CuriosJoe has left 126 comments

CuriosJoe comments on Dive operator/sites in Cartagena?

Thanks Megs. I did a dive a few years ago from a PADI agency next to Riquissimo, they were good but no wreck dives. It's a nice boat ride to 2 islands, 2 dives, and food in between.

CuriosJoe comments on

I am going to be in Cartagena during the Easter week (Semana Santa). BTW anyone aware of any club closures duirng that week??

CuriosJoe comments on Send money via Westernunion for hotel in BAQ or not? - URGENT !!!

Thanks. Tried calling them today, they don't pick up the phone. Has anyone been able to get rooms without reservation on arrival? Cartagena will probably be dead this week, all the action is in Baq !!

CuriosJoe comments on Send money via Westernunion for hotel in BAQ or not? - URGENT !!!

Hello thanks to everyone who responded. We haven't sent the money yet. No bigger hotels availability for the Carnival dates at all. The place that wants us to send the money is this one: http://www.apartamentosalvarojesus.com/ It really doesn't come up anywhere when we google it other than on this site. In general, if 4 of us just show up in the middle of the carnival with no reservations what are the chances we find something? thanks.

CuriosJoe comments on Running in Cartagena

My buddy and I ran from El Laguito to El Centro during the Miss Colombia in November, and as far as I can tell we were novelty and we got some of funny or curios looks. Maybe it's more common in Bogota or Medellin. Cartagena is still a third world. Reminds me coming to Florianopolis, Brazil after a week in Rio I see people jog everywhere, that was really cool.

CuriosJoe comments on Barranquilla Festiva: URGENT PLS!

All, looks like we have a conflict for the dates in February. Will the nightlife be busier than usual the dates of Jan 17-22? That includes Sunday and Monday nights. The Enero events, do those turn into night time? 18: Coronacion de la reina del carnaval. 19: Fiesta de Comparsas. 19: Garabato Del Country. 19: Noche de Orquestas. 20: Fiesta de danzas y cumbias Thanks again

CuriosJoe comments on Barranquilla Festiva: URGENT PLS!

come up people help us out here, we must book today or tomorrow at the latest !!! please!!

CuriosJoe comments on BAQ festival in Jan

What do you mean?

CuriosJoe comments on Help I need to learn salsa here in NYC or New Jersey!!

check out http://salsanewyork.com/ salsa is big in NY but it's on 2 you won't find much colombian style (aka 3 step salsa) but in general there are a ton of schools and instructors in NY and it's way ahead of anything i have seen in colombia so u'll be ok.

CuriosJoe comments on Exact dates MISS COLOMBIA CARTAGENA 2007?

If there is a delay, when is it announced? Thanks all

CuriosJoe comments on Exact dates MISS COLOMBIA CARTAGENA 2007?

What do you mean postponed?? I was there last year, and it was Extreemly slow compared to the 2005.

CuriosJoe comments on Exact dates MISS COLOMBIA CARTAGENA 2007?

Ok thanks alot Juanalejo.

CuriosJoe comments on Cartagena in August busy with parties, college students?

How about Giromato, LDV and the like, will they be dead too?

CuriosJoe comments on Barranquilla to Cartagena by taxi/bus, safe?

Ok thanks again everyone !

CuriosJoe comments on Barranquilla to Cartagena by taxi/bus, safe?

Is Porta-aPorta a van, 18-25K per person? - thanks!

CuriosJoe comments on Barranquilla to Cartagena by taxi/bus, safe?

ok thanks everyone. 25K pesos =~ 25 dollars? are you sure that's enough? how long is the ride? is the road safe?

CuriosJoe comments on whats with all the bombings lately??

Thanks Peter.
Thanks Peter.

CuriosJoe comments on Best time of year to visit Cartagena

november miss colombia event is THE ONLY time I would visit Cartagena! so many chicas everywhere, party every night. it can be slow at other times of the year.

try to arrange an apartment, search this board for contacts; it is a much better deal and you have freedom to bring 'guests' if you have to.

CuriosJoe comments on Suites Real 97 is good location (Calle 97) ?

thanks people!!
thanks people!!

CuriosJoe comments on Hotels in Medellin

Dan Carlton and Park 10 are definetly the best ones

CuriosJoe comments on Learning Spanish in Medellin, one or two weeks

2 weeks google EAFIT idiomas - very good language program on campus of one of the better if not best colleges in town. 2 weeks is better because they have a 2 week program (though you could do 1 week only) and because generally in colombia a 3 day date rule applies (if you are interested in meeting girls). it's also next to polytechnic college where the girls are even more approachable. have fun in medellin.

CuriosJoe comments on Colombian men, from a man.

