I am planning a trip to Medellin in February and as an American I am trying read up about the safety conditions in Colombia. While researching I came across this little gem,Scopolamine, also known as the "Zombie Drug". Imagine a local coming up to you asking you for directions, showing you their desired destination on a piece of paper and before you know it you are rendered helpless and all free will is completely non existence. You have unknowingly inhaled a small trace of powder that now leaves you helpless and at the power of suggestion from your pursuer.

Probably one of the most interesting things I've researched thus far.

Part 1
http://www.vbs.tv/deadspaceextraction/colombian-devil-s-breath-1-of-2

Prostitutes Drug of Choice
Part 2
http://www.vbs.tv/deadspaceextraction/colombian-devil-s-breath-2-of-2

I think if we all research too much on safety concerns and what can or might have happened to other people for almost any country, not just Colombia, but also Brazil and all the other places, we will probably never travel again.

All sorts of little tricks in various forms exists - just keep your guard up, never leave your drink alone, and never trust anyone, then you will be fine almost anywhere.

Colombia - especially Medellin - in my opinion has been one of the safer places I have traveled to.

Then I think back to one evening in West Palm Beach, Florida, about 7 years ago when I went out with my ex-wife to a club with a couple of friends. She already had too much to drink and went to the bathroom with my wife's friend..on the way out of the bathroom she did not think twice about accepting a piece of gum from a stranger (not smart, but she was not thinking at the moment). She passed out at the table and my friend and I had to carry her out of the restaurant - After a cold bath/shower she thankfully woke-up. After awhile she was able to tell us about that piece of gum she accepted while walking out of the bathroom. She certainly was not drunk enough to pass out like that otherwise...

Moral of the story - shit can happen anywhere.

Scary shit, always travel with a wingman and don't leave your table at the same time. We all know the right things to do but sometimes we get too comfortable with these girls. Even if the girl is ok and shes into you, she may have a boyfriend who forces her to do this kind of shit. Be safe.

"Burundanga" or scopolamine scams are common in Bogota, since the plant that's used to create the drug grows nearby. It's not so common in Cali or Medellin. I suspect there's a lot of urban legend involved with this drug, but if it's really true that it can affect you by just blowing it in someone's face, there's not much you can do to prevent that kind of attack so I try not to think about it too much, otherwise I'd just go crazy!

As mentioned already, just follow the basic safeguard of NEVER leaving drinks AND food unattended while going out mongering/clubbing/barhopping/partying. That's true almost anywhere nowadays but especially in Colombia.

Long-time expats may run into extortion/blackmail scams, but if you're just going to be around for a few days/weeks, the main dangers are the same ones in other countries where mongering is popular: hookers that rob you while you're sleeping or not paying attention; robbery at gun/knifepoint; pickpockets. The same basic safeguards that you use in any other country also apply in Colombia for the above.

I wouldn't worry about the FARC unless you're going FAR away from the cities. Although there's always the remote chance of a terrorist incident. When I'm in Cali, I avoid walking or driving by police facilities as there have been annual nightime bombings of police barracks over the past couple of years.

Rule nunber 1 --- never deal with anyone who approaches you on the street, just keep-on truck'in, that person is almost always not your friend and up-to no good.

Phunluv

"I wouldn't worry about the FARC unless you're going FAR away from the cities"

In looking at Google maps it looks like there is a fair amount of terrain to cross in between the airport and Medellin. Is it likely, of course anything is possible, but is it likely, that FARC would be in that area? I read in a report (I think Av8tr's) that there are a lot of mountainous winding roads that seem like it would be an ideal place for people/criminals to intercept ecspecially at night (I land in MDE at 11pm). Any tips, hints or tricks on traveling from the airport to the city?

I know over the past few years the Colombian government has put a lot of money into changing the perception of places like Medellin but still there remains a very active criminal element in regards to americans and kidnappings.

Thanks

Your going to ENJOY that trip down the hill from the airport at night....LOL Nothing like heading down a narrow, dark, winding mountain road, in a small taxi, with questionable brakes in a Latin American country. Your either going to die in a violent flaming crash off the road, or get kidnaped for ransom. The roads are far from what Americans are used to seeing, and the driving style is a little different also. You are going to see a lot of things on this trip that you have never seen before.

At first when I looked at the title to this tread I thought you were talking about the glue sniffers. If you take a cab down some of the side streets around the strip joints you will see the street girls sniffing glue. I can't understand why some of the guys on this board hang out and use those strung out girls, but thats another discussion.

Don't let the trip down the mountain spook you, it's something to enjoy, one thing NOT to do is SLAM the car door when getting in or out of the cab, unless you want to have a pissed off driver.

RG.

RG,

Hey thanks for the comical post.. I actually laughed when I pictured myself in the situation you were describing. I've been to CR,PTY and pretty much all over mexico so as for slamming the door I think when in those place you learn that rule pretty quick. Generally I have a good amount of tact so door slamming isn't really in my nature.

