Contributed Story: Hangin’ Tough in La Candelaria
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
Contributed Story: La Candelaria Pickpocket FAIL
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
Contributed Story: Revolution in China?
SUMMARY: An American expat in China discusses the political climate there and his opinion on the prospect of revolution. If Expat Chronicles wasn’t censored in China before, it surely is now. And I could care less.
You often hear in Western media that China’s government is immoral and oppressive, and you’re led to believe that at any minute the people will revolt to produce something resembling a modern democracy. I can barely speak Chinese (much less read it), so I’m no expert on Chinese culture or politics. But I’ve lived in China for almost two years now. This is my American perspective on Chinese culture and the prospect of revolution.
Revolution is a long shot. In Hong Kong I was studying for a Master’s degree in economics. None of my classmates seemed to have strong political views. Most took up economics because their parents told them to, or because they thought it would lead to a well paying job, or just for the prestige conferred by higher education – any subject would do.
Contributed Story: Instability in Tijuana
SUMMARY: Luis from Borrowed Flesh describes a day in Tijuana, one of the more violent cities in Mexico, which US officials have stated runs the risk of becoming a “failed state.”
An old man draped in filthy rags blinked in the unrelenting Mexican sun. His creased face was the color of a brown paper bag and he sported a dingy yellow cowboy hat. Out of tired rheumy eyes, he watched three white Ford trucks – Tijuana paddy wagons – hurtling down a broad street kicking up dust. Several police clung to the sides as they raced by – dark eyes filled with fear and hatred, faces covered in black masks. One stared back at the old man, fingering his shiny black AK-47. The old man stood glaring in apathy.
Seconds later and blocks away, gunfire and a rumbling explosion erupted. Five more trucks careened past, followed by monstrous paramilitary vehicles while the street teemed with pedestrians casually going about their affairs. … Read more
Contributed Story: Good Try in Germany
SUMMARY: Two Americans studying in Germany try to get over on a Kraut. They came just short of the prize but undoubtedly improved the local attitude toward Americans.
Despite the utter squareness of the other students in our study abroad program, KT and I had some adventures in Deutschland. While they were practicing verb conjugations in our slumlord-governed apartments, we were buying drugs from the Turks in the park and smuggling mushrooms from the Netherlands.
After 5 weeks of studying German and drinking brown liquor, it was time to go. An opportunity to hit the road and see what excitement the rest of Europe had to offer. After hitting up our favorite happy-hour, we wheeled our collective 120 lbs. of luggage to the train station to take the 10:26 from Berlin to Munich. … Read more
Contributed Story: My Last Pint in Ireland
SUMMARY: An American traveling through Ireland almost gets beat the **** up by a drunken Irishman after a cultural misstep, then has sex with an Irish girl.
I originally planned to stay only two days in Ireland, but what can I say? I fell in love with the place and spent two weeks seeing Dublin, Howth, Galway, Doolin, and Ennis. My last night I got wasted on Irish beer and whiskey with two American travelers in Ennis.
After eating, we met up with two local girls. They were drinking Bulmers by a newly built bridge. Apparently, the building of the bridge was a big deal. I guess when the town is that small, things like bridges excite the locals. We shot the shit for an hour or so until the girls led the way to get our drink on. … Read more
Contributed Story: The Pigeon Poop Scam in BA
SUMMARY: Contributed story describing a common street crime in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
This is a story from an American who was visiting Buenos Aires with his Spanish-speaking wife. Seeing as I was just in Buenos Aires for a long weekend, I thought this would be a good primer for my upcoming posts. But I won’t be posting until later next week because Rosa arrives in Bogota today for a weekend visit 
Here’s the story:
It’s a bright Saturday afternoon in December (’07). We were walking along a side street on the way back to our hotel — only a few blocks off the Ave. Julio 9 (main drag). Not many people around… Read more
