Colombia – General Notes

2020 FEBRUARY 26 —

We never felt scared or threatened in any way, while in Colombia (other than the weird waiters at that one restaurant). Maybe we were just naive. Our hosts seemed to do all the worrying for us. Everywhere we stayed, our hosts were extremely helpful, friendly, and protective. Taxi license plate numbers were recorded before we were allowed to get into the cab. A knock on our bedroom door to check if we were OK. Driving or walking us to our destination. In Cartagena and Barranquilla, there were high iron fences around the property, with padlocked gates. Barranquilla even had razor wire on top. 

In Cartagena, our host explained that the protesters at the University were against the current political party. He went on to explain that that police have no power. The protesters can attack the police and the cops are helpless to defend themselves. They are not allowed to draw a weapon against their attackers. However, the military can, and will, shoot to kill; and it doesn’t take much to provoke them. Wealthy people and others in power hire their own para-military. Therefore, certain people hire their own military to sway events to their liking. They can shut down protesters or to assist protesters – depending which side of the fence they want to help. Sounds a bit fascist to me. Now bear in mind, while this was going on in Colombia, back in Canada there were protesters blocking train lines and the RCMP were told to stand down. Meanwhile, Joe Average-Citizen, who took it upon himself to take down the barricades were threatened with arrest. Hmmmm…..

In Barranquilla, the host walked me to the grocery store to buy water, because he was afraid for me to walk alone. Every time we went out, he and his wife would sit and worry about our safety. If we happened to slip into our room without them noticing, they would knock on the door later, to make sure we were OK. He said the iron fences went up in the days of Pablo Escobar and the narco-wars. Back then, it was not uncommon to go out on the street only to see people with machine guns blazing and bombs going off. He said Escobar didn’t care who he killed, innocent bystanders were common. It disgusted him that there are tours in Medellin almost idolizing this monster. He was happy that they tore down the house Escobar lived in;  too many people were going there, almost as a place of worship. He brought up Escobar a few times. We got the sense that those horrific days scarred him and his wife for life. They took absolutely no chances on safety for themselves or guests. In Cartagena, we saw lots of Escobar t-shirts, fridge magnets, posters, and key chains. But this was in the old city where the cruise ships stop. Note to self: Be cognizant of the local history and don’t patronize criminal behaviour or dismiss past history as a souvenir item. 

Cities have LOTS of police with machine guns and muzzled dogs, but not in your face. 

Marijuana / cannabis items for sale in most shops in small towns, not in the cities. 

There is a huge temperature change from morning to afternoon. 

Public spaces need a backboard, fire extinguisher, and emergency lighting to get an operating permit. 

There are lots of little people, less than 5 feet tall. Possibly indigenous?? 

Traffic moves faster in town than out on the highway. Weird. 

Roads are hilly and winding – constant switchbacks. 

Drivers all drive like madmen. 

Traffic weaves in and out like fish finding an open space, cutting each other off. 

Common to see car in far right lane trying to make a left hand turn.

Cars stop wherever they please, even on a busy expressway. This causes more weaving of traffic. 

Traffic will pass on a double solid line, up a hill or on a corner.

Pedestrians cross anywhere, anytime – but traffic is not stopping for you.

Pedestrian lights have little girls on them. 

Meals are huge. We often left some behind. 

Meals are mostly meat, with meat on the side.

Can take a cheap bus or semi-cheap plane to same destination 

Arepe served at every meal – maize flour, water & salt (fried glue, I hated it) 

The United States gets 90% of their flowers from Colombia. 

Sidewalks are rough and uneven.

I was in flower picture taking heaven!! They were everywhere!! 

Toilet paper has perfume.  You throw it in the garbage can, not the toilet.

Their dish soap comes as a paste in a plastic tub. 

You can buy mini bottles of beer. 

Taxi drivers have yet to comprehend Google Maps.

Always confirm the price before getting into the taxi – they WILL try to up-charge you. 

If they can, they will drop you close to, but not AT your destination. 

Lots of dogs in airports in passengers arms, waiting to board airplane.

Meals in restaurants are not brought out together. Best to start eating while yours is still hot and not wait for your eating partner to get his.

The women have big booties and boobs.

VISA is more accepted than MasterCard

Average Colombian wage is 890,000 COP/month or  $300 CDN
A bottle of water 1500 COP (50 Cents) 

A beer 3000 COP ($1.00)

A nice meal of steak or trout with 2 slices of tomato – 20-30,000 COP ($8-12) 

Bus 2-8 hours – 10-15,000 COP ($4-6)

Airfare 1 hour flight – 180-250,000 COP ($70-100)

Buses pick up whoever, wherever. Just flag the bus and pay the driver 1000 COP.

Accommodation 

Bogota $137 – 5 nights

Salento $95 – 5 nights

Medellin $48 – 1 night

Guatape $100 – 3 nights

Cartagena $201 – 4 nights

Barranquilla $110 – 2 nights (Carnival prices)