Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=You Can;1210979]I probably shouldn't say this but they have asked me what I was doing down there and I said getting fucked up and fucking alot of women. The guy kind of looked at me like he didint know if I was kidding or not and so I looked at him straight in the eye and said I'm serious. They went all thru my bags and I was on my way but it took like an hour.[/QUOTE]Not a good idea to say things like that if you don't want to be delayed longer in the future. Not that they can do anything about it if you aren't carrying anything illegal but why stir the pot. I get searched all the time but when they ask me why I was there I am fortunate to have the excuse of going to visit my daughter, I offer up a copy of her Colombian birth certificate and they shut the fuck up. When in other countries I tell them that I was on vacation and give them a name of a hotel in the city that I stayed and that usually will suffice, I have never been interrogated beyond that but I don't give them a reason to either because I know damn well that if I do they can and will delay me in the future and why on earth would anyone want their trip home to be longer than it already is? No offense You Can but not a smart move on your part.

I am not a lawyer. I am not a lawyer. OK, I said that twice. My understanding of the "doctrine of extraterritoriality" is that it does [b]not[/b] mean you are subject to [b]all [/b]US laws such as marijuana laws, when you are out of the US. But, it's been [B]specifically[/B] extended to having sex with anyone under 18 for money. Google "extraterritoriality," or "extraterritoriality doctrine" and see what you come up with.

[QUOTE=You Can;1210979]I probably shouldn't say this but they have asked me what I was doing down there and I said getting fucked up and fucking alot of women. The guy kind of looked at me like he didint know if I was kidding or not and so I looked at him straight in the eye and said I'm serious. They went all thru my bags and I was on my way but it took like an hour.[/QUOTE]I am sure this won't be a popular answer, but these are NOT the people to screw with if you travel. The can (and do) enter information about you in the "data base" and it can and does effect how "easy" it is to enter the country. I, on purpose didn't say the USA, because from my considerable travel experiences, the people tasked with "guarding" the borders of almost any country seem to have a similar mindset.

I am a little surprised you didn't get an "opportunity" to sit in one of the rooms while they asked you to further explain your reasons for travel.

I would NEVER admit to anything that was against the law in the USA, and I can assure you that ignorance of the law won't go far as a form of explanation.

It is sometimes very difficult to be pleasant to the CBD people that take themselves too serious, but I would never want to irritate one of them. A single, male traveler, coming from any "exotic" location (S. E. Asia, So. Amer, etc) is a prime target for a more in depth look, so keep ones cool, be forthcoming, and have your story straight, ie. I was a "tourist"!

You may not find yourself in "trouble" otherwise, but I can assure you won't find the immigration process a pleasant one. Of course this is just my opinion.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1210993]Not a good idea to say things like that if you don't want to be delayed longer in the future. Not that they can do anything about it if you aren't carrying anything illegal but why stir the pot. I get searched all the time but when they ask me why I was there I am fortunate to have the excuse of going to visit my daughter, I offer up a copy of her Colombian birth certificate and they shut the fuck up. When in other countries I tell them that I was on vacation and give them a name of a hotel in the city that I stayed and that usually will suffice, I have never been interrogated beyond that but I don't give them a reason to either because I know damn well that if I do they can and will delay me in the future and why on earth would anyone want their trip home to be longer than it already is? No offense You Can but not a smart move on your part.[/QUOTE]"Went down to see my girlfriend again", seems to work with those guys.

"Yep, met her on the internet".

Those guys in Miami are still high on re-runs of Miami Vice episodes, wouldn't mess with them, you'll be OK but they can sure mess with you for a good few hours if they want.

Went thru Orlando my last time back from Colombia, thru Panama, the guy was nothing but just genuinely curious about the beauty and sweetness and availability of the Colombianas.

He was thinking about retiring and moving there.

Courteous and respectful are a good tact.

Speaking of borders / customs issues, is there still the European-looking DAS agent in a nice suit checking passports at the Medellin intl. Airport (in the line waiting to get passports stamped)? That guy always gave me the creeps early in the morning, though probably because I was still under the influence of the previous night's shenanigans.

