Bogota vs Medellin? Which is better to LIVE in?

Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:23:

I have had some experience with paisas/rolos and I did notice rolos seem to be a lil more cold and maybe even snobbish. A lot of paisas I met there and in the US seemed really down to earth and fun to hang around. For example when in Bogota I don't like hanging around my cousins and their friends too much because they're Estrato 6 types that still live off of all of their parents money and tend to think they're better than everybody that has less money.

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:24:

What's better Chocolate Mousse or Chocolate Soufleé

What's better Le Cirque or the River Cafe?

Depends on the person. Medellín is not super hot but Sunday was roasting.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:26:

Yeah both seem like good spots. I like Bogota a lot but all my relatives tell me it's a pain to live there due to traffic, etc. Maybe a smaller city like Medellin would be more conducive to a person without a car like myself. Are shorts acceptable in Medellin? I wouldn't want to look like Supertourist.

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:26:

That Estrato 6 snobby type exists in Medellín as well and everywhere in the world. Go to Poblado, Laureles, Floresta, Calasanz or anywhere not on a hill on Christmas or New Years Eve. You can hear a pin drop.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:28:

I know that my cousin's are a bit tame for my taste when it comes to partying/having fun. More of the whiskey sipping type that'll go to friends' houses and just talk.

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:28:

Traffic in Medellín sucks as well. If you live near stuff and can go on foot - like me, or travel at the right times of day by bus or Taxi, you are just fine. Depends on where you live and where you need to go.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:29:

In Bogotá there's plenty of humble people who party and are friendly. Also there are great looking women as well. Bogotá has a lot to offer as it is a vast city. You just need to pick your spots and your friends wisely, just as you would in any city.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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tomtom33 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:30:

Yup, Laureles is rather quiet. I like quiet.

Soon I will move to Santa Mónica (estrato 4 by the way). That is quieter yet.

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tejasmarcos says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:31:

most of the people i see wearing shorts in mde are tourists. pants are the norm and blue jeans are prevalent.

weather is normally cool, but heats up during the day when the clouds clear.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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panthdave says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:31:

Screw it go to Cali....and party your ass off...

panthdave Miami

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:32:

Cali has the hottest women. Anyone know what that is?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:34:

lived in Cali as a baby but I would only visit it right now. re: shorts, damnit. I can't stand pants if weather is even relatively warm during the daytime.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:35:

seems to me that there are beauties all over the country. it's truly blessed in that regard.

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:35:

In Medellín shorts=tourist

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:36:

im screwed haha

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panthdave says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:38:

Wrong Roci no way over the holidays many Colombians were wearing baggy shorts...in Medellin...Also in Sante Fe there were wearing shorts...and were not tourist puro Colombianos..In my building I see them all the time in Castropol wearing baggy shorts..and there are Colombianos...Shorts and Sandals are becoming big in Medellin just not the tourists...

panthdave Miami

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Cali2005 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:38:

Experience with both i prefer Medellin for the friendly people, and permanent spring weather. Now if pollution, and nippy cold weather don't bother you then maybe Bogota is for you.

I left Bogota because of the Seattle like weather, and pretty strong pollution. I hadn't taken astma medicine for 20 years, and i go to the gym 5 times a week, but the air in Bogota combined with the "Bogota Gripas', knocked me to the ground. If you have any history of asthma, or allergies don't plan on enjoying bogota for an extended period of time.

Medellin is still Colombia, but its the cleanest of the larger cities. You will still notice the air pollution, but if your not living on a main road or in downtown you can get by quite well.

Downfall to Medellin is the local economy is not as strong as Bogota. The job market is much stronger, and salaries are MUCH HIGHER.... Hopefully you have foreign income or a personal business to support you in Colombia.

If you have strong lungs, no allergies, strong immune system, and like the colder nights then Bogota might be for you. Bogota is famous for its strong flu seasons. I lasted 1 year before i moved to Medellin.

