Is it worth it?

***HonkyTonk*** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2007, 11:45 AM

This isn't an alarmist post. You have to ask yourself if the stuff you're carrying around with you is worth your life or the life of someone you're with. 2 guys on a moto in Colombia are not to be messed with! They're not asking you for your things down there.

www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/02/12/tourist.killed.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest

LastLion · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2007, 10:14 PM

Just in case you think they are just targetting TOURISTS, They are not! They are pros at the moto scooter drive by and ROB YOU and your $$$! Happened to my girl in Cali in early december. She ended up in the hospital as a result of the ****ERS on the motorbike who hit her hard than ripped the purse from her and hit her with a full fist punch!

slyry75 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 06:05 AM

How common do you think this is? I think I'd still feel safer there then in Baltimore, which is 10 minutes from where I live. I guess you just have to keep your wits about you. My rule of thumb is never argue or resist someone who has a gun.

Clay · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 05:51 PM

It is called sicario
You give a 15 year old a machine gun, a motorcyle and $500 US.
He will kill your mark and whomever else is near it.

***HonkyTonk*** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 06:18 PM

Sly, common is a relative term. I don't believe a gun was shown in the article above. Sure was when the woman resisted though.

slyry75 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

2 guys on a moto in Colombia are not to be messed with!

I wonder if it happens more in the night time, or during the day too. I guess I'll be carrying the bare minimum around when I go this summer. I went to St. Petersburg 2 years ago, and two guys tried to pickpocket me. Luckily, I have fast reflexes. I was even more lucky that they didn't have weapons. I guess I would say: don't wear watches or jewelry, don't carry more money than you need, carry one credit card only, keep a photo copy of your passport with you, make photo copies of all your cards before your trip, and never keep anything in your back pocket. And like you said, don't resist or mess with guys on motos. These are the rules I follow, and no possessions are worth risking your life for.

LastLion · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 12:16 PM

You got it Slyry!!

Hey you know what this is off topic, but one of my favorite things to look out for when in colombia, is how many colombians can ride on one of those little motoscooters, I have seen 2 adults and 2 children on one. I have also seen 3 adults one man 2 women pulling a cart with 5 cabritos(goats) in it! I am pretty sure it was only a 125 or 175 cc bike too.

slyry75 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 02:04 PM

That would be a sight to see. 4 people on a moto!

Tim413 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 03:09 PM

One day my wife was coming home from vacation in the country. The bus was full, so the attendant said they would call her later if there was an open seat. The attendant called 30 minutes later to say that there was an open seat on the bus. My wife had to take a motorcycle to catch the bus. It must have been a site to she her going down the country dirt street at night on a motorcycle with suitcases.

Back on topic. My wife got her cell phone stolen while she was running to get the bus one day. The problem was that she knew the person who stole the cell phone and didn't want to confront the guy. This was done in front of many people!!!!!!

She tells me that groups of guys are waiting late at night to steal from people as they walk home.

Tim

***HonkyTonk*** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 03:45 PM

LL, I can't top the goat one but I did see 5 on a 125cc moto in Tarapoto Peru last July. It's a sight to see. Oldest kid sits on the the tank in front of the father. Middle kid is sandwiched between the father and mother. The 5th was in a back pack looking thing on the mother's back.

I don't think they posed much of a threat though