Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Colombia Expat Forum

Colombians

New Topic Newest First
timllowe
  10/21/2016 20:15 EST

So, I'm rushing home in a taxi from Cali to watch the debate. There is a story on the radio about Uribe. The cabie is swearing at the radio. I tell him, I'm from los ee.uu. We have or own problems with pendejos. A story on Obama commenting on something stupid Trump has said and he turns up the radio for me. Shakes his head.

I'm watching the debate with a young Colombian friend. He's silent and a little embarrassed.

I ask him, "Why is it that Colombians like gringos? I mean, why is this the only place on earth I don't feel the need to wear maple leaf t-shirts and pretend I'm Canadian?"

He says, "Colombians pretty much like everyone."

After a long silence and some really ugly stupid sh*t out of Trump's mouth, I say...

"Do you have any idea how weird that is?"

He didn't have an answer.

This is one of the brightest young men I've ever met.

SkyMan
  10/22/2016 09:17 EST

Colombians are just very welcoming to gringos...much friendlier than the
residents of many other Latin countries. I lived in Cuenca, Ec. for
1 1/2 years & the Ecs. are much more reserved, distant, kinda shy...and not real trusting of gringos. They are nice people...but not as outgoing as the people I've met in Antioquia.
My thoughts are that the locals in Antioquia are mainly from European extraction, while the Cuencanos are from indian descent, and less open and not as friendly. As you walk down a street
in Cuenca, you won't be greeted by as many "Buenos Dias" or "Hola" as you are in Medellin.
That's the way I see it.

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

novato1953
  10/22/2016 16:16 EST

Say what you will about Colombians versus Ecuadoreans, on the whole I think I've got a lot more from them than they've got from me.

dumluk
  10/23/2016 21:35 EST

Novato, would you care to expand on that a bit?

joemindwarp
  10/24/2016 13:36 EST

I visited Ecuador for three months earlier this year, will not return, Quito for 2 months, bars and security on every apartment, and at night the people disappear so the streets are desolate. returning to the apartment after dinner in a restaurant 4 men literally picked me up over their heads and were about to rob me when a Bodega owner ran towards us with a machete scaring off the bandidos. I was most grateful so took him and his family to the same restaurant the next day. Cuenca is much safer but definitely nowhere near the quality of Medellin. I spend 180 days in Medellin every yuear

BrandonBP
  10/24/2016 18:51 EST

Quito can definitely be a mess. In New Town, you feel safe, but you're not. There's a cop LITERALLY on just about every corner, and yet people still get robbed.

I was feeling pretty safe there, but then a bunch of us from our hostel went out one Friday. One guy didn't know that we were stopping at a bar, and he kept walking. About two blocks down, he got hit in the face by two guys and they took his wallet. They only got $20 and no cards or anything, but he came into the bar with a bruised face and was shaken. He said they weren't even Ecuadoran. They had dredlocks and spoke with Islander accents.

Then an English girl got her wallet stolen the same night and was very upset. She had hung her purse on the back of her chair. You can't do that in Quito.

So, Quito 2 - Gringos 0.

Then I was with an English girl on a date in Old Town. That place closes at 10, which we didn't know. Everyone clears out very fast and Old Town is empty.

We're walking down this main avenue and it's just us and four guys following. I would stop to look and see what they were doing, and they would also stop. They were definitely stalking us because I heard the words Yanquis and Gringos. I kept reaching into the small of my back and had to explain to the English girl that I was acting like I had a weapon. It worked. They left us alone long enough to get to a plaza.

I liked Quito, but it's no joke.

There's no reason to stay in Quito when you can see BANOS!! Go visit BANOS!

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

Patricio
  10/24/2016 19:14 EST

There are bars and security on everything worth taking or breaking into in all of Latin America, Medellin included, and is not a negative. From strato 3 up in Colombia, bars and security and not leaving a vehicle unattended is understood.

8901
  10/24/2016 20:25 EST

And what is BANOS ?????

timllowe
  10/24/2016 20:51 EST

I was wondering the same thing. I know what it is with an ñ. ;)

BrandonBP
  10/24/2016 23:10 EST

Banos is a great little town 3.5 hrs south of Quito next to an active volcano. I got to see the volcano spit fire out of the top one night!

I stayed 7 weeks there and loved it much. It's said to be a touristy own but you don't get that feeling when you're there. There are some backpackers, but it still feels like small-town Ecuador.

I'd just go live there if I had the money.

joemindwarp
  10/25/2016 00:16 EST

the guy that 'rescued' me later in the week tried to do the same with banditos on a motorcycle who were robbing someone, he got stabbed in the knee with a rod or something, people, poor people there are viscous, at least in Quito, i was in an upscale district, exactly where the predators prey. Banos sounds nice, will be in Chile, Vina del Mar in March,
Quito has problems big time, + it's not all that

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

dliss62
  10/25/2016 15:06 EST

Colombia is the best place to live in the Andean region! (my opinion)

Peru and Ecuador don't come close, especially in the "chica" department.

Colombians admire gringos and look to emulate their success rather than be resentful and mistrusting. If you ever hang in the bars in Bogota's zona Rosa, you'll see plenty of gringos partying alongside Colombians who will tell you "this place is great!"

joemindwarp
  10/25/2016 17:27 EST

I spent a week in Usaquen, near Bogota, okay but too expensive compared to Medellin. Has anyone have advice on Chile? I will be there March and want to be in Vina del Mar but having never been I would like to avoid any mistakes.
Landing in Santiago so I will possibly stay there first.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Colombia GuideLiving in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in ColombiaHealthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in ColombiaCost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to ColombiaMoving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in ColombiaReal Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros Cons of Living in ColombiaPros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in ColombiaRetiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal