Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=Dickhead;1780126]I have spent four months total in Colombia, spread out over many years. In Medellin I rented an apartment for three months and left after two months, due to the second robbery. I speak excellent Spanish but I absolutely look like a gringo and can't do anything about that as my ancestors all trotted out of the peat bogs 100 years or so ago.[/QUOTE]Looking like a gringo sucks sometimes, and that's exactly what I thought was the problem you were having when I read your post. I too have spent about four months total over the past eight years in Colombia as well. However my ancestors are from southern Europe and I pass as a Colombian as people at times ask me for directions, what time it is, etc. And when I speak they know I'm not Colombian. I've been lucky as I have never had an incident here but always have the radar up as Colombians as well are targets.

The difference in the "wealthy" areas and why this comes as a surprise is because there is also increased security during the daytime and at night so it feels safe to walk around. I've walked around El Poblado at night along Carrera 43 A and there's always people, some light security here and there and never had an issue. I've walked around Zona Rosa / Zona T in Bogota and never much of an issue although both areas have a few sketchy characters walking around. Then you have a place like Santa Fe in Bogota, you'll see cops a block over from the clubs but lots of shady people. I've never faced an issue in either, knock on wood.

With regards to carrying a cell, I've noticed more and more that there are people carrying Galaxy S5's and iPhone 6's around Medellin and Bogota. That doesn't mean it's the best idea to carry one around, as you should always try to minimize what you carry on you, especially with something like a cell phone. There are plenty of good unlocked phones that don't cost a lot. Take a look at the Blu phone or OnePlus One. Or find a used one on eBay. I don't carry regular cell phones, there's no point in that and these days just about everyone has some type of a smart phone whether it's one that is worth $10 from years ago or a new iPhone. I'm pretty sure blending in doesn't mean carry around a brick Nokia where you can change the faceplate of the phone. Thieves want anything of value and aren't going after a watch or phone specifically, they can easily go after a pocket that has cash or debit / credit cards. A blingy watch in a country where a blingy watch is not the norm, is going to make you stand out. Having a 5 inch smart phone to check your facebook and whatsapp when just about everyone else is doing the same thing, that's not going to make you stand out really. If anything, it makes you blend in. What does make a person stand out is if they pull a smart phone and keep checking their maps to see if they are going the right direction, and that's something that can be spotted rather easily. That's what I encourage people to avoid doing. Get in a restaurant or cafe, use the restroom and pull out your phone to look at directions in there. Not out in the open street.

[QUOTE=Phunluv;1780052]It's a messed up story; he may have still been in CR mode as the news article indicates he was recently there. You can't treat MDE or BOG like being in Sportman's Lodge in San Jose or Blackbeard's in DR. Many DR and CR mongers never really transition well to Colombia but it is f*ed up this guy never even really had the chance.

I'm into cowrie shells and I used to occasionally wear a necklace or bracelet with a few shells on them but after reading about this incident, I'm not going to wear even the worthless stuff. These young thieves are stupid enough to think that if a gringo has some kind of bracelet or necklace on, he's loaded with cash and an easy target. It's just not worth tempting the fates to score some fashion or coolness points.

By the way that's why you see most guys, even the young ones, dress pretty casual in the clubs. You'll see many women dressed up of course but most guys usually don't play the dress up or fashion game.

I'll admit I like to wear a Skagen watch when I go out; they have a nice designs and are thin and light, but they're not worth much so no big loss if stolen. For a smartphone, I'll carry an S2 or S3 galaxy, not the latest and greatest. Guys, leave your iPhone 6 or your S5 or S6 galaxy at home or in the hotel safe. Try to minimize your loss if you do get robbed. I've always hated lugging a wallet at night in my back pocket or inner jacket pocket, especially when abroad, so I just put a credit card and ID card in one jean pocket and 30-50 K pesos in the other. The rest of the money is hidden somewhere else. I dress nice, but not flashy.

If you're going somewhere really sketchy (centro at night), forget the watch and just bring an old regular cell phone, not a smartphone. Dress down a small step more.

Also, it's a really bad idea to resist or try to do any funny move. Like I said these young thieves are so dumb and trigger-happy (and likely liquored up or drugged up to bolster their courage for the robbery) it could really back-fire on you. Given today's exchange rates, or even the lousy ones from a couple years ago, it should be no major loss to cough up 50 k pesos and an old phone.

