There's always another side to the coin.
Even that I do belive that the things Cabroncito is writing about, actually do happens. There is a far softer/better side of the town where you can be a tourist. With absolutley no problem at all.
How do I know this?
I know a white gringo (stands way out in the crowd) who have been living and working in Pereira for two years now. Never had a problem.
The guy is not a "street smart, know-it-all dude". Just a guy like you and me. And he loves the city, and have no plans of moving out of there.
Clearly, like in any city in any country, there are bad neighborhoods, just as there are good neighborhoods.
So bottomline, If you want to go there, don't hesitate. Just use common sense, be polite and have yourself a good time.
No reason to keep away from following your dreams and desires.
Have a good trip and a fun vaccation.
Ken Apples
[QUOTE=Cabroncito]It is rougher on the edges, differences are settled the old fashioned way. I have only met two gringos there after many visits and it was through a mutual friend.
About your question, I was eating with a friend upstairs in Bolivar plaza and we hear a loud crash. A taxi hit a motorcycle sending the driver to the ground (it was not clear who was at fault) After he realized the bike was okay, he responded by shooting the taxi driver and female passenger in broad daylight with about 500 horrified witnesses. This is not a bad area either.
I have also seen guys beating girls outside of nightclubs on two separate nights while the doorman turns a blind eye. Also you will see quite a few signs posted on telephone poles looking for people who have disappeared.
I keep a low profile so I have never had and issue with anyone. In fact I have many close friends here and find the city quite enchanting.
Manizales is a better choice though if you have weak bladder.[/QUOTE]
Colombia's peso dips to lowest level since July 2006
Colombia's peso dips to lowest level since July 2006
[quote]Mon Feb 2, 2009 7:37pm GMT
BOGOTA, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Colombia's peso <COP=RR> currency closed on Monday at its weakest level against the dollar in two-and-a-half years, dragged down by global risk aversion and expectations for deeper interest rate cuts, traders said.
The central bank, in an effort to stem the peso's slide, staged its second $180-million auction of "call" options in as many days.
The peso ended down 0.44 percent at 2,446.5 per dollar, a level not seen since July 2006. Monday's loss extended its slide since the start of the year to 7.87 percent. In the last 12 months, the peso has weakened by 24.77 percent.
Orlando Gonzalez, an analyst at the Banco Popular bank, said risk aversion due to the global slowdown and expectations for further interest rate cuts were pressuring the peso.
"(Those factors) are contributing to the dollar's tendency to firm," he said.
Colombia's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points for a second consecutive month on Friday, and policy-makers hinted that more reductions were likely.[/quote]
