Medellin Trip Report (Sept. 2016)

[utopiacowboy]

Great trip report Hector! I'm glad you liked Medellin, it really gets a bad rap on this board, but is still my favorite city in Colombia. Looking forward to reading your next trip report!


Dan LV

Ditto on that. I'm just waiting for Mudd to comment and slam everything you said.

[robert angel]

Yeah those are the most popular tourist destinations in Peru. However, my personal favorite part of Peru is "el Norte" (the north): Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura, Máncora. I like the culture in the north more (a bit more mixed/mestizo than the indigenous culture of southern Peru).

I want to see Machu Pichu before it gets more restricted as to where and how close you can go to  different areas there. I got lucky at places like Newgrange, Ireland, and Chichen itza in Mexico's Yucatan, where I was all over and inside places, like the pyramid--last time I heard, you can't go on the orginal pyramid steps because people were falling down. Stupid, but I swam in the sacred  cenotes too, roping in and out--there were no steps then.

Peru has the oldest buildings in America and the only building site outside Europe in the world's 10 oldest. The incredibly small amount of rain they get in places means things can last almost forever. Contrast that to the Amazonian rain forest. But a lot of cool places are far off the beaten path there.The Nazca lines are interesting, but probably cost $400 a person to take the 90 minutes or so to fly over and around. I bet on a slow day, if you hang around, you can catch a deal.

I like old stuff. I have thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts, some up to 25,000 years old, all from the south eastern USA. If I can sell them, preferably in one or a few groups to a museum or someone likeminded, I'd probably sell them, my house, all the things that've come to own me instead of the other way around and just travel. Probably add on ESOL certification in case I get bored and want to do that in different parts of the world, although hanging up the Ole 9 to 5 routine while I'm still able bodied is what I'm looking forward to in the next 2 to 3 years. I've put the time in, time to cash in most of my chips and enjoy. Can't take it with me once I'm dead, can I?

[Gavan]

Peru has the oldest buildings in America and the only building site outside Europe in the world's 10 oldest. The incredibly small amount of rain they get in places means things can last almost forever. Contrast that to the Amazonian rain forest. But a lot of cool places are far off the beaten path there.The Nazca lines are interesting, but probably cost $400 a person to take the 90 minutes or so to fly over and around. I bet on a slow day, if you hang around, you can catch a deal.

I don't know where you got that information, but flying over Nazca isn't THAT expensive. I went with my girlfriend and we definitely did not pay $800 for it. I am pretty sure it is more like $100 per person (depending on where you buy tickets).


Here is an offer I just found on Google:
http://www.alasperuanas.com/


Although maybe it is more expensive if you take a longer flight.

Just make sure you don't get air sick easily because I got extremely sick during that flight (nearly threw up) and I usually never get sick on planes .

[robert angel]

I don't know where you got that information, but flying over Nazca isn't THAT expensive. I went with my girlfriend and we definitely did not pay $800 for it. I am pretty sure it is more like $100 per person (depending on where you buy tickets).


Here is an offer I just found on Google:
http://www.alasperuanas.com/


Although maybe it is more expensive if you take a longer flight.

Just make sure you don't get air sick easily because I got extremely sick during that flight (nearly threw up) and I usually never get sick on planes .

What you say is heartening. I had just looked at a few sites, the first ones to pop up online really and some were even more expensive. Basically I was just looking at the 'skin of the onion' not digging, not peeling deeper layers for deals, not getting a real feel. That's why I indicated 'on a slow day I bet if you hang around you can catch a deal'.

Seems like the Nazca air tour with all the turns involved, makes air sickness pretty common.

We rarely book 'excursions' aside from the flight, cruise, ride etc ahead of time, because they're usually a rip off. Been on too many where I didn't want to ask others what they'd paid, because if they paid the 'agency' rate, I knew they'd probably been ripped off.

[Hector_Lavoe]

Fair play to you for approaching women in real life (probably likely to be better than those online)

It's something I struggle with myself.

 Too self conscious and when you throw in the fact that I am doing it in another language that I am only beginner-intermediate in.

Well I chicken out most of the time.

Yeah, I hear you. It can be intimidating trying to approach women in your non-native tongue. Most of the time in Latin America when I've tried this I've been treated very nicely (even when they were not available or interested).

