So Im taking my virgin trip to MDE in a few weeks and have seriously waited years to experience copious amounts of Colombian Cuisine. Im sure the food will be great too..

I've been to Russia all over Europe CR,PTY I pretty much have been to all the desired destinations in Mexico, so traveling abroad isn't a big deal and safety has NEVER been a problem for me. However I can only pull off a base of Spanish.. (striking up conversations using a long list of questions I've memorized over the years isn't hard, but I just can't CARRY on a conversation or understand people when they speak really fast)

My question is.. Is Colombia really that bad (dangerous) and given the info above, what is every one's opinion for a young guy mongering alone in CO? I've never had hesitation about going on a trip until now.

Is the fact that I don't speak that much Spanish really that big of a deal?

Because of my size I'm definitely not an easy target (in the sense of being a push over) but in reading some of these posts it seems like the moment I slip up on my Spanish (or wear the wrong kind of pants/shorts in El Centro) my weakness will be exposed with a Colombian nightmare awaiting me around the corner .

Obviously I have never been so I could be being a bit too cautious and I've received mixed reviews on the topic.

So just let me know if I'm just being a pussy .. If a clear head, a low key persona and an awareness of my surroundings is all I need.. great! I thought I would just flush it down the experts one last time before I confirm my final arrangements. Any and all suggestion/tips are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance
666

(Message edited by joseph666 on January 19, 2010)

Joseph, based on all the trip reports from the various contributors on this board from where exactly do you get the "Is Colombia really that bad (dangerous)" observation?????????

What exactly are you worried about?? The FARC? Being robbed???

If you are so worried, go to a beginners venue like the Medellin Mansion.

Does speaking Spanish help, of course - but being able to speak the language in any country of course adds to enjoyment and safety. Young, old, what does it matter?

Many mongers I have spoken to speak of Medellin of being safer then Rio....I have been there and felt completely safe. I do not speak Spanish and have been to various parts of Colombia 6 times - still alive and kicking. Actually 7 times, counting a one day cruise stop in Cartagena about a decade ago.

If you are going to be so worried, then you won't be able to enjoy yourself.

Unless you are Hispanic, it will be hard to hide that you are a gringo....that is just a fact.

Don't take offense, but you asked for it yourself - I think you are being a pussy! Especially with the other posting about drugging. Just go...

Again, maybe it is best for you to get your feet wet where many fellow gringo's hang-out, like the Medellin Mansion. This way you are not alone, on your own... or try Cartagena...very safe and easy to navigate.

I generally take a pretty laid back approach to traveling. I try to minimize my losses by staying low key and not wearing jewelry, expensive watches, etc, that will get someones attention. And, if I am robbed I never have anything on me that I cannot afford to lose. Does bad shit happen to some people - yes, but that is the minority. The majority travel and never have problems - I happen to fall into the latter category (knock on wood).

I agree with LM, just use your common sense and you should be fine --- don't be too conspicious in attire and attitude. Don't wander off to unknown areas or with unkown touts, etc. Most MDE Paisas are very friendly, also, if I am alone, I like to hire a taxi driver for a few hrs to go into houses/clubs, negotiate, and hang with me. I've even befriended a bellhop once in Cali showed me around and introduced me to his friends.

Lovingmarvin,

Ok .. Ok.. Geez...Was the yelling and the put downs really necassary? JK. I think some concerns are a little warranted given the fact that its freakin COLOMBIA!!.. probably one of the most violent countries in the world. But I aksed..so now I know.

Just got confirmation from pay pal that my deposit was received for the my apartment so Im pretty stolked

Thanks for settin me straight!
Stay Safe

Just go dude. You'll be okay. Probably the worse that can happen is a stickup. Just pay whatever cash you have in your pocket and run away, keep a spare bill in your sock.

Follow all the advice above and in other threads and reports. If you want send me a private message, and I'll list some more precautions, as well as emergency measures to take just in case something bad happens, although I've never had to use ANY emergency procedure and most likely neither will you.

Still, it can give you some peace of mind and it's just a good habit to have.

Good luck and give us a report when you come back!

Dont worry dude , I was there for over 3 mos. from april till june and had zero problems , Met alot of cool colombians around my age at the casinos and we all went out partying everynite and looking for women , I liked parque lleras for daytime eating and coffee , and eating an early dinner , but the bar scene there is young ,I was staying with a high school teacher who Is a lifelong friend and wed see his students there everynite and they arent looking to have a one night stand with a 33 year old. There are hookers there but they arent really soliciting in the street , lleras has per capita the best eye candy you may see in your life,there are also alot of xpats there you can talk to but they are older than me so go home early or do there own thing, but will be out drinking till 11 or midnite or so. then you have all the hippie nordic looking 18 yo backpackers that seem to be everywhere wanting to know where all the girls were , Its funny I met so many young gringos that were expecting girls to pull them off the street to fuck ,and were dissapointed ,telling me how thats normal in some city in peru or thailand that they visited, not likely to happen in parque lleras by hotties.

MDE is a real city with inhabited by humans (40% at least) along with some sub human variants , I wasnt having a great time for the 1st 3 weeks or so , till I discovered the poker tourneys at the casinos (allegre when I was there , heard the action moved to the Rio which is right across the street from san diego)Any way I made alot of friends there guys and girls who took me out with them to their farms , to a better nightlife scene than lleras and I had a great time most people in MDE are very nice and I never felt unsafe but ymmv just be carefull and dont be afraid. The best girls by a mile when I was there were at face dos , SD is ok and 1/3 cheaper ,in centro try the bars on maricaibo ?sp where you can grab a girl for 30-50 for a 20 min romp ,there are also a tom of after hour spots where you can get laid for like 20k but they are shitholes majorista is great and aside from the occasional drive by shooting its quite safe and convenient just be sure to check sedulas and bring a towel

you wont have a problem. One of the safest places you can go, just be smart about it. You dont need to stay at the mansion. In fact, I think it has become a liability. Have fun.