As for the Poblado thing, I don't see why all the surprise. In Bogota, there is just as much crime in the upper-crust "Zona T" nightlife sector as in the sketchy Santa Fe neighborhood. After all, the crooks like to go where the money is.[/QUOTE]

In addition to the obvious of not wearing ANY jewelry in Medellin I'd like to offer one more thought. Be very wary of the taxi drivers. Last week I had one driver pepper me with questions on our way to el centro. I told him I was just going for lunch and to walk around. He made me a little nervous with all his questions. When I went to pay him he asked if I had different denominations to pay him. I think he was wanting to see how much cash I was carrying. I fanned out all 90 or 100 mil I had in my money clip to make clear this was all I had. Of course I had a couple hundred more in other pockets. It sounds like the murder victim was targeted and followed to the point he exited the taxi. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some taxi drivers out there acting as scouts for the thieves letting them know who is carrying a lot of cash. Important to make good use of the hotel safes and hide most of the cash needed to carry.

[QUOTE=VegasCrazyGuy;1780423]In addition to the obvious of not wearing ANY jewelry in Medellin I'd like to offer one more thought. Be very wary of the taxi drivers. Last week I had one driver pepper me with questions on our way to el centro. I told him I was just going for lunch and to walk around. He made me a little nervous with all his questions. When I went to pay him he asked if I had different denominations to pay him. I think he was wanting to see how much cash I was carrying. I fanned out all 90 or 100 mil I had in my money clip to make clear this was all I had. Of course I had a couple hundred more in other pockets. It sounds like the murder victim was targeted and followed to the point he exited the taxi. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some taxi drivers out there acting as scouts for the thieves letting them know who is carrying a lot of cash. Important to make good use of the hotel safes and hide most of the cash needed to carry.[/QUOTE]Frankly, it would be much more likely the driver wanted to be sure you were not going to put yourself in danger.

Among the 100's drivers I took in years in Medellin and Colombia, I never met anyone who could make me doubt. Yes, possible but unlikely.

I always keep no more than 100-200 in my wallet, and much more "hidden" here and there. In a robbery, that is not safe, but at least I show I have not much, when I pay a taxi etc.

About the murder, based on what we read, it was a well organized set-up: people on a bike AND a car. No way the taxi driver could call them after picking up the wealthy tourist. There is no time. Probably, that guy showed he had lots of cash, a goldd chain, something unusual well BEFORE. Wrong eyes spotted the guy, followed the taxi and called others.

[QUOTE=McLoving;1780031]I'm from England too and was in Medellin a few weeks ago. I'm going back later this year.

A little bit of Spanish would help, just to be polite. If you are streetwise you don't need a guide to party in Parque Llera. I'd suggest getting a subscription to ISG and PM me. Happy to help out and give advice to make the most of your trip.

Cheers![/QUOTE]That's too far away for what Parque Lleras has to offer. Go to chapel Hill NC. Way more ladies here!

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1780427]Frankly, it would be much more likely the driver wanted to be sure you were not going to put yourself in danger.

Among the 100's drivers I took in years in Medellin and Colombia, I never met anyone who could make me doubt. Yes, possible but unlikely.

I always keep no more than 100-200 in my wallet, and much more "hidden" here and there. In a robbery, that is not safe, but at least I show I have not much, when I pay a taxi etc.
[/QUOTE]That mirrors my own feelings. Another possibility is that the taxi driver might be nervous on his own account, rightly or wrongly. There are some areas of Centro where it is difficult to get a taxi or to get dropped off, but not all (Poblado) taxi drivers know the area well. I had a taxi driver drop me off one night (Poblado to Centro, straight run) which was in a pretty safe main street, but he was looking round nervously as he dropped me off. I assured him he was ok. Occasionally I have had a taxi driver ask me many questions by way of conversation to disguise the fact that he didn't know where he was going and wanted time to think (this was in Poblado, he was young and seemed new, and he was mostly confused by the one-way systems). In downtown I've had a taxi zoom off into a gridlocked street before being clear where I wanted to go, rather to my annoyance. In these last two cases, both drivers insisted on giving me a discount, which was fair. In other words, taxi drivers, even when not perfect, are human beings and mostly pretty decent.

I think it's likely the guy was cased. In other words, I don't think it was a spur of the moment crime of opportunity by people who followed a wealthy looking foreigner. I think that may be how it started but I have a feeling he was being watched for a time and the crooks decided he would be an easy target. Sadly, they were right.

[QUOTE=Phunluv;1780052]It's a messed up story; he may have still been in CR mode as the news article indicates he was recently there. You can't treat MDE or BOG like being in Sportman's Lodge in San Jose or Blackbeard's in DR. Many DR and CR mongers never really transition well to Colombia but it is f*ed up this guy never even really had the chance.