Medellin averages mid 70 degree weather year round. its a bit nippy in the morning and at night, and you dont need air conditioning 98% of the time. Medellin is cooler than South Florida, but definately warmer than Bogota!

I am in agreement with Enrique, avoid the Estrado 6 types and hang out with the normal people. While i may live in a estrado 6 for comfort, i prefer people that are simple and don't look down on other people. That reminds me too much of South Florida, and Los Angeles.

Rent on a short lease if your not sure.

Enjoy Colombia before the exchange rate gets worse because of the falling dollar.

Medellin Apartments and Tours http://www.MedellinApartments.INFO

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:43:

good info, thanks

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:44:

Uh Dave you can be a tourist in your own country, yes? You can also stick out like a turd in a puchbowl in your own country.

I can think of one guy in shorts I saw in the recent past in Medellín. Also Santa Fe is not Medellín.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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panthdave says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:48:

Don't know Roci...just being seeing more and more....Not in middle of the streets of Centro or San Javiar...Barrios but Colombianos in upper stratas I am seeing more of shorts...funny..yes it looks like a Tourist....I wear Jeans in certain areas..like Centro or novia sister house in vente de Julio section of San Javiar or San Pablo..at my novias brothers house...but running to the store in Poblado or etc sometimes wear shorts or hanging round my building yes..wear shorts...

panthdave Miami

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:48:

Enrique - visit both for a few months each and that will help you in your decision. Although both cities differ enough from each other that the decision is easy, remember there are all types in all places.

I have never seen anyone spending significant time in either city being torn by the decision as to where to live. It's usually cut and dry - unless there is family or loved ones involved in the decision.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:50:

I hear ya Dave. The upper estratos do have an "I don't care" attitude and when you posted that you are seeing more, without mentioning it in my post, I assumed it was probably in the higher barrios. It's raining here now so no shorts for anyone.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Leeroy says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:52:

Anyone wearing shorts in Bogotá is either insane or hopelessly optimistic.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 13:56:

I meant shorts for Medellin. Although I did run to the cornerstore quickly in Bogota with shorts on and got dropped off at the gym in shorts.

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robi666 says on Jan 8, 2008, 14:31:

Bogotà is cold but you cannot ski there. So... why?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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msaucey says on Jan 8, 2008, 14:38:

Bogota weather reminds me of San Francisco or Seattle... Without the Ocean.... Go figure...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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Enrique187 says on Jan 8, 2008, 14:40:

I've never gone skiing. I am just sick of warm weather after living in South Florida all of my life.

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pedro says on Jan 8, 2008, 14:56:

Shorts are pretty often seen in upper strata Medellin.

A guy who is relaxing around the house on a Sunday, maybe. Or just going to the tienda. Or a young guy who's lounging around or driving somewhere.

That said, you don't see Paisas go out for the day in shorts when they have people to meet or errands to do.

que nota!

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joetexan says on Jan 8, 2008, 15:05:

Bogota has Seattle weather - LOL. As someone who grew up in Washington State and now lives in Bogota, I can tell you that is a very Colombian thing to say. The weather is Seattle is around 5 degrees C for months of the year, it rains for months of the year, and it is spactacularly beautiful for 3 of 4 months. Only a Colombian could complain that Bogota is cold or Medellin hot. Paisa country has the world's best weather. You can't help but be in a good mood in Antioquia because everyday is a spring day. In my opinion, Medellin has far worse air polution than Bogota, but then I used to live in L.A.

I had always planned to settle in Medellin, but because I go back and forth every month Bogota is much more convinient for air flights.

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panthdave says on Jan 8, 2008, 16:13:

Thats for sure Bogota does have much options on flying......MDE I tell ya its battle with me all the time...even out of MIA>>>>

panthdave Miami

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john_stark says on Jan 8, 2008, 18:15:

My brother-in-law is as paisa as they come. He wears shorts and sandals all the time and no one would ever mistake him for a gringo.

