Jewellery and other Bogotá, Colombia Warning Or Danger Tips

Although it has been sometime since l was in Bogota, l do remember that someone tried to pull my earrings out of my ear lobs and robbed my necklace. My watch was taken from me whilst my elbow was sticking out of the car. Don't wear Jewellery or show your camera. You can't exactly mingle if your not Colombian or have dark skin. Your a target for theives so be aware...

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I found myself in several situations with the local police. If your caught running a light, everyone does this in Colombia but if your light skinned those guys stop you immediately and the only way your going to get out of jail is by giving them money. Of course me being the total tourist handed them the equivlent of 5 dollars out the window of the car... the policeman told me to put it some paper and hand it back again. Needless to say l did as l was told.. And when l relayed the story to my friends they thought this was hilarious because l had given him the equivielent of a months wages.. I also witnessed a running gun battle downtown one day coming out of a restaurant, l thought they were making a movie,, had to hid behind a tree for fear of being shot at. In the 1980's it was not so good for tourists like myself. Needless to say the country is beautiful and the people also and although l was taken off a bus one day and told to stand by the side of the road until they checked my papers they were very polite and about the whole situation where as l felt terrified. They let me go to catch another bus after that l bought a car.. Always carry your passport with you. The police will look for identification.

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The Colombian government will not tolerate the illeict possession or traffic in drugs. Most people caught with coke are jailed. In the Airport they have sniffer dogs and all your personal belongings are searched. Although Colombia is famous for Cocaine exports l did not see many Colombian people who actually took this drug only foreigners. I happened to be at an opening of an art gallery when l went to the bathroom and found this girl with a plastic bag full coke doing line upon line of it. Heaven for some, jail for others.. If you are asked to carry a package when in the airport say no. Pack your own luggage and never ever ask someone to look out for it or mind it if you have to go to the toilet, take it with you.

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On my first day in Bogota l went into the city with a friend and could not believe the attention l was attracting. Men tend to stare at you and hiss. I always found travelling with a man is so much safer. Although not possible all the time, just ignore them. It won't stop them from staring but acting confident does help. Never accept anything from a stranger including sweets, drinks, food or cigarretts. They may be well drugged which can cause memory loss and when, or if your lucky to wake up alive you won't remember anything and all your belongings taken. Take heed especially in clubs and bars. Always have your friends watch your drink if you need leave it unattached. Never get into a cab on your own.

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Avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, because it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated. It is not easy to find a doctor. Also if your travelling around Colombia, it is advisable not to drink beverages with ice. Do not handle animals to avoid bites and disease including rabies. Make sure you get the proper vaccinations including one for Hepitatis A which can be caught from tap water and ice in your drink, also from cheese and undercooked food also fruit and vegatables. I know this sounds like you can't eat anything but just make sure that the fruit you eat is washed in bottled water and you eat in a good restaurant. Prices are cheap for food.

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