Pay as you go........

Show me the money

Its rainy season here in Medellin.It has rained most of March and every day in Aprill.Its not cold and some days are really hot,but its tropical storms when it rains.I have been told it will continue till the middle of May.The big story of the last few weeks has been the American secret service agents with prostitutes in Colombia.I laughed out loud when I heard the story and so did a lot of people.However a few Colombians are not happy as its more bad press for there country.The Colombians are trying to shake of there bad reputation and this hasn't helped them.Barack Obama was coming to Colombia and he would be the first US president in history to stay overnight  in Colombia.This was a big deal as it proved the security in Colombia was now safe enough for a US president to stay overnight.However no one is talking about that they are only talking about the prostitutes.One American airline has used the scandal to promote low cost flights to Colombia.They have a picture of a man in a black suit and shades surrounded by near naked women,with the slogan, more bang for your buck ! The local mayor has demanded an apology.Paul Mcartney recently played a concert in Bogota and this was a big deal for the Colombians as it was another step to showing the world its safe.Madonna is playing a concert here in Medellin shortly.The locals are very excited.No one famous ever comes to Medellin because of the bad reputation, so everyone is really happy she is coming.I don't know how much coverage its getting in the UK but the secret service scandal is massive in the US and its getting lots of coverage here.I can only imagine the girl involved will be pretty famous soon.I have posted a picture of her here.She has her knockers but I think she is nice.Many Gringos arrive expecting to see the streets full of hookers.A lot of Gringos come for this reason and the cocaine of course. The fact its legal means its available easily but like every city there are certain areas you can go to.I haven't seen any hookers walking the streets since I have been here.If you go into the city centre there are men handing out flyer's trying to get you to go to there bar/brothel.I have read a few stories where people have been beaten and robbed when they did enter these places.I have read the same type stories about people in Soho,London.There are also flyer's for girls to come to your house or hotel.These girls are called prepagos or in english pre-pay-gos.Its a polite word for hooker.A bit like the word escort.This is no different from London or any other city.If you want it you will get it.There are some girls working the bars, they just  mingle in with everyone else then try to get some drunk guy to part with his cash.This is the same as Puerto Banus in Spain.Apparently the secret service agents didn't know they were hookers.I mean come on, they are supposed to be the elite.They are supposed to be able to sniff out danger before it happens.If they cant sniff out a few hookers then they shouldnt be in the job.The agent refused to pay her and it all kicked off in the morning.So why has Colombia got this reputation ? Its legal is a big reason, the yanks love coming down here and spending there cash on the girls without getting arrested.The other reason must be the quality of the girls.Lets be honest, the girl involved looks pretty hot now,so she must be stunning after a few Heineken's.The secret service scandal was in Cartagena and I haven't been there so I don't know, but here in Medellin its all pretty low key. No street hookers walking about ,no pimps and no junkies trying to sell you coke.Like I say, if you want it no problem but don't expect to turn up and its on every corner.I think this is one of the reasons the girls are a little wary of some gringos.They know Colombia has a reputation for hookers and cocaine so they think a lot of gringos are here for that only.Something I have seen on the streets near centro is the transvestites.I wasn't expecting that.They are easy to spot.This is no Thailand, where some of them could pass.These ones are horrible scary looking things.I have had no problems with safety since I have been here but something happened yesterday that served as a little reminder.An American was shot dead in one of the hostels in the Poblado area of Medellin.Two Colombians posing as backpackers tried to rob the hostel.The girl on reception only had 20,000 pesos in the money box.They then went in to the Americans room,they asked for his watch ,he put up a struggle and they shot him.Once this news came out then there were reports another hostel had been robbed a few weeks earlier.I have spoke to a few people who have been held up in the street.The only thing you can do is give them what they want.They wont hurt you.Don't struggle and hand over what you have and everything will be cool.Guns are more common here so its not worth the risk.I always put my money in my sock but not all of it.I always leave 20-30,000 pesos to hand over if I get robbed.They will only get angry if you have nothing to hand over.There are plenty of rich people going about there business every day in this city.Things happen you just gotta be prepared if they do.I have only seen one fight since I have been here and that was between two girls.The Colombians love to drink and dance.They will dance with anyone and this could be a mixture for trouble starting. However I haven't seen any trouble.I think the reason for this could be guns.If your going to start a fight then there is a good chance someone in the bar has a gun. The other big news doing the rounds is Shakira.She forgot the lyrics to the Colombian national anthem live on tv.This has not gone down well.The Colombians are very patriotic and she is getting a lot of grief.I am going to Cartagena next month.I will need to find out for myself what exactly those secret agents thinking of.....
In the words of Winston Churchill
 Churchill  " Madam would you sleep with me for five million pounds?"
 Socialite    " My goodness Mr Churchill...Well I suppose....we would have to discuss terms of course "
Churchill   " Would you sleep with me for five pounds ? "
Socialite  " Mr Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am ?"
Churchill " We've already established that.Now we are haggling about the price"