Mugging in Cartagena

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by ryon

Please tell us about those civilized areas with little or no violence. I got cold-cocked (can I say that? That's how the cops described the assault) once in my boring, middle class suburban home town. But I've traveled many thousands of miles since with nothing to report but smiles and good times.

I'm sure glad I exposed myself to the risk! Otherwise, I'd be hunkered down at home watching pirates on Netflix, instead of actually out sailing.

Right on! I really feel rather badly for the folks that live fear based live's. It must be very limiting.

[captain58sailin]

If it is thrills you are looking for try the Oakland Greyhound bus station around mid night.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by uncle stinkybob

as I said a man needs to know his limitations. It sounds like you know your's and live within those parameter's. Good on ya!

Off course. Having survived Panama, RSA and Brazil I know where I do not want to be. And I understand when people love such countries: they are vibrant, smelly, offer some great nature for those who dare, opportunities for those who seek them, etc. I avoid telling anyone to NOT go. I only insist on making some research before venturing off and then avoiding countries that sound like not matching our own and very personal risk/adventure ratio.

I think we are all talking about the same thing much as we use different arguments and imagery.

b.

[uncle stinkybob]

Active war zones are the only areas I work at avoiding. there are other place I just don't like for one reason or another. The world has been my oyster since age 17, uncle sam provided transportation for the first 6 years. What limits my travels today is a desire to be a granddad and now great granddad and build good memories with them and to teach them that they can do anything, anywhere with proper mental discipline/physical condition. Since coming home from a nasty war, and two lesser actions, I have found quality not quantity is my cup of tea. My life, my choice. Your life, your choice. Just as it should be. at the end of all this none of us are getting out of this life alive. LOL
Fair Winds to all.

[storyinframes]

UPDATE from Zapatero, Cartagena.

After having spent close to a month at this yard, away from the upscale, jazzy,anchorage of Manga, things are looking different and positive.

I have a tough polish woman as crew and we both have blended in with the culture and lifestyle of this tough neighbourhood. We pass through the same row of houses, past the trucker's roadside parking area, and the little market beyond. Locals have been watching us. We go to eat some food every second day at the small restaurant from the market, or walk there even at night around 8 or 9 to get some beer or cigarettes. or we go to the streets and feed the many stray dogs and nurse them. So whenever we are walking, we have an entourage of dogs and puppies happily following us. Locals appreciate this. sometimes, we do buy some food or a beer for a local poor guy who tries to establish some communication with us and we become friends.
Small gestures of kindness go a long way. and these locals seem to reciprocate that.
One night my crew went out to get some cigarettes from a different store a bit out of way. two guys were sitting outside the store and they instructed another guy to go and escort this woman till the marina gate. Locals know who we are and where we live.

[cards26]

Having lived here for about 15 years, and 1 year of that in Cartagena, I can tell you that this country overall is dangerous, BUT, that ferociousness you read about involves the narco trade. Those guys are for real, but you'll not encounter them often, I never have.

Having said that, and having a lot of experience with these people, they'll always back down. In every conflict I've been in, and they're haven't been many, they always have backed down when they see I'm going to fight. I'm 65 years old, and I've taken on several 20-30 year olds.

I don't know the looks of the OP, but I think if they decided to put the boots to the thieves, the thieves would have ran. I wrote, I THINK. Of course, you don't bring Skittles to a gunfight, so each event has to be looked at individually.

I say fight back as you might scare them into another line of work, (I'm not afraid to die), but you could get yourself sliced up as a friend of mine was in resisting a robbery in Bogota. He has no regrets and would do the same strategy again.

Here's a typical little ******* thief that starts crying after the bus driver starts beating him; his hand is stuck in the door.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weF7Lc9aPZA

This is on the metro in Bogota, the lady victim then helps to pull him out from under the bus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWJ92fkhME4

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by storyinframes

UPDATE from Zapatero, Cartagena.

After having spent close to a month at this yard, away from the upscale, jazzy,anchorage of Manga, things are looking different and positive.

