Back from the BAQ....

[valleydude]

I went to Barranquilla from November 24th - 29th.
I caught the red eye out at 12:15 am Thursday and went down on Copa. I got to Barranquilla at 1:00 pm and headed back on the 29th at 5:00 pm. I took Copa because of the schedule. I liked the idea that I could get in, early and leave late. To maximize on this end is worth probably about an extra 200 dollars thought it only costed me about 50 bucks more than the other options I had from LA.

I am very happy that I made the trip. I went off course when I went to Venezuela and felt that I needed to go to Colombia to at least get it out of my system. It was great! I liked the people much better than in Venezuela. One difference that I found was that in Colombia when my Spanish was rusty the people were patient and tried understanding. They also had a sense of humor about it. In Venezuela they stared at me dumbfounded with out any effort what so ever. The driving was much better in Colombia as well and the taxi's were also much cleaner. In Venezuela I felt that I was screwed if I ended up solo where as in Colombia I felt that I would be ok.

I went to meet a girl that I had been corresponding with for 4 months. In person I never get the "awe" feeling upon a first meeting. It takes me a moment to adjust and I begin most things a new from an attraction stand point. I did however enjoy her personality in person as much as I did on the phone and she was beautiful as well. A love connection? I don't know? Quite honestly I do get some mixed signals and we discussed this. Our relationship in person was good, but only time will tell, so I will hold off with that for now. The punctuality drove me crazy but she has many, many good qualities and I am not ready to penly anaylize her in a public forum. We are taking things slow and I am happy with this.

I stayed at the el Prado and I really liked it. It was just like most have posted: The grounds were excellent, but the room was a bit dated. It balanced out though, and I was happy. I could deal with the room. That was just a jumping off point. What I liked was that everything was there. It was my first time in Barranquilla so since I was relatively happy then maybe I am just sticking to it as a comfort zone? I thought the people at the hotel were great! All were very helpful and conversational. The maids, the desk, the security, the waiters, etc... I had no problems at all in Barranquilla. (Other than punctuality! haha)
Though dated, my room was totally spotless. All the service I received was excellent! The only negative thing I had was the whole "Guest in the room" thingy. I respected this though. Other than that, all was cool! I have many observations on hotels and Jedi asked but I do not know where to begin. If there is anything in specific, I will gladly answer from an un-biased point.

I am going to begin another post with misc info now.

V-Dude

[Kiltboy1]

... in response to Back from the BAQ...., posted by valleydude on Dec 9, 2005

Venezuela SUCKSSSSSS !!!

The woman are incredible, the men,some of the biggest A-HOLES  on the planet. I never met more rude MOFO'S then there . Make you appreciate the Colombian people all the more. I really have a much better respect for them  then before.

[FanMan]

... in response to Back from the BAQ...., posted by valleydude on Dec 9, 2005

Welcome back V-Dude. Tell me, did were there enough sites to see,or things to do? Like date wise activities. And compared to a city in California, what about what size would Barranquilla be?

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: Back from the BAQ...., posted by FanMan on Dec 10, 2005

I would say in size that Barranquilla would be like here in the Valley. Probably a bit smaller but like any city type atmosphere. I think there are enough things to do for an initial trip or two. You know, everything is always new and exciting for the first time, so one can be happy just driving around and looking at things. In my opinion it would be like an average city of a million. It couldn't touch LA with things to do, especially over a long period of time, but for trips, I think it is good. Let's assume one does not have a girl down there and was only visiting... I would think you could be ready to move on after 3-4 long weekends. If one has a girl down there and pursuing a relationship then I would think it could be a great place to continuing going.

I stayed in the main center of things but wish I had ventured out more. Next time I will do that. This was more of a getting aquainted thing for me. There are enough things you could do as initial first dates, but after getting serious then I imagine one would begin traveling within the country.

