Pulaski

Exactly!

uk_grenada

Not surprised re tooting, I used to run IT for a mental health trust, our HQ was next to Ealing hospital. We often had the police tsg van at our place as unruly mental patients kicked off occasionally, but when Sri Lanka was at war we had the Ealing branch of the Tamil Tigers !

They started a shooting war in Ealing high st, shot but didn’t kill someone who was taken to a&e, so they followed, invaded a&e finished the job, shot 2 nurses and left.

You can imagine how many police attended that debacle but it wasn’t reported at the time as it would further inflame the situation or so we were told...

morpeth

How did the trip go ? I have been travelling to Medellin since 2004, probably one of the best places in the third world to live, and most places a foreigner would visit perfectly safe.

Outside the cities another story, but now that government allowing the rebels to keep their share of cocaine and illegal gold trade, and letting them into government, maybe countryside may become safer too.

morpeth

I am unsure where one would get the idea Colombia is expensive but guess it depends on where one is comparing it to. I find Colombia quite inexpensive to live a comfortable life. Rents, food, utilities, medical care , all much less expensive than North America or Europe. I struggle to imagine what is more expensive in Colombia, maybe Marmite. For example, one can rent a three bedroom apartment in a modern building with swimming pool, gymnasium, etc, for 220 pounds a month, electricity/water/internet/cable TV for 50 pounds a month. Maid four hours a day six days a week, 60 pounds a month. Delivery of full lunch with fresh juice, just over two pounds.

Crime depends on where one is living, just as in most countries. I have visited Colombia since 2004, places where foreigners most typically would live in the cities and outlying areas generally are safe.

Drug cartels do control the poor areas, and many rural areas, but again not areas where foreigners would typically ever visit.