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Bogota Colombia (1 Viewer)

Goin' scouting, eh? Sweet.

Just an FYI, I think "football" might mean something different there.

 
I'd assume drugs and hookers are the go to, but if you're married this place sounds a lot less fun.

& I've also heard the talent down there is superb :thumbup:

 
The General said:
Anyone been? I found out I'm going for work in a couple of weeks.

Am I going to die?
Click to expand...
I was there with my wife 14 years ago to adopt a child. I spent 2 weeks, wife stayed for a month to complete the court stuff and bond with our baby. We had-I guess you'd call her a sponsor- who arranged everything for us, provided transportation, took us to the bank to exchange money, etc. Everyone we had contact with was very nice and friendly.

While we generally felt safe and did some exploring with another couple in the new part of the city, there were a few things I remember that caught my attention. There were a lot of soldiers on street corners holding guns, I guess that was a good thing, just a bit of culture shock. Also, almost every building had bars on the doors, many buildings had stone walls with broken glass embedded in the concrete on top. Another couple arrived after I had left and stayed in the same apartment building with my wife and the couple we had befriended(and their mother). Shortly after my wife left she found out that the newly arrived woman had been pistol whipped and mugged by a guy on a motorcycle while walking to the bank to exchange money. We have maintained contact with these people and this woman is an annoying know it all. Apparently she had ignored the advice to remove her jewelry AND to always be driven to the bank (they used to drive us and pull the vehicle right into the plaza directly in front of the doors).

We went to Old Bogata for one day trip. I was a little more nervous there though there was no particular incident. Our transportation wanted to leave us there so we could stay longer and find a taxi to get back. We said no thanks and returned with him.

Also, apparently emeralds are extremely cheap there. We had several offers to meet with "dealers" to buy these inexpensive emeralds. We never did so however.

I doubt any of this is very helpful, don't remember a ton of details. Also, I'm by no means an adventurous traveler. I tend to be over cautious and suspicious of everything.

One last thing I recall-to speed up the court process of the adoption it was suggested that we pay a "gratuity" to one of the court officers (don't even remember who or what title). If I recall we paid about a hundred bucks to cut a few weeks off the length of time we were required to be there. Of course, we very likely could have been scammed as well.

 
Was there in April 2013. Went for work, they told me I didnt need a visa just say I was on vacation.

So I show up at customs...she asks why I am there and I say vacation. The rest of the conversation:

-How long?

- Two days.

-You are coming to Columbia for vacation for just two days?

-Uh....yeah.....

-Do you know anyone here?

-No

-What are you going to do?

-Just see the sights

By this time I am smiling like an idiot trying to look as innocent as possible. I figure she must have thought I was there for the hookers and let me in. I head to baggage claim and the guy with the machine gun and drug sniffing dog strolls over.

The dog gives me a loooooooong sniff then heads off.

Apart from that my trip was great. I went with my local contacts to a popular place downtown, apparently the locals say, "Dont go there if you are married or you wont be for long"

:thumbup:

Also hit a brewpub and it was just like being in any large North American city.....other than they all spoke spanish and I dont.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gandalf the Grey said:
The General said:
Anyone been? I found out I'm going for work in a couple of weeks.

Am I going to die?
Click to expand...
I was there with my wife 14 years ago to adopt a child. I spent 2 weeks, wife stayed for a month to complete the court stuff and bond with our baby. We had-I guess you'd call her a sponsor- who arranged everything for us, provided transportation, took us to the bank to exchange money, etc. Everyone we had contact with was very nice and friendly.

While we generally felt safe and did some exploring with another couple in the new part of the city, there were a few things I remember that caught my attention. There were a lot of soldiers on street corners holding guns, I guess that was a good thing, just a bit of culture shock. Also, almost every building had bars on the doors, many buildings had stone walls with broken glass embedded in the concrete on top. Another couple arrived after I had left and stayed in the same apartment building with my wife and the couple we had befriended(and their mother). Shortly after my wife left she found out that the newly arrived woman had been pistol whipped and mugged by a guy on a motorcycle while walking to the bank to exchange money. We have maintained contact with these people and this woman is an annoying know it all. Apparently she had ignored the advice to remove her jewelry AND to always be driven to the bank (they used to drive us and pull the vehicle right into the plaza directly in front of the doors).

We went to Old Bogata for one day trip. I was a little more nervous there though there was no particular incident. Our transportation wanted to leave us there so we could stay longer and find a taxi to get back. We said no thanks and returned with him.

Also, apparently emeralds are extremely cheap there. We had several offers to meet with "dealers" to buy these inexpensive emeralds. We never did so however.

I doubt any of this is very helpful, don't remember a ton of details. Also, I'm by no means an adventurous traveler. I tend to be over cautious and suspicious of everything.

One last thing I recall-to speed up the court process of the adoption it was suggested that we pay a "gratuity" to one of the court officers (don't even remember who or what title). If I recall we paid about a hundred bucks to cut a few weeks off the length of time we were required to be there. Of course, we very likely could have been scammed as well.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you felt pretty good about the place. I think things have improved safety wise somewhat recently. Things I have been reading today are a bit mixed but I will have a driver / babysitter while there.

Have a few friends who are from South America and they are telling me I'm it's a 50/50 shot I'll get kidnapped...

 
The Duff Man said:
Was there in April 2013. Went for work, they told me I didnt need a visa just say I was on vacation.

So I show up at customs...she asks why I am there and I say vacation. The rest of the conversation:

-How long?

- Two days.

-You are coming to Columbia for vacation for just two days?

-Uh....yeah.....

-Do you know anyone here?

-No

-What are you going to do?

-Just see the sights

By this time I am smiling like an idiot trying to look as innocent as possible. I figure she must have thought I was there for the hookers and let me in. I head to baggage claim and the guy with the machine gun and drug sniffing dog strolls over.

The dog gives me a loooooooong sniff then heads off.

Apart from that my trip was great. I went with my local contacts to a popular place downtown, apparently the locals say, "Dont go there if you are married or you wont be for long"

:thumbup:

Also hit a brewpub and it was just like being in any large North American city.....other than they all spoke spanish and I dont.
Click to expand...
Liking the sound of this.

 
Also if you trade your currency at the airport on the way out they fingerprint you.

Had all the paperwork filled out and the guy pushes the ink pad at me. Had to make the split decision....do I want my fingerprints floating around to lord knows who in Columbia, or do I want to bail (and how does that look to the customs guy)

So if my fingerprints ever show up in a drug crime I am going to go ahead and blame my employer for sending me on that trip!

 
El Floppo said:
Major went, iirc. Ask him.
Click to expand...
I know Cartagena and Medeillin (both amazing). Only been to Bogota for a night but liked what I saw. Totally safe if youre smart and stay in the right areas. Mexico took Colombia's spot in terms of danger.

Ill do some recon with my Bogota peoples and report back.

 
Never been but several of my colleagues have lived there and was constantly raving about it. This even when things were a lot worse than today (say late nineties and onwards).

IIRC FARC and the govenment are working hard on a peace treaty after FARC has been reduced to drug running in the jungle

 
My boss was born and raised in Bogota. He gets really mad when you bring up the '80's and the drug cartels because he says it's nothing like that anymore. I'd love to go based on what he's described. I think he still has a house there even though he hasn't lived in-country for 5+ years. Working for a large US multi-national, earning US-type wages, while living in Colombia = living like a king.

 
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