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Man Tequila says on Jan 8, 2008, 22:35:

Good to see a fresh debate here on PBH.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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jack_jason says on Jan 9, 2008, 01:08:

I think, it is better for a Junky to live in the US.

This is just spanglish, please do not correct me

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mranderson says on Jan 9, 2008, 07:29:

My colombian friend's uncle who grew up in medellin moved to bogota for 10 years because of work. He just recently moved back to medellin and told me in bogota he never got bored.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 9, 2008, 07:36:

Actually I rarely get bored anywhere. Any city over, say 300K, will have enough for me to do. If you get bored in MDE, you have a real life problem.

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rocinante says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:02:

Some people are bored no matter where they are and some people can have fun at a funeral. I think the pollution in Medellin is out of control.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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tomtom33 says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:05:

The pollution is horrid. I can't leave my doors and windows open without getting soot all over the apartment.

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CatGirl says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:41:

Not much wind/breeze coming through? Is it like LA?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:43:

I am referring to MDE

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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joetexan says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:51:

When I lived in L.A., there were about 100 days of the year when the government adviced that old people and small children not go out of the house because the air polution was toxic. I once attended a football game at L.A. Collosium and you could not see the other end of the field because the polution was so bad. L.A. is better now than in the past and Medellin could clean up the air polution they way L.A. did. Those damn factories in the south of Medellin contribute the most to the polution and should be given incentives to move far away from the city.

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:56:

wow.... some very good info so far. ill make it quick and short so i can get back to work lol


cali does not have the best looking women.............HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

bogota definitely reminds me of seattle. with a lot more good looking girls and just a bit better then seattle overall.

if you like to dance salsa jumping up and down and going crazy fast then cali is the place to be.

if your into quantity of restaurants, stores, museums, etc then bogota is the place to be.

if your a socialist/communist/marxist like some of the guys ive been reading lately the llanos and the jungle is the place to be.

pero........but.......pero.......but...


if you want the nicest people, the best weather, the best food, the best looking people, quality over quantity, and dancing pegadito suavesito.

MEDELLIN.

y dejan las mentiras con bogota y cali. zip it!!

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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CatGirl says on Jan 9, 2008, 08:59:

MA - yes - this is the message I have been getting.

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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manINred says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:07:

"In Medellín shorts=tourist"

haha, true! as do sandals or flip-flops. paisas who would see fellow colombians wearing such items would say "ud es de la costa o que?". Jeans and running shoes, even in the most heated heat.

I would expect Bogota has more carreer opportunities than Medellin.

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:21:

These did'nt look like tourists to me

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:31:

i hope you know these people. if not why you taking pictures of men?

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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manINred says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:31:

they're costenos! hey i'd wear shorts in the city if i had some, but i don't think i have non-beach shorts.

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:45:

The pics were taken in Medellin. This topic came up before so I went out and took the pics when i was there.

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diabloblas says on Jan 9, 2008, 09:49:

which city has the best ultimate frisbee action?...neither one has a regulation disc golf course

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Enrique187 says on Jan 9, 2008, 10:22:

jajaj morphus thanks for those pics. nothing like hard evidence. MitchAlv, what you wrote pretty much confirms what I have heard about the cities.

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manINred says on Jan 9, 2008, 10:27:

well of course some people wear shorts and sandals, but in a hot city like medellin it is proportionally much smaller amount of people than in other hot cities, which is the very point.

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 10:29:

Medellin gets very hot in July and August.

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joetexan says on Jan 9, 2008, 12:34:

Medellin gets very hot, hahahaha. Try Palm Springs, Ca., where the temperature in summer stays around 50 c during the day. Or even Texas, in the low 40's and humid. Only a Paisa could complain of the temperature in Medellin, the world's most perfect climate. I hear Bogotano's complain that it is sweltering when the temperature reaches 78 or 80 F, and freezing when it drops to 50 F at night. Colombians don't know how good they got it.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 9, 2008, 12:39:

as long as its not 85 F at night like here in Boca Raton, FL I am fine. Too much humidity here.

