Medellin Chit Chat Thread

[GeneHickman]

I have noticed recently that the US stock market has an inverse effect on the dollar / COP exchange rate. Last week, when the stock market was in freefall, the exchange rate was more than 3500 to $1 for a few hours. This week, when the market is going up, the exchange rate is going down. I think the dollar should be stronger when the market is up. Any economics experts out there care to enlighten me?

Prob. More to do with China trade issues than US stock market, though the latter would also be affected by China trade to some extent. If China trade goes south then the peso goes with the other emerging markets lower. Arguably due to more China trade, Colombian peso affected more. The other issue driving peso to keep an eye on is oil price.

[Mr Enternational]

I have noticed recently that the US stock market has an inverse effect on the dollar / COP exchange rate. Last week, when the stock market was in freefall, the exchange rate was more than 3500 to $1 for a few hours. This week, when the market is going up, the exchange rate is going down. I think the dollar should be stronger when the market is up. Any economics experts out there care to enlighten me?

Has nothing to do with nothing. Only coincidence, not correlation.

[Fun Luvr]

I have noticed recently that the US stock market has an inverse effect on the dollar / COP exchange rate. Last week, when the stock market was in freefall, the exchange rate was more than 3500 to $1 for a few hours. This week, when the market is going up, the exchange rate is going down. I think the dollar should be stronger when the market is up. Any economics experts out there care to enlighten me?

[Husker Dude]

I believe most of the girls at the Mansion ask for 200 k for an hour. Some can be talked down to 150 k. Just to be clear, the Mansion isn't a casa. It's a hotel. There are girls who hang out at the pool during the day and in the bar at night.

Like said current Mansion price is 200 k, includes "taxi", although some may take 150. Heard currently no Chicas at pool during day Unless invited in by guest due to recent crackdown of some kind. Plenty at night in the downstairs bar. Only hotel guests allowed. Occasionally they will let outsider in for a fee.

[SosuaPlaya]

My Chigga, I am on your same boat. Relax, we stick out no matter what but you can always do the following:

1. Hire a guide. They act like pimps most of the time too with their own pool of hoes.

2. Take Ubers or find a recommended car service on social media.

3. Its not hard to write down a few things in Spanish and learn to say them. Things like "yo quiero chicas" (joe-key-ro-chi-cas) at the casa I'd imagine leads to a parade of hoes right there.

4. Check out Catador Colombia forums for local online prepago reviews. Turn the google translate on on your Chrome browser.

5. From the above site, I have learned that Mansion hoes are basically the Facebook hoes, also same price range as online prepagos 100 Mil and Above experiences, Median going for 150-200 Mil, 45-60 USD. The price of a toothless BJ in the Big-Apple.

6. As far as being Asian, I've been told that they will call us Chinos but not mean anything malicious, there are just too few of us there to have formed any stereotypes, just that they know who Jackie Chan is. I wouldn't walk around too afraid and paranoid, that's why a bilingual guide is worth a 100 hoes in this situation. Can also double as a security guide of sorts. Better to get robbed with someone right?

7. If this is your first rodeo, I suggest moving in the shadows.

Another Asian brother? I thought I was the only one. Good advice on the guide and the Catador site is cash. Thanks, my bro.

[FortuneWaffers]

Fair point about not passing as a native. I was more or less just worried that being a solo Asian traveler that's a bit diminutive and unimposing may present an appealing target for robbers or other criminals. Would you mind sharing what prices I could expect at the Mansion for ST chicas? Any other casa suggestions that would suit a newbie to Medellin that speaks no Spanish? Do prepagos off of sites have a reputation (positive or negative)?

My Chigga, I am on your same boat. Relax, we stick out no matter what but you can always do the following:

1. Hire a guide. They act like pimps most of the time too with their own pool of hoes.

2. Take Ubers or find a recommended car service on social media.

3. Its not hard to write down a few things in Spanish and learn to say them. Things like "yo quiero chicas" (joe-key-ro-chi-cas) at the casa I'd imagine leads to a parade of hoes right there.

4. Check out Catador Colombia forums for local online prepago reviews. Turn the google translate on on your Chrome browser.

5. From the above site, I have learned that Mansion hoes are basically the Facebook hoes, also same price range as online prepagos 100 Mil and Above experiences, Median going for 150-200 Mil, 45-60 USD. The price of a toothless BJ in the Big-Apple.

6. As far as being Asian, I've been told that they will call us Chinos but not mean anything malicious, there are just too few of us there to have formed any stereotypes, just that they know who Jackie Chan is. I wouldn't walk around too afraid and paranoid, that's why a bilingual guide is worth a 100 hoes in this situation. Can also double as a security guide of sorts. Better to get robbed with someone right?

