Bogota Reports

[LatinaLover#1]

While waiting for things to open back up, I've been organizing trip photos and videos. I came across a video taken a few years back from deep in the hills of the Sierra Nevada in the tiny village of La Tagua, only accessible by horse or motorbike. While speaking with one of the locals, I saw six to eight guys dressed in fatigues with automatic weapons come out of the woods, cross through town, and go back in on the other side. They stared at me, I waved, a couple waved back, and then they disappeared. I know that traditionally this area has been FARC territory. Out of curiosity, from the attached image (it's low quality because it's a video capture and not a photo), can anyone with local knowledge confirm if these guys were rebels or nationals?

I think they were Army, if they were FARC or one of the other rebel groups, you wouldn't be writing this, you be chained to a hut waiting for the ransom to arrive,. Jaja.

[LatinaLover#1]

AA has flights from Miami to Medellin and Bogota starting on August 17th.

Whether they cancel or not is a different question.

I've made many trips to Colombia, the last was the beginning of February this year. I usually go every 2 months or so. This has been the longest time between trips. I made the mistake of making 3 reservations since then, all cancelled by the airline. . It took me 2 months to get a refund from Jetblue and from Copa for the other. I'm still waiting for Copa to even acknowledge they received my request, Copa has become a nightmare. So, here's what I thinks going on in Colombia. Duque and the lebiana Mayor of Bogota Claudia Lopez, hate each other. They are from opposite political parties. A little like the Trump, Pilosi thing. LOL Duque wants to follow the USA model and open the airports but the Mayor has stopped him over and over again. When he tried to open the airport the end of May, Lopez publicly warned him the only way the airport would open would be, quote "OVER MY DEAD BODY" She has designs on the presidency so she will prevent him from opening the country quickly. Now they are following the Argentina model with International flights scheduled to open August 31. I believe she will try to extend that, maybe September or even October wouldn't surprise me. So, I'm not buying another ticket until it ACTUALLY opens to International flights.

[Woodman09]

Went carousing last night early evening last night. All clubs / bars still closed but many hot girls hanging out on street. Walking around that area is very safe as there are police all over*the place with roadblocks set up. The area is so interesting it is a busy ghetto scene with people out. I seem to blend well and have no problems walking around.

I'm having trouble because all my GF hookers are getting mad when I don't bang them. I give them a 2 mill consolation sometimes. I imagine there is some business for them but not like before.

[Lefeu]

... I'm probably the only "millennial" you'll hear of that doesn't have a cell phone. I remember years back when cells really took off. I was sitting in an airport waiting for a flight and looked around. Absolutely everyone had their eyes glued to theirs cells. Families didn't speak, friends didn't talk, and I thought I don't want any part of that...

I started using a cell phone pretty early. I was working with that technology and I had no choice but to use it regularly. However, I did not like the side effects for the reasons you mention, and I still don't.

So what I do know is to put my phone on vibrate almost always, except if I am expecting a call or a message. I also check for new messages or missed phone calls, every 15 min or so. So far, it's been working fine for me.

[Balboa]

Perhaps those lucky punters from Canadia will be back to Bogota first?

⁦ at AirCanadia⁩ is the first International carrier to announce its return to Colombia as of September 1 with three flights a week on its Bogot. Toronto route.

How long until the rest of us can return?

Kanga.

AA has flights from Miami to Medellin and Bogota starting on August 17th.

Whether they cancel or not is a different question.

[KangarooTed]

Perhaps those lucky punters from Canadia will be back to Bogota first?

⁦ at AirCanadia⁩ is the first International carrier to announce its return to Colombia as of September 1 with three flights a week on its Bogot. Toronto route.

How long until the rest of us can return?

Kanga.

[IronQuinn]

Now that's a phrase I haven't heard in a long time. Goes to show how much phones have really taken over the other electronics market.

Ha, ha. You know, I didn't even think of that. I'm probably the only "millennial" you'll hear of that doesn't have a cell phone. I remember years back when cells really took off. I was sitting in an airport waiting for a flight and looked around. Absolutely everyone had their eyes glued to theirs cells. Families didn't speak, friends didn't talk, and I thought I don't want any part of that. Sure, it can make some things in life a little more difficult, but there really is quite a sense of freedom for going without. I'm also probably the only one who thinks like that. I suppose that's a big reason why I like Santa Fe so much when I come through Bogota. With so many options in accommodation and girls, literally all I need is a little cash in my pocket and out the door I go.

[YyzTravel]

It took a moment to get my video recorder out after they passed by and had to use the zoom, which is why it's fuzzy. It was off topic, but I figured someone on the board might know. Thanks for your response.

Now that's a phrase I haven't heard in a long time. Goes to show how much phones have really taken over the other electronics market.

[IronQuinn]

Seem to be the regular army, although hard to be sure due to quality of picture. FARC usely have AK47 or FAL and are supposed to have the Colombian flag at one shoulder.

It took a moment to get my video recorder out after they passed by and had to use the zoom, which is why it's fuzzy. It was off topic, but I figured someone on the board might know. Thanks for your response.

[MongerHunger]

Wow sparse streets of SF! Almost nothing out on the streets, surely must get much better after sundown.

The Tall Man.

I think Woodman has seen better days there more recently.

[Routard]

Seem to be the regular army, although hard to be sure due to quality of picture. FARC usely have AK47 or FAL and are supposed to have the Colombian flag at one shoulder.

[IronQuinn]

While waiting for things to open back up, I've been organizing trip photos and videos. I came across a video taken a few years back from deep in the hills of the Sierra Nevada in the tiny village of La Tagua, only accessible by horse or motorbike. While speaking with one of the locals, I saw six to eight guys dressed in fatigues with automatic weapons come out of the woods, cross through town, and go back in on the other side. They stared at me, I waved, a couple waved back, and then they disappeared. I know that traditionally this area has been FARC territory. Out of curiosity, from the attached image (it's low quality because it's a video capture and not a photo), can anyone with local knowledge confirm if these guys were rebels or nationals?

[The Tall Man]

https://youtu.be/x1zj2eR8vLc

Wow sparse streets of SF! Almost nothing out on the streets, surely must get much better after sundown.

The Tall Man.

[Bango Cheito]

https://youtu.be/x1zj2eR8vLc

What a great video, thanks! I wonder what drone that person is using to get those amazing shots!

[Bango Cheito]

I can't abide Colombia Reports for all the reasons you mentioned. I first came across it a few years ago via a link in a facebook post from some angry troll. What bothers me about it is there are quite a few gringos, some of whom are long term residents, who rely on it for news and information. I think it caters to people who can't read the local press for lack of Spanish knowledge. The tone of it is relentlessly negative and slanted. It's almost like a spurned lover who can't move on.

Yeah, I think he's showing his true colors now. And you're right, people who don't speak Spanish don't realize they're reading what is essentially something that sounds like ELN level propaganda. Shame.

I wouldn't even be surprised if he were taking money from somewhere; those articles are that badly biased.