There's been a lot of questions and debate about the safety issue, one poster on another site really thinks CALI is one of the most dangerous places on earth, and cites over 400 murders during the past year. But those numbers for a city of millions is not too bad, I would bet that Los Angeles or New York will rival those numbers.

Moreover, from what one of my novia tells me, most of the murders are druggies knocking off other druggies.

Anyway, I'm still of the belief that CALI, within the city and especially the Norte part (where everything of interest is located) is relatively safe. I know JKARP, WALLSTREET and SOCRATES are gonna make a trip here soon, and many others of you have expressed interest in CALI, but are concerned about this issue.

I cannot say I'm a CALI expert and can not say that CALI is totally safe. The sheer numbers of police and soldiers around gives you an idea that this is not Kansas. But I honestly didn't see anything to cause me too much concern in CALI during this trip or my other trip.

This time around, however, there are more cops and soldiers around because of some new developments. Namely, some paramilitary leader was recently killed or is missing in Northern Colombia and the leaders' friends are threatening President Uribe with death and unrest. Again, not a huge concern for the average joe, in fact, both my novia and their friends tell me that having more armed police around makes it safer. As with my last trip, I've been hanging out at the outdoor malls, but have avoided other crowded areas because of this new development.

Walking around the streets during the daytime is just fine. I even made a trip to Downtown to shop with my novia and didn't feel threatened.

Anyway, CALI requires heightened vigilence IMO, but the tourist will be fine if they stick to the wealthier areas. None of the better known p4p areas that I visited caused me any concern, they are all located in the better neighborhoods.

Merlin, thanks for the update on safety observation. I used to go Cambodia in 90s so I am used to the thril. My major concern on my upcoming visit to Cali, and first trip to the South of the border, is not knowing any Spanish and still hoping to enjoy my time over there. Looking forward to your reports.

Spanish is a big help, but I visited Cuba & Colombia twice only knowing a few words and had a great time.

Even now that I have lived in Colombia for 2.5 years I only speak a little Spanish.

You will get by fine in Cali.

Hunter

Hunter is right, not knowing Spanish is an inconvenience, but the Caleanos are extremely patient and willing to be helpful in general.
IMO, learning to dance the Salsa is more impīt to picking up girls here :-)

My Spanish is ok, but not very good. Learn as much as you can and donīt forget the dictionary, thereīs also this cool palmpilot type of gadget that instantaneously translates Spanish-English and vice a versa.

BTW, on this trip I bought Seiko’s newest Spanish to English language tool, the TR2250

It includes the following: "...over 800,000 translations and features auto-language recognition. Over 5,500 conversational phrases, searchable by keyword, provide instant phrase translation. The unit’s Advanced Verb Conjugation displays different verb forms." I like this contraption a lot, especially to communicate how good the sex was with the girl using better superlatives than "Muy Rico". It also came in handy in between doing the wild thing when a girl asked for something I couldnīt understand (cotton swabs, or shower cap) :-)

You can get it, or something similar, at www.dealtime.com/ xPP-Electronic_Dictionaries_and_Translators--translator-spanish

or at any online electronics stores or at mysimon.com or pricegrabber.com.

(Message edited by merlin on May 01, 2004)

Thanks Merlin. Do you remember the name of the Spanish-English-Spanish translator that you mentioned for Palm. I have a Pocket PC and looking for something similar for Pocket PC. I downloaded a software but it has pre-built pharases and does not convert spoken English to Spanish. I am looking for such a tool that can translate spoken English to Spanish and vice-versa.

BTW, I sent another mail to you private email address. Not sure if you have access to it or not but I could not attach a pic on CH's email.

Hope you are having a great time, I heard it is a rainy season in Cali.

JKarp

Take what people say about the danger with a grain of salt. I'm on a private message board with this freak that is so pissed that I posted a trip report on Cali. The dude is obsessed with Colombia being overrun with ugly Americans. Good or bad, Colombia has a bad reputation as being a dangerous place.

I totally agree with Merlin on what he says about safety. I'll go back to Colombia with no worries. Just use common sense and odds are you'll be fine.

Jkarp, I don't know if they have a program for the palm pilot, it's just that the machine that I looked and bought reminds me of the palm. You may need to just buy a separate machine.

GF: I'm beginning to think that there are some guys on other boards who are intent on keeping as many mongers out of Cali as possible. I mean, between you and me, we must have a good month or more days here and nothing of concern during that time, or we would have posted about it. Whereas in some other destinatinos, just a few days and you'll see somthing to keep you indoors. What you and I say is almost heresy to these people.

