Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=Zev1234]My cousin who is kind of a hothead started getting loud and she walked outside. He followed her down the street and there was a lot of people outside. She turned around and told him "don't forget where you are, you're still in Colombia" My guess is that she coulda said two words to her people over there and we would have had some real problems. [/QUOTE]I always tell the pushy street vendors, "no Moleste" to which they always reply:

1. This is my job.

or

2. This is not your country.

Surprising how they all know these words in clear English.

Maybe we should tell the latin immigrants we see in Florida, "this is not your country".

Hahah, I was just quoting this colombian guy we met over there who told us a lot of really messed up stories that most people would not here about. We met a lot of characters while we were there but this one guy knew a lot about colombian politics and life. He spoke very good english and some of the stories he told would make some people never want to step foot in Colombia. There are places where you can can get stabbed for your nike sandals. (of course thats not gonna stop me from going back)

In fact I am planning on returning in January for New Years but the tickets are way to expensive.

[QUOTE=Npaul1]I always tell the pushy street vendors, "no Moleste" to which they always reply:

1. This is my job.

or

2. This is not your country.

Surprising how they all know these words in clear English.

Maybe we should tell the latin immigrants we see in Florida, "this is not your country".[/QUOTE]

Well .... there's quite a BIG difference between telling a street vendor "no me molestes" in Laguito / Boca Grande ... and being in the poor side of town and being a hot head gringo, screaming at a Colombian chica angrily down the street.

When she says to you directly to remember that you're in Colombia, it's probably a little different warning than what a street vendor is telling you when he says it in el laguito.

Best advice in Colombia ... don't be a hot head dumbass.

[QUOTE=Npaul1]I always tell the pushy street vendors, "no Moleste" to which they always reply:

1. This is my job.

or

2. This is not your country.

Surprising how they all know these words in clear English.

Maybe we should tell the latin immigrants we see in Florida, "this is not your country".[/QUOTE]

Wouldn't a few stern "no gracias" be suffiecient enough than a "NO MOLESTA ME" which loosely translated means "Dont bother me" or "Dont [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] me off" lol

Honestly the vendors didnt really bother me that much...if you just ignore them they move to the next person...but now that I am thinking about it I would kill for some of their black coffee that they sell. So good .

and Ricker I agree with you 100%...you have to keep your head on your shoulders. We were lucky that this chica Kathy actually maybe liked us a little bit...but that doesnt mean that if we pushed her far enough she wouldnt snap. And where we were everyone was looking at us like they were hungry. I just really wanted the camera back and I still do. But whatever you live and you learn no?

good advice Ricker........
I always say "no gracias", or I laugh when a guy wants to see me a watch, I say" Tiene reloj" or Tiene gaffas" ( sunglasses), or " me no fumar"...

With Tony the tout , I just tell him, you no fuck me, I will fuck you......

It is a shame. She is (was) a sweet girl at one time. Guess this lifestyle will do that to you. Also noticed she was a model on the all inclusive place Tripp stayed at.
As pereviously posted, Tom and I both knew her as Marianna. Of course, they frequently change their names.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll avoid her next time I am in CTG.

[QUOTE=Tom 33]Sorry to hear that she is on the blow. I have known her for years.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bonhead]LOL - in the event you are NOT here trolling, then you must be either a) super rich, b) famous, c) a combination of both, or d) a scared non-Spanish speaking gringo... [/QUOTE]Thank You Bonhead. I am none of the above a) - d).

No entiendo exactamente todo tu hablaste.

Question: Are you saying as long as I am not a) b) c) d), then therefore I have nothing to worry about being kidpnapped?

Also, I dont understand your suggestion: What do you mean by "in the event you are NOT here trolling," ? Please explain.

As for hiring a bodyguard -that would only attract more attention. the only "body guard" I would need is a condom.

Gracias.

[QUOTE=MiamiHeatLuver]Wouldn't a few stern "no gracias" be suffiecient enough than a "NO MOLESTA ME" which loosely translated means "Dont bother me" or "Dont [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] me off" lol[/QUOTE]If you have ever been to Cartagena you know what I mean. A few stern "no gracias" do not work when they see a gringo, they see the gringo as a meal ticket. With my Colombiana it seemed to work for her, but they are as pushy as a time share salesman in the US.

"No Moleste" is after they have not heeded "no, gracias." Notice I said pushy vendors. Also it goes for venders who enter a restaurant where I am eating.

Its better than punching them, though I came close a few times.

Hey I am curious to know, is anyone here in the trade business? I am interested in importing off priced goods (closeouts) into Cartagena but not sure if there is any money to be made over there. Does anyone know anything about the importing policies over there and if there are potential wholesale buyers in Cartagena?

Thanks for any info you may have.

I havent been to Colombia in years, first time since 98 I come back. Well my cousins here tell me of a place called pleyclub. I was wondering if anyone can give me any info on the place. Prices, girls, etc. Don't worry I'm fluent in spanish and can handle my own. I know its in El Bosque, my uncles office is right across the street, but he doesnt go there. He travels to Medellin and Cali, or Pereira. But yes any help would be good.

[QUOTE=Sandman0011]It is a shame. She is (was) a sweet girl at one time. Guess this lifestyle will do that to you. Also noticed she was a model on the all inclusive place Tripp stayed at.
As pereviously posted, Tom and I both knew her as Marianna. Of course, they frequently change their names.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll avoid her next time I am in CTG.[/QUOTE]
I just looked at the website for the place Tripp stayed and did not see her.

I last saw her in March of this year but didn't speak much with her. She was hanging with an Isreali named Schlomy who used to own part of Noam's restaurant. Schlomy is a good guy and not a druggie.

I did speak a lot with her sister. Big sister has left the "business" and no longer fucks for money. Big sis seemed fine.

I just re-looked. She was buried in the galleries. She was wearing a lot more make-up. Of course she's now 26 or so. Years of parties can take a toll.

[QUOTE=Npaul1]If you have ever been to Cartagena you know what I mean. A few stern "no gracias" do not work when they see a gringo, they see the gringo as a meal ticket. With my Colombiana it seemed to work for her, but they are as pushy as a time share salesman in the US.

"No Moleste" is after they have not heeded "no, gracias." Notice I said pushy vendors. Also it goes for venders who enter a restaurant where I am eating.

Its better than punching them, though I came close a few times.[/QUOTE]

"No" doesn't seem to work anywhere in Colombia. But watch the locals carefully: they use a side-to-side finger movement, and that works a treat even for us gringos.

A stern "dejeme en paz!" or "leave me alone!" comes across more harshly and often works in Latin American countries. If they don't accept "no gracias", then go stronger.