jelsaad has left 43 comments

jelsaad comments on Parque Bolívar, Medellín

Downtown is dirty, full of beggars, choked with diesel smoke, chaotic, ans yes, dangerous. I'd avoid it at all costs, and this is from someone who is basically a native of Medellin. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it might even negatively impact your opinion of Medellin to stay in such a dodgy, grimy area. Laureles/La 70 is a much better bet.

jelsaad comments on In Medallo, but thinking of taking a trip to Pereira today....

Try ¨La 70¨or ¨La 33¨--both are major streets in the Laureles neighborhood which feature plenty of bars/cafes/clubs. La 33 is slightly more upscale, while La 70 is more salsa music and traditional taverns. LA 70 will probably be a bit livelier.

jelsaad comments on In Medallo, but thinking of taking a trip to Pereira today....

There will be even less to do in Pereira/Zona Cefatera in terms of nightlife. My recommendation: Stay in Medellin and go do the touristy stuff -- ride the metrocables, go to the Botero Museum, the Piez Descalzos Park, the Explora Park, the botanical gardens, or take a day trip to El Penol or Santafe de Antioquia(both very near Medellin). There´s a ton to do and see in Medellin besides the nightlife. By

jelsaad comments on Medellin Macaws

That's why I love Colombia -- a freaking macaw could fly in your window!

jelsaad comments on Medelin is now infested with gringos :(

People IMMIGRATE to NY from around the world to make a life in the city. These gringos in Medellin are here for sex, alone. They are not in any sense contributing to the culture of teh city, nor making it any more dynamic. They´re here to bed hot girls and leave. Apples and oranges, my friend.

jelsaad comments on HOLY CRAP

What's too sanitized? El Centro and all of the North of Medellin is still decrepit and dangerous. Panama City, Santiago de Chile, Monterrey -- Now those are some antiseptic places!

jelsaad comments on Medellin Hotel (Not Hostal) Recomendations

Holiday Inn Express -- Right on El Poblado Avenue in a luxurious shopping/dining complex.Spectacular views, all suites, free internet. Approximately $60US/night --but you MUST CALL THE HOTEL DIRECTLY IN MEDELLIN for this rate. Over the internet, it's twice as much. Novelty Suites Hotel --very similar to above.

jelsaad comments on First Time Colombia - Bogota or Medellin

Medellin. Better looking women, terriffic nightlife, cheaper than Bogota, better weather than Bogota.

jelsaad comments on I hate to re-ask questions...Where should I live in Colombia?

True. You're most likely to fit in with the local populace in Medellin or Manizales...although Mnaizales' nighlife is fairly limited.

jelsaad comments on I hate to re-ask questions...Where should I live in Colombia?

Cartagena is dirty, over-run with tourists and local salesmen aggressively peddling all types of wares, and is unbearably hot and humid...also expensive, relative to other areas of Colombia. Barranquilla is worse --hotter, more humid, with little charm. Manizales is relatively clean, and the mountain range backdrop is spectacular, but the weather is quite cool. The women, although very attractive, are mostly White(similar to BA). I would recommend Medellin(city of 3million, but feels much smaller, perfect weather, gorgeous women, clean, modern, vibrant, great nighlife), Manizales, and Bucaramanga, in that order.

jelsaad comments on Where is a good Colombian Restaurant in NYC?

I highly recommend Cositas Ricas on Roosevelet Ave in Queens. It's always packed -- agood sign, if you ask me.

jelsaad comments on Thanks to the "Dining in Cartagena Gudie" guy!!

"Mezeler" near Parque Lleras for Mediterranean "Hato Viejo" on Las Palmas for typical regional Colombian food "El Herbario" near Poblado Parque for upscale contemporary "Romma' in La Strada on El Poblado Ave. for Italian

jelsaad comments on Water in Medellin question

I've traveled to every continent on earth(excepting Antarctica), and Chicago has among the poorest drinking water safety record of any deveoped-country city I've been in. E. coli has beeen known to not only affect the beaches --but also the drinking water supply(hence the heavy addition of chemical sanitizers).

jelsaad comments on Water in Medellin question

I live in Chicago, where we, in fact, have frequent e. coli outbreaks. Chicago's public water is considered among the worst in the US.

jelsaad comments on Water in Medellin question

The water in Medellin is considered among the best in Latin America --it is perfectly safe to drink. Better, in fact, than Chicago's.

