ericthepro007 has left 25 comments

ericthepro007 comments on ACCOMMODATION IN MEDELLIN AND CARTAGENA

Hotel Nutibara in Medellin Built in 1942 has a art deco style like you'd see in the states in the 1920's. I think I paid about $40 US dollars a night. It's right in the downtown area and is a safe hotel with doorman and elavator hostess. Free breakfast included. This is in a typical Colombia neignboorhood. El Poblado is more upscale from what I've read and I believe a safer area. I had no problem with security in Hotel Nuribara.

http://www.hotelnutibara.com/junio/bienvenida.htm

ericthepro007 comments on Where are you from and where do you live?

Michigan Born and raised in a waterfront town on Lake Huron in Port Huron, Michigan. Currently reside north of Detorit, Michigan. Located here after college for work. Michigan born and raised I highly recommend visiting this beautiful state.

Gringo means nothing to me. It's funny and I don't mind being called one. If someone says it as a direct insult then they're just not worth talking to and move on.

ericthepro007 comments on Romantic Restaurant in Medellin

Thanks all We'll try the Dann Carelton and/or the Intercontinental. I definalty like the revolving restaurant idea. In regards to the Llano Grande or hato viejo is tthis near the airport in Rio Negro or the one in the city? Were staying a day and night in Rio Negro and if it's a taxi drive from the hotel by the airport then that may be a good idea. However, I'm not sure of the taxi situaiton in Rio Negro.

ericthepro007 comments on NEW Citibank Credit card that gets you to COL faster...

Thanks again I think AA is the best way to go out of Detroit from my trying to book flights to Colombia.

ericthepro007 comments on NEW Citibank Credit card that gets you to COL faster...

Thanks Casug I think I'll a card since I plan on traveling more frequently and it may save me some cash. However, I wonder how long these 25-30,000 mile rates would last? I see they have there rates for this quarter and next but what after the end of the offer. I would be they go back up. Thanks.

ericthepro007 comments on NEW Citibank Credit card that gets you to COL faster...

I'm researching miles cards When I fly to Colombia from my destination I have a three ticket stop. Like Detroit to Chicago, Chicago to Miami, and then Miami to Medellin. Would say a 55,000 (or 25,00-30,000 with this card) mile trip like above cover all three stops or would it be broken up?

ericthepro007 comments on

I did feel safer than certain places in Detroit I stayed in public areas and didn't venture into undesirable areas in Medellin. My point was I was cautious and I did not have any fear at any time while I was in Medellin. In Detroit I have been in the worse of the worse areas and being a white man in a all black neignborhood stuck out like a sore thumb. Nothing to do with race of course thats just the demographics. If I would of ventured out at night in Medellin and visited certain parts of the city I'm sure my experiences may be different. As a tourist I would not stop going to Medellin because of it. Well 3,565 definatly is a high number and I had no idea it was that high if it is. I'm curious to know what type of homicides these are: drug related, thefts, or just random acts of violence. Anyways, it's not stopping me from going again.

ericthepro007 comments on

Detroit Muder rate Through November of this year, there were 1,279 people shot in Detroit and 341 people have been killed. In Detroit they will kill you for a video game, a pair of shoes, for crack cocaine, or simply just because they like driving down street and shooting through homes for little or no reason. In driving through neignborhoods in Medellin I felt more safe than in most places in Detroit. So i have no fear in Medellin. However, I did not venture into really bad neighboods there. The good thing about the murder rate in Detroit is that the majority of it is between fellow gang bangers or drug dealers. I have no problem with them killing each other. It's the innocent people I feel bad for.

ericthepro007 comments on VoIP or Vonage phone adapters smuggled to Colombia successful?

No DSL or broadband Fiancee reaffirmed that there is no service in her neighborhood for DSL. IDSL, or broadband. So we'll just keep business as usual.

ericthepro007 comments on VoIP or Vonage phone adapters smuggled to Colombia successful?

Linksys RT31P2 Vonage box yes, thats 89.99 at bestbuy with a 50$ rebate, So I'll fork out $40 for it and I won't need another router so for her that is the best way to go. For me at home I'd just order it since I already have a router. Thanks.

ericthepro007 comments on VoIP or Vonage phone adapters smuggled to Colombia successful?

Thanks viewpoint I will call my finacee and have her call EPM again. Yesterday they say they did not have high speed internet in her area. I'll have her call back and specifically request IDSL. Does vonage work sufficiently on IDSL? My problem is I have to figure out if they have it soon so I can order 2 vonage boxes. I'm leaving for Colombia next week and I'm running out of time to get the devices shipped. I was hoping to set up vonage at home and then in Colombia when I get there.

ericthepro007 comments on Want to meet up?? Here is a tool "Pete is this fine with you??

I signed up Well see what happens.

ericthepro007 comments on VoIP or Vonage phone adapters smuggled to Colombia successful?

Thanks everybody I was leaning towards vonage. However, now I found out that there is no broadband service in the Buenos Aires bario of Medellin where I need it. I really don't want to tinker around with any dialup system. I'll just continue like I have been with calling cards and my .10 cents a minuete rate from packet8.

ericthepro007 comments on Need Help with exchanging Dollars to Pesos

My exchange experience In Medellin I exchange money at two different banks each time $200 US dollars. One bank gave me 2470 pesos per 1 US dollar and the other 2390. I just simply had to show them a passport. This time I may try the ATM and see if that works as from what people say the rate is better. If not I'll use the bank again and just pay a little extra. I spent $400 US dollars on food and expenses over 17 days and enjoyed myself. The hotel I paid on credit card. I'm more comfortable with getting a lower exchange rate and having less money on me than getting a good one and having lots of money on me. I'm also not going to worry about a measly $5 ATM fee. I definatly would not carry a large amount of cash that is just crazy. I see absolutly no reason to carry $1,500 US or Colombian equilivant around.

ericthepro007 comments on VoIP or Vonage phone adapters smuggled to Colombia successful?