That is one reason I am still kicking myself for not finishing my conversation with the very striking girl working the auto sales floor at the Los Molinos mall.  I should have asked her for her phone number or asked for a date!

If I was relegated to a world where I could only rely on online sources for meeting women (either in the U.S. or in Latin America) I would shoot myself.  Social circle is the best if you have that. I don't have that in Latin America. So cold approaches are a necessity.

My last time in Colombia was three years ago and I did not meet anyone I liked online but I did meet a nice Calena at a sidewalk café. She was a sweet girl and we had a lot of fun together. I think a guy that does not try cold approaches is missing out on a lot of opportunities.

Here is a photo of the Calena I met in Cali. I could never meet a girl like this online (or it would be a very rare circumstance to do so):

[Elexpatriado]

Ditto on that. I'm just waiting for Mudd to comment and slam everything you said.

Nothing wrong with the women there. There are more types of women available than you could shake a stick at..from your prepago, webcam girl to your born again christian no sex before marriage and everything in between.


Whats wrong with Medellin is the crowds, pollution,crime , trancones, and all the foreign tourists and Expats hanging around Poblado, and now more and more, Envigado and Sabaneta, including your scuzzy   marijuanero and periquiero backpackers (and cigarette  smoking Euros  polluting the air-puke!!)  and your scuzzy middle aged and older pervert foreigners going after the drugs and hookers.


But thank God a lot of these types are getting wasted or arrested lately...

[Hector_Lavoe]

Whats wrong with Medellin is the crowds, pollution,crime , trancones, and all the foreign tourists and Expats hanging around Poblado, and now more and more, Envigado and Sabaneta, including your scuzzy   marijuanero and periquiero backpackers (and cigarette  smoking Euros  polluting the air-puke!!)  and your scuzzy middle aged and older pervert foreigners going after the drugs and hookers.

But thank God a lot of these types are getting wasted or arrested lately...

You are complaining about the crowds? Medellin is the second most populous city in Colombia. What did you expect...to have the place to yourself?

You are like the guy who goes to the best restaurant in town on a Saturday night and complains that it is too crowded!!

If you want to complain about crime try going to Caracas or San Pedro Sula. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_murder_rate

Medellin's homicide rate in 2015 was half the rate in New Orleans in the U.S.A. Not saying it is Disneyland but let's keep things in context.
http://caracol.com.co/emisora/2016/01/03/medellin/1451838642_947479.html

Also, other than Parque Lleras I did not see a ton of gringo tourists. I know the city is getting discovered and gaining more visitors each year (as it should given what it has to offer). However, if you want to be overwhelmed by gringo tourists try Cancun, Mexico City or Costa Rica.

We better enjoy it while it lasts because tourism is on the rise in Colombia and if the peace agreement is passed by voters in October it is likely to increase even more....

[robert angel]

By: Nate Scott   | September 23, 2015 7:30 am      
Yankees legend Yogi Berra, who passed away in 2014, would have been 92 years old 9/23/16. An 18-time All-Star, Berra appeared in 14 World Series as a member of the Yankees and won 10 of them.

Berra’s contributions to MLB history are incalculable, but his legacy might be even better remembered for what he contributed to American language.

Berra-isms (colloquial expressions that lack logic) are now countless, Here are 50 of our favorites.

1. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

2. You can observe a lot by just watching.

3. It ain’t over till it’s over.

4. It’s like déjà vu all over again.

5. NO ONE GOES THERE NOWADAYS, IT'S TOO CROWDED

6. Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.

7. A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.

8. Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.

9. We made too many wrong mistakes.

10. Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken.

