Post: #101

(09-25-2015 02:52 AM)Chauncey Wrote:  

(09-22-2015 01:03 AM)choothia Wrote:  8. Be wary of strangers walking to you with cotton up their noses. Especially if there's a possibility that they could be carrying a powder they can blow onto you.

What does this mean? Is this some kind of code for cocaine?

Scolpamine

http://youtu.be/ToQ8PWYnu04

Post: #102

(09-24-2015 10:59 AM)dalbroker Wrote:  Cali feels 10X poorer than Medellin and more dangerous
as well.

Glad to hear the OP is ok, but you can still get yours in Medellín, unfortunately, this guy did recently:

Quote:A brother of a Long Island man gunned down while vacationing in Colombia said Sunday his family is struggling to get details of how he was killed.

John Mariani, 65, of Floral Park, was fatally shot Friday during an apparent robbery attempt in a wealthy enclave of Medellin when his taxi was intercepted by gunmen on a motorcycle.

Beyond that, Mariani’s family has learned little, according his younger brother, Warren.

“We’re trying to get his body back. That’s the problem right now,” Warren Mariani said, adding that agonizing process could take up to a week.

“This should have never happened,” Warren Mariani said. “I’m in shock. The whole family is in shock. My brother is the type of guy to give the shirt off his back.”

The victim’s brother first heard of Mariani’s death through news reports that circulated late Saturday.

Mariani and his friend had traveled to Medellin from Costa Rica that Thursday and were on their way to a martini bar when the attackers ambushed them outside their taxi, authorities in Colombia said.

The friend heard a “commotion” and turned to see what appeared to be Mariani backing away from the gunman after refusing to hand over his wallet.

The shooter then fired at Mariani and fatally struck him in the chest. The suspect stole the wallet and fled with an accomplice driving the motorcycle.

The friend, who was not injured, helped Mariani into a taxi with the help of two nearby guards, but Mariani died on his way to a hospital.

Cops are looking at surveillance video to identify the suspects, having released a description of the gunman’s motorcycle driver accomplice.

The gunman was masked by a helmet.

A reward of about 50 million pesos — or $16,000 — is being offered by Medellin authorities for information leading to the culprit’s capture.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/sh...Position=2

Post: #103

(09-29-2015 02:37 PM)jariel Wrote:  

(09-24-2015 10:59 AM)dalbroker Wrote:  Cali feels 10X poorer than Medellin and more dangerous
as well.

Glad to hear the OP is ok, but you can still get yours in Medellín, unfortunately, this guy did recently:

Quote:A brother of a Long Island man gunned down while vacationing in Colombia said Sunday his family is struggling to get details of how he was killed.

John Mariani, 65, of Floral Park, was fatally shot Friday during an apparent robbery attempt in a wealthy enclave of Medellin when his taxi was intercepted by gunmen on a motorcycle.

Beyond that, Mariani’s family has learned little, according his younger brother, Warren.

“We’re trying to get his body back. That’s the problem right now,” Warren Mariani said, adding that agonizing process could take up to a week.

“This should have never happened,” Warren Mariani said. “I’m in shock. The whole family is in shock. My brother is the type of guy to give the shirt off his back.”

The victim’s brother first heard of Mariani’s death through news reports that circulated late Saturday.

Mariani and his friend had traveled to Medellin from Costa Rica that Thursday and were on their way to a martini bar when the attackers ambushed them outside their taxi, authorities in Colombia said.

The friend heard a “commotion” and turned to see what appeared to be Mariani backing away from the gunman after refusing to hand over his wallet.

The shooter then fired at Mariani and fatally struck him in the chest. The suspect stole the wallet and fled with an accomplice driving the motorcycle.

The friend, who was not injured, helped Mariani into a taxi with the help of two nearby guards, but Mariani died on his way to a hospital.

Cops are looking at surveillance video to identify the suspects, having released a description of the gunman’s motorcycle driver accomplice.

The gunman was masked by a helmet.

A reward of about 50 million pesos — or $16,000 — is being offered by Medellin authorities for information leading to the culprit’s capture.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/sh...Position=2

Sounds very familiar.

How is he shot in a wealthy part of town?

Moral of the story - hand over the wallet, your life is worth more.

Post: #104

Not too long ago a DEA agent was shot and killed in bogota during a taxi jacking. Shit can happen anywhere really if you let your guard down. I've heard of pretty bad things happening in seemingly normal taxis in Manila too. Getting kidnapped, robbed, and stripped naked and left in some remote area isn't that rare. It could have been much worse.