jelsaad comments on Medellin hotels

Holiday Inn Express and Novelty Suites Hotel are both stylish, within walking distance of numerous bars/restaurants, safely situated in a abeautiful, upscale neighborhood, have English-speaking staff, grea tviews, and cost approx $70/night.

jelsaad comments on Physical attributes of Colombian women (eg. skin tone, eyes)

Colombia is a amalgamation of European, Native American, and African ancestries. Generally speaking, on the Caribbean Coast you'll find a higher percentage of people with African ancestry, although the higher classes may be very European-looking. In Bogota and Cali you'll find many Mestizos(Euro/Native American mix) and a few Mulattos(Euro/African mix). In Medellin, Manizales, and Pereira, you'll find the highest percentage of women with European ancestry. Keep in mind, however, that they are mainly of Spanish ancestry, so while you will find the occassional blue-eyed blonde, most have dark hair and fair skin -- they look Italian/Greek/Spanish.

jelsaad comments on

* Party in Parque LLeras(bard, open-air cafes) * Visit great nightclubs, such as Vinacure, Mango's, and Palmahia *Vist theMuseo de Antioquia and Botero Sculpture Park *Ride the Metro and MetroCable up to the new library in SAnto Domingo *Visit the Botanical Gardens and the new Explora Museum across the street *Stroll along the "golden mile" on El Pobaldo Ave * Visit beautiful nearby towns, such as El Retiro, La Ceja, etc. The mountain scenery is absolutely spectacular and not-to--be-missed *Check out El Tesoro and Oviedo malls

jelsaad comments on Medellin Studio APT

I'd be interested in renting your studio for the nights of March 15,16 and 17. I assume it's fully furnsihed, right? Are there any pics? You contact me by private message or at jelsaad at yahoo.com.

Thanks!

jelsaad comments on Just returned from Bogota

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Bogota. It is, indeed, a fantastic city -- cosmopolitan,modern, friendly, and safer/cleaner by the day.

Medellin is lovely, too -- albeit in a slightly different way. Medellin is about half the size of Bogota, but the natural scenery is more beautiful. The city is also a bit cleaner and better oranized. Newer infrastructure, some cool modern arhcitecture, tremendous nightlife, and perfect weather. If it's women you're after, Medellin has some of the loveliest of any city in the Western Hemisphere.There are great museums, day-trip excursions, and an altogether pleasant/artistic vibe to the place.

That said, Bogota is definitely more dynamic and international. Medellin is perhaps prettier and more 'pleasant".

jelsaad comments on Medellin Large Penthouse Available

Tha's ridiculously over-priced You can rent an ENTIRE furnished apt. in El Poblado for that price or a luxurious hotel suite! You should consider reducing your rates.

jelsaad comments on rock and beer in Medellin

Try "Dali" near Parque Lleras or "TelePop" near la 80 con 33.

jelsaad comments on rock and beer in Medellin

Try "Dali" near Parque Lleras or "TelePop" near la 80 con 33.

jelsaad comments on Finally! My First Trip! MEDELLIN.... I need just a little bit of helpful information:

There is no Hilton in Medellin. I recommend the Belfort, Park 10, Dann Carlton, Sheraton, or Novelty Suites --all in theEl Poblaso district. Centro/downtown is not the best place to be.
The airport is located about 40 mins fro medellin in a mountain town named Rionegro. The drive into Medellin winds through the mountains and offers spectacular views.

jelsaad comments on Safety Tips for Medellin Trip With Gringo Boyfriend

I'm not Colombian, I'm American of Lebanese and Colombian ancestry. I hope this helps.

jelsaad comments on Continental Airlines direct flight Houston to Cali started this week

Houston-Medellin A non-stop Houston-Medellin flight would be absolutely ideal. We EACH need to contact Continental airlines with this petition/request, and make our voices heard. The demand certainly exists -- Continental simply needs to be made aware of it. Even 2 or 3 flights/wk from IAH-MDE would be superb. I, for one, am calling them ASAP!

jelsaad comments on English to Spanish Interpreter needed in Medellin

I'm an experienced Spanish and English instructor who will be available the 20th-22nd for transaltion services. Thanks for your consideration.

jelsaad comments on Medellin

Food and drink processing, textiles --Medellin is a major fashion capital, technology,and health care are all vital industries in Medellin. Also, the city is regarded as having a partciularly beneficial business environment and infrastructure

jelsaad comments on Medelin or Cali

Medellin While Cali is a amazing city with many charms, Medellin is simply cleaner, better organized,more modern infrastructure, safer and over-all more developed/pleasant at the current time. The weather is also more temperate, and the natural surroundings(intensely green mountains)much more impressive.

