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[QUOTE=Nounce;2732683]This has happened a few times and have been reported here. Mostly around ground zero. The best thing to do is walk away when a local speaks Spanish to you in this situation.[/QUOTE]And yet mongers keep coming to El Centro. Alone, without any Spanish, and not knowing the lay of the land. Walking targets!
[QUOTE=AdamWl;2732804]Definitely. I've added 'ladron!' to my dictionary as soon as I came home.
It would be good to have an expandable pocket baton or a pepper spray for such 'occasions'. Not that those would help if I'd meet a professional (I'd be probably hit in the head before I could realise what's even happening and all the stuff gone). I was lucky the guy didn't pull out anything and wasn't very fast and decisive in his approach.[/QUOTE]There's a shop that sells pepper spray on Calle 48 I believe right on side of the street after you cross oriental. It's the pedestrian street next to the edificio de policía nacional where all the police are always standing. The shop is on the right side with the police building on the left side and it's about half way down the block. Just ask for "espray de pimienta".
[QUOTE=Deafcon;2732536]Scary stuff. Why wouldn't you immediately call an Uber or flag down a cab the first time you stopped at the shop?[/QUOTE]Uber? Yeah, and book urslef a flight and Caribbean cruise while your at it! Haha.
[QUOTE=AdamWl;2732804]Definitely. I've added 'ladron!' to my dictionary as soon as I came home.
Not that those would help if I'd meet a professional (I'd be probably hit in the head before I could realise what's even happening and all the stuff gone). I was lucky the guy didn't pull out anything and wasn't very fast and decisive.[/QUOTE]Right. Not belittling your event but this happens in every major city around the world. I remember many years ago being targetted by some football hooligans. I felt no loss of pride by running as fast as I could to the safety of a large shop and calling the police. Not that the police would have helped you, but I imagine running at speed and a large shop could help.
[QUOTE=Deafcon;2732536]Scary stuff. Why wouldn't you immediately call an Uber or flag down cab the first time you stopped at the shop?[/QUOTE]Going to guess that the op read the forum here, looked at the pics then decided Medellin is a regular mongering destination just a tad sketch, cruise around the city and things will be fine.
And if in trouble surely a local will be happy to assist.
Letting any stranger chat you up, touch, grab and repeatedly follow then request assets is a sign of inexperience and / or western thinking that as long as there is an embassy of my country around things will be aight.
"close enough to grab close enough to stab".
Even advanced mongers growing up in hoodsville USA don't have a snowballs chance against determined paisa muggers LOL.
[QUOTE=Gabacho;2732836]There's a shop that sells pepper spray on Calle 48 I believe right on side of the street after you cross oriental. It's the pedestrian street next to the edificio de polica nacional where all the police are always standing. The shop is on the right side with the police building on the left side and it's about half way down the block. Just ask for "espray de pimienta".[/QUOTE]Thanks! I'll check it out.
[QUOTE=JustTK;2732856]Right. Not belittling your event but this happens in every major city around the world. I remember many years ago being targetted by some football hooligans. I felt no loss of pride by running as fast as I could to the safety of a large shop and calling the police.[/QUOTE]I agree, it does, and I do have some past experience with street criminals and football hooligans in 'european and safe' cities as well, but that was my first serious encounter in Medellin and took me by surprise.
[QUOTE=JustTK;2732856]Not that the police would have helped you, but I imagine running at speed and a large shop could help.[/QUOTE]Provided he doesn't run faster than me or trips me up (not great falling on concrete), remember, he was next to me, and looked quite strong and healthy. In retrospect he turned to be somewhat shy in front of other people and didn't seem to want to make a scene so it might've worked.
[QUOTE=Knowledge;2732809]What did you learn from the incident?[/QUOTE]Still processing but in general to be careful where I walk alone, don't take unnecessary risks and be more cold towards 'friendly strangers' (though I'm not overly friendly already but usually do respond with something while continuing walking, even if it's a simple 'no, gracias') Would it help here if ignored the guy and didn't say a word? Probably.
I already knew to avoid empty streets and turned back several times in the past when didn't like the vibe of the place, I should've turn around this time as well but I was so close to the civilization (and I was mostly part of the crowd on the way) it seemed unnecessary.
Knowing Spanish would definitely come in handy as well (new additions to my vocabulary: ludron, ayuda, hijo de puta, vete a la mierda).
Having some means of defending oneself like a pepper spray could be good too, if all else fails (but one better know how to use it and not fumble, otherwise the tools might end up in the attacker's hands).
Best not to carry a backpack if not necessary nor many valuables, a bit difficult not to carry the apartment keys / card and the phone though. Yes, it was a cheap phone and I have 3 more as backups but it would've still caused me some hassle to replace and loose the stuff in there (plus fuck that guy, you are not getting my phone asshole). In a prefect word it would be best to carry a 'true' burner that one doesn't give a damn about loosing.
I didn't carry much cash and left the ATM card at home. There wasn't anything valuable in backpack either, but still, it was more of a principle of the thing at that point not the cash value and I seriously doubt he'd be satisfied with just a backpack anyway if I'd give in to the demands.
Also, it would've been a good idea to carry some backup cash hidden somewhere. Because if he'd rob me blind, I'd be in very dire situation without any cash, phone, apartment keys and very basic Spanish skills. I do have money belt but of course didn't wear it this time (a sock would do too though). Second set of apartment keys would be good as well.