[quote=ricker; 1210968]i'm definitely one of the "slower bloggers", but hopefully i haven't lost credibility with gary, it means so much to me.

now let's get back to how we can keep gary from getting arrested with **** girls haha.

btw, i'm also very tall, at least in japan i was, and am very physically fit and love to read my horoscope everyday.[/quote]reminds me of an interview that i saw once with a famous jockey. he said that the girls always mentioned how short he was. his reply was that he was much taller when he stood on his wallet.

I have been secondaried at both LAX and MDE.

At LAX I was targeted before I ever made it off the plane. The officer took me to a far off place in the airport, quizzing me along the way. While he was checking my bags he said that I was "taking this very well". I said I understood that he was just doing his job. I also said that I had done nothing illegal, and I had nothing illegal, so no matter how long it took, I was going home tonight. He seemed to lighten up after that, and when he found some extra condoms in my bag I explained that I was over optimistic. He got a good laugh out of that, and then ask me if I had ever been to the PI or LOS. I said no, and he said that I would like both. He then said he had been to both in the Marines. He finished by typing into the computer and I asked him if I was being placed on the "good guy" list now. He said yes. I have not been stopped on any of my other trips when coming back into the country. Did he?

In MDE I'm not really sure what happened. I was at the gate waiting boarding when the gate agent tells me "there is a problem with your luggage for home, come with me". This is not something I really wanted to hear in Colombia. The other person that they brought, at the same time, was a young lady who was dressed like she just came from a Grateful Dead concert. A hot young lady in fatigues starts asking me questions, which I ask to to please speak slowly, which she does. She goes through my bag, takes my DVD player, and MP3 speaker, I assume to be x-rayed. She comes back, and they both go back into the luggage. She then finds my extra condoms, and I get a real stink eye. I just smile and say nothing. She lets me go with a buenos tardes.

IMO, for me anyway, it was best to be pleasant and tell them to take their time. I understood that they were just doing their job. It seemed to put both at ease. Since I had done nothing wrong, and had nothing illegal in both cases, it was no big deal to me.

I have a good friend who is an attorney. He says the only three things that you need to know about law is deny, deny, deny. When they tell you to be honest that if you tell them it will be easier on you, that is a lie. It will be easier on them.

Health & happiness to all.

Thanks Dickhead for the suggestion and I am grateful that you are not a lawyer. I think the lesson here is if "they" want to fuck with you "they" can. Just don't break any laws, or at least the obvious one's, stay calm and be nice. I guess admitting to anything which may be publicly frowned upon is not a great idea, as someone has pointed out "they" can make direct comments to "your permanent record" It's my simple goal when crossing borders to be left alone and not say or do anything that would raise suspicion during future journeys. I would like to take a moment to stand on my soap box as a reminder to all,"you got to fight for your right, to paaaartyyyy" hehe, and what I mean by that is, we are loosing our freedoms every day. So much that we travel to foreign countries just to get away from "the man" Sux. And after all, aside from the obvious pitfalls of introducing a Paisa to your hometown, whats so illegal about finding a smoking hot chica, who makes you feel like a king, is grateful for running hot water, just so happens to be bisexual and awesome in every way and then marrying her in her local church, does that make you married in the USA too?

I'd been wondering the same. They can't force you to recognize the marriage "state-side", can they?

Chica would need a lawyer, etc. Who'd pay for all the ICE fees and such- I think it would stay local and not come back to bite you in the ass. Anyone know for sure?