Post: #105

(09-29-2015 02:45 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  Sounds very familiar.

How is he shot in a wealthy part of town?

Moral of the story - hand over the wallet, your life is worth more.

It happened in El Poblado.

Post: #106

(09-29-2015 04:07 PM)jariel Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 02:45 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  Sounds very familiar.

How is he shot in a wealthy part of town?

Moral of the story - hand over the wallet, your life is worth more.

It happened in El Poblado.

We were discussing this a few days ago in the "Review of Medellin, Colombia" thread.

Post: #107

(09-29-2015 02:37 PM)jariel Wrote:  

(09-24-2015 10:59 AM)dalbroker Wrote:  Cali feels 10X poorer than Medellin and more dangerous
as well.

Glad to hear the OP is ok, but you can still get yours in Medellín, unfortunately, this guy did recently:

Quote:A brother of a Long Island man gunned down while vacationing in Colombia said Sunday his family is struggling to get details of how he was killed.

John Mariani, 65, of Floral Park, was fatally shot Friday during an apparent robbery attempt in a wealthy enclave of Medellin when his taxi was intercepted by gunmen on a motorcycle.

Beyond that, Mariani’s family has learned little, according his younger brother, Warren.

“We’re trying to get his body back. That’s the problem right now,” Warren Mariani said, adding that agonizing process could take up to a week.

“This should have never happened,” Warren Mariani said. “I’m in shock. The whole family is in shock. My brother is the type of guy to give the shirt off his back.”

The victim’s brother first heard of Mariani’s death through news reports that circulated late Saturday.

Mariani and his friend had traveled to Medellin from Costa Rica that Thursday and were on their way to a martini bar when the attackers ambushed them outside their taxi, authorities in Colombia said.

The friend heard a “commotion” and turned to see what appeared to be Mariani backing away from the gunman after refusing to hand over his wallet.

The shooter then fired at Mariani and fatally struck him in the chest. The suspect stole the wallet and fled with an accomplice driving the motorcycle.

The friend, who was not injured, helped Mariani into a taxi with the help of two nearby guards, but Mariani died on his way to a hospital.

Cops are looking at surveillance video to identify the suspects, having released a description of the gunman’s motorcycle driver accomplice.

The gunman was masked by a helmet.

A reward of about 50 million pesos — or $16,000 — is being offered by Medellin authorities for information leading to the culprit’s capture.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/sh...Position=2

The unfortunate fellow's first mistake was not complying with the demands of a desperate guy with a gun. Sadly enough, you don't get a do-over in situations like this. It's a good reminder to just mentally prepare yourself for giving up your valuable shit if you ever find yourself in this terrible but unlikely situation.

Post: #108

yeah don't get a taxi without easytaxi in Colombia, pretty standard

Post: #109

Even easytaxi can be iffy at times. There was a story back in July about two young guys getting robbed after there easy taxi driver drove a few blocks away from where they were picked up. He stopped and two other guys got in, beat the shit out of them, took everything they had and then threw them out. Always be careful.

Here is my story about getting robbed in Colombia. I was living in Bogotá for a month while I took an English teaching course. I was fresh from living in Guadalajara, Mexico, and there it was generally safe to walk around at most hours. This went against most of the advice the Mexicans gave me, but I never felt uneasy. One night, I was leaving a friends place after watching the Colombia-Argentina Copa America game. There were no taxis because of all the people going back home after the game, and I couldn't use the transmilenio because I didn't have a card. I decided to walk back to la Candelaría where I was staying. Everything was good and I was thinking to myself, "latinos think everybody is going to rob them", "they need to get out more", "they only rob tiny girls with purses". I was thinking all of this as I was about to leave a shady part of el Centro, Carrera 7 and Calle 19. Just then a guy bumps into me, grabs my collar and pulls a knife over his head. I quickly try getting free from his grasp, but then 3 other guys come from behind me. He gives me the most sinister and crazy look I have ever seen, and I know its hopeless. They pat my pockets while the guys keeps me still. The three guys get my cellphone and run off. The guy with the knife tries to take my jacket, and I tell him "NO". We are so close to a major road with police, so he decides it's best to give up and takes off. I hated living in la Candelaría. Stick to Chapinero and those good neighbourhoods in the North.

Post: #110

Sorry to hear this bro...unfortunately there a lots of junkies and hoodlums hanging around La Candelaria ...I remembering walking through the huge park by the Tercermileno down there during the day and getting a very uneasy feeling ...Chapinero is better but still got to be careful..