Good suggestion Mr. holllywood, yes that's another option. I just was kinda hoping to keep my current packet8 system which is chaper than vonage and no US taxes on it. However for the 8 or so months until she comes here you may be right, thanks.

ericthepro007 comments on Safety in Medellin.....

Don't worry go I stayed right downtown in the Hotel Nutibara right off Botero Plaza. It's right in the heart of the city and you can people watch right from the hotel retuarant right into the street. It's enclosed by a iron gate so nobody approaches you. If your with a woman be careful as your eyes will wander at the petty woman. From there we traveled to all the city sites with no problem in the day. We were usually in by night as she did not feel comfortable about traveling at night. I definatly stood out as I wore shorts all the time. Not too many people wear shorts there. The weathder is perfect not too hot not cold at all. The hotel was about $40-455 US dollars a night and included breakfast. It is safe and secure with a doorman and elevator host so nobody gets to the rooms unwanted. They alos have English speaking desk clerks. From my understanding this area is typical colombian people, avergae folks. If you want a upperclass area try the Poblado but it will be more expensive. Like any large metropolitan city just don't converse with undesirable people. For the most part with the exception os street beggers most people mind their won business. Everybody I met was very friendly.

ericthepro007 comments on VoIP or Vonage phone adapters smuggled to Colombia successful?

Calling to and from Medellin Does anybody know the going rate for High speed internet in Medellin? Me and my fiancee are trying to figure out if setting up high speed internet and a VOIP system, in Medellin will be worth while. We want a system where she only has to pay the Internet Service Provider. I don't want her to incur a VIOP monthly bill. I priced two Meritcall ata's for her and me and that would be feasible for me at $338 US dollars and no monthly VOIP bill for her. Another question, does naybody specifically call using only Meritcall boxes and what is the quality. I currently have packet8 and the quality is good with ocassinal delays in the signal. I looked into vonage but she would incur a monthly rate. We definatly don't want a system that uses the pc speaker and mic.

ericthepro007 comments on My second trip to Colombia

Thanks All I think I'll try and make it to all 3.

ericthepro007 comments on WHAT ARE THE CURRENCY RATES

Currency Exchage It's simple go to http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
and convert any amount you desire. Just pick the currency.

ericthepro007 comments on

Just use Taxi's I've been to Medellin not Bogota. However, they have to be similiar if not worse since Bogota is bigger. First of all over 90% of the vechicles are taxi's and busses. There are very few individual cars. It is also fairly inexpensive to hail a cab. My avergare trip in town was 2-3 US$. I didn't get the sence that they expected a tip but I usually tipped simply to get rid of all the coins. You'll get good taxi drivers and some bad. One guy took us for a joy ride to get a little extra fare but it wasn't worth getting in an argument for the dollar it amounted to. If she is with you and shows you around you should have no problem. But most important driving down there is completly different than the U.S. The roads are a free for all and you squeeze in where ever you can get. Cutting people off is a norm. Taxi drivers will come within inches of other cars, pedestrians, and what ever is in their way. And never lean your arm out the window if you care for it. I would not risk driving down there as I definatly would get in a wreck. The locals are good at driving that way and there seems to be very few accidents from what I saw. Don't waste your time renting a car or it may be your coffin.

ericthepro007 comments on own pics

Re Blimey I'll tell her, I'm sure she will be flattered.

ericthepro007 comments on own pics

Our gar Difference I don't mind you asking our age difference. I am 34 and she is 25, 9 years.

ericthepro007 comments on own pics

Just because I posted some pictures in my profile. I browse this site and it is good to see faces to peoples postings.

ericthepro007 comments on first time travel

Go for it My first question would be does she speak English? If she does you will have absolutly no problems. If she doesn't you have your work cut out for you. Question two: What neighboorhood? That will decide your hotel arrangements. I have been to Medellin in August 2004 to meet a special woman I meet on the internet and on the phone over the course of a year. After each of us decided we were both real I went for it. I speak very littel Spanish. She meet me at the airport but she was unable to go inside. Once you get off the plane you will be given the assistance of a English speaking person to help you through customs, no problem at the airport. We drove to the hotel and they had an English speaking person at the front desk at all times, so no problems there. In regards to safety I was not worried at all. The media makes it more severe than it is. It's a larger city than I used to but you can look and determine what and who to stay away from just as in any metropolitan city. The people are nice and I had no problems, just try and blend in. The weather is great and fruit and fruit drinks everywhere you go. American dollars goes a long ways so it can be a reasonable trip. My hotel rah about $45 dollars a night and included breakfast. For $5 you can get a good dinner. Taxi's and busses are the main form of transportation. The minimum is $2500 pesos, about a dollar. Yuo can travel by cab real cheap. If she is nice and you want a good vacation go fo it. I'm going back for another 15 dyas in december.

ericthepro007 comments on I REALLY NEED HELP FROM PEOPLE IN THE US!

Miami airport I traveled throught the Miami airport in August of 2004 from Chicago. I did not leave the secure area upon landing and was confined to the airport. My impression was no one without a ticket could enter the secure area. I alos received the impression I could not leave it. It's a big airport and I stayed close to my gates. They only asked for my passport (US) leaving the country. However, when I returned from Colombia I had to go through customs, grab my luggage for the next flight and find my gate. In finding my gate I left the secured area and people could walk in freely. I think your best to contact the airport.