General Info

[Nounce]

Yes, that is visas for anywhere. In the USA, when you get a new passport they are supposed to keep the old one. But when you tell them there is a visa inside that you need and they will invalidate the old passport by punching holes in the picture page and send it back to you.

They cut out the corner of the passport cover and send it back always.

[Huacho]

Yes, that is visas for anywhere. In the USA, when you get a new passport they are supposed to keep the old one. But when you tell them there is a visa inside that you need and they will invalidate the old passport by punching holes in the picture page and send it back to you.

I have every passport I've ever had. They don't keep the old one. Not sure where you heard that. I normally renew by mail and they send the old passport back with holes punched in it. I renewed in person at the US Embassy this time and it was the same thing. That was in February.

[JjBee62]

Yes, that is visas for anywhere. In the USA, when you get a new passport they are supposed to keep the old one. But when you tell them there is a visa inside that you need and they will invalidate the old passport by punching holes in the picture page and send it back to you.

At least now there's proof that:

1. I don't know everything.

And.

2. I can still learn. Slowly.

[Mr Enternational]

I learned something today. Visas for entry into the US are valid until the expiration date. Duh. Yeah, everyone already knows that. The bit that I learned is they are valid even if the passport has expired and been renewed. The person just needs to travel with both the new, current passport and the expired passport which contains the visa.

Yes, that is visas for anywhere. In the USA, when you get a new passport they are supposed to keep the old one. But when you tell them there is a visa inside that you need and they will invalidate the old passport by punching holes in the picture page and send it back to you.

[Fun Luvr]

How many USD does it take for a gallon of gas today in the EEUU? Its all relative.

When I'm in Colombia, I don't buy gas in the EEUU. But to answer your question, the average price for a gallon of regular gas where I live in the US is $4.70 today.

[JjBee62]

I learned something today. Visas for entry into the US are valid until the expiration date. Duh. Yeah, everyone already knows that. The bit that I learned is they are valid even if the passport has expired and been renewed. The person just needs to travel with both the new, current passport and the expired passport which contains the visa.

Everyone probably already knew that as well. I just found out because my girlfriend* might be coming to visit me for a few days and she recently had to renew her passport. No sense in planning the visit if her visa needs to be renewed.

[HumbleHal]

It didn't take long to see the results of the Colombian election. Today, the USD is up more than 100 COP.

How many USD does it take for a gallon of gas today in the EEUU? Its all relative.

[Fun Luvr]

It didn't take long to see the results of the Colombian election. Today, the USD is up more than 100 COP. Currently, it is 4023/1 COP / USD. The relationship between the Xe.com rate and the Visa rate has changed. Visa no longer changes their rate at midnight GMT. I haven't determined when it changes, and what rate they use. Last week, I received 4016/1 from the ATM. Yet Xe.com shows the high for the past 30 days was 3980. To get an accurate rate for the ATM's, I think you will have to look at the Visa and MasterCard foreign exchange rates.
https://usa.visa.com/support/consume...alculator.html.
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/pers...-currency.html

Interesting tidbit: Visa shows current rate at 3912 and MasterCard is 3905.

[Chicago85]

Hello,
I was hoping to get advice from someone with experience as to which city would be the best place to go for someone who has never visited Colombia.

Medellin overall, if you know a bit of Spanish even more so. Some may say Cartagena as more people speak English, the beach, and the clubs. It depends a bit more on what you're looking for.

[Prhodes]

Hello,

I was hoping to get advice from someone with experience as to which city would be the best place to go for someone who has never visited Colombia.

I have been to Sosua before and got around OK.

Thanks in advance.

[ExoticBro]

Don't forget a pimp hat with a long feather.

When you step into El Centro, everyone within 50 yards can tell you're a gringo, regardless of how you are dressed. The only difference the clothes make is whether they immediately think you're slightly foolish, or a complete idiot.

Is your goal to get girls to demand more money? That seems to be your approach. If they see a gringo walking around with a big "steal my shit" sign over his head, the price is going to double or triple, unless someone decides to relieve you of your sports attire and money first.

Here's how prostitution works on the street in El Centro. Girls stand around waiting for customers. A few might try to grab a customer, although usually it's just an attempt to pick his pocket. The customer approaches the prostitute and negotiations begin. Whether you're wearing Walmart jeans and a t-shirt you found at Goodwill, or a tuxedo, if you don't talk to the girls, they'll just watch you walk by, except for the pickpockets.

On the other hand, thieves tend to be more proactive when choosing clients.

Jjbee is a legend; that was some hilarious shit! Seriously. I think you're probably spot-on! But ironically, I am literally the opposite of the pimp guy you described; I typically am overly casual and dress very basic with zero jewelry, so I should be fine with my status quo. I think I allowed myself to be misguided by a stereotype- being a brother, oftentimes females make negative assumptions towards us unless we "portray" certain characteristics. But in hindsight, I guess correct; none of that stuff should apply since bro tourists / any tourist will be viewed as an ATM by Colombian chicas. I will provide feedback once my trip starts on the 23rd.

[JjBee62]

My suggestion is to wear what you want, and avoid being a target by looking nervous or vacant / unattentive. ... and don't carry expensive or important stuff.

Like officially licensed, expensive sportswear and $300 sneakers, stuff incredibly popular with the kind of guys who rob tourists?

[JustTK]

I've heard that we should use our gringo status to our advantage... Or will that lead to getting my ass robbed rolling through El Centro looking like that?

We have had this convo many times. I am all for loud clothes and not caring about what attention I create. Bcos I create attention anyways, so I have never tried to hide. Many others will tell you that you will be a target for looking like a tourist, but there is zero evidence to suggest that. My suggestion is to wear what you want, and avoid being a target by looking nervous or vacant / unattentive. ... and don't carry expensive or important stuff.

[Balboa]

Don't forget a pimp hat with a long feather.

Had me laughing out loud with that reply! Lmao. 🤣

Almost spilled my morning coffee.

[Chicago85]

For us ISGers, when we travel to Bog or Med, I've heard that we should use our gringo status to our advantage, so should I dress "loudly" to make it even more obvious that I'm a tourist to stir up some more interaction from the chica s? (Like wearing highlighter-colored Nike, American sports attire, Yankees hat etc?? Or will that lead to getting my ass robbed rolling through El Centro looking like that?

Bro, out.

No need to wear loud clothes for the girls. They can tell easily enough. The drawback is that if they know from the drop that you're a tourist they'll charge you more (or have more time to think about a bigger figure). Also you'll catch the attention of thieves and your every-day crazy drugged out street people (which is a hassle in of itself).

During the day I personally dress down as much as possible. Jeans, dark shoes, solid color t-shirt, unique, but cheap watch and sunglasses. At night I dress nicely in dark clothes, but not flashy and no jewelry. Scores of guys are robbed every year be / see they don't want to leave their gold necklace at home.

Remember, while Colombians are nice, you are still a walking ATM in the eyes of most!