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So one day I go on down to Unicentral to buy some toys for poor Colombian children for Christmas.

Two very beautiful girls agree to take me down there for a little shopping.  They are talking among themselves trying to decide if this is a good idea or not.  Is it safe or is it not?

For those of you who haven't had the privelidge of a shopping trip to unicentral, it is like a James Bond move.  Very crowded at christmas, chaotic, like a swap meet but crazier, pigs heads on the grill etc. etc.  Not alot of gringos in this area.

So these girls seem genuinely concerned for my safety, but I'm not too worried.  So I get out of the taxi (I'm 6'3", blonde, blue eyed and looking seriously like a big gringo) and these three tough looking Colombian guys start yelling at me and coming my way.  Then, one of the girls shouts to me, "shut up, don't say anything...they'll know you are American!!!" LOL....  Like I really have to open my mouth for them to know I am a gringo!  So the girls grab me and pull me into a building and into the crowd.  They are really concerned for me now, but I am really thinking the whole thing is amusing.  Well, anyway, I didn't get robbed, kidnapped or anything interesting to report. Sorry.

Now for my pitch...
Ya know, a little money spent on food, clothes, toys, and other things goes a long way down there toward helping a few children.  When you go down, help out, spend a few pesos... we all can afford to pitch in a little.

Take care,
Wayne

... in response to Trip report 6, posted by Wayne on Dec 31, 2002

Wayne,
Unicentral is a nice shopping mall in south Cali.Very safe,gated,guarded,like being in the US.Some US prices,some better.
I think you are reffering to the Central Cali shopping district.My wife goes there but doesn´t want me to go.I went by chance the other day when we introduced a relative(lady) to a gringo who is here.It was a little spooky,particularly after all I had been told.My wife was there about a week ago and somebody stole her cell phone.She has a purse that has a little compartment on the outside to hold the phone.Somebody took it without her noticing untill later.Not a good ideaa to display something like a phone like that.
Don´t get too cocky just because some of these guys look like punks.If there are several and they are armed you are in trouble.Best to avoid them.

Pete

... in response to Re: Trip report 6, posted by Pete E on Jan 2, 2002

Yea, you are right...

I can't remember the name of the place.

Unicentral is not right.

The place was nuts.  I think you know where I'm talking about.  It's where all the normal folks go to shop.

Wayne

... in response to Re: Re: Trip report 6, posted by Wayne on Jan 2, 2002

try...COSMO CENTRO

... in response to Re: Re: Trip report 6, posted by Wayne on Jan 2, 2002

Right. That's el centro. Best place to buy anything so long as you can escape with your life.

... in response to Trip report 6, posted by Wayne on Dec 31, 2002

I'm curious to know where you were. I haven't heard of unicentral. There is "Unicentro" in the south (though that's clearly not what you're talking about) and there's "el centro" up town where all the bargain shopping is done and it is a dicy area. The hotel Aristi is located there. Is "unicentral" somewhere else?

... in response to Trip report 6, posted by Wayne on Dec 31, 2002

hmmmmm..interesting...so some dudes were yelling at you...what were they saying? what was their problem? did you ask the girls what the deal was?

i have never had a situation like that on my trips to cali and i have never heard of anyone else having a confrontation. mor details please.

the idea of helping the kids is a good idea. i buy stuff for the kids everytime i go to cali