Botrh cities feature excellent nightlife and beautiful women, but at the current time, Medellin is the better destination for the international visitor.

jelsaad comments on Cali, Medellin, or Bogota? Cast your vote

Medellin is magical --absolutely stunning mountain setting, with excellent nightlife and beautiful, charming people. Bogota is cosmopolitan and cultured, but the people are perhaps not as greagrious or attractive.

jelsaad comments on Hotels near or around Santa Ana, Bello, Medellin

COUSIN: The hotels in the El Poblado area are about a 15-min cab ride from Bello. 25 mins during rush hour/peak traffic. Laureles-area hotels are 10 mins. from Bello. In my opinion, this is a relatively short distance and well worth the safety, well-being and general comfort. A bus will cost you about 40-50 cents each way, and a cab about $2.I think it's quite doable, and much closer/easier than you might think. I am honestly afraid of what can happen to you in Bello -- and the odds that something WILL happen to you there are very great. Why risk it? If you love your child and the mother so much, why put yourself in danger's way intentionally? Staying 10-15 minutes away --in a safe area--may be the best thing you could do for them --it may keep your child's daddy alive, for example :)

jelsaad comments on Hotels near or around Santa Ana, Bello, Medellin

Cousin: You came here looking for advice, and we've given it to you: Bello is an EXTREMELY dangerous area. We know, we've live din Medellin for many years. I am soory if you're offended by this --you shouldn't be, we're simply trying to prevent any harm from coming your way. In Bello, it is LITERALLY just a matter of time before you will be hurt. BE RATIONAL. THINK CLEARLY. It is not worth your life and well being --ask any native of Medellin which neighborhoods are the most dangerous, and they will ALL WITHOUT FAIL mention BEllO in the top three. If you don't believe me, ask THE POLICE!

jelsaad comments on Hotels near or around Santa Ana, Bello, Medellin

Cousin: You received several responses to this question in the other thread in which you asked this a few days ago.

In short: Bello/Bello Niquia are among the most violent, dangerous, most dilapidated and generally unpleasant areas to stay in Medellin. For your own safety DO NOT stay there.
Medellin is a absolutely gorgeous metropolis, but it's dangerous areas --such as Bello --are EXTREMELY dangerous. Safe, attractive areas in which tos earch for hotels are El Poblado and Laureles, for example. You can minimize your risk and generally have an altogether more enjoyable experience by staying here.

I recommend:
Hotel Novelty Suites -- In El Poblado --a beautiful, upscale residential and business area that is safe, and has plenty of restaurants, bars, malls, etc. within walking distance. Beautiful, modern SUITES with balcony offering panoramic views, free buffet breakfast, etc., for about $50-$60/night.

Hotel Plaza Rosa --Not as modern or chic as Novelty Suites, but in same great neighborhood. Similar price.

Hotel Casa Laureles -- In an upper-middle class residential neighborhood. Not as many ammenities or as convenienta s the other two, but still a very nice place. Similar price.


You can go cheaper, but you begin to risk your safety and increase your discomfort.

PLEASE AVOID BELLO. PLEASE, FOR YOUR OWN GOOD --I AM NOT JOKING. I lived in Medellin for many, many years, and even I would not set foot there!

jelsaad comments on Hotels near or around Santa Ana, Bello, Medellin

Cousin:

jelsaad comments on Hotels near or around Santa Ana, Bello, Medellin

Cousin:

jelsaad comments on InterContinental or Dann Carlton In Medellin?

COUSIN: Cousin --Believe me, you DO NOT want to seek accomodations in Bello. Bello is, quite possibly, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellin, and most rational people would admonish you strongly agaianst staying there. Additionally, Bello is a lower to lower middle class area --it's unattractive and a bit dilapidated--in addition to being a prime spot for becoming a victim of some sort of crime.