Post: #111

Uber is generally the best bet. They background check drivers and every trip is logged so if something were to happen to you there's a record of who the driver is.

Post: #112

(11-23-2015 03:46 PM)k-swede Wrote:  I decided to walk back to la Candelaría where I was staying. Everything was good and I was thinking to myself, "latinos think everybody is going to rob them", "they need to get out more", "they only rob tiny girls with purses". I was thinking all of this as I was about to leave a shady part of el Centro, Carrera 7 and Calle 19. Just then a guy bumps into me, grabs my collar and pulls a knife over his head. I quickly try getting free from his grasp, but then 3 other guys come from behind me. He gives me the most sinister and crazy look I have ever seen, and I know its hopeless. They pat my pockets while the guys keeps me still. The three guys get my cellphone and run off. The guy with the knife tries to take my jacket, and I tell him "NO". We are so close to a major road with police, so he decides it's best to give up and takes off. I hated living in la Candelaría. Stick to Chapinero and those good neighbourhoods in the North.

This is what I don't understand.

You stayed in a bad neighborhood and tried to go home at night alone.

You tried to say no to a guy with a knife over your jacket who had other guys around holding you that also could have had weapons.

Am I on drugs or are you?

Post: #113

Damn straight, biggest mistake of my time in Colombia. FOB gringo straight from Guadalajara thinking that if I could walk around in GDL at night without nothing happening, it would be the same in Bogotá. Other thing was that it was just after the Colombia vs. Argentina game in Copa America. All taxis were full and I didn't have the card for transmilenio so I said fuck it, I'll take a chance.

Three of the four guys took off after they got my cell phone and then it was just the guy with the knife and me. I could've given him my jacket, but for whatever reason I had my bank card and debit card in the inside pocket, and without those I was without funds in Colombia. For whatever reason that scared me more than the fact I could die, even though a girl had told me about how her classmate was killed when he tried protecting his girlfriend from a robbery only a week prior. I took my chance and it worked out. He gave up and took off.

Lesson learned, try to always have cash. Separate your things into different pockets. Listen to all advice given by native Colombians. If they are worried or scared about a neighbourhood or situation, there is usually a reason.

Post: #114

Everyone is writing that you should use uber in Cali, but do all you guys buy local sim card? I mean how do you get internet to get the uber

Post: #115

Go to tigo and buy a sim card

Post: #116

(05-14-2016 02:07 PM)Diego1993 Wrote:  Everyone is writing that you should use uber in Cali, but do all you guys buy local sim card? I mean how do you get internet to get the uber

Yes, get a sim card. Tigo has a 4g coverage in much of Cali. Just go to any Tigo store in the malls. Last one I had was like 65.000 COP for 2 GB data.

Post: #117

I lived in Cali last December. Saw a family get carjacked on Christmas, in the upper class area called Granada. Didn't see if there was a gun or not. Another time, a girl was coming to meet me, and she and everyone else on a city bus were robbed.

Another time I saw a guy who performs at red lights asking a driver for money. They eventually got into an argument and the driver got out of his car and assaults the guy, attempting to kick him in the crotch. I couldn't believe my eyes and kind of wanted to laugh.

Generally did not feel that dangerous walking around during the day though. I'd say the danger is not enough to stay away from Cali because of it. My results with girls and overall experience there were good, but not great, so I wouldn't recommend it over other cities in Colombia.

I'd recommend using world nomads insurance, like I do. It covers theft of your stuff, with a few reasonable exceptions, such as cash. The price might be high for shorter trips, but not bad if you buy 6 months at a time. They paid for everything when I was robbed in Rio de Janiero, though it does take an annoying number of hours of paperwork and waiting to get your money. Just don't take anything irreplaceable and make sure your computer/phone has a daily automatic backup of your important stuff to a cloud storage service such as dropbox. Then there's not much need to worry about theft, or whether you should try to fight/run away.

So we've got taxi, bus, walking and driving robberies. The only one I've never heard of is biking. I did hear that bike tourists are generally left alone. Probably because they don't appear rich. And it cuts out the taxi driver, other pedestrians, other people on the bus, and the multi thousand dollar vehicle they could steal. Interesting thought. Might be one more reason to try bike tourism, or at least use a bike more.

Post: #118

Not Colombia but this advice should be standard for taking taxis in all of latin america. I hope everyone stays safe out there.