Colombia's gloss is wearing off

[rivardco]

I am a fan, don't get me wrong. But, when I returned home to the US, I became aware of that which was missing in both places.

As I have continued to speak to Colombian friends, both gringos and Colombiano, I see that the place is much more dangerous than I appreciated when I lived there. I did not feel in danger. I felt the opposite. But, there is no denying the fact that I knew, or knew of, more homicides in the last year than I have my whole life in the US.

But what's is more concerning are the rumblings I am hearing from those that live there - crime and uncertainty seems to be on the rise ...

As I gain a more accurate perspective, at a detached and healthy distance, my interest grows to other locations that retain the Latin culture, but builds upon it. I have found many good links on Brazil; Paraguay; Uruguay; and Chile. I plan to visit all these places in February, March, and April of next year. Lima remains on the outskirts of my interest as well.

For those who are just looking to find that special lady, I give you all green lights. There are tons of nice girls that are interested to meet gringos because we tend to treat women better than Colombianos, plus the promise of a better life is very strong. But for a second home, Colombia is loosing its gloss to me.

[Jim]

Rivardco,

I would be living in Colombia today if a friend hadn't invited me to visit the Philippines with him in 2006. I love Colombia, speak fluent enough Spanish that people don't think I'm foreign and fit in seamlessly, I didn't consider safety as a factor when I chose to move here.

I made my decision because they love and admire foreigners. I also felt the women were more loving and less self centered. Colombia women are the hottest looking women in the world but in my experience don't make as good lovers or GFs. Look at the pictures on LAI site. Some real beauty queens...but most probably have expectations for what you need to do for them and are high maintenance.

Reading this board in the last year, I realize that there is far more crime in Colombia and I know in the long term [living there] this WOULD make a difference. Having the number 1 export of cocaine infuses a great deal of cash into society but also has a price. Two members of this forum have been murdered this year and one has been robbed. Two times my change purse fell out of my pocket on a jeepnay here and peolpe returned it to me.

[Jim]

Brazil; Paraguay; Uruguay; and Chile.

If safety is your concern, Brazil would seem to be a bad choice but the other three seem like good choices. I would think that even if Colombia were safer, being inundated with gringos makes it less desirable than some other places. I really think a culture of what someone can get from a foreign BF has developed and it makes it difficult to find a woman who wants love more than money.

You really need to travel and get a feel for a place before you settle.

[HonkyTonk]

"Look at the pictures on LAI site. Some real beauty queens...but most probably have expectations for what you need to do for them and are high maintenance."

Jim, you sure read a lot into a simple photo.

"Two times my change purse fell out of my pocket on a jeepnay here and peolpe returned it to me."

Is it a designer purse? What color is it? Pink is my favorite! I'd return it just to get your phone #

[Jim]

Is it a designer purse? What color is it? Pink is my favorite! I'd return it just to get your phone #

It was returned by men both times. I was pretty astounded both at my own carelessness and at someone going out of their way to be honest.

[Jim]

Jim, you sure read a lot into a simple photo.

When I went to Crystal Palace in December 2001, a man who had arrived a few days before me had just gotten engaged to a girl who was a 10. The man was a computer programmer who made tons of money and this lady spent tons of money.

This board is full of examples of high maintenance women. Women who insist the man spend lots of money on them, take family and friends on dates, high maintenance women who have a clear idea what they expect from their man but no desire to give him what he needs.

When LAI posted the pictures I remarked how hot the girls were. But when Rivardco has the temerity to suggest that Colombia may not be perfect, I am seconding his opinion. But there is no denying the women are good looking.

[Cap'n Jib]

Rivardco,

Not that it matters, but I am impressed.

It is nice to see someone take the time to REFLECT on their experiences. And draw meaningful conclusions. This is especially important; it would seem, in the matter of security. I have a healthy respect for security in Colombia….or the lack thereof.

If fate requires a change of location for our family, Colombia would be the logical choice. Interestingly, my wife’s mom, when apprised of the possibility of us moving to Colombia, said “I love where you are in Panama. It’s so safe.”

I am afraid for the newbie’s who have done a week or two and think that Colombia is safe ONLY because they managed to come back alive. Guys like Sail, Tinto, KPunch, and Micky seem to have a real reading on life in Colombia. I will take their advice on this matter any time.

[rivardco]

Colombia is safer and more dangerous than I first imagined. As long as newbies stay in bounds, there should be no problems. If you go out of bounds, it is a numbers game.

But, I was sort of hoping to find a second home kind of place too. And in a second home kind of place, I would not always want to have my guard up. ALL THE WAY UP. Colombia is not a place where you can just let the chips fall where they may with confidence and good judgement.

To illustrate the point. One night I was at a club and the owner usually had an after hours party, or at least knew where one was going to be. I asked him where the party was. And he said he did not know. It was about 5AM. The place had 150 like minded people. I suggested making an announcement "who want to have an after hours party?" (This guy knew everybody and was well linked. A person like that could easily pull such a thing off in virtually any city in the world, right) He looked at me as if I was brain damaged. And said I was a crazy gingo. You can't just go to people's house that you don't know, man! Muy peligroso." He should know he was born and raised in Cali and hosts most of Cali's good guys and bad guys every Saturday night.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by rivardco

One night I was at a club and the owner usually had an after hours party, or at least knew where one was going to be. I asked him where the party was. And he said he did not know. It was about 5AM. The place had 150 like minded people. I suggested making an announcement "who want to have an after hours party?" (This guy knew everybody and was well linked. A person like that could easily pull such a thing off in virtually any city in the world, right) He looked at me as if I was brain damaged. And said I was a crazy gingo. You can't just go to people's house that you don't know, man! Muy peligroso." .

DUH!!!!

Ricardo sounds like you are looking relive your youth bro... Maybe you should just go to cancun on spring breaks..

J/K in all seriousness, if you are clubbing like that than you are definetely intermingling with a whole nuther crowd than the norm.. Like here you wil be mixxing with narcos and drug dealers and prepagos... I mean what lifestyle are you really looking for? I did some light clubbing in Cali, Cali has the most obvious mix of Narcos and prepagos in all the club scenes I have seen in colombia. So this is not really what most people over 40 would call normal..

[rivardco]

True, but Spring Break could not touch Cali on a Saturday night going full speed.

But nevertheless ... this underscores the cultural difference poignantly. AND, these experiences do not make my observations less relevant, they make my observations more relevant. And, I did not "look" to relive my youth. I succeeded

But that was months ago. I am all grown up now ...