I'm into cowrie shells and I used to occasionally wear a necklace or bracelet with a few shells on them but after reading about this incident, I'm not going to wear even the worthless stuff. These young thieves are stupid enough to think that if a gringo has some kind of bracelet or necklace on, he's loaded with cash and an easy target. It's just not worth tempting the fates to score some fashion or coolness points.

By the way that's why you see most guys, even the young ones, dress pretty casual in the clubs. You'll see many women dressed up of course but most guys usually don't play the dress up or fashion game.

I'll admit I like to wear a Skagen watch when I go out; they have a nice designs and are thin and light, but they're not worth much so no big loss if stolen. For a smartphone, I'll carry an S2 or S3 galaxy, not the latest and greatest..[/QUOTE]

People I know who work in Medellin tell their foreign employees to avoid hailing taxis. In my own experience, I've found a quick conversation at the beginning of the trip gives a good feel for whether the driver is on the up and up. Has it been confirmed where the taxi picked up the victim? I can't help but wonder if he was accosted at the end of a regular trip he had been taking nightly. I'm liking uber more than I already did after this event. That safe ride program is reassuring. I won't let down my guard in any event.

[QUOTE=Jan156;1780450]That mirrors my own feelings. Another possibility is that the taxi driver might be nervous on his own account, rightly or wrongly. There are some areas of Centro where it is difficult to get a taxi or to get dropped off, but not all (Poblado) taxi drivers know the area well. I had a taxi driver drop me off one night (Poblado to Centro, straight run) which was in a pretty safe main street, but he was looking round nervously as he dropped me off. I assured him he was ok. Occasionally I have had a taxi driver ask me many questions by way of conversation to disguise the fact that he didn't know where he was going and wanted time to think (this was in Poblado, he was young and seemed new, and he was mostly confused by the one-way systems). In downtown I've had a taxi zoom off into a gridlocked street before being clear where I wanted to go, rather to my annoyance. In these last two cases, both drivers insisted on giving me a discount, which was fair. In other words, taxi drivers, even when not perfect, are human beings and mostly pretty decent.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Puntz79;1780378]With regards to carrying a cell, I've noticed more and more that there are people carrying Galaxy S5's and iPhone 6's around Medellin and Bogota. That doesn't mean it's the best idea to carry one around, as you should always try to minimize what you carry on you, especially with something like a cell phone.
. . .
A blingy watch in a country where a blingy watch is not the norm, is going to make you stand out. Having a 5 inch smart phone to check your facebook and whatsapp when just about everyone else is doing the same thing, that's not going to make you stand out really. If anything, it makes you blend in. What does make a person stand out is if they pull a smart phone and keep checking their maps to see if they are going the right direction, and that's something that can be spotted rather easily. That's what I encourage people to avoid doing. Get in a restaurant or cafe, use the restroom and pull out your phone to look at directions in there. Not out in the open street.[/QUOTE]Just to clarify, my Skagen is definitely not blingy, LOL! Skagens have nice designs to them but definitely muted. And I don't get watches with large faces or bracelets; I'm small framed, so a large Tag Heuer for example would look ridiculous on my wrist.

It's true many locals are carrying the latest smartphones but we're talking about gringo mongers here, not locals. I can blend in a bit, but a lot of guys reading this won't; they'll stand out as the new gringo tourist to begin with, then add to that the second factor, mongering does have its dangers and risks. Think of the guy who wrote about getting robbed in centro by a knife-wielding girl. He lost 100 k pesos, just $33 at today's rates; but if he had an S6 with him, he would have lost a $600 phone. Ouch. Like a smart investment strategy, we're just talking about trying to minimize your exposure to losses if something bad happens. So if he had an older galaxy, that would be a loss instead of around $100-$150 (current prices I see on eBay and Craigs List); still bad, but manageable.

You made me laugh when you mentioned the old Nokia bricks! I wouldn't go that far back, ha ha, but I wouldn't dismiss getting a non-smartphone as a backup and as your alternate when hitting the sketchier areas. You can get still get on eBay a brand new Motorola SLVR for $40-60 and you can get a scratched, used one for $10-20. At the used price, you can get a couple of them and only have to worry about replacing the SIM if you get robbed or it gets "lost" (happens to a lot of guys when they go out at night drinking and chatting up the chicas).

The SLVR is no brick, it'll fit in your pocket. Sometimes, older tech can still have its uses. Unless you absolutely need 24/7 access to your prepaga network on facebook and whatsapp, it could be an option to consider. Plus when you're out in Centro or Santa Fe, you're focusing on the low-end of the pay-for-play world, not the middle ground of facebook chicas. Bringing an iPhone 6 to Centro late night is like bringing caviar to a barbecue or cookout.

