Post: #26

(04-29-2012 10:35 AM)Rurik Wrote:  More reasons not to go to south america.

Yeah, it's fucking insane down in Colombia. I hear one white guy even got killed?!?!?!? I don't believe that has happened anywhere....ever!

Post: #27

I remember reading somewhere that people are also shot to death... even in North America! Go figure...

Post: #28

(04-30-2012 01:23 PM)Amour Fou Wrote:  I remember reading somewhere that people are also shot to death... even in North America! Go figure...

Noooooo... noone dies up here!!! we got people who are like 200yrs old. You guys are reading that anti-US propaganda.

-Listen Listen Listen... Everyone here lives like Baywatch, and MTV. If you're white.
-All the blacks are rapper, singers and athletes.
-We don't in-fact have FAT people.
-Our girls make the best wives
-Oh yeah and Tony Starks is actually fights our wars.

Post: #29

....

Post: #30

(04-29-2012 07:33 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  First of all, RIP to this unfortunate person who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can't remind us enough not to play the hero in those places.
Rurik,
have you even been to South America? From your one liner it seems you haven't and if I may give you an advice is to please do not visit it as you're not ready for it. Stay in more mainstream gringo friendly places like say in Mexico to get your latina fix.

No I haven't been to Latin America, though I'm very interested in going; Mexico, Columbia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Brazil are all interesting to me.

Post: #31

(04-30-2012 09:38 PM)Rurik Wrote:  

(04-29-2012 07:33 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  First of all, RIP to this unfortunate person who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can't remind us enough not to play the hero in those places.
Rurik,
have you even been to South America? From your one liner it seems you haven't and if I may give you an advice is to please do not visit it as you're not ready for it. Stay in more mainstream gringo friendly places like say in Mexico to get your latina fix.

No I haven't been to Latin America, though I'm very interested in going; Mexico, Columbia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Brazil are all interesting to me.

Isn't Columbia in the US? Jokes.

In all seriousness though, I fear for my safety more so in major cities in the US than I do in Medellin.

Post: #32

(04-27-2012 04:05 AM)tomtud Wrote:  Rule 1: don't do what he did and others who get assaulted. He was in a hostel, I doubt he had an expensive watch. If he did, he would be in some villa.
Rule 2: don't be a hero. Give them exactly what they want calmly.
Rule 3: have a stash where you keep your valuables and another stash to give to robbers.
Rule. 4: small currency notes, expired credit card and license put in cheap wallet in your pocket. They ask for it give it immediately. They will be gone quickly. They won't sit there and go over it tooth and comb. Larger currency notes, you have money pouches to be concealed around your waist, if not put some notes around your ankle covered by your sock. Or in shoes. Noblody checks socks.
Or be a wise guy ( donnie Brasco). Use a money clip and no wallet.
Rule 5: don't dress or act rich. If you look like you don't have a lot of money even though you are a gringo, chances are they won't target you.

The tip about carrying an expired credit card is pure fucking GENIUS. I always shred my expired cards, but that won't happen again. Great idea... Can't believe I never thought of it. +1, Bro.

Post: #33

Also carry a fake iphone, they are going nuts for cellphones. There are other dangers but I think I better leave the details out.

Post: #34

Also carry a fake iphone, they are going nuts for cellphones. There are other dangers but I think I better leave the details out.

Post: #35

Do you guys really go out every night with an extra wallet and a fake cellphone?

I have enough shit in my pockets.

Post: #36

(06-15-2013 03:41 PM)Bolthouse Wrote:  Do you guys really go out every night with an extra wallet and a fake cellphone?

I have enough shit in my pockets.

I don't, but when i travel to dangerous places and go out at night, I only carry what I'm prepared to lose:
- Wallet: enough cash for the night, often carry a small amount in my wallet and then some back-up cash in a different pocket. I also experimented carrying cash in an empty plastic Mentos chewing gum case.
- Credit card: i carry it sometimes just in case I run out of cash. If it gets stolen I can cancel it quickly. Even if it gets used, I can get the money back.
- Cell phone. I bring a cheap unlocked phone with me, or my old smart phone which I don't mind losing.
- Documents: I carry a photocopy of my passport. Never the original.
- Valuables: I keep them in my hotel room in this travel safe: http://www.amazon.com/Pacsafe-TravelSafe...pd_sim_a_1

Post: #37

Hahahahahaha @rionomad

Post: #38

(06-15-2013 03:41 PM)Bolthouse Wrote:  Do you guys really go out every night with an extra wallet and a fake cellphone?

I have enough shit in my pockets.

20 years of travel to Colombia and I have never been robbed.
I always carry a nice phone but rarely will I take a call if I'm on the street.
If you do get robbed they will take every thing you have so I don't know what the point of carrying fake anything is.
Carrying any type of card where you have to know the pin to get the money will make you a target for abduction.
I carry all cash at night never any cards.

