Comments on: On Travel and Fear

By: Is it Safe to Travel in Colombia? — Travel Blog

Is it Safe to Travel in Colombia? — Travel Blog — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:00:56 +0000

[…] to be a problem in all of South America) than by hijackers. But again – this is situational, and Anne and Jaimee who were in the same spot a few months earlier were not as lucky as I […]

By: Is it Safe to Travel in Colombia? - GlobetrotterGirls

Is it Safe to Travel in Colombia? - GlobetrotterGirls — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 01:20:14 +0000

[…] to be a problem in all of South America) than by hijackers. But again – this is situational, and Anne and Jaimee who were in the same spot a few months earlier were not as lucky as I […]

By: Is it safe to travel in Colombia? | GlobetrotterGirls

Is it safe to travel in Colombia? | GlobetrotterGirls — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 19:05:27 +0000

[…] to be a problem in all of South America) than by hijackers. But again – this is situational, and Anne and Jaimee who were in the same spot a few months earlier were not as lucky as I […]

By: Is it safe to travel in Colombia? | Reisepreis-24.de

Is it safe to travel in Colombia? | Reisepreis-24.de — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 01:11:23 +0000

[…] be a problem in all of South America) than by hijackers. But again – this is situational, and Anne and Jaimee who were in the same spot a few months earlier were not as lucky as I […]

By: Solo Female Going to Colombia? Just Don’t. | The Ramble

Solo Female Going to Colombia? Just Don’t. | The Ramble — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 06:16:31 +0000

[…] spoke to another woman who doesn’t remember the harassment, but is in therapy after being the victim of an armed […]

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 01:57:17 +0000

In reply to Dani.

Dani, I have many safety tips for Colombia, both from my own experience and my research after the incident. I plan to write and publish on this more in depth, but for now if you’ll email me at: [email protected], and include where in Colombia you’ll be traveling, I’d be happy to share specific advice.

By: Dani

Dani — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 01:53:40 +0000

Hi Anne, somebody pointed me towards your site after I announced I’d be traveling to Colombia next week. I am sorry to read what happened to you. I am a bit worried now about how safe it actually is (everybody else tells me it’s 100% safe for solo female travelers).. If you have any advice for me, I’d appreciate it.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:31:59 +0000

In reply to Annie (@ Part-Time Wanderer).

Hi Annie, (nice name!)
Thank you so much for this comment. I really appreciate your words and you sharing your perspective as a fellow traveler. I am looking forward to sharing the entire story soon.
I agree that it is important to share the ugly sides of travel as well. If I had heard more about what others have since shared about Colombia I would have traveled very differently there (or perhaps not at all.) I believe the one positive we can work towards in sharing a very negative situation is that we might prevent it from happening to someone else. We can’t control how others react to what we share, but if we tell the truth of our experience at least we’re putting knowledge out there. If we’re lucky enough to be in a position to share our stories we have a responsibility to be truthful about it (especially if it can help someone.)
Happy and safe travels and thanks again for writing your thoughts.

By: Annie (@ Part-Time Wanderer)

Annie (@ Part-Time Wanderer) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 18:54:35 +0000

I’m so sorry this happened to you. It’s true that we often downplay the scary parts in order to encourage people to get out there more. I know that anytime I choose a travel destination I weight in my head the risks vs. the benefits. In the end I think we’re all playing the odds to a certain extent.
I’m not really surprised at the lack of empathy, although it doesn’t make it less appalling. I have been told a few times in a few different countries that the foreigners are always responsible, because if they hadn’t been there, whatever happened would not have happened. Car crash? It’s the foreigner’s fault. A fight breaks out? The foreigner will be charged. Robbed? To be expected, because being a foreigner equates money.
I have been thinking for a while now about writing about the bad things that happen as well. It’s not always all fun and games, and perhaps there would be more space to convey this.

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:34:53 +0000

In reply to Shannon.

Hi Shannon, it’s great to hear from you. Thank you for your empathy. As you know this is a painful experience for both of us. We had so many idealistic plans for the rest of our weeks in Colombia, and Jaimee was producing an incredible video about the country. What I think some people don’t understand is just how excited we were to be there and how much we wanted to dispel the bad reputation. Those criminals took a lot from us, but they also unknowingly took away two advocates for their country. It’s a shame.
As for the readership, I’ve never really cared much about that. I have, though, lived as a bit of a people pleaser, flying just enough under the radar so as not to offend or upset anyone.
I have already received many hate comments from Colombians, sadly, but I will keep speaking out because I believe the truth is that important. So many have asked or implied that I in essence sweep this under the rug, because no one wants to look the truth in the face. So I thank you for reading it, there is more to come. I agree with you about the importance of staying informed. Thanks again.