3 Weeks in Colombia

[Ken2]

Last week I posted and my observations about the Embassy. I jumped to the subject because I know it is of great importance to many in the process we are involved in.
I write this post just to inform others about my other experiences in Colombia in hopes it might be helpful.

After my wedding on the 15th by a lawyer/notary, I had a Christian wedding on the 18th.  A few days later I was in Bogota and did some sight seeing and then headed on to Cartagena.  The hotel DeCameron was considered a 5 star hotel about 22 stories high. I thought it was a little flakey (the decor) but the service and food were outstanding. And for 485$ for airfare from Bogota to Cali, 5 days 4 nights, all food and drinks included you just cant beat it.  Cartagena is a very poor city.  On the beach 5 minutes did not go by without a vendor trying to sell me his/her wares.  Sad, because so many of these people are just making enough to survive day by day.  Things are really cheap in Cartagena and I think next time Ill do San Andreas.  I am told it is cleaner and quieter.  
I spent my last week in Cali with the wife just chillin.  We went to Christo Rey.  When we were there a couple of Toyota Jeep pulled up and several guys got out.  One began taking fotos of the mountains directly behing Christo Rey.  The taxi driver spoke to a couple of the guys and we found out they were security for an important military officer.  He was the one taking the fotos.  
I also caught alot of news coverage of FARC infiltrators getting busted.  I guess the FARC tried to make a statement by killing the new chief of the secret police a few days ago.  
Cali is amazing.  I dont think Ive been to any city with so many beautiful women.  My head was constantly turning and I had to restrain myself.  If anyone is reading this who is contemplating looking for an attrractive, sincere (I say with caution)young lady Cali is the place to go.

Ken

[Pete E]

... in response to 3 Weeks in Colombia, posted by Ken2 on Sep 9, 2002

Ken,
I think all Colombian cities have their share of poverty.You notice it in Cartegena because there is a public beach where vendors can work and make themselves a real nuisance.I walked down the beach in Bocogrande(sp?).Vendors would see us coming a 100 yards ahead and get in possition to try and pedel whatever they were selling.They would follow us along,not wanting to give up.It was the most uncomfortable thing I experienced in Colombia,but not unsafe I don't think.Finally we had enough and walked across the street to a hotel.We asked the door man if any of the cab drivers spoke english.He asked them and 2 did.We choose one guy but another very aggressive guy tried to crowd in.The driver was great and I paid him about
$40 I think to drive us around most of the day and show us the sights.
I had experienced beach vendors in Mexico,and they are agressive enough,but they were much worse in Cartegena.We stayed at the Las Americas hotel and spent our beach time on their private beach after that.
Actually I think Cartegena is one of the safest cities in Colombia,but San Andreas is safer yet and no problem with beach vendors where we went.San Andreas has nicer beaches but Cartegena more history and things to see.I spent 4 days in San Andreas,2 days in Providencia and 3 days in Cartegena.I wish I had skipped Providencia(Nothing much there) and spent more days in Cartegena.

Pete

[LouieB]

... in response to about Cartegena, posted by Pete E on Sep 9, 2002

I was swamped by hustlers in Cartagena.  couldn't enjoy a minute of peace sitting down at Plaza Santo Domingo.  but the city is beautiful.  

[AlexG32]

... in response to 3 Weeks in Colombia, posted by Ken2 on Sep 9, 2002

Wow your trip sounds alot like mine.  I was married in Cali on August 17, we also spent a few days in Bogota and then went on to Cartagena.  Like you I also felt sorry for the vendors who live off of the tourists.  After a while though the same ones I told thanks but no thanks would return time and time again.  Almost every evening we would eat at the Plaza De Santo Domingo and it was the same thing there.  We took a tour of a couple of islands and it was the same scenario there, we also witnessed a nasty fight among two of the locals which included sticks and a machete.