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao;1211057]Thanks Dickhead for the suggestion and I am grateful that you are not a lawyer. I think the lesson here is if "they" want to fuck with you "they" can. Just don't break any laws, or at least the obvious one's, stay calm and be nice. I guess admitting to anything which may be publicly frowned upon is not a great idea, as someone has pointed out "they" can make direct comments to "your permanent record" It's my simple goal when crossing borders to be left alone and not say or do anything that would raise suspicion during future journeys. I would like to take a moment to stand on my soap box as a reminder to all,"you got to fight for your right, to paaaartyyyy" hehe, and what I mean by that is, we are loosing our freedoms every day. So much that we travel to foreign countries just to get away from "the man" Sux. And after all, aside from the obvious pitfalls of introducing a Paisa to your hometown, whats so illegal about finding a smoking hot chica, who makes you feel like a king, is grateful for running hot water, just so happens to be bisexual and awesome in every way and then marrying her in her local church, does that make you married in the USA too?[/QUOTE]

[Its pretty simple, if you didn't do anything wrong what can they do to you? Its not illegal to go get fucked up and spend the night with hot women. I will say this, you would think it would be a little more pleasant and welcoming to come back to your country, but sometimes when your going thru a border check you get the feeling your an illegal alien!

QUOTE=Supersteve; 1211053]I have been secondaried at both LAX and MDE.

At LAX I was targeted before I ever made it off the plane. The officer took me to a far off place in the airport, quizzing me along the way. While he was checking my bags he said that I was "taking this very well". I said I understood that he was just doing his job. I also said that I had done nothing illegal, and I had nothing illegal, so no matter how long it took, I was going home tonight. He seemed to lighten up after that, and when he found some extra condoms in my bag I explained that I was over optimistic. He got a good laugh out of that, and then ask me if I had ever been to the PI or LOS. I said no, and he said that I would like both. He then said he had been to both in the Marines. He finished by typing into the computer and I asked him if I was being placed on the "good guy" list now. He said yes. I have not been stopped on any of my other trips when coming back into the country. Did he?

In MDE I'm not really sure what happened. I was at the gate waiting boarding when the gate agent tells me "there is a problem with your luggage for home, come with me". This is not something I really wanted to hear in Colombia. The other person that they brought, at the same time, was a young lady who was dressed like she just came from a Grateful Dead concert. A hot young lady in fatigues starts asking me questions, which I ask to to please speak slowly, which she does. She goes through my bag, takes my DVD player, and MP3 speaker, I assume to be x-rayed. She comes back, and they both go back into the luggage. She then finds my extra condoms, and I get a real stink eye. I just smile and say nothing. She lets me go with a buenos tardes.

IMO, for me anyway, it was best to be pleasant and tell them to take their time. I understood that they were just doing their job. It seemed to put both at ease. Since I had done nothing wrong, and had nothing illegal in both cases, it was no big deal to me.

I have a good friend who is an attorney. He says the only three things that you need to know about law is deny, deny, deny. When they tell you to be honest that if you tell them it will be easier on you, that is a lie. It will be easier on them.

Health & happiness to all.[/QUOTE]

Like I said it isn't smart, but for some reason it works for me, why lie? I tell them like it is, thats what I done and theres nothing illegal about it that I know of, I am in no hurry to get home believe me! I will sit around as long as they like, I could not care one second. What did you do in Colombia! Got fucked up and fucked a bunch of women! Its what happened and I am sticking to that. I can't fuck that story up because its true.

[QUOTE=Ricker; 1210999]"Went down to see my girlfriend again", seems to work with those guys.

"Yep, met her on the internet".

Those guys in Miami are still high on re-runs of Miami Vice episodes, wouldn't mess with them, you'll be OK but they can sure mess with you for a good few hours if they want.

Went thru Orlando my last time back from Colombia, thru Panama, the guy was nothing but just genuinely curious about the beauty and sweetness and availability of the Colombianas.

He was thinking about retiring and moving there.

Courteous and respectful are a good tact.[/QUOTE]

Well I travel all the time and I tell it like it is. They can enter whatever they want in there data base. Gee, what would it be, asked traveler what he did while away alone in Colombia and he responded he got fucked up and fucked a bunch of hot women. Oh yea, we better keep a close eye on this guy! Come on Man, you got to be kidding.

