Archive for March, 2010
Rolos and ‘Marica’ in Bogota
Posted on 21. Mar, 2010 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I discuss the Bogota slang term ‘marica’, and the morons who use it.
‘Rolo’ (rola for females) is the slang term for bogotanos, or people from Bogota. ‘Marica’ is rolo slang for ‘dude’ or equivalent. It’s like ‘güey’ in Mexican slang.
DISCLAIMER: Do NOT use ‘marica’ in Spanish with non-Colombians. It’s similar to ‘maricon’, which means ‘fag’.
Friday night I found myself wasted alone at a bar. At the table next to mine was a tiny little beauty, also alone, with a huge bottle of aguardiente. This little girl couldn’t drink that much aguardiente if she had a whole day to do it so I assumed there were others at the table. Still, I asked her if that whole bottle was just for her. She replied in a friendly enough way so I moved over to her table. … Read more
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Contributed Story: Hangin’ Tough in La Candelaria
Posted on 14. Mar, 2010 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Christopher K from Colombia gives his advice on how NOT to get robbed or bothered in La Candelaria section of Bogota, Colombia.
I also stayed on the 3rd floor of Aragon and walked to the Platypus to use the internet. I made the Plat-to-Aragon walk at all hours: day, night, 3am, whenever, and always with my laptop. Of course, locals say this is crazy stupid, but there’s a knack to it.
The first skill you need is to read body language on the street, and I mean from two blocks away. I can tell an armed thief from a harmless bum in La Candelaria from at least one block away. What’s he doing, where’s he looking, how’s he carry himself? … Read more
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Contributed Story: La Candelaria Pickpocket FAIL
Posted on 14. Mar, 2010 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Quick dittie on an attempted robbery in La Candelaria.
This piece was contributed by Christopher K, who was the big Bogota blogger before getting locked up in a Brazilian penitentiary last year. Here’s his story:
Something’s not right in front of the tienda bar. It’s not too late at night and Sam’s just purchased an arepa con chorizo. We’re talking with two friends on the sidewalk when a mendigo asks for money – perfectly normal in La Candelaria, but there’s something off about this particular bum. His eyes are too focused, too searching. It’s so subtle I wonder if I’m the only one who notices. All four of us fuck him off and he wanders away. We’re involved in an animated discussion , but I make a note to keep an eye on this guy. He’s distinctively short.
A few minutes later a one-armed mendigo rudely breaks into our chat to beg. We fuck him off as well. A minute later I notice him standing with the short guy. They’re looking at us while talking – planning something maybe. … Read more
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Limpiezas in Colombia: Social Cleansing
Posted on 06. Mar, 2010 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I discuss social cleansing in Colombia, which Wikipedia defines as “the elimination of ‘undesirable’ social elements, such as criminals, homosexuals, and the homeless.”
I’ve heard of police and military carrying out extrajudicial killings of thieves and indigentes. The issue came up after I noticed a significant difference in the streets around 7 de agosto, which is usually crawling with indigentes… Read more
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