Visiting Medellin in December...

sensas1an says on Nov 7, 2007, 23:04:

I will - but literally only to see her family... She doesn't want me staying around there...

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dwmte7 says on Nov 8, 2007, 05:34:

quick, everyone...check for mispelling

dwmte

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elmodefoque says on Nov 8, 2007, 05:54:

dude, just about every other thread is about gringos going to medellin to meet up with the grilfriend for the first time
Now who do you think this guy really is?

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john_stark says on Nov 8, 2007, 06:01:

I was going to nail him for that but then I noticed he said he hadn't seen her in 6 months. So I assume that they've met? But I could be wrong. You never know with these shifty gringos.

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robi666 says on Nov 8, 2007, 06:12:

"She's already said that I must not go anywhere near her "Barrio" "
She's smart! I wouldn't want to let my personal ATM be seen by my Colombian boyfriend's family...

"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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robi666 says on Nov 8, 2007, 06:19:

Did she already tell you about going out with a primo?

"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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sensas1an says on Nov 8, 2007, 08:21:

Urrrm... Nah, no "primo" yet... Only the prima's so far!!

and the only ATM she's going to get from me is Ass to Mouth... :-)

I have met her before - many many many times!

I travel for work and she was unable to come with me (Colombian Passport doesn't quite cut it in all countries in which I work).

I see so many bad stories on here - it is making me think twice about what I am doing...

But anyways boys, on a serious note - what should I really watch out for in Medellin? and where should I really not go...?

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Mononoke28 says on Nov 8, 2007, 09:24:

Medellín is just like any other metropolitan city out there, especially in Latin America. Be aware of pickpockets, paying cab drivers more than you should, and gamines. Other than that, enjoy it because it's a blast. Make sure you walk down La Playa, the Christmas lights along the Medellín River, take a chiva at the Pablo Tobón on La Playa, enjoy El Parque de Envigado, etc.

Diana

Diana

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 8, 2007, 09:27:

I don't know anything about the barrios in Medellin. But the girl not wanting you anywhere near her family's house is a big red flag. Even if it were in the poorest or most dangerous barrios (those are not necessarily in the same places), she should be proud to have you meet the family, hang out, drink with the uncles and cousins, play tejo, dance, etc. My gut tells me she is trying to hide something rather than looking out for your safety.

I am also intrigued by your reference to Indians. Are you of Indian heritage, as in from India? Are you Indian as in Native American? Even though many Colombians make racist statements about aboriginals, damn near a third of Colombia has Indian blood - whether they want to acknowledge that or not. I can't believe that she wouldn't want you near her barrio because of your race is my point. It sounds like another convenient excuse.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Sebastian says on Nov 8, 2007, 09:31:

Watch out in el Centro, lots of people, mostly single girls or women, get pick-pocketed when it's dark out, accompanied she should be fine. As for your girlfriends barrio... I find it odd that you wouldn't be able to hang out there, if we knew of the name of the barrio we might be of more assistance. Lately, friends have told me that things are prettly chill but your right, your girlfriend should know more than you. My gay colombian barber in Costa Rica told me that in December there is a truce between las FARC and los paramilitares. Anybody know any similar tale/rumor/urban legend?

sensas1an travel with the faith that you will be fine if you don't do something stupid, take care of your girlfriend but don't eliminate the possibility that she is seeing other suitors.

Have fun! Sebas

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 8, 2007, 11:24:

Sebas, read what you wrote. "My gay colombian barber". Lol that should tell you enough. They talk a lot of crap. lol You pointed it out yourself when you could have easily said my barber said this and that. lol

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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dwmte7 says on Nov 8, 2007, 15:49:

there are only two barrios--along the beaten path--to avoid, day or night. those being nikitau and triste. and unless you're out to by lumber, you shouldn't find yourself in triste. as for nikitau, it's a turn off north of centro san diego, taxis take to save time while driving into centro around the park/church. just a hell hole, dangerous and nothing there but trouble. all the rest are safe enough if you're possessed of common sense and not prone to foolish, offensive conduct. there are other areas ie, east bello and many poorer barrios up the hills but if you are accompanied with local residents you shouldn't have trouble there either. just the two that i mentioned in medellin proper are to be avoided.

dwmte

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sensas1an says on Nov 8, 2007, 16:05:

I am of Indian (being from India) heritage...