[QUOTE=Sky Ryder; 1210996]I am sure this won't be a popular answer, but these are NOT the people to screw with if you travel. The can (and do) enter information about you in the "data base" and it can and does effect how "easy" it is to enter the country. I, on purpose didn't say the USA, because from my considerable travel experiences, the people tasked with "guarding" the borders of almost any country seem to have a similar mindset.

I am a little surprised you didn't get an "opportunity" to sit in one of the rooms while they asked you to further explain your reasons for travel.

I would NEVER admit to anything that was against the law in the USA, and I can assure you that ignorance of the law won't go far as a form of explanation.

It is sometimes very difficult to be pleasant to the CBD people that take themselves too serious, but I would never want to irritate one of them. A single, male traveler, coming from any "exotic" location (S. E. Asia, So. Amer, etc) is a prime target for a more in depth look, so keep ones cool, be forthcoming, and have your story straight, ie. I was a "tourist"!

You may not find yourself in "trouble" otherwise, but I can assure you won't find the immigration process a pleasant one. Of course this is just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

Amen, my man! Straight anwer, nice and to the point!

[QUOTE=John Gault; 1210985]I have had my share of USA officals asking me question, and going thru my stuff. Really it is so simple to avoid any problems.

1. Everything in your bag should be without contraband.

2. All declarable items should be listed on your custom form with the correct value.

3. All questions about your purpose to visit Colombia should be answered with a simple one word answer- tourist.

4. Just relax, and look at all that fine Colombian pussy entering the USA.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=You Can;1211071][The only three things that you need to know about law is deny, deny, deny. When they tell you to be honest that if you tell them it will be easier on you, that is a lie. It will be easier on them.[/QUOTE] I honestly couldn't agree more!

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao;1210971]I did not realize, as a USA citizen, I am technically bound by USA laws no matter where I travel?[/QUOTE]Yes, USA law may apply in certain instances.

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao; 1210971]They asked questions like;

Is there anything you have that I should know about?

The form you filled out on the plane, claiming property you are bringing into the USA, is a serious legal document. Now is your last chance to make changes.

Do you have anything sharp in your bags that might injure me?

How much cash are you carrying?

I was even asked, and I quote."Did you smoke marijuana while you were in Colombia? Tell me the truth. It is not illegal."[/QUOTE]No, there is NOTHING that CBP needs to know.

You have no changes to make to the document, because you completed it truthfully.

Give an honest answer to the sharp object question. Yes, I have ink pens in my bag.

I need to count the cash that I am carrying. I took one thousand and spent the difference between that and what I have.

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao;1210971]Is it possible to incriminate myself for something I did in the past outside the USA border? Can they send me back to Colombia for the local authorities to deal with?[/QUOTE]Yes. Do not confess to anything. Let the government prove it, if it can.

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao;1210971]I have heard mention about photos on computers and how anything questionable should be put on a flash key.[/QUOTE]You should NOT possess any questionable photos. I do not take any. If CBP finds a questionable photo of someone of a questionable age, the burden in essence shifts to you to prove otherwise.

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao;1210971]Obviously if you have anything on you, I suppose it is best to fess up. But as far as what you say. Whats the best policy. Just say nothing? Deny everything?[/QUOTE]Do not confess to anything. If CBP finds something, and it should not, you will need a lawyer. If you confess, you will need a lawyer. You get no brownie points for confessing to something that the government might not find in the first place. Do not make wacky statements that suggest that you did something and you are trying to be cute.

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao;1210971]The guys says, whats so strange about talking on Skype and then meeting someone. The officer says, yeah, everything seems a little strange with you and its going to get more strange.[/QUOTE]CBP does not need to know that you talk on Skype. You are a tourist and wanted to visit another country. All my computer photos are touristy photos. Upon returning from Spain, CBP claimed that they wanted to view my photos. I pulled a chair, sat down, and told them to order a pizza since I have over 800 touristy photos. After viewing the first 50 or so of boring, touristy shots, CBP told me to get out. I laughed and left. CBP did not need to know about the girls that I met on my non-sightseeing days.