11. You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I’m not hungry enough to eat six.

12. You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you.

13. I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.

14. Never answer an anonymous letter.

15. Slump? I ain’t in no slump… I just ain’t hitting.

16. How can you think and hit at the same time?

17. The future ain’t what it used to be.

18. I tell the kids, somebody’s gotta win, somebody’s gotta lose. Just don’t fight about it. Just try to get better.

19. It gets late early out here.

20. If the people don’t want to come out to the ballpark, nobody’s going to stop them.

21. We have deep depth.

22. Pair up in threes.

23. Why buy good luggage, you only use it when you travel.

24. You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.

25. All pitchers are liars or crybabies.

USA TODAY Sports
USA TODAY Sports

26. Even Napoleon had his Watergate.

27. Bill Dickey is learning me his experience.

28. He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.

29. It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.

30. I can see how he (Sandy Koufax) won twenty-five games. What I don’t understand is how he lost five.

31. I don’t know (if they were men or women fans running naked across the field). They had bags over their heads.

32. I’m a lucky guy and I’m happy to be with the Yankees. And I want to thank everyone for making this night necessary.

33. I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did.

34. In baseball, you don’t know nothing.

35. I never blame myself when I’m not hitting. I just blame the bat and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn’t my fault that I’m not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?

36. I never said most of the things I said.

37. It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.

38. If you ask me anything I don’t know, I’m not going to answer.

39. I wish everybody had the drive he (Joe DiMaggio) had. He never did anything wrong on the field. I’d never seen him dive for a ball, everything was a chest-high catch, and he never walked off the field.

40. So I’m ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face.

41. Take it with a grin of salt.

42. (On the 1973 Mets) We were overwhelming underdogs.

43. The towels were so thick there I could hardly close my suitcase.

44. Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.

45. Mickey Mantle was a very good golfer, but we weren’t allowed to play golf during the season; only at spring training.

46. You don’t have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it’ll go.

47. I’m lucky. Usually you’re dead to get your own museum, but I’m still alive to see mine.

48. If I didn’t make it in baseball, I won’t have made it workin’. I didn’t like to work.

49. If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.

50. A lot of guys go, ‘Hey, Yog, say a Yogi-ism.’ I tell ’em, ‘I don’t know any.’ They want me to make one up. I don’t make ’em up. I don’t even know when I say it. They’re the truth. And it is the truth. I don’t know.

[Elexpatriado]

You are complaining about the crowds? Medellin is the second most populous city in Colombia. What did you expect...to have the place to yourself?



You are like the guy who goes to the best restaurant in town on a Saturday night and complains that it is too crowded!!

If you want to complain about crime try going to Caracas or San Pedro Sula. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_murder_rate

Medellin's homicide rate in 2015 was half the rate in New Orleans in the U.S.A. Not saying it is Disneyland but let's keep things in context.
http://caracol.com.co/emisora/2016/01/03/medellin/1451838642_947479.html

Also, other than Parque Lleras I did not see a ton of gringo tourists. I know the city is getting discovered and gaining more visitors each year (as it should given what it has to offer). However, if you want to be overwhelmed by gringo tourists try Cancun, Mexico City or Costa Rica.

We better enjoy it while it lasts because tourism is on the rise in Colombia and if the peace agreement is passed by voters in October it is likely to increase even more....

I prefer smaller places. I  live in Manizales. I would like to stay in an even  smaller place, but Manizales is as small as it gets, but still has:


a. Bodytech Gym
b. Things to do like Yoga, dance classes, Health Food and Sushi restaurants,
c. Movies , theatre live concerts, Soccer team (Once de Manizales- not the greatest)
d. Enough discotecs to go dancing when you want
e. Good medical facilities
f. Best city park in Colombia (outside of Buca)-Bosque Popular
G. fantastic views and sites to see in Chipre and elsewhere in the city
h. Friendly, respectful people
i: 20 minutes to get anywhere in the city-from one side to the other
j. Close to the mountains and natural reserves and Termales, and many other attractions in the Eje Cafetero
k. Lots of universities
l. In my opinion, best climate n Colombia-but I like it a little colder-in between Medellin and Bogota
M, way safer than Medellin, Cali or Bogota
N. Close to Pereira and Armenia (1 to 2.5 hours), if you want to visit other cities-and not too too far from Medellin or Cali (4 hours)
O. Cleanest city I have seen in Colombia
P. Feria de Manizales
q. Mini version of Medellin´s metro cable (tough I have only been on it once LOL)
r. Other than during the feria, hardly any gringos or foreigners
s, Catedral de Manizales-second highest in the Americas..


Still a long way from perfect, sometimes the fog and drizzle can last a long time. and the air is not as clean as in Canada..still have tons of smoke belching  buses trucks and occasional ash from Nevada del Ruiz




I have traveled to most of the major cities and departments in Colombia, have been living here for 4 years, travelling here since 2004, and in my opinion, Manizales has the best quality of life. Usually is no. 1 or 2 in the opinion polls.


