Things to do in Medellin

PabloOsito says on Nov 14, 2004, 20:35:

In Medellin from Nov 18 - 24 Hi guys. I usually stay in the Dann Carlton also. I have been to Medellin twice and am planning to visit a couple of other cities while I am there. Tell me about the rates at the Belfort please. Also please forward my address to anyone who you know will be staying in Bogota, Medellin, or Risalde (not sure about spelling here) next week. I speak fluent spanish and can help anyone who needs help.
I have another concern. I usually feel a little uneasy in the taxi ride from the airport to Medellin. Any reason for concern?
Mirvin7055 at aol.com
Thanks,
Mike

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ColombiaBoard says on Nov 14, 2004, 21:20:

First of all what do you like to do? Medellin doesn't have any interesting sites if you're looking for historic locations, it's a rather "modern"" city, there are good clubs, some interesting museums, restaurants, partying areas, the people are very friendly, the weather is great and there are some neighboring areas that are interesting too. It's a city that's good for just "living".

Maybe if you just go a couple of weeks you'll see what's it like to be there for a while, you may like it more than you think.


Check www.saexplorers.org with tons of Info about South America. If you´re interested specifically in Colombia you can send your tourism related questions to colombia at saexplorers.org

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 15, 2004, 02:40:

Lorenzo de Australia says on Nov 15, 2004, 06:57:

Indeed Thanks for all the responses... Yes that's sort of what I gathered... So why is it that everyone seems to rave about Medellin?

DOes it mean everyone does work day jobs, so they are able to hang out with friends and stuff during the night and weekends?

Also... where do people hang out? I mean, there aren't a lot of parks or public spaces in medellin are there?
And during the day, the bars don't really open. Or is it fincas where people enjoy hanging out?


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"...don't let life get in the way of living..."
Lorenzo 2004

Also, if you want to email me directly... as I'm not always that good with forums... email me at lorrytrippin2 at yahoo.com

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****** ****** "...don't let life get in the way of living..." Lorenzo 2004 Also, if you want to email me directly... as I'm not always that good with forums... email me at lorrytrippin2@yahoo.com ****** ******

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Roncita says on Nov 15, 2004, 08:17:

If you came to Medellin without a job and spent a long time here, yes, chances are, you would get bored. I lived here for 2 years and didn't really have a proper job (just gave private English classes and worked part-time for a university, which only generated about 3 hrs work a week) and I was bored beyond belief.

People work during the day here, and they work long hours, typically 8am-6pm (and some start earlier and leave later). So yes, the main time for hanging around, socialising etc is in the evenings and at weekends.

Where do they hang out? Well, it took me a while to figure this one out too. They seem to spend a lot of time in the shopping centres - eating, shopping, chatting, going to the cinema etc. Also they go for drives outside the city to towns/go for lunch etc (esp on weekends and at Puentes - Bank Hols). Otherwise, people spend a lot of time at home being with their families, or visiting their grandparents/aunts & uncles etc - especially on Sundays.

No, there aren't really lots of parks or public spaces around. There is quite a nice area down by the Edificio Inteligente (EPM building near the city centre) with cafes, restaurants etc and people gather outside there to sit, chat etc at weekends.

What I recommend is: do everything you can to get a job! Don't come here without a job and expect to have the time of your life. You'll most likely get fed up and lonely, especially as there aren't many people around during the day to spend time with. Medellin is a nice enough city, but only if you have something to occupy your time with during the week, then you can relax and enjoy the nice things it has at the weekends.

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Hunter says on Nov 15, 2004, 09:01:

Medellin PabloOsito, I don't think you need to worry about the road from Rio Negro airport, apart from the taxis driving so fast, but they go back and for there several times a day, so they probably know every corner like the back of their hand, you can always ask them to slow down.

Lorenzo de Australia, Medellin is like any large modern City, there is plenty to do, from many types of sports, to clubing, eating out, resorts are very popular (with the people who can afford them)on the weekends in the Rio Negro area. As to getting bored depends on the person.
I live here and work on the net for 5 hours a day, if I didn't have something to do, I would get a bit bored.

Hunter

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vladimiro says on Nov 15, 2004, 10:09:

Things to do in Medellin There are some interesting colonial villages about half hour or so outside Medellin and the country-side is breath-taking. On the weekends family and friends head to homes in the country-sides(fincas/farms).

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Lorenzo de Australia says on Nov 15, 2004, 17:25:

Yep Thanks everyone...

I guess it is like Roncita said... without a job, to adapt to society.. could be quite hard to keep yourself entertained...

i was thinking maybe salsa lessons?
maybe finding somewhere that teaches "colombian" cooking...

Don't know what else... any hints would be good... i guess i could try and learn more spanish... and maybe teach english.. but that is also little time consumption... and probably worse for my spanish...

How open are people to sharing "family" time... eg hanging out at girlfriends/friends/parents houses.. just to absorb culture?

cheers.


****** ******
"...don't let life get in the way of living..."
Lorenzo 2004

Also, if you want to email me directly... as I'm not always that good with forums... email me at lorrytrippin2 at yahoo.com

****** ******

****** ****** "...don't let life get in the way of living..." Lorenzo 2004 Also, if you want to email me directly... as I'm not always that good with forums... email me at lorrytrippin2@yahoo.com ****** ******

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Hunter says on Nov 16, 2004, 05:08:

Medellin How open are people to sharing "family" time... eg hanging out at girlfriends/friends/parents houses.. just to absorb culture?

Once you make some friends, you should find the above very easy.

Hunter

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British Paisa says on Nov 16, 2004, 05:22:

The Secret The secret to having a good time anywhere in the world is meeting people and making friends, once you have got over that hurdle you will have the time of your life. The added bonus is that in Medellin, unlike the UK etc, it is extremely easy to make friends as they are really open and will invite you places.

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