Post: #39

(06-15-2013 05:45 PM)WEDO Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 03:41 PM)Bolthouse Wrote:  Do you guys really go out every night with an extra wallet and a fake cellphone?

I have enough shit in my pockets.

20 years of travel to Colombia and I have never been robbed.
I always carry a nice phone but rarely will I take a call if I'm on the street.
If you do get robbed they will take every thing you have so I don't know what the point of carrying fake anything is.
Carrying any type of card where you have to know the pin to get the money will make you a target for abduction.
I carry all cash at night never any cards.

Wedo, do you ever feel relaxed when in Colombia or are you always on alert?

Post: #40

(06-15-2013 05:45 PM)WEDO Wrote:  Carrying any type of card where you have to know the pin to get the money will make you a target for abduction.
I carry all cash at night never any cards.

Smart move, never thought about. Thanks

Post: #41

(06-15-2013 07:37 PM)BoiBoi Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 05:45 PM)WEDO Wrote:  Carrying any type of card where you have to know the pin to get the money will make you a target for abduction.
I carry all cash at night never any cards.

Smart move, never thought about. Thanks

Yes, WEDO, thanks for mentioning it. I'll stop doing it too.

Post: #42

I swallow my cash and cell phone before I walk in a dangerous area then regurgitate when I need them which also helps me stay sober.

Seriously though does anyone ever fuck these dudes up during muggings?

Post: #43

(06-15-2013 08:47 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Seriously though does anyone ever fuck these dudes up during muggings?

Pretty much never. Guns are pretty much "illegal" and if you fuck one up with a punch his friend stabs you in the back.

Source : I have a stab scar already.

Post: #44

I stash some cash inside one of my socks, one the upper section right up against my shin, enough cash to get my home just in case. A $100 and a $20 should be fine. If I wear my ankle holster, I'll do it on the opposite leg.

Also only cash, no C-cards, no wallet.

Post: #45

(06-15-2013 09:03 PM)Volk Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 08:47 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Seriously though does anyone ever fuck these dudes up during muggings?

Pretty much never. Guns are pretty much "illegal" and if you fuck one up with a punch his friend stabs you in the back.

Source : I have a stab scar already.

Volk I read all your posts and you aren't painting a pretty picture of the place. I believe you though. Why do you stay there?

Post: #46

(06-15-2013 08:47 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  I swallow my cash and cell phone before I walk in a dangerous area then regurgitate when I need them which also helps me stay sober.

Seriously though does anyone ever fuck these dudes up during muggings?

Sure
Main concern for the muggers is getting shot which happens more than getting caught by the police. Friend of mine that got into the wrong cab got mugged by the taxista....who made the cover of Qhubo a couple of weeks later (shot dead).

Post: #47

(06-15-2013 06:28 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 05:45 PM)WEDO Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 03:41 PM)Bolthouse Wrote:  Do you guys really go out every night with an extra wallet and a fake cellphone?

I have enough shit in my pockets.

20 years of travel to Colombia and I have never been robbed.
I always carry a nice phone but rarely will I take a call if I'm on the street.
If you do get robbed they will take every thing you have so I don't know what the point of carrying fake anything is.
Carrying any type of card where you have to know the pin to get the money will make you a target for abduction.
I carry all cash at night never any cards.

Wedo, do you ever feel relaxed when in Colombia or are you always on alert?

I feel relaxed when I'm in an establishment or nice area of town. Every guy that I know that was ever been mugged in Colombia was out at night in the zona rosa either walking or getting in a bad taxi. Always calling a cab instead of flagging one down at night....especially if you are in a zona rosa will cut your chances of getting mugged in half and if you don't walk anywhere because you have a car like did you have almost no chance of getting mugged. Also stay in a nice barrio.
Do those things and you'll be safer than the neighborhood where I grew up in ...in the States.

Post: #48

Wedo you decided on Medellin over Cali long term?

Post: #49

So from your comments Wedo, the key in Colombia is to find a trustworthy cabbie/driver. How do you find a good one, specially initially when you go to a new city? Specially for a first timer like me?
Is this bad taxi mainly a Medellin thing or is it spread all across Colombia?

Post: #50

(06-15-2013 11:51 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  So from your comments Wedo, the key in Colombia is to find a trustworthy cabbie/driver. How do you find a good one, specially initially when you go to a new city? Specially for a first timer like me?
Is this bad taxi mainly a Medellin thing or is it spread all across Colombia?

I spent about 6 weeks in Colombia, took a taxi many times and never had a problem. It's kind of like a reverse lottery I guess - a very small chance of getting in big trouble. I would say the risk is overstated, but whenever possible, get somebody to call a cab or do it yourself if your Spanish is good enough (mine isn't).

The more important thing is to learn enough Spanish to negotiate a cab fare in places like Cartagena where they don't use meters.

My 2 cents. More experienced guys, correct me if I'm wrong.