Hola! My name is Hans Kolland; I am Austrian, that's
the reason why the hostel is called ‘VIENA’. After traveling
6 years in Asia, I came to South America for the first time in 1990.
I started
in Venezuela, went down the coast to Brazil then traveling in Bolivia,
Chile, Peru and Ecuador. I planned to cross though Colombia within
two or three days, because of all the bad stories I had heard along
the way. But in the end, I spent the most time in Colombia, and I
am still here! Now, together with Yaneth, my Colombian wife and our
three
kids.
Don't
worry, Colombia is not this dangerous country like some
people say, people that mostly don't even know it personally. Colombia
of course has its own minor and major problems like other countries
in Latin America, but these problems normally won’t affect
you as a "backpacker". One of the advantages to traveling
Colombia is that Colombians are some of the friendliest people in
South America. There aren't many tourists coming to this country,
so that rarity makes for romantic travel. Places aren't swamped with
typical tourist shops you’ll find elsewhere.
Like in most other countries, as well here in Colombia, you have
to follow some rules, like not to go out with all your valuables,
not to change money
on the street, as there are crafty “Quick-Change Artist” about.
Most incidents of people got involved you could have been avoided. How? Just
don’t "give papaya", which means, that you should not
do anything that lets other people take advantage of you. But this rule
isn’t unique to Colombia of course!
In following common sense rules: taking precautions by learning where and
where not to go, what and what not to do, you will not have more problems
than in other countries.
Colombia is great! Come and enjoy it!