Medellin Reports

[RudeBwoy100]

Tourist getting robbed in broad daylight shows that these guys are getting desperate. Coronavirus + desperate, hungry people makes me feel that skipping Colombia in 2021 is the smart move.

[Knowledge]

It's easy, look at any youtube video for Medellin neighborhoods and compare what the people are wearing with what you plan to bring.

Newbie here, preparing for my first trip.

Does anyone have a packing list for what to pack and wear to fit in with locals during the day (jeans, Nikes, and t-shirts or polo shirts?) and for going out at night for dinner and dancing? Dressing to not attract the thieves or repel the ladies..

[Mr Enternational]

Cmon Mr. E, you don't think a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes doesn't make a difference. And contrary to what you think, some foreigners can blend in, making them less of a target, versus an obvious foreigner, like a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Not at all. I think it is a total fallacy. I have never considered myself as blending in anywhere and I have never been a target that I know of. Robbers are not ridding around saying let's get the guy that is different.

Whenever I meet guys from ISG in Santa Fe or downtown Medellin, nobody would mistake any of us for being locals, not even at first glance. And still we are having no problems in these places. Just like RR in Bello. He is of Asian decent and most certainly not blending in there, but nobody is fucking with him. How many locals have been robbed in Bello?

[IamLookin]

I agree with you.

Has much as I love Medellin, one must always play it safe. Doesn't matter how you dress or look.

You should always be cautious. Although I do feel the hotel security really sucks.

Did you tell them they should stop wearing shorts and flip-flops?

It does not matter. Blending in is a fantasy. Nobody is robbing on the basis that the person is not fitting in. Locals get robbed too. Robbers would starve to death if they were just depending on unsuspecting tourists. What did it matter if the tourists that were robbed inside of their hotel rooms recently were wearing karate uniforms or kilts?

[Surfer500]

Did you tell them they should stop wearing shorts and flip-flops?

It does not matter. Blending in is a fantasy. Nobody is robbing on the basis that the person is not fitting in. Locals get robbed too. Robbers would starve to death if they were just depending on unsuspecting tourists. What did it matter if the tourists that were robbed inside of their hotel rooms recently were wearing karate uniforms or kilts?

Cmon Mr. E, you don't think a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes doesn't make a difference. And contrary to what you think, some foreigners can blend in, making them less of a target, versus an obvious foreigner, like a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes. And the robbers know which are better targets, and yes the locals do get robbed, I agree.

[Surfer500]

Heads up with registering with Migracion for entry into the Country. I just tried to register for entry into Colombia on a flight Wednesday morning from FLL to MDE on Jetblue and it didn't recognize the flight and perhaps it was because the flight number was two digits. I attempted this in English and when I tried registering in Spanish, it recognized the flight, and I was able to register and got an E mail verification. This may not be an issue for others.

[Mr Enternational]

If I had a $ for every time a chica said her phone was stolen.

Did you tell them they should stop wearing shorts and flip-flops?

Does anyone have a packing list for what to pack and wear to fit in with locals during the day (jeans, Nikes, and t-shirts or polo shirts?) and for going out at night for dinner and dancing? Dressing to not attract the thieves or repel the ladies. .

It does not matter. Blending in is a fantasy. Nobody is robbing on the basis that the person is not fitting in. Locals get robbed too. Robbers would starve to death if they were just depending on unsuspecting tourists. What did it matter if the tourists that were robbed inside of their hotel rooms recently were wearing karate uniforms or kilts?

[EducationFund]

They were wearing the "I AM A TOURIST, PLEASE COME ROB ME" uniform: Flip flops and shorts. You cannot be THAT obvious when traveling around Colombia. Dress like a local and stop showing off your expensive wares. If you show it, they WILLL take it.

Newbie here, preparing for my first trip.

Does anyone have a packing list for what to pack and wear to fit in with locals during the day (jeans, Nikes, and t-shirts or polo shirts?) and for going out at night for dinner and dancing? Dressing to not attract the thieves or repel the ladies. .

[GeneHickman]

Those dudes were certainly feeling safe. No way they should have been wearing any stuff, but irrespective he would have hit them for the cell phones which seem to be a big target there. If I had a $ for every time a chica said her phone was stolen.

The robbers appeared 1/2 the size of those well fed gringos but the gun tilted the balance immediately. They did the right thing. These are quick hit and runs and typical of the sort of robberies you can face if not your day. Yes security is there but they barely had time to react, and honestly that could have made things worse. Their mistake was waiting on the street. There is little downside to just waiting in your room, or atleast in the foyer.