I'm always happy just checking out a new restaurant, seeing a 50's LandRover, then browsing through a market, so I was cool. I didn't have much of a priority on sites to see, but I am looking into this for the next time. I went to the zoo and where some might think it could be boring because it is not as big or extravagant as here I found it very interesting. There were chimps that got out of cages, gators only seperated by a fence that any kid could jump over and iguanas s**tting on us from the trees. I liked seeing how things were different so there was plenty for me.

If someone is the type that is looking to go shopping on Rodeo, check out the Getty, and then do a tour of the stars homes then I would think one might be disapointed.

V-Dude

[Spanky]

... in response to Re: Back from the BAQ...., posted by FanMan on Dec 10, 2005

I've been to Baq 7 times including a trip last Thanksgiving. The city is huge. It is like a little NYC without the Skyscrapers. It has a cool central market-sort of like a huge flea market. There is a cool beach-Kilimanjaro. Santa Marta beach is only an hour by taxi and it is gorgeous. There are many nice stores and shops, and resturants along the strips. The people are great. The taxi drivers work hard and are fair and courteous. I have never had an altercation of any kind in Baq.. What more could a gringo ask?

[valleydude]

... in response to Back from the BAQ...., posted by valleydude on Dec 9, 2005

There was a recent post on here about gringos going down and throwing around money. For the first day and half I was anaylizing this and racked my brain when I was in a situation wondering if I should tip or not? Well finally I said "Screw it!" and it was the best thing that I ever did. I did what I would normally do if I was here in the US. For example: I saw the 10% included in the bill and here I usually tip 25%. I found a happy medium and decided to give an extra 10%. My rationale is that I save 5% and if I can make someone's day then why not? I remember being a kid on my paper route and a quarter tip was great! When someone gave me a dollar I was like: "Wow!!!!" If I can do the same for someone else then why not? Each time that my girl said not to tip because it wasn't necessary and I was prepared to throw out 5000 pesos, I threw out 1-2000 instead. To me, I saved a little and I made someone's day. I explained to her that I would tip 2 dollars in this situation back home, and she helped me give what was appropriate concerning my coustom and hers. To me it worked out perfect and you know what? By the end of the 3rd day, the regulars that I was dealing with were happy to help me and my tip was refused. On my final breakfast at the el Prado, I said: "Voy a ir estadidos unidos hoy y gracias por tu servicio excelente" and it was enough. Some say don't tip and other's say don't be so cheap. I agree with not being so cheap. A dollar can't do much here any more but down there you can make a difference. Be normal and not extravagant and you will recieve many rewards! At least I did.

Ok, there was one time I did tip extavagant and that was because the cabbie waited an extra long period of time and we were off the beaten path. I wanted to feel safe so I threw out some pesos and expressed my apologies. In return he was happy, I was happy, and we all lived happily ever after. He offered to take me to the airport and I agreed. This was on the 3rd day and much to my surprise my ride was arranged. The original cabbie got in an accident over the weekend and actually sent his friend to come and get me. I was impressed. I took about 20 cab rides and only once did I sense that I was being taken advantage of... He didn't have 2000 pesos change. Ok great! You got 2000 out of me... too bad I would have given you 3-4000. No harm done... Thanks! I will go get another Juanes Pepsi! jaja!

I beleive it is Kiltboy that always says "Think Italian" when it comes to dress. I personally like Claiborne and because of all the paranoia of getting robbed, I almost down played. Anyway, I finally decided to bring clothes that I would wear if I was going out here. Well, he is right. One day my girl said: "Look, There is a gringo!" I said: "Como sabes?" and she replied: "Look at how he is dressed!" ...  From behind I did not know that this was a gringo, but she did. Afterward I began watching and the gringo style definitely sticks out like a sore thumb down there.

Well, I am about typed out. I just wanted to throw some things out there. Maybe back up some advice, dispel some myths, etc... As other things come to mind, or if I have the oppurtunity to share my experience I will write more.

Thanks for listening, I hope someone got something out of this.

V-Dude

[EbonyPrince]

... in response to Misc... Observations and my experience, posted by valleydude on Dec 10, 2005

I wear a diamond earring in one ear, and I usually dress pretty nice.  From your post, I got the impression that I should just be myself.  When I go to the Dominican, I just be myself and I have no problems.