[QUOTE=AdamWl;2732740] Agreed, I usually don't stop and haven't stopped for moment this time either (until the mentioned hardware shop) but he just kept walking along. I should've just keep my mouth shut and ignore him from the beginning, at least then he wouldn't know whether I speak Spanish or not.[/QUOTE]I speak zero Spanish, not of big stature. I've mongered alone (after dark) in Tijuana, Juarez, and Nuevo Laredo during the worse of times with all the crime and cartel killings. Same rule applies, completely ignore everybody until you hit your target (hooker). If you don't now by now, the different areas, they work together. From the beggars to the thieves and so on. Anybody that propositions you for anything, just ignore and keep walking as if they were stray dogs barking. It's the same as if you were in some club or outside and you had your intentions and sights set on a particular girl (a mark). You want something from her and try to start up a conversation to gauge her. She ignores you. No eye contact. Acts as if you don't even exist, but does not run. Only keeps walking. No even a single word. How would you feel?
"I don't want to mess with that one."
[QUOTE=Bill;2732875]Letting any stranger chat you up, touch, grab and repeatedly follow then request assets is a sign of inexperience and / or western thinking that as long as there is an embassy of my country around things will be aight.[/QUOTE]How can you stop the guy form following you though? I've been approached by many strangers here and didn't have any issues until now (either brushing them off or having a quick conversation without stopping) but if it's just the guy, you and no one else on empty street then what choice there is but to interact, acknowledge and observe him closely to gauge the intentions and see what he's doing? (Admittedly I should not have even be there in the first place).
Sprinting on every sign of approach doesn't seem like a viable solution since 99% of them are not attempted robberies (at least so far, hah)
[QUOTE=MiamiBoy1;2732827]And yet mongers keep coming to El Centro. Alone, without any Spanish, and not knowing the lay of the land. Walking targets![/QUOTE]So are a lot of tourists with their phones out taking pictures.
[QUOTE=AdamWl;2732511]Some fucker just tried to rob me.
About two blocks from Plaza Botero a guy started walking next to me and struck up a conversation. Where am I from etc. He started in Spanish then switched to botched English. We exchanged couple friendly words, names, handshake, he said "Welcome to Colombia" and split to the right. I continue walking.
There was a short and empty street. I noticed the guy is back walking alongside me, he waved and came close. He put his arm around my neck to give me friendly 'hug', more like a strong squeeze.
[/QUOTE]Don't want to victim blame but why would you do this? What did you think would happen? Some people are so gullible and politically correct that they would tell an obvious thief where they're from, what they do for work, and anything else they would ask. Even come in close for a hug? Just absolutely unreal. You were a real pal!
[QUOTE=AdamWl;2732888]How can you stop the guy form following you though? I've been approached by many strangers here and didn't have any issues until now (either brushing them off or having a quick conversation without stopping) but if it's just the guy, you and no one else on empty street then what choice there is but to interact, acknowledge and observe him closely to gauge the intentions and see what he's doing? (Admittedly I should not have even be there in the first place).
Sprinting on every sign of approach doesn't seem like a viable solution since 99% of them are not attempted robberies (at least so far, hah)[/QUOTE]If you don't want or need anything from a stranger, just put up a resting-*****-face, ignore them, and walk quickly by like you've got more important things to do. The moment you weren't anything but 100% cold to him, he knew you were a potential mark. Why's a random dude walking up to you in a foreign country, and striking up conversation with you when neither of you can speak each other's languages? Best case scenario he's trying to tout for some random bar where he wants to rip you off. Worst case he's trying to set you up to rob you. This isn't even a foreign country thing, even in Manhattan if some random person walks up to me and strikes up a conversation and I don't know them, if I can't get away from them (waiting for a subway or something) I am on high alert, and make it pretty clear immediately I have no desire to converse or interact with that person.
Hi all,
Newbie here, planning to go to Medellin later this month for a holiday. Planning to visit a few spots around different cities (Medellin, cartegana and Bogota in itinerary).
Was wondering if anyone have any tips for safe mongering. I am esp worried about the physical safety aspect.
[QUOTE=AdamWl;2732888]How can you stop the guy form following you though? [/QUOTE]'Lárgate!' works well.
[QUOTE=Plan77;2732747]Amazing post Amigo, thanks a lot for sharing your adventures. Always refreshing to read about actual happenings than the empty discussions. I wish you had a paid account so I could get in touch.
You seem to have good experience of prepagos. Please do keep on sharing some reliable ones. O am not having much luck with FB so this seems a much better and quicker route.
9th of August.[/QUOTE]Thanks Plan77.
Sorry about the account I screwed it up. But be sure I'll write the reports about the girls I went with (I have 3 in process).
If you want to explore online prepagos by yourself I recommend [URL]catadorcolombia.com[/URL]. IMHO it is quite good for online prepagos reports in Medellin, active and accurate. For Cali I would suggest [URL]doncolombia.com[/URL].
Enjoy and be safe Amigo!
[QUOTE=JustTK;2732848]Uber? Yeah, and book urslef a flight and Caribbean cruise while your at it! Haha.[/QUOTE]I'm not suggesting he pull his phone out in front of the guy and get an uber. Once he was in the relative safety of the store front and the guy left his immediate vicinity, walking into the store and getting an uber to come seems like a viable option.