safety in Colombia

[chizz]

I must admit, I had heard horror stories from family and friends saying" don't go, you'll get kidnapped" or "you'll be right in the middle of a bomb attack". I'm going to say for the record, I was terrified when I got off the plane in barranquilla, because I didn't know what to expect. After my friend and I, were picked up by the agency, and driving to the hotel, I told my friend "Let's get back on the plane and get out of here". However, after two days, I was so comfortable, and at ease, I was walking anywhere I wanted. I stopped taking cabs, and walked, so i could enjoy the scenery. In fact, my only concern was not my safety, but whether or not I would meet a nice woman. Don't misunderstand me, i was careful, but I found that the warnings were vastly over-stated, and exagerated in my opinion. I have a trip to cali coming up in december, I will be cautious, but I have no fear. My message to other guys who might want to go, and are nervous. Don't be. In fact I felt safer walking in Barranquilla than I did in my own hometown(boston). People will try to scare you from going, because they are the ones scared, and probably wish they had your opportunity. I wrote a post earlier detailing my trip, and I had the best time of my life, and wouldn't hesitate to go back. take care, gentlemen.
Bryan

[Pete E]

... in response to safety in Colombia, posted by chizz on Oct 18, 2003

Colombia has alot of bad statistics for murder and kidnapping.Most of it has nothing to do with gringos.
Alot of it is fighting between rival drug cartels and dealers.And fighting between rebels and paramilitaries and government troops.And if you leave town you could get stopped,maybe robbed or kidnapped.
The biggest concern for a gringo is urban criminals.You need to stay out of the bad areas,watch your surroundings
and try not to do anything to draw attention to yourself.
This can be difficult because most of us gringos look like gringos,they can spot you a block away.For this reason its important to walk around only in the safest of areas.Use some caution and the chance of anything happening to you is remote.
But there is another area of concern that adds to the bad safety reputation of Colombia.People with money are targets for robbery and kidnapping.Upper class Colombians are very aware of this.They are much more concerned than lower to mid class Colombians.For good reason.All they  need is for something bad to happen to one family member or friend and
they can get very concerned.My nephew is married to a colombiana he met in college in the US.Her family is wealthy and her father is the former governor of the state of Tolima.When I first told people I was going to Colombia she called me up to warn me.Don't go.Then well be very very carefull.She has a whole different experience.She will no longer take her daughter with her when she goes to see her family.They stay in a guarded compound all the time she is there,rarely venturing out.Last year they had their family get together in Spain,not Colombia.My wife thinks she exagerates.I think they have a totally different experience. In Panama I opened a bank account.I mentioned maybe living in Colombia to the lady that helped me with it.
She thought Colombia was very unsafe.She says she has opened accounts for lots of Colombians who have moved to Panama.One guy recently told her I just wanted to get my family out of there.No visa required for a Colombian to go to Panama.Alot of the ones with visas are in Miami.
Everyone in Panama says its safe.I expect its much safer than Colombia but less safe than in the US,unless you go to one of the few real dangerous parts of some cities.Sometime in the future I could see myself with a beachfront house in a remote area of  Panama.Not now.Not being single.
I am moving to Cali.Getting called the most dangerous city in the western hemisphere does get your attention.The problem for me there has been being overcautious and then getting a little bored because I have limited my activities so much.But there are lots of relatively safe things to do. I know I am taking a risk.If you live there you just have much more time exposure and you take the risk of people figuring you out.
But,a big beautifull condo in a secure building for $500 a month or so.The best woman situation I am aware of anywhere.And my friends that are there and the ones that will be passing through.I'm going to do it.I got to get the hell out of here and the situation I am in.New goal.Be there by 12/01.

Pete

Pete

[cancunhound]

... in response to safety in Colombia, posted by chizz on Oct 18, 2003

But as safe as it may look, it's probably not as safe as you think.  With proper knowledge, awareness and common sense, it's as safe as anywhere.  Just so we don't have a casual browser here think this is utopia, this hit the news yesterday and is very alarming:

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,215006,00.html

CaliGringo.com

[Hoda]

... in response to safety in Colombia, posted by chizz on Oct 18, 2003


Boston, is only dangerous for Yankee, Knick, Ranger & Jet fans...lol

Nothing in the world wrong with traveling with caution to Cali or anyplace else (with the exception of walking around The Bronx, with a Red Sox cap on....). Forget the naysayers. Like you mentioned, they're scared or envious of you.

