Guard Dog, AK-47, Ready for Colombia
Dangers in Colombia? This is a topic of heavy conversation especially in Colombia. Since the era of the drug wars and Pablo Escobar, there has always been a tainted mentality about the country. Everyone thinks its not safe to travel there and that every American is going to get kidnapped!
I was kidnapped last night, but only to be taken to a delicious restaurant for dinner.
I have only been in Colombia one day and I can already sense the big difference between other South American countries that I have been in. There were no taxi hustlers waiting for me at the airport trying to hustle me into a taxi. Instead they approach you very respectively and speak to you in a very proper manner.
In other words, they don’t look at you as a piece of meat that is only good for a buck. Dangers in Colombia? We stopped at the restaurant to have some arepas with sausage and cheese. All my luggage was in the back seat and before we got out of the car I asked, we are going to leave this stuff in the car? They said of course nothing is going to happen to it. This amazed me because in Argentina, or even Venezuela, I wouldn’t leave clean socks in any car for fear that it would be robbed.
Since Medellin has such good climate the restaurant didn’t have air conditioning, it was in the open air. When I was playing with my cell phone I set it on the table and immediately picked it back up of fear that it would be stolen. I had forgotten I wasn’t in Argentina or Brazil anymore. I asked if it was okay and they said of course. That small detail said a lot to me about the security of the country.
Colombia has changed quite a bit since the epic drug wars that tore the country apart. The people are very gracious and proper when they speak to you and everyone is overly friendly. It is still a Latin American country which means you still have to keep an eye out. Its safe to say thats its NOT as dangerous as everyone thinks it is.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good to know. I’m sure our parents would be relieved to hear this. They’re very certain we’re going to get kidnapped within 2 hours of getting to Colombia.
I really couldn’t agree with more.. this place has really changed Im glad I am getting to know it so well
LOL.. far from it. you guys are going to have a blast!
I have to admit that the first thing that comes to my mind when you talk about Colombia is Pable Escobar and getting kidnapped, not really the kind of things that makes me want to go over there. Its interesting how much the media plays a rol in getting a twisted view of what its really like there. I read on other blogs as well, that its a perfectly safe destination as long as you use your common sense.
I spent about a week in Bogotá during the early 80′s with my family. It was a different country then. I remember driving from the airport when our taxi driver started yelling at my dad to place his arm back in the window. Back then, robbers would use a machete to cut off your arm for the watch on your wrist. Reading your latest posts – times have changed in Columbia. I wish to go back. I think it’s time for me to visit again.
The economy is booming and the Colombian culture really blows me away. With the corruption in South America I would like to see if this place changes at all in say.. 10/20 years. Thanks for the comment Matt!