Expert: MRZ - 2/23/2009

Question
I have met a special girl that lives in cali, columbia..I would love to visit her sometime.. is it safe? Also, if all goes well over time, Id like to move there.. what are your thoughts in respect to my safety there... I currently live in fl and am not Spanish.

Answer
Hi Todd,
First I am happy that you have found someone special. Cali has some of the most beautiful women in the world.
Colombian's safety situation has improved ten fold in the last 8 years or so. The strong hand of a right sided president has really taken a toll on the unsavory characters in our country. That is not to say that all our problems are solved. But with some basic tourist smarts and sense of logic you should be more than safe. Stay in the nicer part of town, don't go out at night by yourself, don't accept drinks from a stranger at a bar and don't drink too much and take a cab alone. Keep this in mind and you should have nothing but nice things to say about us. There is a new slogan for our tourism department, Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay.
Check one of our videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzZe0gcc0eY
If you have any other questions, let me know.
Come without fear and fall in love, not only with your Calena, but with life all over again.
Thanks
Marta