Colombia - How I was Almost Taken & Kidnapped in the Colombian Mountains

Summary

The speaker recounts a harrowing experience in Colombia, where trust was misplaced, leading to a dangerous encounter with potentially harmful locals. After being led to a mountain top under the guise of watching fireworks, the speaker finds themselves in a threatening situation, surrounded by individuals showing interest in their valuable possessions. A desperate escape ensues, resulting in a broken leg and a frantic effort to evade pursuit. The narrative emphasizes the importance of caution, discerning trust, and respecting cultural differences, while also acknowledging the beauty of Colombia and its people.

Takeaways

• 🇨🇴 The speaker visited Colombia and learned the importance of being cautious about who to trust and with whom to share personal information.
• 🤔 The speaker encountered individuals who seemed to have ulterior motives and were not genuinely interested in their well-being.
• 🗺️ They experienced a cultural exchange, hiring a local tour guide and engaging with the community, but also felt misled and potentially endangered.
• 📷 Valuable possessions like an expensive camera, GoPro, and iPhone were highlighted as potential targets for theft due to the speaker's naive trust in their guide.
• 🏔️ A trip to the mountains to watch fireworks turned into a frightening situation where the speaker felt they were in danger and possibly being led into a trap.
• 🏃‍♂️ The speaker had to escape from a threatening situation, jumping off a mountain and running away with a broken leg, showcasing their determination to survive.
• 🗣️ Language barriers and cultural differences played a significant role in the speaker's experience, affecting their ability to communicate and understand the locals.
• 🔪 The speaker felt the need to be prepared for self-defense, carrying a knife and ready to confront potential attackers.
• 🌆 After a harrowing escape, they found temporary refuge in an abandoned building, spending a night hiding and praying for safety.
• 🙏 The speaker expressed gratitude for their survival, attributing it to divine intervention and their own resilience.
• 📚 The experience underscored the need for the speaker to be more cautious, listen to their instincts, and improve their language skills for future travels.

Q & A

What was the main lesson the speaker learned from their trip to Colombia?

The main lesson the speaker learned was the importance of being cautious about who to trust and being careful with personal information.

Why did the speaker feel the need to be respectful during their stay in Colombia?

The speaker felt the need to be respectful because they were in a foreign country and wanted to show appreciation for the local culture and people.

What was the speaker's relationship with the tour guide named Andre?

The speaker had a trusting relationship with Andre, providing him with money for food, gas, and other expenses, and relying on him for guidance and safety.

What valuable items did the speaker bring with them to Colombia?

The speaker brought a camera worth $33,000, a GoPro, an iPhone, and other valuable items.

What incident made the speaker question Andre's intentions during their trip to the mountains?

The speaker questioned Andre's intentions when they were left alone with a group of people who seemed unfriendly and potentially dangerous, and when Andre's behavior became suspicious.

How did the speaker feel when they were questioned by the Airbnb owner about drugs or intoxication?

The speaker felt misunderstood and frustrated, as they emphasized that they were sober and focused, and such accusations were out of character for them.

What was the situation that led the speaker to feel unsafe and decide to leave the mountaintop?

The speaker felt unsafe when Andre left them alone with his friends, who were behaving aggressively and showing interest in the speaker's valuable possessions.

What actions did the speaker take to escape from the potentially dangerous situation on the mountain?

The speaker decided to leave the group and walk away quickly, even jumping off the mountain and running away on a broken leg to escape.

How did the speaker's physical condition affect their escape and survival?

The speaker's broken leg made it difficult for them to move quickly and escape, but they managed to overcome the pain and physical limitations to survive.

What measures did the speaker take to hide from the people who were potentially pursuing them?

The speaker hid in an abandoned building, covered themselves with debris, and cut off their hair to avoid being recognized.

What was the turning point for the speaker that led to their eventual rescue?

The turning point was when an old man named Roberto found the speaker hiding and decided to help them, which the speaker believes saved their life.

How did the speaker's experience in Colombia change their perspective on trust and safety?

The experience made the speaker realize the importance of being more cautious, listening to their instincts, and surrounding themselves with positive and trustworthy people.