Peace

[chizz]

... in response to Re: safety in Colombia.....Boston?!!, posted by Hoda on Oct 18, 2003

I was heartbroken with the loss, but wait til.....never mind.  i am looking forward to my trip, as I am already corresponding with one lady, and debating as to whether or not, I should try to correspond with a couple more. the woman is 29 and she has a 12 year old son. She calls him her baby, and i told her, he's no baby. any opions about this would be welcomed. thanks
Bryan

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: safety in Colombia.....Boston?!!, posted by chizz on Oct 18, 2003

Yup, a 12 year old is still her baby.Its a whole different deal,nice in a way,frustrating at times.
When my wife came here my step son was 8.He had slept in the same bed with her almost every night of his life to that point.It was an adjustment for him to have her sleeping with me.Funny thing,since we are splitting up she is sleeping with him again now.In his little twin size bed.I even offered them the master bedroom but she said its OK,no problem.
To me its much better not to be in the same bed if we don't have a marriage that is any good.Feels alot better,its much less frustrating.Its not fun having a beautifull woman laying next to you who does not want you to touch her.
Me and the dog do fine in our room.They let him in the room with them the oher night and he jumped up on the bed too.He's 105 lbs.A little crowded on a twin size bed.They were complaining they couldn't sleep.So he is with me in the big bedroom again.
With the right woman and child and relationship it might be an adjustment but its shouldn't be a problem.I think the family closeness they have is kind of nice.

Pete

[chizz]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: safety in Colombia.....Bosto..., posted by Pete E on Oct 18, 2003

Pete, your post concerned me greatly, you stated that you and your wife are splitting up! I have two questions if you don't mind answering for me:1st How long was she here before you two decided to split up? 2nd. How long did you two correspond, before you married her, and 3rd what happened? if you don't mind me asking, because you seem to have a "oh well" kind of attitude about it. I don't really want to go thru that. thanks.
bryan

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: safety in Colombia.....B..., posted by chizz on Oct 18, 2003

Bryan,
Go back and read the last  couple of weeks,the story is pretty much there.
But briefly,we have been married 44 moths.I proposed to her 5 days after I met her(not smart).
She is a good person and I love her but she doesn't love me and its gotten to an unacceptable point.I always wanted to keep it togther and she would give it an effort but it just will never work.
I will do a long post someday explaining all my screw ups along the way.
But I'm right back to Cali to find anotherr one.Beautifull women are addictiver.You get to where you don't want to settle for less.I'm going to live there and really take my time,this time.
But - - quick decision marriages can work.You are just taking more of a gamble if you don't know her too well.
And there are many out if you screw up.I was very slow to exercise mine.
But don't be discouraged.I have a about 6 friends I know well married to Colombianas where it is working.2 with 20 plus years age difference.
2 failures from  the itimate circle.
AND - -  it was more fun than what I was doing before,not being willing to accept the kind of woman I could get here so nothing much at all going on.
Life is short.Go for it.It helps to be a little wise,but screw ups are part of it to.I've made my share,in relationships and in business.

Pete

[chizz]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: safety in Colombia....., posted by Pete E on Oct 18, 2003

Sorry, to hear about your marriage. I'm alittle late so i missed your past posts. I take it, you and this woman live in Cali, so for her to leave wouldn't be to much of a hassle. However, if she is in the united states, i'm sure it would be more difficult, since she would be a legal resident.looking forward to your long post.
Bryan

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: safety in Colomb..., posted by chizz on Oct 18, 2003

Go back to archive 152,9/30/03 if you are interested in the story.It goes forward from there to recently,now I guess.I don't want to repeat alot of things that I  already said.
We do live in the US.She is a permanent legal resident and wants to stay here.
I am moving to Cali.

Pete