Impoverished place run by bureaucrats don't see the value in making the local poor... happy, healthy, or comfortable. It's only when there are a few rich people around they want to make happy that they get out and make some nature-spaces to enjoy.... or when a tourism board sees that the absolute CHEAPEST thing they could POSSIBLY do is... set aside the convenient land spaces they have and turn deer-trails into human trails and then make a map of them they post somewhere near the front of the new 'park'.
But then again, maybe I am being naive... because the absolute cheapest thing they can do is get paid by various kinds of bandits to advertise these trails, while never actually making them and getting the 'tour guides' themselves (be they bandit or real tour guide.. or somewhere in between) to make/maintain/map the trails and take people on them.
I feel like corruption is the main thing. There is a famous hill here in Cartagena that used to have a convent on the top, it was landmark for sailors going back hundreds of years... But now apparently, although it's relatively safe to walk through most of the city, walking up that particular hill is recommended against by everyone due to the risk of robbery. Meanwhile taxis charge about $15 to drive you up the hill and back down, which is absurd because for under $5 you can get to the airport much further away. There are more than enough cops walking around the rest of the town (as far as i've seen just this morning) that you'd think they could police it if they wanted, but i guess it's too profitable the way it is? Man, i dunno. It's frustrating to have to think about this kind of thing when i just want to walk around and soak in the culture. But... i suppose that is sort of the culture, since it's not like it's any different for locals. It's unfortunate.
One of my Spanish professors is in Medellin, and he actually said in his opinion in his city, the scams/tourist traps are pretty low. Cartegena is a tourist trap though. I've been looking at going out to Santa Marta which is a few hours east of Cartegena as it's close to really big NP, and has good surfing. It's also home to one of my favorite Colombian bands, so I am a bit biased in my interest
( ... )
Yeah, Santa Marta is on my list as i bumble my way along the coast. They have a multi-day hike there to a lost city in the jungle which sounds pretty cool, although pricey. My plan at the moment is Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta (y tal vaz la Ciudad Perdida) then i really want to visit la Guajira because i love the desert... But i want to make sure i'm confident traveling in the country first, and also that there isn't any paramilitary actions planned. This week the ELN announced a week of action, and last night they blew up a bridge, so i guess it's good i'm reading the newspaper
( ... )
Comments 6
But then again, maybe I am being naive... because the absolute cheapest thing they can do is get paid by various kinds of bandits to advertise these trails, while never actually making them and getting the 'tour guides' themselves (be they bandit or real tour guide.. or somewhere in between) to make/maintain/map the trails and take people on them.
Reply
Reply
I wonder what the cops get out of letting the robberies BE.... huh... maybe just as long as they are up on the mountain that... no one goes on?
Reply
Reply
Reply
I am very curious about Columbia.
Reply
Leave a comment