Right... Your comments were making alarm bells ring - so I asked her about the whole "barrio" thing... and she say's that I am welcome to come and see it - but she's just embarrassed about showing me...

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sensas1an says on Nov 8, 2007, 16:08:

Let go and see what I find - after what I've learn't on here - If she makes me feel uneasy, I will know about something fishy..

Thanks for all of the advice...

I appreciate it...

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robi666 says on Nov 8, 2007, 16:10:

That's sound more understandable... good that you asked. Which is the barrio?

"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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sensas1an says on Nov 8, 2007, 17:58:

It's Barrio Castilla...

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john_stark says on Nov 8, 2007, 18:49:

Make sure you meet her Colombian friends and family. You may be able to get one of them to rat her out.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Nov 8, 2007, 19:02:

I'd like to be of Indian descent. I received an email today from someone in my company's Bangalore office . His name is Madhubabu _______. How could a parent ever yell at a kid with "Babu" in his name? Just saying it out loud makes ya' smile.

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robi666 says on Nov 8, 2007, 19:06:

"You may be able to get one of them to rat her out."
Not easy if you do not talk Spanish fluently. But a couple of bottles of Aguardiente may do the job.
So she lives in Barrio Castilla... you may also be able to take an hot friend of hers to Punto Cero. It is just nearby, so you'll probably be able to do the work without anyone noticing that you two disappeared.

"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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coffee beaner says on Nov 8, 2007, 19:48:

robi props with Punto Cero... when getting laid that is a must in Medellin!

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 8, 2007, 21:34:

ok guys share punto cero details? where is it located? ill be in medallo in january

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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sensas1an says on Nov 8, 2007, 23:12:

Hahahaha... Great things lie ahead of me as I can see...

At the moment, I am ok with the knowledge I possess... She always answers her cell and her home phone and always gives the "Mi Amor, Te Amo, Mi Precioso..." blah blah blah...

So at the moment, my brain isn't thinking negative things as I have no reason to doubt - however reading your posts on here certainly can fill a man's mind with thoughts that weren't there before!

Hmmm... It's almost like I am going to go there with the intent to get her "ratted out"

Maybe I will just go back home to sunny England... It might be easier.

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 9, 2007, 02:05:

Hang in there sensas1an. After your last couple of posts, my gut tells me things could be cool. I got the same warnings from guys here a year or two ago. I am happily married now. Please do not think all girls are like what some of these guys are implying. But, you have to keep your guard up .... like you said you are going to do.

That your lady said she is embarrassed to have you visit her barrio is definitely a good signal. Not that it is good that she is embarassed, but good that it is a legit reason, and likely the truth.

Please take what we say here with a grain of salt. At the most, keep a couple of the tidbits of negativity in the back of your mind. Trust your gut. But do not let A-holes like us sabotage a potential great relationship, by you acting on advice given here. I say, go to her barrio, have a great time. When you hang out where she is really from, and spend real time there, she will feel comfortable. And then you will be able to judge if things are really cool or not. No matter what, you will have a great time. Keep your guard up, but be also expect good things. I bet you are in for the time of your life! You better be able to drink, throw 5 lb. steel disks for 3 hours, eat 5000 calorie meals, and take cold showers.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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sensas1an says on Nov 9, 2007, 03:42:

Robert... I like your last post! It certainly makes me feel better. Obviously I am not a veteran of Colombia or Latin America...

I will go there with an open mind - if I sense something dodgy - I know damn well how to tuck my tail between my legs and make a dash for it...

Drinking sounds like fun and metal disks is cool too. Not sure how many 5000 calorie meals I'll be able to tuck away before she starts screaming "Lipo" again... :-) (She has this thing about getting me some lipo for my love handles)!!

Now I can't wait until Dec 21st...

Colombia - here I come...

