32]

... in response to traveling these days...., posted by genode on Apr 8, 2003

I have been to Armenia on a couple of occasions.  It is a really nice town, I would recommend visiting Parque de Cafe or Panaca.  Also there is a small town Called Salento which has some of the most beautiful landscape anywhere.  If you want an American style hamburger there is a small place called Texas Burger, I can't remember the address or phone number but I saw their ad thumbing through the yellow pages one day and had to go.

[Cali vet]

... in response to traveling these days...., posted by genode on Apr 8, 2003

I've taken the bus from Cali to Pereira a couple of times and to Parque Del Cafe. The route was safe and I haven't heard anything to the contrary lately. Haven't been to Armenia though.

[Hiker]

... in response to traveling these days...., posted by genode on Apr 8, 2003

I just returned yesterday from 11 days in Cali / Bogota.  Everything in the airports was flowing much quicker than I expected.  No problems in Cali at all.  I did see some anti American stuff painted on some walls in Bogota, but it was all in the extremely poor areas.  The Embassy had to be closed due to anti war protestors 4 days prior to my wife and I going.  When we went it was very easy and fast.

[wizard]

... in response to Re: traveling these days...., posted by Hiker on Apr 8, 2003

First, congratulations on getting married...

Secondly, did the Embassy in Bogota give you any idea how long it would be before your esposa has her second interview???

[Hiker]

... in response to Hey Hiker..., posted by wizard on Apr 8, 2003

Thanks a lot Wizard.  Yes it was 3 weeks to the day.

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Hey Hiker..., posted by Hiker on Apr 8, 2003

Wow! It was 5 weeks until my wife's second appointment when we filed in February.  They have cut 2 weeks off the process in just 2 months time.

[Patrick]

... in response to traveling these days...., posted by genode on Apr 8, 2003

I've been to Armenia and Calarca (nearby).  There's some beautiful countryside around there, but I don't recommend traveling to the countryside in Colombia.  It was about an hour or so outside of there where I ran into some guerillas once.  Stay near the town.  It's been several years since I was there, but I also remember seeing a "Yankee go home" (in Spanish) sign near there as well.  I think there was more guerilla activity in that area than some place like Cali, but I don't think there were many of them, if any, actually in town.

Other than the natural beauty of the place, it seemed pretty boring.  El Parque Cafe was nice.