Once I was walking from the energy buildong where a buddy was staying to the blux at night and I saw these two dudes standing next to a motorcycle across the road at the strip mall on the opposite side. I continued to walk rapidly and as soon as I was turning the corner, I saw one of the guys starting to cross the road like 50 m or so behind me, so once I was around the bend, I started to break into a gentle jog downhill, and was in the blux building in no time. That was the last time I walked between the two buildings after dark.

[Voyajer1]

They were wearing the "I AM A TOURIST, PLEASE COME ROB ME" uniform: Flip flops and shorts. You cannot be THAT obvious when traveling around Colombia. Dress like a local and stop showing off your expensive wares. If you show it, they WILLL take it.

That's disturbing. Here is the actual link:

https://fb.watch/3QgPDjph2G/

[Mr Enternational]

When I moved out of San Peter to another apartment I agreed to meet the dude at 2 pm. The main door is street access and he was not there, then he starts asking if I am there or not?? I was standing on the street like those 2 dudes with all my possessions feeling extremely paranoid and panicky.

Man if you are feeling like that in front of San Peter, then you better not go anywhere near Santa Fe.

[Turgid]

That's disturbing. Here is the actual link:

https://fb.watch/3QgPDjph2G/

We all want nice things and we on ISG can work for them. Some dudes desire the same things we want but don't want to work for them or cannot get jobs. I have travelled all over the western hemisphere and honestly the country I felt safest was Cuba.

[Knowledge]

My guess is these guys were waiting at a rear or side entrance. The main entrance of any hotel, even Centro fleabags, is manned and sometimes has armed security. The security camera is there to collect evidence and prevent an armed group catching the hotel off guard.

It's all about the opportunity of isolation for these roving stick up boys. Notice how the guy with the helmet felt confident enough to leave the motorcycle to assist his confederate. Some of you have likely taken the airport bus to and from San Diego or Centro. At any time of day or night you won't have problems waiting for the bus or transferring from it to a taxi because there are other passengers, the Combus employees, and often policemen. If you ever find yourself in an area where there is no one else you need to be hyper vigilant and focused on getting away to where there are other people. This applies even more so if you have all your luggage with you because it's a red flag to criminals that you have valuables with you. After all, no one leaves their valuables (the report mentioned jewelry was stolen along with cash and mobile phones) in a room or apartment when they arrive or leave with luggage.

That was disturbing, there is (or was last time I was there) an armed security guard in that building too. What I wonder though is how that went down, Did two guys just come riding by on the motor cycle and see them and decide to stop, They had to be hanging outside for a while and they had their bags. Maybe waiting for a taxi?

[Just Incognito]

But: why would anyone stand outside anywhere in Medellin with suitcases and bags that make it obvious you are either just coming from or going to an airport? Why not wait just inside the doors for your ride?

Where as hotel security? Maybe they were legit. Occupied?? But why wouldn't they tell these dudes not to wait outside with all of their stuff? I assume they were leaving for the airport-because if they were just arriving-why stand outside at al and not just go straight in?

I just can't imagine myself ever standing outside anywhere in Medellin with all my stuff-like travel bags / suitcases like that.

Also, why would any gringo where a watch or any jewelry at al in Colombia? Heck, I don't eve wear or bring my sunglasses anywhere in Colombia! -the locals aren't all liking around with shades on-so why would I?

Seems like 2 guys just driving by see an easy and obvious target and took advantage. This could have been avoided be waiting inside with their luggage. Isn't that obvious?

That was disturbing, there is (or was last time I was there) an armed security guard in that building too. What I wonder though is how that went down, Did two guys just come riding by on the motor cycle and see them and decide to stop, They had to be hanging outside for a while and they had their bags. Maybe waiting for a taxi?

[Knowledge]

OK class, what did we learn from the video about isolated spaces and pairs of males on motorcycles?

Wow that's pretty scary. From watching a lot of YouTube videos you are clearly more vulnerable in transient spaces which is what I try to avoid. When I moved out of San Peter to another apartment I agreed to meet the dude at 2 pm. The main door is street access and he was not there, then he starts asking if I am there or not?? I was standing on the street like those 2 dudes with all my possessions feeling extremely paranoid and panicky. I started to get really mad at the dude demanding he come immediately. I found a cafe across the street and waited it out there until he arrived 30 minutes later. Looking back I should have left my things in San Peter longer until I actually had the keys to my new gaff. Anyway thanks for posting the vid as it is a good reminder of how things can go very wrong.