Few Observations Tonight

[Traveller]

Had a few drinks tonight and thought I would write down some stuff.
1) Fear not the corner hot dog vendors. Try the Chorizo de Res or Pollo. I like the hot dog cart on Av. Estacion by Coomeva. Same block as Cali James' old Apt.
2.) Saw about 30 to 40 cops go into Coco Bongo (Still the name?). They went in with a couple of dogs. They weren't in very long, but if you don't have your cedula, you might want to keep a copy of your passport with you. On the same note, there are a lot more cops on the Sexta. I walked from Las Brisas to Blues Brothers and there were at least two cops per block on each side of the street. Don't know how long the powers that be can keep that up though.
3.) If you knew where the old Latin Encounters was, it's now apparently some kind of club.
Night All.

[Pete E]

... in response to Few Observations Tonight, posted by Traveller on Jan 29, 2005

I have noticed more of a Police presence also.There is a street about 4 blocks north of Sexta with lots of good restaurants with outdoor eating areas.I have noticed Police strolling by,usually in groups of 4.I know of no problem,I think its precautionary,but even here guys will try to panhandle you from the sidewalk while you are sitting at a table.You don't see that in the Park Lleras area of Medellin with similar type restaurants.Zero street people.And a big police presence.
Jim C says Uribe has sent his tough Police chief who cleaned up Cartagena to Cali.Maybe thats it.To me its reasuring to see the cops around,even if the initial reaction might be whats wrong.
One of my girlfriends mother lives in a Barrio down the hill from Siloue,a real bad barrio.We were sitting out watching the street scene around Christmas.A big covered moving type unnmarked truck stopped acrosss the street at a small market.It was loaded with about 20 policemen.They were buying snacks and drinks before heading up the hill.
Cali has a long way to go to clean up street crime.High time they got started.

Pete