A prosaic post, but perhaps helpful to some
[QUOTE=JjBee62;2762726]....Keep the phone in a front pants pocket. If you need to look at the phone, step into a building or stop and put your back against the wall. Before pulling out your phone look both ways to see if anyone is watching you. Have Google Maps open with your destination marked. That way you only need a few seconds to get your bearings...........
[/QUOTE]A small supplement to JjBee's useful advice, which captures my own cell phone security practice, except for the following additional precaution which some might find useful.
My every sojourn in Medellin, I intend to get a SIM card for a burner phone, but never get around to doing so, and instead end up carrying my "irreplaceable" iPhone with me most everywhere. However, especially in sketchy neighborhoods or at night, as an added theft-prevention measure, instead of carrying my phone in a front pocket, I'll tuck it under my shirt and belt and halfway into my underpants It always has felt quite secure lodged in there, albeit my happening to sport jockey shorts rather than boxer briefs may provide a little extra protection against the phone slipping unnoticed down a pants leg. I still find it quite easy to extract the phone when stepping into a doorway to check a text or google maps. Been doing this for five years now when mongering in Colombia and never have misplaced a phone or had one ripped off.
Let's talk about the weather. Yes
I have been in Medellin & Bogota 5 times. Only the last time it rained so much I left early (after 10 weeks) trying to shoot pictures of waterfalls with a drone was a disaster. Rainy day women are fun but even they get tiring. So I have a 3 week trip planned / booked to arrive next week, Thanksgiving. OR I can cancel that and come for 3 weeks starting February 15. Who has an opinion I know it will be cold in Bogota, doesn't bother me. I know it will rain on and off in Medellin. I hate High humidly with the heat in Cartagena (OK never been there as yet) Which time of the year would you guys recommend. Now or February?
Side note: it will be sunny and 72 F in Tijuana / Ensenada / San Diego all winter. Bullets flying. (not raining bullets on me I hope) been there far too many times.