I have a tough polish woman as crew and we both have blended in with the culture and lifestyle of this tough neighbourhood. We pass through the same row of houses, past the trucker's roadside parking area, and the little market beyond. Locals have been watching us. We go to eat some food every second day at the small restaurant from the market, or walk there even at night around 8 or 9 to get some beer or cigarettes. or we go to the streets and feed the many stray dogs and nurse them. So whenever we are walking, we have an entourage of dogs and puppies happily following us. Locals appreciate this. sometimes, we do buy some food or a beer for a local poor guy who tries to establish some communication with us and we become friends.
Small gestures of kindness go a long way. and these locals seem to reciprocate that.
One night my crew went out to get some cigarettes from a different store a bit out of way. two guys were sitting outside the store and they instructed another guy to go and escort this woman till the marina gate. Locals know who we are and where we live.

A1+... got to break through the image of rich estrangeiro.. foods pretty good as well..

[storyinframes]

"I don't know the looks of the OP"

Can you visualise King Julian? :-D



Sent from my SM-G925I using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[cards26]

One little thing to add, when I first came here, and for years, I had a 'throwaway wallet'. This is where I took some old wallet and filled it with large denomination bills that I printed on my printer. Had I ever been robbed, I would have just handed this wallet over, and in the heat of the moment, the thieves would have thought they hit the jackpot. This can be done in any country, although be careful of counterfeiting laws.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Well I guess that could happen in your hometown. We spent quite a bit of time there and loved it, went out every nite and found it very safe, will be going back.

Maybe you should live in a home town where crime is minimum. I walk my neighborhood anytime I damn well please. I have no reason or desire to live where bars are on the windows or doors. Just as I have no desire to cruise where life is cheap.

Originally Posted by boatman61

That's what happens when you move from a privileged white area.. you step into the real world..

Oh here we go...the guilty white privileged.

[captain58sailin]

You go walking in my neighborhood after dark, you stand a pretty good chance of getting stomped by a moose, they never asked me for my wallet. Bears can be pretty surly too, especially in the spring, them boys be hungry.

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

You go walking in my neighborhood after dark, you stand a pretty good chance of getting stomped by a moose, they never asked me for my wallet. Bears can be pretty surly too, especially in the spring, them boys be hungry.

Thats a fact. I used to guide on the Kenai and across Cook inlet. moose ain't no joke. Do you know a guy by the name of Alen, owned Talon Air Service over in Soldotna? Mackey lake. that was in 93 or 94, dont know if he's still around, great guy.

[captain58sailin]

Sorry no, I spend most of my time at sea, don't get up to Kenai much. Spent the last year refitting my vessel, so my tracks have been from the house to the boat and back, getting ready to cut the lines and head out for somewhere south of AK, kind of flipping a coin between Hawaii and CA.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Maybe you should live in a home town where crime is minimum. I walk my neighborhood anytime I damn well please. I have no reason or desire to live where bars are on the windows or doors. Just as I have no desire to cruise where life is cheap.



Oh here we go...the guilty white privileged.

No.. just its time folks faced reality.. look at the history of exploitation and the games that have been played in S American countries.. look at Cuba.. these are all primarily Spanish speaking countries who've been screwed over and for one reason or the other hold non Spanish speakers responsible.. you may not like it.. but its a fact.
Just have to watch the cruise ships disgorge and listen to the visitors talk disparagingly about the locals in front of them..
I remember being in the 'Barefoot Breakfast Bar' (one of the very few locally owned and all black staffed eateries prime location if it still exists) in Phillipsburg with 4 pigs at the next table trying to decide on their second breakfast around 10-30am.. likely the 'Trough' on board had worn off.. the waitress whom I knew was standing waiting for the order while they made rude comments about her to each other.. bit like the Saudi's in London..
I quietly hoped she spat on every [plate before she served them..
Give and ye shall receive works both ways..

PS: Before folk start the Anti-American/Semitic/Racist/Bigot etc rants.. I am not.. I just don't wander round in a blinkered world of home grown propaganda..

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

Sorry no, I spend most of my time at sea, don't get up to Kenai much. Spent the last year refitting my vessel, so my tracks have been from the house to the boat and back, getting ready to cut the lines and head out for somewhere south of AK, kind of flipping a coin between Hawaii and CA.

Congratulations on completing your refit. I'm about three weeks out from leaving the slip for 4-6 weeks, but just going to spend my time gunkholing the P.N.W. I always liked Homer, great little town. I seem to remember a young lady that used to play music in local bars, with her dad sometimes, I hear she made it BIG in the music industry. I wish you good luck on your trip out!