Are you saying just do what I do here?

I got a lot from your post...Thanks.

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: Misc... Observations and my experien..., posted by EbonyPrince on Dec 10, 2005

Thanks, I am glad you got something out of it.

I personally do not own or wear any jewelry, so I am not flashy in that respect. I just wore decent shirts with some jeans and nice shoes. I had money on me and I also had enough in the hotel safe if there were any problems.

I did not run into this situation, but I think the only thing I would do differently is avoid any confrontation if it were trivial. You know... use the rule of thumb by just walking away.

There was only one moment that I was a bit concerned. I was walking with her laptop and I had on some decent clothes. The only reason I was concerned was because if something should happen I would be forced with the decision of her lap top. Personally I would not play hero, but I was thinking: "S**t if something happens how would I look just saying: "Here you go!" ? I solved that problem... I asked her: "You know if something happens, do I just give this to them?" She said: "Yes!" Hey, cool by me! Problem solved. haha!

There was another moment where I was listening to a cool band that was really good. Nobody was clapping after the songs and I thought they were great so I clapped. Yeah no big deal, but my point is that I didn't let anyone deter me.

I was just myself. When I wanted to laugh, joke with people on the streets, take pictures, be an idiot at the mall, I did. I think if one is likeable here then one will be likeable there. If someone is an a** here then one will be treated like an a** there. That was my experience in Colombia.

On the other hand in Venezuela, I agree with Kiltboy, the men are A**holes. It was a little different and I just hung low. I don't know about the Dominican, but I think someone's insticts should kick in pretty quick. If you are comfortable where you go then be comfortable. Don't be affected by all the paranoia.

V-Dude

[Jamie]

... in response to Re: Re: Misc... Observations and my expe..., posted by valleydude on Dec 10, 2005

Now all the Colombian women besides thinking we are lapdog wosses are going to think we are girly cowards. What the Hell are you trying to do us?

Now I am going to have go out tonight and start a fight with an innocent Colombian man in front of a bunch of women to counter the impression you put out on the streets that American men are timid and weak.

[mudd]

... in response to Re: Misc... Observations and my experien..., posted by EbonyPrince on Dec 10, 2005

Try not to show valuables, nice watches, jewelry, somebody just might want it more than you and it isn’t worth getting robbed or shot over. Other words, don’t make yourself an easy bull’s-eye, trust me, I know.

[Spanky]

... in response to Misc... Observations and my experience, posted by valleydude on Dec 10, 2005

[This message has been edited by Spanky]

What myths? Colombia isn't part of another solar system. It is nice that you have discovered the dynamics of tipping here, since many occupations in the travel field depend mostly on tips. If you have to think about tipping this much sir, than you are cheap; and this post was a eulogy to this fact. There is nothing more disturbing to me than sitting in a restaurant (ANY restaurant) and watching a party of 4 rise from a table leaving only a small pile of coins behind. I remember my first trip to Baq hanging out with another gringo who tried to talk a vendor down 1,000  pesos (45 cents) on a 3,000 peso bracelet. I was delighted to see the vendor hiss back at the putz.  To all tightwads here i say this: of course you have to tip. Why wouldn't you want to tip?  If you can't afford it stay home (-:

[Red Clay]

... in response to uhhhh yeah...tipping? good. , posted by Spanky on Dec 10, 2005

And I am equally disturbed by policies that state: "15% gratuity has been added to the total amount of your bill".

Of course the catch here is that many will STILL consider you cheap if you don't leave a fat tip OVER and ABOVE the added gratuity, because that doesn't really "look or feel" like a tip. How unfair that the waiters, bartenders, cabbies, etc. were forced to take their jobs by the cheapskates of the world.

Yes, I tip the appropriate amount. I suppose the argument could be made that the people in LA need it more than in some other places.

Poor used car dealers here would probably starve also without their "doc fees".