Sad commentary on Columbia

[senge]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brothers4oct04001426,1,5884575.story?coll=la-headlines-world-manual

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Sad commentary on Columbia, posted by senge on Oct 5, 2003

Okay here we go again. Yes there is incredible violence and tragedy in Colombia fueled however almost entirely by the American appetite for cocaine. Yes if you try you will find danger around every corner. Having just returned from Cali I have to say that I never felt uncomfortable even walking Avenida Sexta alone at 11 at night. I've been mugged twice in San Diego and once in Tijuana. Trouble can be minimized  or maximized depending on how informed and aware of your surroundings you are. If fear is your deciding factor on whether or not to go to Colombia don't. Stay at home.  You do not have the right mental constitution for such an endeavor. And if you think you are any safer in Manila guess again. The crime rate is close to that of any city in Colombia. In Colombia the truth is that risk equals reward. If you are not willing to take the risks your reward will not be as great.

[JSlo]

... in response to Sad commentary on Columbia, posted by senge on Oct 5, 2003

Damn dude how can you be interested in a country and not even care to learn how to spell it? Just curious.
JSLo

[stefang]

... in response to Sad commentary on Columbia, posted by senge on Oct 5, 2003

Senge I can't read the article and don't want to register. Last night on the asian board I posted about the kidnapping in Philippinnes on the history channel. The Abu Sayyaf captured about 16 people and after a year the government finally caught them. At one point they were running from the government and tried to fit all the people in a truck but 3 didn't fit so they chopped the guys heads off. The women were raped repeatedly and when the government didn't negotiate they beheaded another American man. In the end the military caught the terrorist but shot the American woman's husband and a Pinay woman. Only the AW survived. These people were kidnapped from a resort.

[Calipro]

... in response to Sad commentary on Columbia, posted by senge on Oct 5, 2003

I'll never travel to Colombia again.
Thanks for your help, senge

[NW Jim]

... in response to Sad commentary on Columbia, posted by senge on Oct 5, 2003

Stan, it's spelled "Colombia". I see you like to cut and paste articles that emphasize the danger in Colombia. The history of violence in Colombia is a long one and I think most readers of this board are well aware of it.

Think the risk in Colombia is not worth it?, then perhaps Quitoman in Ecuador is the man for you to call. We could use a trip report about the Ecuadorian ladies.

[QuitoMan]

... in response to Re: Sad commentary on spelling , posted by NW Jim on Oct 5, 2003

Thanks for the recommendation Jim :-)

 On the text on my site I do knock Colombia slightly, and Peru a little less. It is a consideration for some people.

 What I would say about Colombia is that over and above the personal crime that is prevalent in nearly all large cities anywhere in the World - and certainly most in SA, including Quito - Colombia has this issue with the FARC and other terrorist groups.

 I am sure most guys will never have any issues with those groups if they stay to the cities in Colombia.

What is a shame is that if you spend any time in Colombia, and you like getting off the beaten track, then some but not all areas are not safe. In Ecuador if you fancy going to the coast or the Amazon or climbing a volcano you don't have to think twice about it. BUt even here the area next to the Colombian border is off-limits as Colombian terrorists sometimes take refuge there from the Colombian army.