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dwmte7 says on Nov 9, 2007, 04:42:

sensas...when you go down into the barrio, don't forget your mexican express card (a shiv), don't leave home without it;

these guys will try and tell you that malice of forethought is the order of the day with the colombian gals. not so, i've been married to a wonderful gal for 19 years and it's no different than had i married a hindi while working in india. they're as sweet as tupalo before getting married, then, THEN, they castrate you and take control. naa...just kidding, they take control BEFORE, they castrate you.

good luck friend, you'll really love colombia and your lady friend could be a diamond just waiting to be mounted....(did that sound right) well, the colombian ladies are wonderful. sure there are gold diggers, but they are far and away the exception, not the rule. her barrio, and others will help you develop your colombian 'ships legs'.
dw

dwmte

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elmodefoque says on Nov 9, 2007, 05:01:

hey gandi, i think i could help you, i'm also indian but not from india even though i look from india but i have no family from india but from la guajira which is indian held territory. to make it less complicated you be the indian and i'll be the INJUN.
listen, i like you guys, my doctor is an indian , but not the horse riding indian, he's from india . Anyways, all i gotta tell you is, hold on to your wallet very tight.

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sensas1an says on Nov 9, 2007, 07:20:

Dude - Indians are cool... I probably don't deserve being called an Indian as I have only ever been to India 3 times in my life. But I do plan to take her there and show her the "Wild Wild East" hahahaha...

All Indians are either Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers or IT Geeks...

I fall in to the latter... ;-)

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elmodefoque says on Nov 9, 2007, 08:35:

Listen Raji,
man, that’s such a really cool fokin name. If I have another kid I’m gonna name him Raji Rodriguez Hamburger or Omar Sharif Rodriguez Hamburger
Anyway, I’m a cool Injun cus I don't mind being called Indian or Indio, BUT WHAT EVER YOU DO, PLEASE, PLEASE don't call any colombiano INDIO.
There are only two people in Colombia that don't mind being called Indio, this guy named Diomedes Diaz, famous Vallenato legend "el cacique" or the Chief and me!
Again, hold on to your wallet.

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eywed says on Nov 9, 2007, 10:14:

My wife is from Castilla and I spent time there. Trust me when I say I am 100% gringo looking. I did not have any proplems there and it is not too bad of a place. According to the wife it got really bad for awhile but now it is much better. I did see alot of police while I was there and I felt safe the whole time I was there. I was still Careful and watched out all around me tho.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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dwmte7 says on Nov 9, 2007, 12:33:

eywed...what was 'out' doing?

dwmte

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coffee beaner says on Nov 9, 2007, 15:20:

Castilla is not bad at all... it has a zona rosa of about 8 blocks long with tons of bars and clubs, on weekends those places are packed with lots of women.

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coffee beaner says on Nov 9, 2007, 15:23:

Mitch here is a link to Punto Cero, is around the Coca Cola factory going towards Robledo. Its a must when in Medellin, trust me!
http://www.hotelpuntocero.com/main.html

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rocinante says on Nov 9, 2007, 16:04:

Weeeeeeeeeell if you have never been to Latin America - Colombia - where did you meet her? What country? Was she travelling? Do tell....

"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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sensas1an says on Nov 9, 2007, 23:05:

I met her whilst she was bumming around Asia last year... A dodgy drunken night in Singapore where we got off to a weird start because I thought she was a stuck up Indiana pretending to be latina... but then we hit it off and became good friends (VERY good friends)... I spent quite a bit of time with her (or her with me) whilst I've been working in AsiaPac...

She only went home because I had to work in Aus and she couldn't get a visa for Aus - needed to show sufficient funds etc which she didn't have...

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vicshere says on Nov 10, 2007, 11:18:

how does a girl whos comes ..... Barrio Castilla and from a very poor family get a visa and money to travel Asia

listo

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sensas1an says on Nov 10, 2007, 17:07:

Thats a long story too...

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vicshere says on Nov 10, 2007, 17:11:

here at PBH we love long storyies...dont be shy

listo

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sensas1an says on Nov 10, 2007, 17:30:

That's something that I'd rather keep personal/private...

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sensas1an says on Nov 10, 2007, 17:55:

Just for reference, there are only a few countries in Asia where a Colombian passport needs a physical visa, others operate on a Visa on Arrival scheme...

