How I Survived One Month in Colombia With Basic Spanish
When I told my friends and family I was going to Colombia for a month, with only basic Spanish language skills, they were understandably worried. But I'm here to tell you that it is possible to survive and even thrive in a foreign country, even with limited language skills. Read on to find out how I managed to do it in Colombia!
Learn Spanish
I knew enough to get by. I was fortunate to meet people along the journey which made it easier, but on my own, I needed Spanish at least on the basic level. Some people's Spanish was clearer than others. It definitely was very clear when the taxi drivers wanted to talk to be about Colombia and American women
Google Translate
Helped with words I didn't know
I rehearsed my dialogue.
Oftentimes when someone approaches me with questions I don't know how to proceed but when I initiate the conversation I can follow the flow of the conversation a bit better and predict what's being said.
Being born and raised in The Bronx
Nothing helps exercising your street smarts in another country than being from the hood itself. NYC streets were rough and a lot of that transferred like not going to sketchy neighborhoods at night or moving with Confidence
Timberland “Timbs” Boots
They were just for gags in my videos but I definitely wore them for what they were intended for. It rained often and I was still able to go where I needed to go because I had boots. Most Colombians wear sneakers everywhere.
Move with Confidence
I walked like I knew where I was going and didn't stay idle for over a minute or two. If I was idle it was to check for directions. (see check phone sparingly)When moving around I tried to avoid walking down the same street more than twice. From there I altered my travel patterns until the next couple of days. I walk with my chest forward, shoulders back, and my chin slightly up. Straighten your posture and move
Checked my phone sparingly
Malls were safe zones in my opinion to check your phones.
This also ties in if I've seen many locals in a park checking their phones, I felt it was a temporary safe zone to quickly check what you need to check for directions. If I needed further navigation, I had ONE earbud in ONE of my ears and I turned on the voice navigation, while my other ear focuses on my surroundings
My body size
I was told multiple times my large size was a deterrent for possible crooks because the majority of Colombians were smaller.
Be friendly to everyone
Read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" as a lot of talking points seem to help me make new friends while being myself as well as how to handle any challenging situation. If they're trying to pander to you to get you to buy something and you're not with it, politely decline with gracias. Even when it comes to dating. I was on a double date and there was a point where one of the girls was really upset with the other guy, and I was able to use some principles to diffuse the tension despite my Spanish being terrible.
I think the fact that my Spanish was bad, many (I might make a pattern and talk about it there)
Portable Safes and Waist Travel belt
I put my important documents like my passport, cash, and credit card. If I was going to need my credit cards, I put them in my Waist Travel belt and then put a shirt over the belt to conceal them. I also hide my Insta360 GO 2 in there
Portable safes were left at my housing locations if I weren’t traveling from state to state
Grocery Shopping
It's cheaper to buy your own food and cook it. I ate fruits and vegetables when I could, it was also because the food tasted really different so I needed to make it myself. I bought Jamaican Jerk sauce with me as well. Made tea with beets and ginger with cinnamon. I Ate garlic, which gave me the energy to deal with higher altitudes
Bought a Sim Card
When I realized that Simple Mobile was trash, I had some help in Cali on getting information on where to go. Check out my video on how to get started on that. Movistar *611# select from the options, “get navigacion” for a month. It helped my confidence in moving around. This is the #1 thing that saved me
I took a bus across the country
I originally bought two tickets, one to Cali and another one leaving MDE. In between, I bussed it along the way.
Cali -> Armenia -> Salento -> Armenia -> Manizales ->
Multiple wallets and burner phones
My main wallet stayed in my apartment in my travel safe and the decoy I carried with me with a chain attached. With the chain attached to my belt, I would know if someone tried to pickpocket me.
Know which bank in Colombia is affiliated with yours
I had problems withdrawing from ATMs. Not every city had Servibanca, the green ATM which accepts close to all banks. Check online to see which banks like Bank of America for Davivienda and BanColombia for Chase.
Take it easy with high altitudes
It's been reported that some people can get altitudes poisoning (definitions here)
Travel Insurance
I had Safetywing, I don't know which one was the best one
Gave Papaya on the last day I'm in a city
I knew I wasn't gonna see them again anyway so all the gringo things I did, but also stayed smart and aware
Skeptical of Women
Keep a 6th sense in your pocket. Of course, if you want to go on a date and they ask you for money and you never even see them, be mindful. Most Venezuelans are largely on this hustle. I stayed away from women in popular gringo traps too like Parque Lleras and The Clock Tower in Cartagena but go at your own discretion.
I wasn't outside at night often
The sun sets at 6 pm all day. Make sure you do most of your things during the day
If you wear dental aligners
I wear Invisalign aligners, I found cleaning tablets in Exito. Make sure you know your Spanish
Portable chargers. Extra USBs at local shops
If you’re going to do a lot of filming and walking make sure you stock up on cables
Anti-theft backpack
My insta360 products were with me
The zippers are on the inside instead of the outside
Step on us.travel.gov
Use this when you want to register emergency contacts, register travel information, and get updates on local news from the government of the country you’re visiting
Rideshare App
Uber
Most universal rideshare apps. Recommended sitting in the front to prevent trouble with the police
Unavailable in smaller cities in pueblas such as Armenia, Pereira, Manizales, Salento, etc
Cabify
The best rideshare app for Colombia
Very Reliable in major cities
Legitimate taxi drivers
Short wait times for taxis
Can pay view card or cash
Unavailable in smaller cities in pueblas such as Armenia, Pereira, Manizales, Salento, etc
InDiver
Said to be the most affordable rideshare app
Drivers are real taxi drivers
Cash only and operates based on negotiating travel prices
The only rideshare app available in Manizales, yet you can always hail a cab in Manizales
DiDi
The Latin American version of Uber. Used by many Colombians
May have issues setting up an account on your end
