Archive for July, 2009
Introducing The Mick
Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Introducing a new character to this blog, The Mick, who moved to Colombia in the 80s to bring cocaine to Ireland. After four years in prison, he never went back.
One day I was walking through Plaza Lourdes when an old man called to me in English. He asked about my St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt. I assumed he was a panhandler and tried to brush him off, but he managed to slow me down and introduce himself. The Mick, from Dublin, Ireland, has lived in Bogota for over 20 years and hadn’t met a gringo in a while. He invited me to coffee. We sat down in a cafe and he told me his story… Read more
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Taxis in Colombia vs. Peru
Posted on 19. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Explaining the risks and rules of taking taxis in Colombia and Peru: Peruvian Rules, Peruvian Stories, Colombian Rules, and Colombian Stories.
American taxis are generally safe. The worst thing is to get “taken for a ride.” Taxis in Latin America can be dangerous. The worst thing is getting robbed, raped, and/or murdered. There are rules to taking taxis in Latin America… Read more
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My Brother and I in a North Bogota Whorehouse
Posted on 19. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Quick dittie on me taking my brother to a North Bogota, Colombian whorehouse for the first time.
My brother helped me move to Bogota. We’d been drinking for almost two weeks and Ryan was scheduled to fly out early in the morning. So he planned to get drunk all night Monday until his flight so he’d sleep all the way back to STL… Read more
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Memories of My Amsterdam Whores
Posted on 18. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: My whore-mongering stories from the Amsterdam Red Light District in Holland, Netherlands. Includes sex workers from Czech Republic, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Ghana, and Hungary.
My first trip to Amsterdam I’d recently been dumped by my girlfriend of 3 years, 1½ of which we lived together. A good friend had earlier tried to persuade me to have sex with a prostitute. He likened it to a rite of passage. Paying for sex makes it less important. It’s just sex. I never did because I was in love. Newly single, I fully intended to take advantage of Amsterdam’s Red Light District… Read more
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Alcohol and Sensitivity in Latin America
Posted on 11. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Explaining how alcohol and drunkenness is NOT controversial in Latin America. In fact, not much is.
Latin America is different from the States in this respect, and probably extreme. Alcohol doesn’t have a negative stigma at all. There was never a prohibition. People drink at a younger age – by law and social norms… Read more
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La Candelaria in Pictures
Posted on 11. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Profile and pictures of Bogota, Colombia’s famed neighborhood, La Candelaria. Crazy murals included.
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Bogota Bike Tour
Posted on 05. Jul, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I recently took a guided bike tour through Bogota, Colombia, with explanations from our guide and pictures.
I recently took a fun and informative bike tour of Bogota. Aside from seeing lots of the city, the tour guide explained each site’s significance and historical background. Bike tours are a great way to see a city because you can see more in less time. And it’s exercise… Read more
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