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minina says on Nov 10, 2007, 18:38:

Well I know Castilla is kind of close to where I used to live (Barrio Cordoba, part of Robledo). Castilla is enormous is huge is like a mini city whithin the city, and it has divisions that are like barrios themselves. Some places in Castilla are good, some places are bad. It is a very crowded place, and more on a saturday night, you can see literally rivers of people flowing through the streets. People say that if you live in Castilla you don't need to go downtown or to other parts of the city, because Castilla hast it all,banks, supermarkets, bars, clubs, restaurants, whatever you need, name it and they have it. I personally don't like it Castilla as much, is too crowded and there is a lot of noise, the barrio where I used to live was more quiet. As for Motel Punto Cero is not that close to Castilla but it is relatively nearby, depends what part of Castilla you are on. The Motel is called like that because is close to and structure that denotes the exact center or point zero of the city.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS...

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 10, 2007, 19:42:

cofeebeaner: i thought the punto cero place was a like a club or lounger. its an actual motel/hotel? ok so your not really picking girls up there bro. lol your taking them to punto cero later i guess lol

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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dwmte7 says on Nov 11, 2007, 09:00:

heh, mitch....your photo looks like 'judge alex' on tv.

dwmte

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nueva york bombero says on Nov 11, 2007, 10:07:

Aranjues and the outskirts of the hills of medellin are risky. If you take the metrocable up to the top, dont get off and look for a cafe. I have close friends who grew up there and they have no desire to go. Other than that, I think Medellin is safe.
Suerte!

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 11, 2007, 10:22:

dwmte7: not sure who judge alex is. but fine i took a new pic from my sidekick and put it up. lol

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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rhydewithdis says on Nov 11, 2007, 11:37:

at sensas I sent you a private message.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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coffee beaner says on Nov 11, 2007, 12:45:

nueva york bombero, I disagree with the metrocable thing... my cousin and my aunt are both married to gringos, one is of Irish ancestors and a former Suffolk County cop, the other is like 60 years old and doesn't speak jack shit of Spanish. We took both of them to the Metrocable and got off at the last stop, took pictures, drank coffee and bandebono and nothing happened to anyone. Another thing is if your going to go up there at 3 or 4 in the morning, now thats a different story.

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nueva york bombero says on Nov 11, 2007, 17:45:

All I remember is once at the top, a woman with 2 small children told me to go back because it was too dangerous for me there. I was also told that in parts around there, police don't go or "can't go". I don't know how true that is.
All I know is if I'm told not to go by a local, I don't go!
I felt safe everywhere though. Even in remote places like Pueblo Rico.

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dwmte7 says on Nov 11, 2007, 17:59:

i still haven't gone up the cable, but i know this after 19 years in medellin and there abouts....if you treat colombians with respect and make your first line of defense, a smile, without exception i've never had a problem. and i've been out in east antioquia and had work to do in barrios, nikitau and trieste and east bello and i'm still alive and kicking and speaking well of colombians.

dwmte

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nueva york bombero says on Nov 11, 2007, 18:10:

Very true about most places. A smile is worth more than a gun and will get you farther.

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Mat says on Nov 11, 2007, 18:24:

Hi.

So are we saying that the hotel Puntocero is not in a very good area to stay in.

Matthew

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coffee beaner says on Nov 11, 2007, 18:32:

Punto Cero is not really a Hotel... I never seen anyone stay there more then 6 hours, its more of a place to take a girl and show her a good time, get my drift?

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 11, 2007, 20:19:

cofeebeaner vos como que conoces muchos putiaderos no? lol

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 11, 2007, 22:03:

your crazy man. very funny too. invita pues !!! lol

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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minina says on Nov 13, 2007, 04:05:

Motel puntocero it's a in a good zone, it is very central!.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS...

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Mononoke28 says on Nov 13, 2007, 13:08:

When in Castilla say hi to St. Jude for me.

Thanks pal!

Diana

Diana

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Gary Bala says on Nov 24, 2007, 16:15:

I plan to visit Medellin end of December and early January.
Perhaps we can meet briefly when I'm in town.
My Colombia Cell 316-701-7854.
I am a US immigration attorney, and my late mother was from India.
Buena suerte, GB

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mranderson says on Nov 24, 2007, 18:00:

Gary your an immigration attorney? Can I get a free consultation? I live in Medellin and the u.s. won't let me take my legal wife to meet my family in the usa.

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