Tag Archives: panhandlers
Life Still a Dream in La Candelaria
Posted on 22. Nov, 2010 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Short dittie on how security guards work in La Candelaria.
In July I described how Life is But a Dream in La Candelaria. I had to set the record straight after publishing many posts on how sketchy and shitty downtown Bogota is. That post shows how hiring one private security force of aggressive baton-wielders can purge a neighborhood of undesirables and bring a vibrant party scene to the streets at night.
Sunday night I saw the security in action. … Read more
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My First Bender in Medellin
Posted on 15. Sep, 2010 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I spent my first weekend in Medellin with a couple Americans living there. Highlights include My 3rd Time Bribing Cops in Colombia FAIL and Envigado: Night of the Freak Shows.
Before coming back to St. Louis for the summer, I spent a weekend in Medellin. It was my first time outside Cundinamarca, the department of Bogota. Gringos and Colombians alike drool over Medellin. I got an invite from a reader, Zac, to crash on his couch. I was sold.
I flew in May 20 on no sleep from the night before. I realized what an asshole I was for wearing my leather jacket. Medellin’s not cold at all. To my dismay, Medellin proper is an hour away from the airport. I took a little bus through the mountains into the city. It dropped me off downtown near a metro station. … 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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Bogota Zombie Bums
Posted on 29. Aug, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I describe panhandlers, bums, and drug addicts in Bogota, Colombia.
Readers Attack – ‘Get the fuck out’!
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!
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Aprovechadores vs. Those in Need
Posted on 29. Aug, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I reply to my first hate comment discerning the difference between Latinos who take advantage of gringos and those truly in need.
Readers Attack – ‘Dumb american’ doesn’t care about ‘those in need’!
My first hate comment, from “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.
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Why I Hate Downtown Bogota
Posted on 10. Jun, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: One day’s events that highlight why I hate La Candelaria and downtown Bogota, Colombia.
UPDATE 2010 - I don’t hate downtown Bogota anymore. This was 2009. Things have changed. See Life is But a Dream in La Candelaria.
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Crime and the Bogota Mentality
Posted on 08. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Describing crime and the Bogota atmosphere. Features The Suit in La Candelaria, The Bogota Atmosphere, and The Bogota Mentality.
One night in La Candelaria I was watching the corner from my 3rd floor hotel room around 8:30 pm. At this corner there’s always a vagrant or two going through trash bags, asking passersby for money, etc. Down the hill a young Colombian in a suit carrying a briefcase walked toward this corner … Read more
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My First Mugging in Colombia
Posted on 12. Apr, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: My story of getting mugged my first week in La Candelaria, Bogota, Colombia. Other stories from the neighborhood too.
After staying in La Candelaria last year, I was convinced I’d live there if I ever moved to Bogotá. After a week in the neighborhood, however, I’m convinced I won’t stay. The bums, drug dealers, thieves, scoundrels, and sketchballs are too much. I’m leaving. Jump to the mugging … Read more
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