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juli says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:13:

Depende ¿Te gusta vivir con las soberbias?

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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manINred says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:21:

gustan....

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billyb says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:23:

"This topic came up before so I went out and took the pics when i was there."

Jajja, that's your story and you're sticking to it?

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coffee beaner says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:32:

mucha mujer linda en medallo, pero eso es lo bueno... Medellin definitely!

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panthdave says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:54:

Thanks Morph for proving the short theory in MDE>>>>

panthdave Miami

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morphus says on Jan 9, 2008, 16:59:

At least i'm useful when i'm in Colombia. I took my camera and hit the streets. I had a good report on "Banos Publicos" in Colombia. I thought it gave good info and pictures but it was deleted. It was a lot of work taking pictures of all those toilets but thats ok.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 9, 2008, 17:07:

the toilets in clubs in Bogota=GUACALA

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john_stark says on Jan 9, 2008, 19:14:

Morph, you are becoming the only credible source on PBH.

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eywed says on Jan 9, 2008, 19:35:

Morphus- I need to see photos of all the fine Ladies in Medellin so pack up, get your Camera and off you go, Report back as soon as posible.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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john_stark says on Jan 9, 2008, 19:53:

I want to see his Youtube videos of NYC Colombianas blowing him off. Some of them blowing him would be fine too.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 9, 2008, 20:39:

jajajajaja

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morphus says on Jan 10, 2008, 04:24:

Plenty of vids to come :)

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rocinante says on Jan 10, 2008, 05:27:

Thanks Morph for proving the short theory in MDE - there are indeed shorts worn in Medellín.

Although I never disputed that fact I am updating my original post

From:

In Medellín shorts=tourist

To:

In Medellín shorts = looks like a tourist or an upper estrato

And either case sticks out like a turd in the punchbowl. I see mowhawks in Medellín as well.

But seriously, on the street shorts comprise less than 1 percent. What one chooses to wear is entirely up to them, regardless of how they are perceived. If you are comfortable go for it as that is all that matters. I'm comfortable wearing jeans and in doing so I find I draw less attention to myself.

If I were one to wear shorts I would be the only shortwearer that most people on the streets see that day.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Jan 10, 2008, 05:27:

"If I were one to wear shorts I would be the only shortwearer that most people on the streets see that day."

(English Imperfect Subjunctive "Si Clause" followed by the conditional in the subordinate - who says it's not used English?)

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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morphus says on Jan 10, 2008, 05:34:

It seemed to be mostly upper estrato wearing the shorts and sandels. Even in the clubs when it was chilly outside they were doing it. Its like they were saying "i'm so fokin great i don't have to dress up for anyone".

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diabloblas says on Jan 10, 2008, 08:27:

morphus...that's just about how i felt when i retired...except it was... i've got an atm card that always works & i don't have to dress up for anyone?...however i do try to blend in & the keep the de facto smile

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aztec says on Jan 10, 2008, 09:47:

I prefer Bogotá. It is true, however, you feel after a day out in the city a need to wash your cloths. They reek of oil.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 10, 2008, 09:54:

I found the air in BOgota to be hard to breathe in. Very smoky. If its worse in Medellin I need to invest in a gas mask.

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gringoloid says on Jan 10, 2008, 09:59:

enrique....the altitude along with the pollution may have something to do with your difficulty to breathe in bogota.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 10, 2008, 10:00:

The information might be out there somewhere but I think it would be interesting to see if the improvements in air quality attributed to Bogota's Transmilenio and scrapping those ancient private buses (I think lower sulfur diesel is on the way, too) have been or will be more than offset by an increased number of cars on the road.

On a related note, Tata Motors revealed their $2500 USD car today to the delight of India's growing middle class and the dismay of nearly everyone else.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 10, 2008, 10:01:

i know here in the US I can do cardio in the gym for 2 hours without tiring much. I couldn't do it for more than ten minutes in Bogota. (altitude)

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 10, 2008, 17:00:

morph thanks for the video. muy linda.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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