*Almost* didn't make it home from Colombia last night (story + pics)
 

First I'd like to say that as far as Colombia goes, San Andres island rocks. You would hardly notice it's colombia, it leans a lot more towards the caribbean/rasta lifestyle.

Pics will be up soon, I hadn't brought a digital cam so that way it couldn't get stolen, so have to develop/scan the pics tomorrow.

Now, as for almost not getting home.....here's the story:

I only brought cash with me for this trip. My gf and I did a ton of tours, bought a ton of stuff to bring back with us (because premium alcohol for $3-10 a bottle can't be beat!) and had a great weekend to celebrate our 1 year anniversary.

Then, a few hours before our ride to the airport, I remembered that Colombia has an 'exit' tax of $30 per person. We had about $20 left...

We tried calling few people to use their cc so the hotel could give us cash, but got no answers. Then, the hotel CHARGED us for non-answered calls, because they say the phone company there charges them anyways. $10 left now.

I decide a good plan will be to hit the casino, and try to turn my $10 into 60 quickly at blackjack. Casinos weren't open at that hour of day though, so no luck there.

To make a long story short, I ended up selling my watch to some guy who sells swords and other mayan antiques, with 5 minuts to spare before our ride to the airport left.

It felt like a movie :1orglaugh

There are a lot more *interesting* stories, but I'll wait for the pics before telling those :pimp

I heard they like to kidnap foreigners.....

Well, it could've been much worse. At least you got out.

thats just retarded taking only cash
no travelers checks? no atm card? no credit cards?

My Costa Rican bankcard/mastercard was of no use there.....anyhow I hate cards, I prefer only using cash whenever I go somewhere.

I think that's more inland though.....I've had my cellphone stolen twice here in CR by Colombians, but I went around the whole island at night in San Andres and had no problems at all.

OMG, damn bro. shoulda told me that when i was yacking your ear off today. i woulda let ya go and get to bed, LOL.

stuck in Colombia... that would have been interesting! LOL

L$

Heh no prob man.....afternoon meetings ran long though....so let's get on that business tomorrow :thumbsup

i thought there was supposed to be pics here?

Nice story. I probably would have offered anal sex before selling my watch though.

Whatever floats your boat.

where's the pics?

And youre director of operations at Iwantu.com ?

I think ill pass on that. :1orglaugh

no pics??? wtf ???

funny story! lookin forward to the pics!

lol...good job Varius. Another interesting adventure.
reminds me of when me and you got stuck in mexico with no $$ and nowhere to go :1orglaugh

Hehe yeah......with me being stuck behind at the strip club while you had to have the bouncer take you 'for a drive' :1orglaugh

Like I said, they were all taken with a regular cam, so I have to have them developed and then scan them...so they'll be in here soon.

Hehe why, doesn't it prove my ability to come through in any situation ? :winkwink:

he just wrote pics so he gets alot of views. ;)

How can you travel without an atm or credit card?

Costa Rican atm cards don't work outside costa rica, even though they have the "Plus" and Mastercard logos on them.

Credit card, I haven't gotten any in CR yet as I have to live here two full years before I can get one (business can get them but for personal you must wait)...and when I left Canada I got rid of the ones I had there

Glad you made it back safe :thumbsup

At least you did not have to take it up the ass.

damn, glad u make it back safe. i was in a similar situation in Mexico

Many people have ATM problems there but there are always a few banks that will work. It took me 2 days to find one that worked on my ATMs.

"'exit' tax" - WTF...didn't even knew such bullshit existed...

They don't run around kidnapping people anywhere in Colombia. If they think or you look of importance and your in the middle of someplace you should not be.... say the barrios or in the mountians, you may be kidnapped.. maybe just robbed... or maybe just killed for the sake of killing you.

The cities are safe as long as your not acting like a fool or walking around looking like Mr. Big Bucks. It's a poor country, but they people are good people.

I'm looking forward to your photos. :thumbsup

Many countries you have to pay an "exit" or "departure" tax when you leave. Somtimes it's included in your ticket, sometimes it's not. $30 is a big one.

glad you made it back

how much was the watch worth?

nice story!

Still $30 to leave the fucking country...shiiit...

That's the thing...I'm used to always paying the $26 tax Costa Rica has to leave, but normally I never pay any money to return (guess it's always been included in my ticket). So I completely forgot about this tax...

Luckily, not much. I paid 80-90$ for it here in CR, got the guy to give me $50 for it...so very small loss.