Do people usually pre arrange transportation or is it safe to just take a taxi at the airport OR should I just shut up and enjoy the ride?

The way some of these taxi drivers go up and down the mountain, you might start thinking the FARC can't be so bad after all, LOL!

Seriously, there HAVE been incidents on the road to the airport but it's not common and I don't think the FARC were involved. If you're really that concerned, change your time of arrival or don't go to MDE at all. Maybe the place you're staying at can arrange for a trusted driver to pick you up? Will cost you a little more but it's worth the peace of mind, it's what I usually do no matter what time I arrive. If that's not possible ask on the plane or at the baggage claim if anyone wants to share a ride.

Putting aside the typical Colombian roads and driving habits, it's actually quite a view from that road during daytime, too bad you're arriving so late.

This happened to my buddy in Medellin two weeks ago in December. He brought a girl back to his apartment. She dropped something in his drink. He woke up 10 hours later and his Apple labtop (work computer), his IPOD, and his sim card (so he would not have her telephone number anymore - ironically she left the phone - it pays to have a cheap cell in CO) were all taken. He could barely talk the next day when he called. I asked a few Colombians if it was best to go to the police or if it would be better to write it off as a loss as she does know where the apartment is. And everyone agreed, he had to file a report. The cop filling out the report was just mumbling fn gringos the whole time and that he was lucky to be alive as well according to what he told me.
The only thing I can say is that while we all say..keep your guard up ect. The bottom line is it is hard. Were there signs? Absolutely! For one, she had a Hello Kitty bag and he said it only had her keys and cell phone it. He even made a joke about it with her. And it was big enough to walk by the portero without him knowing. BTW, she also stole the keys so he had to change the locks to the entire building. So yes, he missed a few things. This falls into the category of when you feel comfortable, that is when you are going to get robbed. What I learned is when bringing home some unknowns......have a wingman or be really aware.

If you can't communicate in Spanish, you really should reconsider mongering solo in Colombia; would have been better off for this guy to stay at the Mansion than at an apartment.

When I stay at an apartment, one of the first things I do is talk to the night portero. I let him know when I have a female guest or two, I ALWAYS meet them downstairs and ALWAYS take them downstairs when they leave. Unless I call the guy in advance to let him know that I'm aware one of my guests is leaving. Otherwise, he should call me or come up to check on me immediately. And of course, I'll let him know I'll tip him if he does his job looking out for me.

I know some mongers just want to party hard and forget all their worries and cares, but this country isn't really suitable for that type of mongering; you'd be better off in the DR, CR, or maybe Panama. This can be a dog-eat-dog type of country if you know anything about it and you HAVE to assume people will take advantage of you if you give them the chance. The national saying here is "no dar papaya" which translates into "don't be an easy target."

Besides, the chicas will respect you more and maybe even give you a better session if they see you're not a sucker.

By the way, that last story sounds like one of those drugs that just puts you to sleep and not scopolamine, which is WORSE! It's like mind control, the guy would have been awake but would have done almost anything the girl told him to do, like give her his credit cards and PIN #s!

"This was my first real mongering experience out of the states so bbbj was completely foreign to me."

You just got your very first bbbj, and now you think you're ready for colombia? good luck! lol.

Sounds like 'Boa Noite Cinderela"... But I always wonder how they make it so strong that it truly knocks one out like that for hours and hours. After hearing the stories about guys going to sleep for hours, I bought some Rohypnol in a local pharmacy (they pretty much sell me everything I want) and tried it myself - I was hoping to find a magical pill that could put me to sleep on my overnight flights and especially on trips to Asia (My dream would be to fall asleep upon take-off and wake-up 16 hours later.). I tried up to three, even with a little alcohol, and still could not knock myself out.... got a little scared to try more, so who knows... so much for that magical pill that will knock me out for long plane rides.

I guess I am banished to not being able to sleep on a plane...

Back on topic - Unless you know the girl, just never leave anyting unattended. If someone gets my attention while sitting with a girl and I look away, I will always order a new drink - or pick it up prior (as a matter of habit now) and keep it in my hands.

Oh Socrates.... I make a statement at 1 of your pics and you're intent on ruining my life ;) (truce?)

"This was my first real mongering experience out of the states so bbbj was completely foreign to me." Definitely not the first bbbj ever.. but meaning different from what I was used to from a mongering standpoint, and given how easily it came with know additional neg it was definitely a nice surprise.

Half of that report was a "rememberance" of my first trip to CR which was like 4 yrs ago when I was 22 (cut a kid some slack ).


Stay safe

of course I take offense when a newbie calls my double d girl, flat chested. geez! get some glasses already!

(Message edited by socrates69 on January 19, 2010)

joseph666
"This was my first real mongering experience out of the states so bbbj was completely foreign to me."

Another good reason why you don't want to hobby in the states.