I had to get some documentation done at the police station, and thus made my way to the tourist information centre to seek for directions. I must say that after today's experience with the Colombian police, I am extremely impressed at how warm and friendly people in Colombia are!
Apparently the tourist police located in the same tourist information centre was not able to help and so called to check and soon mentioned that the superintendent was busy and they will send a vehicle to pick me up when he is done.
After some waiting, I was told that he was still busy, and they suggested that I walk with the tourist police to another location to catch a patrol car to the station. Up to this time, I had the help of the staff at the information counter to help with translation, and I was a little concern that I will have problems explaining to the police what I need without anyone who could speak English.
10 mins walk later, we arrived at a small make-shift police kiosk, with about 4 other police in the booth. The tourist police explained to them a quick summary of the scenario, and one of them started asking me questions which I could not understand. So with the help of google translate (what an amazing tool!), I managed to get some communication going.
However what surprised me more was that within 10 minutes, another police appeared (Eider SantaFe), who apparently could speak some English - not perfect, but basic. Someone had paged for him to come and help me out, a tourist who couldn't speak much Spanish!
So both of us got into a patrol police truck and made our way to the police station.
For the next 2 hours, I communicated with Eider to help me with translation to the Lieutenant, who was in-charge of preparing my document. I also got to understand a little of the life of a police in Colombia (which is not at all easy!), while the document was prepared.
When all was done, and even though there was the possibility of walking home on my own (20 minutes on foot), they insisted to send me back. So off I went in another police vehicle accompanied by Eider and 2 other policemen. They even waited in the car, and made sure I was inside the building before making their way, and Eider left me his contact details, just in case I needed any other help during the whole time I was in Bogota.
What great service, as first of all I was not expecting anyone who could speak English and secondly a ride home! Wow!
Apparently the tourist police located in the same tourist information centre was not able to help and so called to check and soon mentioned that the superintendent was busy and they will send a vehicle to pick me up when he is done.
After some waiting, I was told that he was still busy, and they suggested that I walk with the tourist police to another location to catch a patrol car to the station. Up to this time, I had the help of the staff at the information counter to help with translation, and I was a little concern that I will have problems explaining to the police what I need without anyone who could speak English.
10 mins walk later, we arrived at a small make-shift police kiosk, with about 4 other police in the booth. The tourist police explained to them a quick summary of the scenario, and one of them started asking me questions which I could not understand. So with the help of google translate (what an amazing tool!), I managed to get some communication going.
However what surprised me more was that within 10 minutes, another police appeared (Eider SantaFe), who apparently could speak some English - not perfect, but basic. Someone had paged for him to come and help me out, a tourist who couldn't speak much Spanish!
So both of us got into a patrol police truck and made our way to the police station.
For the next 2 hours, I communicated with Eider to help me with translation to the Lieutenant, who was in-charge of preparing my document. I also got to understand a little of the life of a police in Colombia (which is not at all easy!), while the document was prepared.
When all was done, and even though there was the possibility of walking home on my own (20 minutes on foot), they insisted to send me back. So off I went in another police vehicle accompanied by Eider and 2 other policemen. They even waited in the car, and made sure I was inside the building before making their way, and Eider left me his contact details, just in case I needed any other help during the whole time I was in Bogota.
What great service, as first of all I was not expecting anyone who could speak English and secondly a ride home! Wow!
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