Merlin,

Yeah. I know what you mean. I think some guys love the fact that the world things every Tom, Dick and Harry is going to get kidnapped once they step off the plane. That simply is NOT the case. I maintain that the people of Cali are some of the friendliest in the world!

Common sense always prevails. I've taken God knows how many trips to South America in the past two years. I've been to Rio 7 times. I've walked alone very late at night in all parts of the city. Same thing in Buenos Aires, Lima, Cuba and other places. Never had anything happen to me.

Doesn't matter if people believe what we say or not. Their loss is our gain as far as I'm concerned. Cali simple will never have the tourists as long as FARC remains a concern.

It was interesting to visit Lima. Lima had a big problems with these groups many years ago but they got rid of them and everyone tells me the city is completely different. God bless South America.

Merlin

I plan on going to Cali for the first time in a month or so.

When are you planning on going there next.

Hunter

Hey Hunter, Iīm dying to get out there as soon as possible, but my schedule is such that I canīt plan too far ahead. I hope to be there in the next 2 months or so. Keep me posted on your itinerary.

Man, I don't log in for a couple of days and look what I miss!

New York "only" had 600 murders last year, best numbers since the 50s and a lot lower than during the Dinkins days of 2,200 per year (88-89).

So percentage-wise Cali is substantially worse. But most murder victims are not "wrong place at the wrong time". They are people known to each other in business or love/family and who crossed the line. I bet the same applies to Cali - that's just how they handle their "business".

Suffice to say I cashed in some Continental miles and booked the round-trip non-stop in FC for EWR - BOG, then I'll hop on an Avianca flight to get to Cali. This was the most direct route from New York.

Cali is not easy or cheap to get to. It involves AT LEAST one plane change and the prices are double than say for Costa Rica. But I like to try new things so Cali here I come (July 1-5).

Also booked a suite at the InterContinental for $82 a night. Cheapest price I've ever seen for an IC suite. Hopefully won't have problems bringing up guests and if I do, hopefully a discreet palming of some green will make my guest welcome.

Been brushing up on my Spanish and downloading plenty of Shakira to my laptop (and got the new DVD). I'm big on ambience.

Looking forward to reading the rest of the report!

Not much option if you're using CO miles, but you could do EWR(or any NYC)/MIA/CLO as an easier option to Cali - presumption being that a change in MIA is easier than BOG, especially given you'll have a thru fare and no airline change.

Please do report back on the IC. I've wanted to stay there but I've viewed first hand dudes that weren't allowed to bring up girls, or were charged a US$50 fee - meaning the hotel rate (asuuming only 1 girl per day!) is well over US$100, which for Cali is outrageous given plenty of other options.

I meant to say you could do another route if you're not using the CO miles. With CO miles you're stuck routing through BOG unless you can use a CO or NW partner (Mexicana? TACA?). Actually, I'm pretty sure the Panamanian airline is a CO partner, thus you could route via Panama if they serve NYC.

COPA is a CO partner (it's actually 50% owned by CO) and all of their flights connect through Panama and if memory serves I'd have to go through Miami .

I poured over all the possible combos for days and the non-stop from EWR gets in and leaves at the right time. Bottom line with the CO/Avianca combo I'll be in the air less and in Cali more - that was my goal.

I'll definately report on the girl policy at the IC. The worst that will happen is I'll spend a couple hunderd bucks in fees to bring girls up or find another hotel. I've always found that a pleasant personality and a $20 bill will go a VERY long way anywhere. I'll give it the old college try.

WS: Great to hear youīll finally take the trip. I too will be interested in the lady policies at the IC as I might give it a try next time. Youīre gonna love the change in scenery in Cali. One other thing about the IC that I thought Iīd mention is that last Fri. my novia and I tried to get a dinner reservation at their nice restaurant, but everything was in virtual lockdown as president Uribe was in town. It seems that since the hotel is the nicest, there are all sorts of official matters taking place there. Maybe the Presidentīs visit also explains the more visible police presence.

There restaurant is in a nice setting out back next to the pool (also very nice) - but the food is soooo bad! Really bad!! Well, if you're ordering 'American food' I can't say I know... but if you're the type that likes to eat local dishes on your travels don't be scheduling a meal there due to the food (versus to impress a chica or for the setting or convenience).