Is it safe ?
That’s the question I’m asked every time I’ve ever mentioned I’m heading south to Colombia. In all honesty I’m going to have to admit that no … it is not safe. A clarification on this is in order .
Colombia suffers a bad rap from a violent past and I do recall my first visit so many years ago when it was imperative to be aware of the locations of guerrillas. Colombia was the kidnap capitol of the globe and the possibility of aggressive robbery after dark was very real. But things have changed and Colombia has managed something my own country has failed at. It has improved itself in many ways and I no longer worry on this .
The daily assaults I suffer here now are relatively harmless intrusions on the senses …. like sound, as Colombia is a country of decibel. The “true” danger in Colombia still lurks however and is ever present in that at some point it becomes necessary to become a pedestrian. Me thinks a more hazardous endeavor would be difficult to find outside combat in a war zone . Pedestrian right of way is a myth here if anyone has even ever heard of it. Once off the sidewalk you are fair game .
The side walks themselves are a hazard as the likelihood of catching a toe on uneven pavement or stepping in a hole while avoiding dog shit is huge . Simply crossing the street can be an experience worthy of a prescription of sedatives as once off the sidewalk a suicidal saunter is definitely not in order. Colombia is working hard on improving this as well …
This year our town has set up traffic lights at numerous intersections and this has proven a truly huge aide to a “ped” crossing the street . It is proven they effectively stop a large percentage of vehicles and motorcycles from roaring through giving the walker a running chance. Some streets even have the internationally recognized zebra crossings. Unfortunately it is believed they are merely decorations painted on to improve an otherwise ugly pavement.
It’s highly unlikely that I’ll ever possess the nads to ride a bicycle here so we need not bother discussing those hazards
