BEWARE of Personal Drivers / Private Taxi Guys!
Ok Guys:
I just wanted to post this as I felt I needed to add my 2 cents after reading Jose Lima's report which I agree 100%!
Here is the deal. I understand that these Former American Residents that are now so called independent drivers in Medellin are trying to make a buck and thats great! I have no problem whatsoever if a guy is trying to make a buck. But HOW much is fair?
With that said, I feel that I myself have had bad experiences with a few of these "drivers". First I will state that I'm Latin and speak Spanish and DO not require translator services. I would start off using a guy to pick me up at the airport. I do not know about you guys but after I just traveled 10 hours to get to Medellin but its a little disturbing to be sitting there waiting for the guy to show up only to give some lame ass excuse why he isn't on time. Jose Lima stated that some of the drivers make statements like "Hey bro we are friends". I believe they are tooooooo comfortable and forget they are hired help! This is why I change up drivers.
In the event you use another driver for anything they get all bent out of shape. I tell them that I do NOT put all my eggs in one basket and like to share my business with a few drivers thereby doing my best to keep them honest for us all! Just recently (As Jose Lima eluded too) I used a driver and I told him that if he wanted to join us for a FREE meal at a nice restaurant with my chick or he could wait out in the car but he could'nt have both. Meaning I pay 20K an hour and I pay his bill at the Restaurant too? NO way! I already have a date!
I think what I'm getting at here is that they need to remember that they (Taxi Drivers) left the USA and are NOW working in Colombia. They need to accept there Colombian Economy and they are NOT back in America! However they fell very comfortable asking for you to pick up a bottle of liquor for them from Panama or the USA. Yes, we are all n ice guys here I and I originally fell for it and did favors but now I feel these guys are taking advantage and it would be in our best interest to stand united on keeping the Taxi / personal drivers on check!
I just feel that these drivers are starting to take advantage and I wanted to warn my fellow travelers here on this site.
As Jose Stated they are always trying to hook me up with their girl, their rental apartment, some business investment and they always seems to have a "guy" that will handle everyone of our needs for a price! Of course for the inflated (Gringo) price!
I travel to Medellin on an average of once even twice a month so I have a VERY good idea of what is going on. Looks to me that there is a greater influx of Americans and sharks like these former American taxi guys waiting with open arms to take advantage.
Just remember guys when we pay too much it just makes it a bad situation all the way around. Case in point. Loutrons!! The price now is outragous and the service is not nearly as good as it used to be!
Beware and lets stand united!
What Happened to Actual Reports?
People who use this guide come for advice, philosophical debates are great but can they take place elsewhere, another thread maybe?
We should be saying something like this.
I was in MDE. Good? Bad? Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Tips? Amazing experiences that would most likely not take place on American soil.
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Greetings everyone,
This post was in reference to all the posts regarding some member's decisions not to use a condom during sex, said posts having now been moved to the [url="http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?t=1084"]Safe Sex Thread[/url].
Thanks,
Jackson[/blue]