I also discourage you from limiting or even focusing your visit to Medellin to this area. Medellin is a marvelously beautiful city --that can be safe --provided reasonable precautions are taken(such as avoiding dangerous areas --i.e.-Bello). Most hotels are locate din teh upscale El Poblado district, which is likly the safest area of town. A nice room can be had for about $50U.S./night. I recommend the Hotel Plaza Rosa in this price range --excellent location near restaurants, bar, shopping,gyms, great views, courteous/friendly staff, and most importantly --SAFE.

Good luck!

jelsaad comments on In Medellin Now-- This is Absolutely One of The Most Beautiful Cities Anywhere

It is ONE o the mos beautiful cities --obviously, places like B.A., Rio, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Paris, etc. are also gorgeous. It is indisputable, however, that Medellin has a hiher concentration of gorgeous women than anywhere else on earth!

jelsaad comments on Girls' Schools in Medellin

Colegio Marymount,and the Columbus School, of course. There are others, also.

jelsaad comments on EXPAT ASSIGN'T IN MEDELLIN: TO GO OR NOT TO GO?

Elgie, did you visit the link I posted earlier? You shoukd really check out those pictures and that site, in general, as it will help you form a clearer perspective on Medellin.

Like I also mentioned, the city has an agreeable climate YEAR ROUND. Average daily highs are 77-82 F and lows 58-64F. In essence, warm(but not humid) days and cool nights. Lots of sunshine,as well as frequent afternoon rain-showers. Inclement weather is a rarity.

jelsaad comments on EXPAT ASSIGN'T IN MEDELLIN: TO GO OR NOT TO GO?

Medellin is one of the most modern, efficient, clean and altogether beautifully pleasant cities in Latin America.Great pics are available at http://www.paisas.us/album/categories.php?cat_id=1&sessionid=9773bb242b142151a2463f9c90f6d678 Its health care system is excellent (of comparable quality to the US), it has a thorough and well-organized transporation infrastructure, superb European-style cafe life,as well as sultry Latin discos. Internet, cell phones, etc., are all widely available and utilized. The malls are often better/more modern than most US malls, and you can find almost anything you could want or need.

The city is dramatically located in a lush, green valley, surrounded on all sides by majestic hills. The temperature is agreeable and spring-like year-round, thus earning it the title of "City of Eternal Spring". Medellin will likely remind you a bit of Los Angeles in terms of weather, palm trees, flowers, and mountains.

Spanish is essential in Medellin, although most people speak at least a little English. You will feel safer and generally enjoy your experience much more if you attempt to learn at least some basic Spanish prior to arrival. It is not a difficlut language, and the time investment is well worth it.

Security is an obvious concern,a nd while claims of Medellin's violence are often grossly exaggerated, it is nevertheless not the safest place, either. You will NOT need armored vehicles, personal security, etc. -- You WILL need common sense, street smarts and a little vigilance. AVoid sketchy neighborhoods, leave valuables at home, try not to seem like a lost/distracted foreigner,etc. Generally, keep your wits about you,a nd you should be fine. I cannot stress, however, how important it is for you to speak at least a little Spanish before arriving.

In short, Medellin is a fabulous,magnetic, enchanting and modern metroplis which most people fall in love with.

jelsaad comments on Stop Over in Bogota ... need help. Thanks

RONCITA OR ANYBODY ELSE: DO YOU THINK IT'S SAFE Do you think it's safe to take a taxi from Las Lomas Hotel to El Poblado/Intercontinental Hotel during the daytime. I'll be accompanied by my gringo boyfriend and obviously have security concerns.

jelsaad comments on Health care

Medellin Medellin is renowned throughout Latin America for having some of the best equipped, modern hospitals and most respected, accomplished physicians. Overall, Medellin's health care system is first-class, and the city, itself, enjoys a lovely,mild year-round climate, is clean, modern, vibrant and perhaps the most beautiful in Colombia.
The Clinica Medellin, for example, offers unparalleled health care in a gorgeous setting.

jelsaad comments on Safety Tips for Medellin Trip With Gringo Boyfriend

Uh-oh...We'll be arriving at 9 pm, so we'll have to undertake the drive from the airport to the city at night. Should we have my relatives pick us up, or should we arrange for a private taxi from the hotel?

Do the rooms at the Dann Carlton have nice views? It seems that the sole advantage of the IC is its majestic views....

Is the horticultural park the same one that houses the orchid display --the botanical gardens?

Thanks for your help -- We're terrified of the prospect of being kidnapped or even just mugged...