Limpiezas in Colombia: Social Cleansing
SUMMARY: I discuss social cleansing, which Wikipedia defines as “the elimination of ‘undesirable’ social elements, such as criminals, homosexuals, and the homeless.” I believe the 7 de agosto neighborhood recently underwent a limpieza.
I’d heard of police and military carrying out extrajudicial killings of thieves and indigentes. But only recently have I read in-depth about social cleansing. The issue came up after I noticed a significant difference in the streets around 7 de agosto, one of those inexpensive produce markets around Calle 66 and Carrera 23.
I first passed through the area on the bike tour I took. I made a mental note to not cross Avenida Caracas in Chapinero if I didn’t have to. Then The Mick started taking me to the market for cheap food. I always hated going because the place is crawling with indigentes, bazuceros, stumble-bums, and drunks. After countless times going, I never stopped getting uncomfortable. I thought pictures or video of the area would be great for this blog, but I could never imagine stopping to take out a camera around all those dirty junkies. I even joined the conversation about 7 de agosto on Poorbuthappy, recommending tourists steer clear of the area. … Read more
Bogota Zombie Bums
Alternate Title: Readers Attack – ‘Get the fuck out’!
SUMMARY: In a response to my second hate comment, I discuss the nature of bazuceros, the degree of drug abuse among the Bogota panhandlers, and my new resolution about some unlucky panhandler that insults me.
My second hate comment, from “Julian”:
Please get the fuck out. dude, seriously, you’re the only piece of walking trash in that beautiful city,
My first reaction to this comment was: Wow, he doesn’t know this city at all!
Or maybe he has a warped definition of “trash”. He may honestly believe that Bogota’s biggest problem is the gringos on work visas teaching English and going to AA meetings. What this city really needs is more drunks and addicts panhandling in the street. That’s where it really gets its charm!
Dumb-ass.
Aprovechadores vs. Those in Need
Alternate Title: Readers Attack – ‘Dumb american’ doesn’t care about ‘those in need’!
SUMMARY: I respond to my first hate comment in a rambling post about Latinos who take advantage of gringos, “those in need” in Colombia, and info and links about Colombia’s victims of internal displacement.
I don’t know what took so long, but below is my first hate comment.
Mike de Arequipa:
You really seem to care about those in need. I like how you handled the situation in the run down hostal in Cusco. It seemed to me that they were in need of a little cash but you were unwilling to forfeit a 150$ train ticket Aguas Calientes. You managed to frighten them, do more damage then the damage you had already done, and then flee the scene to blog about it in a jokingly manner. Bien Hecho! Do you have a name for this type of helping the poor. You are making a mess from city to city in your redneck fashion. Thanks for helping the generalizations about dumb Americans, you represent well! Can’t wait to hear more about your generosity.
Why I Hate Downtown Bogota
SUMMARY: One day’s events that highlight why I hate / despise / loathe being in downtown Bogota and La Candelaria.
Political Correctness Disclaimer: I would like to use the term ‘panhandler’, but it doesn’t read well. I am sensitive to those truly in need, which there are many of in Bogota due to displacements from the war. But I’m going to use the word ‘bum’ because it reads better, it saves space, and it doesn’t describe genuinely needy people so much as it describes professional panhandlers, stick-up kids, drug addicts, and hybrids of those three.
Rosa visited me in Bogota for the weekend (Rosa was my first girlfriend in Peru). As will be the case for any tourist that visits me here, I had to show her Monserrate, La Candelaria, Plaza Bolivar, museums – points of interest unfortunately located downtown.
We took the TransMilenio from Chapinero… Read more
Crime and the Bogota Mentality
DISCLAIMER: This post shouldn’t dissuade tourists from visiting Bogota. It’s a great town, but crime is a problem. I got mugged my first week. Sections include The Suit in La Candelaria, The Bogota Atmosphere, and The Bogota Mentality.
Introductory Anecdote: The Suit in La Candelaria
One night before moving out of La Candelaria, I was watching the corner from my 3rd floor hotel room around 8:30 pm. At this particular corner, there’s always a vagrant or two going through bags of trash, asking passersby for money, or something like that.
Down a hill to the west, I saw a young Colombian gentleman in a suit carrying a briefcase walking toward this corner. Heading down the same hill away from the corner was a dirtball. Dirtball may not have been a panhandler or a stick-up kid, but he obviously didn’t work for a living. Dirtball didn’t ask The Suit for change. As soon as they passed each other, The Suit jerked his head around to keep an eye on Dirtball. … Read more
My First Mugging in Colombia
SUMMARY: I tell a few stories about crime and danger in La Candelaria, including my first mugging in Colombia. I have decided to find an apartment in a different, safer neighborhood. Because I am a big pussy. Sections include Perpetual Begging, The Brick Incident, My Easter Sunday Mugging, and Leaving La Candelaria.
After staying in La Candelaria when I was in Bogotá last year, I was convinced that I’d live in the neighborhood if I ever moved to Bogotá. After a week in the neighborhood this time, I’m convinced I won’t stay. The bums, drug dealers, shadetree operators, thieves, scoundrels, and sketchballs are too much for me to take. I’m leaving.
Perpetual Begging
Not only am I harrassed for spare change by panhandlers, I’m also offered drugs daily. It’s always a persistent sell. They try to shake my hand or call me “my friend” and ask where I’m from. They run the line about the bus or food or whatever. One time a bum stood in the middle of the street and acted like he hailed me a taxi that was going to stop anyway. Then he asked for a tip. … Read more
