Learn from the locals: May I recommend a guide to the "other" Medellin?

Medellin Traveler says on Sep 15, 2007, 17:00:

August,
Get back to PBH after Maria learns English.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

august says on Sep 15, 2007, 19:08:

Medellin traveler,
Learn Spanish dude, it's South America.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Sep 15, 2007, 21:13:

I think if you want to cater to gringos and want gringo dollars you should speak English

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Medellin Traveler says on Sep 15, 2007, 22:38:

I am fluent en espanol.

If you're promoting a travel guide for the gringo traveller, I too think you need to speak English. I believe it would be a different matter regarding experienced travellers, who seem to enjoy learning the language and culture as part of the travelling experience. As I do.

In fact, I promote learning Spanish on my website.. http://www.medellintraveler.com/StudySpanish.html

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

august says on Sep 16, 2007, 00:33:

Fair enough, I take both of your points. I guess I wasn't expecting this to appeal to the timid, novice traveller/gringo, but more to the crowd I would expect to find on PBH - the folks who are excited about digging a little bit deeper into a culture and would know that it's helpful to learn the local language of wherever one is traveling. That said, if people are caught up on the Spanish thing, we could make bilingual arrangements if they happen between the end of December and the end of January.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter (Moderator) says on Sep 16, 2007, 01:45:

Medellin Traveler, don't be so rude!

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Medellin Traveler says on Sep 16, 2007, 07:50:

August,
First off. I hope I didn't come off as being rude as Peter has commented.

I was just trying to help you undestand that there is a newfound interest in travelling to Colombia. With all the positive reports in the US media today from The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The Travel Channel amongst others, it is sure to peak the interest of the less seasoned traveller interested in taking another look at Colombia as a travel destination. I should have been a bit more clearer in my posts.

It also seems that there are new sites devoted to travelling to Colombia popping up every day on the internet, as well as increased membership to Colombia forums, such as PBH. I think your potential clients may not speak much Spanish.

I for one, don't like it when Amerians travel to foreign countries and demand that the the locals speak "Enlglish" but that seems to be the case more often than not. It's the Ugly American on vacation.

I will contact Maria before my 3rd trip next week. I would like to know if there is a film scene, punk scene, rock-n-roll scene and an alternative scene where the young Paisas hang out and enjoy the western influences.

Thanks for the info.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Sep 16, 2007, 08:12:

LOL...Ugly American on vacation. Americans don't care about culture. Its our job to destroy other cultures by making everybody speak English and open up Mcdonald's restaurants all over the world.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

coffee beaner says on Sep 16, 2007, 09:01:

The American way... spread English and McDonalds. Their payback for such great contributions to society "Colombian Prepagos", gotta love it!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jmbone says on Sep 16, 2007, 11:58:

Nice website Medellin Traveler (http://www.medellintraveler.com).

You, myself, and many friends from the states share the same
amor-Medellin! I wonder why so many Gringos, in particular, fall head-
over-heels for Medellin?

If there is anything on my not-for-profit site: http://www.medellininfo.com,
which you feel would compliment your efforts, please feel free to use it.

regards,
Jim

0 funny, 0 helpful.

static says on Sep 16, 2007, 12:18:

Please don't further the stereotype of "The Ugly American", because for the most part, that image is incorrect nowadays. While we do, in fact, send out our largest, loudest people abroad just to annoy PBH Forum members, we are not the worst.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2137729.stm

0 funny, 0 helpful.

august says on Sep 16, 2007, 20:28:

Ha! Static, true enough. One need look no further than the roving band of cockney-accented bachelor party-ites dressed up as enormous wangs who flood Amsterdam's Red Light District regardless of the season. That said, I do love my British friends dearly.

Medellin Traveler, no harm done. I mean the simple fact is that she, Maria Elena, doesn't speak English and that, yes, that will make it difficult for some travelers to make use of her assistance. I see where you're coming from though given all the publicity that I too have been noticing about Medellin. All of us Norteamericanos have a lot of work to do in the way of changing those negative reputations. And for the record, Maria Elena herself happens to be a documentary film producer.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

esatranslator says on Sep 18, 2007, 10:25:

If you are interested I'm from Medellin, born and raised, I speak english, give spanish lessons for foreigners and do text and simultaneous translation, check my post on "renting, selling and meetup" :)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

john_stark says on Sep 18, 2007, 20:59:

Interesting photo. Creo que eres una mujer atractiva.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

coffee beaner says on Sep 18, 2007, 21:04:

8==jjjj=D Oh yea!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

august says on Sep 19, 2007, 21:07:

Fellas, I'm glad we could turn this page into a myspace/match.com adventure.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Sep 22, 2007, 08:28:

adding to all these poinant suggestions on getting deeper into medellin....just get the hell outta town--specifically poblado (as much as i love it)--and get around by yourself and you'll discover more than you ever imagined. want to know medallo? go see it. dont be afraid, follow your intuition, behave yourself, be respectful and you'll discover a colombia that's not in the guide books. nor, on pbh. (peter, that's not a stab...just the truth. a truth which you and i both know)

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.