For first time Cali visitors:

If you stay at an agency chances are you'll avoid much of the begging that goes on everywhere in Cali. It's something most of us are unaccostomed to unless we live in a big American city. The last time I was in Cali I stayed at an apartment not far from Chipichapi. Every morning I crossed multiple traffic lanes and headed down the street to the supermercado to get the daily paper. Every day there was a tall, agressive and nearly toothless begger in front of the store. The first couple of days I circled wide to avoid him. Then I remembered what I'd seen at a panaderia a few days before. The next day along with my El Pais I bought a big bread/cake for fifty cents and gave him the bag as I walked out of the store. He accepted it with the dignity and graciousness of a caballero. This is how calenos address the begging for limosnas and is the best approach if you want to help. Just a tip.