All I said was you can't walk through a mall (olviedo) without a jealous dude staring, with few exceptions. Even when he is with an ugly girl I wouldn’t look at anyway he’d still stare. I don't know your ages, weight, height, how you carry yourselves, or anything else about you and so I assume many of you had experiences that differ from mine. I found girls in Medellin extremely approachable and friendly. And few men exercise or dress well. I simply stated facts and my observations; your insecurity and accusations only prove my point.

CuriosJoe comments on Colombian men, from a man.

LOL.

The men are also extreemly insecure. When a colombian dude is walking with a girl he will not stop staring me in the eyes so I don't exchange looks with his girl.

My friend was dancing and then talking to a very pretty tall girl at Mangos while 3 of her friends kept telling me that she is their friend and he should stop talking to her.

CuriosJoe comments on Info on Bogota (nightlife/spanish class) vs Medellin

thanks MaG. anyone has more info/experience about Los Andes, and nightlife in Bogota? thanks again.

CuriosJoe comments on Colombian Men

bitter remarks coming from fat and short men or the same ones that wouldn't stop staring at me so their girl won't look me in the eyes? I see similarities.

If you look foreign and young and dress well (or wealthy colombian looking i guess) getting dates in medellin is like shooting fish in a barrel. if this is news to you then pull a rasist card on me.

This is my 3rd trip to colombia and seeing older shorter fat men with gorgeous dates is no news to me. Simon are you one of the wealthy good looking dudes that can afford a gym membership? Oh you live in US now, so that makes you one also. I am done with this thread.

CuriosJoe comments on Salsa lessons

Rubiazo you said "almost nobody in NYC dances salsa anymore" but that's not true, there are salsa socials/clubs in NYC every night with thousands of participants all of whom are way better dancers than your average crowd in colombia. salsa is an international movement with people used to practicing it for hours. check out www.salsanewyork.com for daily events and internation salsa congress.

u see that in colombia or latin america in general? the only salsa i saw was a couple of performers on stage in mangos and even those were average. regular crowd don't dance salsa; they hug tight, closed eyes, and switch foot to foot.

CuriosJoe comments on Info on Bogota (nightlife/spanish class) vs Medellin

thanks Rubiazo. I hope Bogota is also more cosmopolitan than Medellin. Any info on classes at university? Any good old discussions? Anyone needs a scoop on Medellin this week I will provide. Thanks again.

CuriosJoe comments on Info on Bogota (nightlife/spanish class) vs Medellin

more please There has to more, please, thanks!

CuriosJoe comments on Colombian Men

I just got back from Medellin. I am just little over 5'9'' and I felt like myself and my friend were among the tallest dudes everywhere we went. I am sorry in advance if I offend anyone by saying this, but colombian girls are 100 times hotter than their men. The men are generally out of shape, many are short, and few dress well.

The amount of looks and eye contact I got from the girls in Mangos, universities was beyond any expectation. The only annoying part was colombian dudes staring hard at me so I don't look at their girl. Quit staring at me, and tell your girl to stop looking :)

CuriosJoe comments on Miss Colombia 2007 in 2007. When??

It's sometime in November. I was there in 2006. It's true it will be the busiest month in Cartagena and is the best time to be there if you like to party. Book your hotel/apartments early. Stay in Hilton if you can and be close to all the hotties. Can't confirm the exact dates for this year though.

CuriosJoe comments on upscale clubs in medellin

thanks colombiaboard - thanks for the info as well.

CuriosJoe comments on upscale clubs in medellin

morphus i think this would totally work. especially during sun-wed when there are no clubs open this is a good venue. its amazing how much attention u get here from the girls. colombian dudes are jealous types, if he's with a girl he wont stop staring at me cant tell him anything this is colombia, should tell his girlfriend to stop staring at me instead. we went to templo antonia on sat, radio station night, huge line outside, a small tip gets us in right away, seemed like everyone was sniffing glue and smoking pot, was fun though. also this seems like a slow week, seems a lot of people head to cartagena and a lot of students are on break.

CuriosJoe comments on upscale clubs in medellin

love new york, more work but girls are hot and classy, but we in medellin now. morphus, your plan sounds like fun. what do u mean for take out though, most girls are not alone, or r u talking mayorista spot? we are going to palmas street heard thats where clubs and the action is. mangos was cool but full of drunk dudes last night, bad ratio. on new york again to whoever said something, yes you have to have game, but at least there is someting to do every day of the week.

CuriosJoe comments on

chica friendly? Are both hotels chica friendly?
What are the most upscale hotels in Medellin?
Thanks

CuriosJoe comments on Presidential Election everything to close??

thanks everyone Thanks Gringobogota and everyone. We've rescheduled for June. Hopefully there won't be a second round. Uribe is a strong candidate.