I agree guys should not be using google maps when out and about in MDE or BOG. Do your homework before, use google street view on your laptop or tablet in the safety and comfort of your hotel room or apartment. Check out the places you plan to go to before not during.

[QUOTE=Dickhead;1779373]I have said several times that Colombia is inordinately dangerous in many regards. I have been to 49 countries now and Colombia is the only one where:

1) I was robbed multiple times (I. E. , twice in the same trip).

2) I was robbed in broad daylight with cops looking on, and indeed involved.

3) I was physically assaulted while being robbed of a very small amount.

4) I got thrown in jail for the weekend for resisting a robbery.

5) I received counterfeit bills from a taxista and then he called the cops.

6) The doormen in my building increased the danger rather than reducing it.

Out of all these 49 countries I have visited, Colombia is the ONLY one that I tell most people not to go to.

Take that for what it is worth. I still would go back there under the right set of circumstances, meaning a great exchange rate, the right wing men, the perfect time of year, and so forth, be.

Ut I don't like:

1) Fake tits.

2) Fake asses.

3) Guns.

4) Shitty food.

Out of 49 countries, I would rate the food in Colombia somewhere around #43 or so. I have spent a total of about four months in the country and I had two memorable meals.[/QUOTE]It's very obvious you don't like Columbia. Can you give me your top 5 countries that you do like and why? Thanks.

Best to call for a taxi, as opposed to hailing a random one from the street. The taxi company will provide you with the specific number of the taxi that will pick you up. Not always convenient or plausible when you are out and about, but it virtually eliminates any issues with the driver. I was given this advice with great emphasis by a very well-known and professional local guide / driver a few years back, and it makes a lot of sense. Not foolproof, of course, but another precautionary step.

Top Five Countries I like for mongering:

I would say Spain and the Slovak Republic are tied for #1. Both are relatively safe. Spain has better food but higher prices. Slovak woman are very beautiful. Spain has women from all over the world, though. Lots of South Americans.

#3 is probably Costa Rica because it's so damn easy and the rest of the country is beautiful for non-mongering activities. Guys who complain about the high prices don't speak Spanish and go to all the wrong places. #4 would be Thailand but it is so far away and right now the political situation is disturbing. #5 would be Paraguay. It would be #1 or #2 but there is nothing else to do there and you can only go there in the winter because of the heat.

Argentina used to be great but is a shadow of its former self. I have not mongered in Brazil as I have only been along the Amazon.

Spain is my favorite country in the world, overall for mongering and not mongering.

Off topic, but have you tried to stay over 90 days? Is the visa problematic?

[QUOTE=Dickhead;1780591]Top Five Countries I like for mongering:

I would say Spain and the Slovak Republic are tied for #1. Both are relatively safe. Spain has better food but higher prices. Slovak woman are very beautiful. Spain has women from all over the world, though. Lots of South Americans.

#3 is probably Costa Rica because it's so damn easy and the rest of the country is beautiful for non-mongering activities. Guys who complain about the high prices don't speak Spanish and go to all the wrong places. #4 would be Thailand but it is so far away and right now the political situation is disturbing. #5 would be Paraguay. It would be #1 or #2 but there is nothing else to do there and you can only go there in the winter because of the heat.

Argentina used to be great but is a shadow of its former self. I have not mongered in Brazil as I have only been along the Amazon.

Spain is my favorite country in the world, overall for mongering and not mongering.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=MrJetsetter;1780550]Best to call for a taxi, as opposed to hailing a random one from the street. The taxi company will provide you with the specific number of the taxi that will pick you up. Not always convenient or plausible when you are out and about, but it virtually eliminates any issues with the driver. I was given this advice with great emphasis by a very well-known and professional local guide / driver a few years back, and it makes a lot of sense. Not foolproof, of course, but another precautionary step.[/QUOTE]For the past 2 yrs I have made it a point to live in MDE for 3 or 4 months each year for vacation. I love this place but I still see the dangers around me. For transportation, I use Easy Taxi and Uber, both can be tracked if any issues comes up. Recently, I've become more leaning towards uber because I can get a fare estimate and if I need to complain, I just let Uber know. Another reason, is Uber drivers are given training and are screened before they are added to the network.

[QUOTE=Chesscat;1780652]Off topic, but have you tried to stay over 90 days? Is the visa problematic?[/QUOTE]No its not problematic if you stay longer. You just have to pay a penalty fee or go to customs and have them stamp you for another 90 days both have fees. How much is the fee depends on how longer you over stay the 90 days. You are only allowed 180 days maximum each calendar year.