I have never been to Bucaramanga though, and my friend, who has been to more places in Colombia than me, says its nicer. But its hotter than Medellin, so I dont think I could live there. Plus way more remote  far as road access to other Colombian cities.


Dont think you would like Manizales though. Way too many hills for the average person. Hilliest place I have been to, and I have traveled to over 50 countries.

[Elexpatriado]

But then I was warned several times not to promote Manizales too much, as it would cause an influx of gringos and foreigners



Too hilly and cool for your average Medellin lover-thank God for that.


One time I saw a group of 4 or 5 Gringos at Juan Valdez in El Cable, and thought " Ohh my God her comes an invasion..soon this will be another LLeras"..but luckily it was a "One Off"

[Hector_Lavoe]

I prefer smaller places. I  live in Manizales. I would like to stay in an even  smaller place, but Manizales is as small as it gets, but still has:

Dont think you would like Manizales though. Way too many hills for the average person. Hilliest place I have been to, and I have traveled to over 50 countries.

I could run circles around you. The hills of Manizales wouldn't bother me as I am sure the vistas/views are very nice. Too small and too cool of a climate for my preferences. 

[Dan Las Vegas]

I was just in Pereira a few weeks ago and enjoyed it quite a bit, but what really did it for me was the small towns in the cafetero,  very nice and quiet and the surroundings are beautiful, but a little too quiet for me.  The weather was cooler than Medellin and the city is nothing special but I still enjoyed my time there.  Since I don't spend time at parque Lleras in Medellin, I really don't see many other gringos, sometimes I go almost an entire week without seeing one! 


The traffic is getting worse in Medellin and the pollution is getting worse, but aside from that, it is still my favorite city.  I'll be visiting Manizales and Armenia on the next trip.


JMHO


Dan LV

[buencamino3]

Well hector with the way you're going at it you will for sure find a woman who meets all your criteria. Only thing, as mentioned above you need a month in country. In the mean time though you've sure got the stuff to be a great travel writer.

[Hector_Lavoe]

^^ Thanks Buencamino. Your novia is muy linda!

[stevekoozer]

^^ Thanks Buencamino. Your novia is muy linda!

 Hey Hector when you planning on being in BQ? if we are there at the same time we could meet for a coffee or something that is if you don't mind hanging out with a 260 pound redneck LOL. And excellent report on your trip but still does not get me interested enough to go to Med much prefer the coast although Bog is pretty cool still prefer the heat and the ocean.

[Hector_Lavoe]

^^Steve: Yeah that would be cool. Sent you a P.M.

[Juan Valdez]

Awesome Trip Report, Hector!  Great details!  Kudos on the cold approaches!

[Jedimaster]

Now this is what a real trip report looks like.  Its packed full of info such as general impressions of the women/Paisas, where you stayed, transportation (ie,metro), nightclubs, malls, restaurants, the whole nine yards.  And you managed to stay away from the self ego massage which plagued a different report.


Outstanding report Hector!

[mambocowboy]

Now this is what a real trip report looks like.  Its packed full of info such as general impressions of the women/Paisas, where you stayed, transportation (ie,metro), nightclubs, malls, restaurants, the whole nine yards.  And you managed to stay away from the self ego massage which plagued a different report.


Outstanding report Hector!

Completely agree. Hopefully Hector still stops by here. The trolling seems to have dissipated...

[Elexpatriado]

I just went to Medellin and met a bunch of women (amongst other things).


I could give a trip report, but why bother with Jerks like Awesome on her making obnoxious comments on every post.


Maybe we should Just change the name of this site to "Planet Awesome", and  he can do trip reports on himself smoking dope in the park, falling over drunk and passing out after being drugged, having crazy "Fight Dances in Discos", Picking up married woman and bragging about all his "Social Skills"..


All posted from Grannies basement..

[robert angel]

Completely agree. Hopefully Hector still stops by here. The trolling seems to have dissipated...

I agree. And I don't think looking back on member's past histories and goading people on is constructive at this point. It more likely encourages them to come back in the same ways.