Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=AddictedToWomen]2k's a buck (though GWB is doing his best to make sure its more every day). I used to fight over the small change, now I just don't bother: if they're honest with me, I give em a tip; if they wanna screw me, they loose.

These guys *do* work for next to nothing: be nice to 'em.[/QUOTE]I agree with you that 2k is a dollar, but it is obvious that I'm a tourist that they will try take advantage of me. The example being that going to Laguito from the airport at night. The taxi guy said 13k (normally 12k). I didn't feel like arguing with him at 1130pm so I said okay.

I don't want to add the precedence that tourists/gringos = easy target to ripoff. I want to basically let them know that I know that I may look like a tourist, but I am not easy to rip off. It is just the principle.

I have a rule that if the taxi guy asks for a tip, I'm not giving him one (automatically). He is asking me becomes he knows that I'm a tourists. I don't think he would dare ask a Colombian guy for a tip. Basically I don't trust any taxi drivers in any country, and (like NGY477 said) one needs to be always on guard.

And yes, I know that I'm bargaining of a couple of mil pesos and I'm blowing 100k on a girl at LDV, but then I'm not paying 200-300k as the girls ask for sometimes. I'll pay the "reasonable" going rate for an LDV girl (thus the research on ISG) and I'll also pay the "reasonable" going rate for a taxi/hotel/whatever.

Ngp477 is corect,just by walking into the edificios(apartment buildings) you can eliminate the middle man,or woman.your choice,your money.

Other than finding chicas,finding an apartment is the second easiest thing in Cartagena.If you have any doubts go to the middle of Laguito in the daytime,step out of the taxi with your suitcase and yell"apartamentos".Be ready for a tout stampede.I would not suggest using one of these individuals.

I used one when i first starting going there and i did find a nice apartment.The problem was that whenever i went outside somehow he would appear and ask for the dreaded propina(tip).Whatever you give them will not be enough.also, they get a kick back from the owner of the apartment for bringing you to them.This will not stop them from asking for a tip,again and again.

Again, by just walking around and asking the rental offices or front desk you can get the best deals.Hope this helps!

Thats true! Finding an apartment is easy in Cartagena. There are plenty of adequate one bedroom apartments for 80-100k. You can find one in 2 minutes.

just came back from a launch ride to Terra Bomba, about 7 minutes from the Hilton. More adventure than a trip to Isla Rosario and NO VENDORS!

Some of the inhabitants were walking around without clothes, others in their underwear. Because I was with my lady, I did not inquire about sex, but I would guess it is pretty cheap. Most of the inhabitant sit around their partially finished cement block homes watching the day go by. There is one small store on the island and a couple of churches. One girl came up to me as if she had never seen a white person before, and tried to touch my arm. The ripe scent drew me away quickly. A guide took us to Playa Linda about 25 minutes away, I gave him 3,000 tip. I guess Playa Linda is a generic name on most every island.

You negotiate with the launch owners and all their friends over the cost of the boat ride. Cost is about 20,000 pesos round trip. We went with one launch guy over there, he wanted to charge 20,000 pesos and was to come back to pick us up in an hour. I was to pay him 20,000 on the way back for both ways. When he did not come back we waited an extra 15 minutes, he never showed, and then went back with another launch guy for only 8,000 pesos. May never see the first guy.

"Some of the inhabitants were walking around without clothes"

Are we talking women here?

Some of the small children and up to 16 walk around without clothes or in underwear because of the heat. older girls wear see thru t-shirts without bras.

I am sure the legal aged ones would take a poke for 5k pesos. Probably their mama would rent them out for 4K an give you some privacy in their home. May want a shower first.

Ngp...this sounds intriguing: is this place an island that is non-developed? If so is it worth visiting in terms of it being relaxed and at least having 1 or 2 pretty beaches were one may chill for the day?

Any places to stay or is it local homes?

Other than the beach and possibly some diving...other diversions such as waterfalls, hiking?

Thanks mate.

Many of the vendedores who ply Laguito and Bocagrande live on Tierra Bomba. On the far end of the island is Boca Chica, the old fort guarding the entrance to the Bay of Cartagena. Boca Chica is loaded with vendedores.

Alright SOMEBODY has to be going into LDV. I really would like Valentinas contact info so I may contact her to see if she would be interested in coming to my bachelor party in MDE. $Bill posted some pics of her farther back in the thread. If anyone talks to her tell her the gringo she picked up at the airport in MDE with the ojos azules is trying to get in contact with her.

Thanks brothers,

Sparky

I would say it is a good place to explore and go hiking, there is a beautiful beach 30 minutes walk from the coast. On the hike you go up a mountain, you will see many unusual flowers, wild burros, pigs, nude or semi nude inhabitants, roosters, etc. Alot like rural life in the outer islands of the Philippines.

On Playa Linda there are some grass huts. There is one store in town. They have electricity and most of the houses have a light at night. That is about it. No hotel. No restaurants. 3 churches. One small park for children to play in the center of the pueblo.

They speak spanish. 100% black.

For 3 nights before the election Sunday there is no alcohol being sold in Colombia. I guess the government does not want drunk voters.

There still was alot of girls outside LDV. I selected a 21 year old named Lina, tight jeans, red blouse half way open, young perky tits. Never talked price until we ended up in bed naked. I offered her 70K for an hour or 150 for TLN. She accepted 70K for an hour. Nice GFE.

It does'nt seem like much changes in Cartagena. Lina is still outside of LDV. This is her, right?

Brubaker, man, I used to read your stuff on another board and I always thought you were a crazy motherfucker (I mean that in a good way). Nice to see you on this board, and getting out of the country for some tang.

looks like Lina alright. How was your experience with her? What was your charge?

She looks cute, worth a test drive? Please describe.

Will be in CTG in 2 weeks and want to maximize time. TIA