CuriosJoe comments on Presidential Election everything to close??

We are only staying in Medellin, where there any issues last year or year before right after the elections in Medellin? We can wait but what and when mean safe in Colombia :) ? We certainly appreciate the advice and will keep an eye out on this thread. Thanks again.

CuriosJoe comments on Presidential Election everything to close??

Ok we changed the dates We changed the dates to arrive on June 2nd. How was it last year right after the elections? Are there any issues/protests the weekend after? Thanks again for all the help.

CuriosJoe comments on Presidential Election everything to close??

Thank you GringoInBogota That's a very good advice. We will definetly consider changing travel dates. Thanks again.

CuriosJoe comments on Presidential Election everything to close??

So? Is it a bad week to go for parties? We are booked for May 26-31. Can anyone please give more detail as to what to expect and whether or not this is a good choice of travel dates? It's not like it's a weekend getaway to Jersey shore. Thanks again.

CuriosJoe comments on Search: Upscale ST rentals in Medellin?

Ok, will do, thank you.

CuriosJoe comments on MDE parties around Easter week?

Hello, I am not sure I am going yet. If I go it'll be around Easter week. I live in NYC, you?

CuriosJoe comments on MDE parties around Easter week?

correction Basically will Easter week be any different from any other week in Colombia? - thanks in advance. Anyone?

CuriosJoe comments on Spanish Course - Bogota

Why is this a dogs life? Is HTL in Bogota a good place to meet girls?

CuriosJoe comments on Salsa in Medellin & an etiquette question

It doesn't seem in Colombia there is a social salsa movement with workshopss/classes, socials, international congress like the ones that exist in the civilized world. I've been pretty much all over latin america (except Cuba) and seen very little salsa other than a lot of hugging and basic "homegrown" body moves. Different story in US, Europe, Asia where there are tens of thousands of dancers who actually practice several times a week. The closest to that I've seen was in Argentina. I can't wait to go to Cali though: I heard they have a distinct style that differs from the LA (on-1),NY(on-2), and Miami(Cuban) styles of dance. Is it called a 3 step or something?-please correct me if I am wrong.

CuriosJoe comments on Cartagena the Bad - High Season

I was in November during the beauty event. 4K seems to be a standard fare anywhere now. Other than that apartments were slightly more expensive no problems. I use trusted person I rent apartment from. On the beach I always have same person (Jonhson) serve me. I tip him 20 percent and it's like having a personal servant on the beach - cannnot be beat.

CuriosJoe comments on Tourists Held Near Park Tayrona

over 4 million visitors come to Yosemite Park each year

CuriosJoe comments on Best restaurants in Cartagena?

!!!!!!!!!!! EL RIQUISSIMO !!!!!!!!!!! is A MUST EAT. El Ruiquissimo is on main road in Laguito. Authentic Colombian food, fire grill. Order BABY BEEF for 18K (about 8 dollars at current rate). Or Puchugo de Pollo. The waffle place is ok for breakfast, a weak attempt to create modern western style place. Buy oysters on the beach (just kidding - don't! my friend got sick for 3 days afterwards). Have fun in Cartagena, it's a great city!

CuriosJoe comments on Easy for a foreigner to get a cell phone?

Go to their office. I got mine in Cartagena in about 20 minutes, not bad considering you talk to like 4 different people LOL. You get new sim card, can prepay minutes (and get some bonus minutes with that). I didn't have my passport and only had a drivers license on me and that was enough. Bring your passport just in case.

CuriosJoe comments on Why Colombia? No...Really

Cam0940: Fruits and Veggies In NY you buy fresh produce from fruit stands similar to farmers' markets you have in Los Angeles only it's cheaper in NY (in places such as Brooklyn, Queens). I hope this is not the case in Medellin, but the fruits and veggies I purchased in Olympic supermarkets in Cartagena were pretty shitty and tasteless. The "fine" restaurants in the old town Cartagena also pretty mediocre. The only quality restaurant in CTG is Riquissimo in Laguito, but after a week of strict meat diet (and occasional arepas) you really start missing the variety you get when in the 1st world.

CuriosJoe comments on Why Colombia? No...Really

Rubiazo this is my last reply to you in this thread. I live and work in Manhattan. I've been all over Latin America and several times to Colombia (Cartagena). I stated earlier the reasons why I travel: cheap and simple food, easy girls, practice spanish, fun times. Unlike you I have no illusions about fine dining in Latin America, and I figure out ways to be happy in both US and where my travels take me.