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One time coming back from Colombia, in Newark I had to go off to the left side where they opened the bags and went through everything. Inadvertently, I hadn't fully closed the container or Dr. Scholl's Foot Powder and the stuff had leaked out. Tried not to laugh when I saw it. Surprisingly, no one over reacted, though it would have been interesting if someone had given the stuff a taste test.
[QUOTE=Menteng]Leaving from Bogota, my luggage is always searched before checking in (and I mean opening ALL luggage) and before entering the boarding area, my handluggage gets searched again. So please tell, how you avoid those searches.[/QUOTE]Cant get around it at all Ment, its all racial profiling unfortunately, Single males, ethnics(biggest one), hip hop clothing, flashy, loud.. all are contributing factors..
[QUOTE=LuckyEddie]Please don't ever do this again in any bar where you are not a regular. Why do you think the waiter brings the beer to your table and OPENS THE BEER right in front of you? It's a house rule and has nothing to do with being fancy.[/QUOTE]i would go further, not even if you are a regular. if i leave a drink behind in colombia, because i was unnatentive, that is a drink i wont touch again even if its the same place i left it. colombians are very aware of "el polvo del diablo." even though there is some evidence that the claims of what it can do could be exagerated to the level of urban legend, i tell you, i wouldnt take the chance just in case.
Stay safe out there guys. Easy to get complacent... especially after you have been here awhile with no problems. Keep your wits about you and remember that bad things can happen... even if you do everything right. But at least don't make it easy for bad things to happen.
On the subject of searches I wonder what they will say about my container of Metamucil? If they ask should I tell them it is "Para mierda immaculado" lol
[QUOTE=JazzPlayer]The usual suspects are always searched.
I almost always get the luggage search. There is no way to avoid a soldado with nothing to do. Much like America, the most dangerous thing is a bored cop. Just be nice and smile, it's the only way to deal with the idiosyncracies of America Latina. Besides we having nothing to hide.
Chau desde de Medellin,
Jazz[/QUOTE]Agreed that you should "be nice & smile" or do what ever else is necessary to be cooperative.
But back to Menteng's premise concerning avoiding the security screening in Colombia: Forget it.
It's more than an idiosyncarcy of LA. It is based on the real history of violence and terrorism in Colombia.
Don't forget that Pablo Escobar brought down a domestic airliner in Colombia during his reign of terror at the cost of 200+ lives and don't think for a second that the FARC or ELN wouldn't try to do the same any time, any where if they thought it was possible.
The security hassles we all put up with are based in reality.
Live with it & deal with it but don't *****.
Schwmm
[QUOTE=Menteng]Leaving from Bogota, my luggage is always searched before checking in (and I mean opening ALL luggage) and before entering the boarding area, my handluggage gets searched again. So please tell, how you avoid those searches.[/QUOTE]Same here. Lucky my flight was delayed. I almost missed my flight. There was next to no searching on arrival. Leaving from MDE back to MIA was a different story. Xrayed. Hand searched TWICE. Once going in and once right before we boarded the plane. It was a random thing too. EVERYONE was searched!
Those searches are as much for drugs as for bombs.
Don't forget how many billions Colombia gets from the US for the "war on drugs."
It doesn't look good when a duffle bag of yayo shows up at JFK.
[QUOTE=Hioctane]Leaving from MDE back to MIA was a different story. Xrayed. Hand searched TWICE. Once going in and once right before we boarded the plane.[/QUOTE]I generally avoid getting to the airport too early, but with all these searches I need to make sure I get on the plane! Am going through MIA on the way home... given your experience, how soon before my flight would you recommend that I arrive at the airport?
[QUOTE=LuckyEddie]You leave a drink unattended in a centro strip club? A club you frequent and are already identified as a gringo? Colombians don't even leave their drink un attended while taking a [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] with their drink in full view. And you go outside for a smoke and just leave your beer and you are alone?[/QUOTE]Yeah, I'm aware of the little safety rules that go with the terrain of Spanish speaking putas. Just like I'm aware I'm supposed to wear a safety belt at home (by law). But I can't be bothered. Safety & security are low priority issues to me. Shit does happen, but it's too rare for me to worry about it.
Loso
Don't even try to avoid it, I don't see anyway around it. Last time I left Bogota to Toronto (mid July) everybody had the usual screening, then everybody, AGAIN, was screened and searched again before heading into the waiting area for the Toronto plane. Took an extra 1 1/2 hrs, I was not worried about missing the plane, (our bags are already on it). Other than the boredom, doesn't bother me as everybody gets the same treatment.
They say 20 Billion a year comes back to Colombia, not to bad for the economy !!!
Aussie G,
[QUOTE=Papi Que Rico]Those searches are as much for drugs as for bombs.
Don't forget how many billions Colombia gets from the US for the "war on drugs."
It doesn't look good when a duffle bag of yayo shows up at JFK.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Loso69]Yeah, I'm aware of the little safety rules that go with the terrain of Spanish speaking putas. Just like I'm aware I'm supposed to wear a safety belt at home (by law). But I can't be bothered. Safety & security are low priority issues to me. Shit does happen, but it's too rare for me to worry about it.
Loso[/QUOTE]Now that's funny. Why do I have a feeling that trouble is just waiting for you?
Maybe it's your egotistical attitude and apparent naivete.
Good luck, you need it :)
[QUOTE=Loso69]Yeah, I'm aware of the little safety rules that go with the terrain of Spanish speaking putas. Just like I'm aware I'm supposed to wear a safety belt at home (by law). But I can't be bothered. Safety & security are low priority issues to me. Shit does happen, but it's too rare for me to worry about it.
Loso[/QUOTE]Keep coming to Colombia with that mindset and shit is gonna happen alright. Sorry but that's just plain stupid.
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[QUOTE=Loso69]Yeah, I'm aware of the little safety rules that go with the terrain of Spanish speaking putas. Just like I'm aware I'm supposed to wear a safety belt at home (by law). But I can't be bothered. Safety & security are low priority issues to me. Shit does happen, but it's too rare for me to worry about it.
Loso[/QUOTE]Well at aleast you are cordial, as my post was a tiny bit rough. This has nothing to do with Spanish speaking putas but rather all to do with where you are in the country you are in.
This reminds me of the hunters: Two hunters are in an open field when from accross the way at the far end a bear starts to charge at them. The first guys says, "I'm running" the other asks, "Do you really think you are faster than the bear?" to which the first replies, "I don't need to be faster than the bear, I just need to be faster than you!"
I like guys like you, slapping working girls in public, making yourself an easy target out in bars. You make me and my friends look good, thanks.
Should I remind you about the sex tourist who slapped a girl outside of El Ejecutivo? He was pistol whipped and knee deep in pavement in less than 30 seconds. The wrong Colombian guy with a chip on his shoulder was a little protective of this women, or maybe any woman, or maybe has something against tourists. Please learn to diffuse the situation and avoid problems beforehand. If the broad at the football match giving you a hard time and poking you like a child try to handle it a better way. Life is cheap here and people have nothing to lose so they don't think twice before taking action, drugging your beer a ride to the ATM at midnight...
Just some friendly advice.