7. If this is your first rodeo, I suggest moving in the shadows.

[JjBee62]

Fair point about not passing as a native. I was more or less just worried that being a solo Asian traveler that's a bit diminutive and unimposing may present an appealing target for robbers or other criminals. Would you mind sharing what prices I could expect at the Mansion for ST chicas? Any other casa suggestions that would suit a newbie to Medellin that speaks no Spanish? Do prepagos off of sites have a reputation (positive or negative)?

I believe most of the girls at the Mansion ask for 200 k for an hour. Some can be talked down to 150 k. Just to be clear, the Mansion isn't a casa. It's a hotel. There are girls who hang out at the pool during the day and in the bar at night.

[SosuaPlaya]

Yes. You're being overly paranoid.

First, nobody passes for native Colombian, except for native Colombians. Take a German and stick him in Des Moines, Iowa. Nobody is going to think he's a native.

The suggested, safest option for newbies is probably to stay at the Mansion and let some of the regulars there take you under their wing. Other than a short walk to eat, you won't have to venture out anywhere, but if you do, there will be people who will go with you.

Currently, the biggest risk might be Tinder. Some groups have been using Tinder to target, drug and rob visitors. At least one of those targeted died.

Fair point about not passing as a native. I was more or less just worried that being a solo Asian traveler that's a bit diminutive and unimposing may present an appealing target for robbers or other criminals. Would you mind sharing what prices I could expect at the Mansion for ST chicas? Any other casa suggestions that would suit a newbie to Medellin that speaks no Spanish? Do prepagos off of sites have a reputation (positive or negative)?

[Orgasmico]

Sign circulating around the neighborhoods in Medellin.

[JjBee62]

Apologies because this question probably comes up often, but how safe would Medellin be for a solo Asian traveler that speaks no Spanish? I have read the common suggestions of walking with confidence, avoid taking your phone out in public, avoid El Centro at night, be aware of your surroundings, etc. That being said, it seems like gringos and black individuals could sometimes pass as native Colombians easier than say a pale, skinny Southeast Asian male. I was thinking I would stay in El Poblado and work off of escorts and / or chicas off of Facebook and Tinder, with checking out Parque Lleras at night for the SG action as this seems like the suggested safest plan for newbies. Am I being overly paranoid?

Yes. You're being overly paranoid.

First, nobody passes for native Colombian, except for native Colombians. Take a German and stick him in Des Moines, Iowa. Nobody is going to think he's a native.

The suggested, safest option for newbies is probably to stay at the Mansion and let some of the regulars there take you under their wing. Other than a short walk to eat, you won't have to venture out anywhere, but if you do, there will be people who will go with you.

Currently, the biggest risk might be Tinder. Some groups have been using Tinder to target, drug and rob visitors. At least one of those targeted died.

[SosuaPlaya]

Apologies because this question probably comes up often, but how safe would Medellin be for a solo Asian traveler that speaks no Spanish? I have read the common suggestions of walking with confidence, avoid taking your phone out in public, avoid El Centro at night, be aware of your surroundings, etc. That being said, it seems like gringos and black individuals could sometimes pass as native Colombians easier than say a pale, skinny Southeast Asian male. I was thinking I would stay in El Poblado and work off of escorts and / or chicas off of Facebook and Tinder, with checking out Parque Lleras at night for the SG action as this seems like the suggested safest plan for newbies. Am I being overly paranoid?

[Mojo Bandit]

Ahem! (1). Don't put your real picture on your fake profile. C'Mon. Man.

(2). Don't put your real city, your real birthday or your real phone number either. Keep reminding yourself. This is my fake profile.


(3). Having started off like you have. Best to kill this profile and start another from scratch without putting any of your real information.

I messed up when I tried creating a fake profile and it didn't take the 48 hours to shut mine down. I gave myself a whole fake biography, fake city, fake birth place, fake job, fake colleges, but used my photo!

[Big Boss Man]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback to all of my questions. It's crazy to think in the time it takes to make one click of the mouse, Facebook instantly matches me with every contact in my phone and any other person in the world who has my phone number in their contacts! I deleted the account and removed any pictures. Facebook still says it's 30 days to delete an account. This is partly why I never wanted to sign up with them in the first place. Leaning towards only going after casa girls for my trip. Still, I think I should have plenty to keep me satisfied.

You can use a burner number to create a fake profile. For 2 months, it will cost you around $11. https://www.burnerapp.com/.

[Vern2020]

You may have given permission for Facebook to read all your contacts on your phone and use that to suggest people you already know (based on Facebook already having their phone numbers associated to Facebook profiles).

At this point delete your real photo from the fake profile as Facebook may indeed be suggesting your fake profile to your real life contacts.

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback to all of my questions. It's crazy to think in the time it takes to make one click of the mouse, Facebook instantly matches me with every contact in my phone and any other person in the world who has my phone number in their contacts! I deleted the account and removed any pictures. Facebook still says it's 30 days to delete an account. This is partly why I never wanted to sign up with them in the first place. Leaning towards only going after casa girls for my trip. Still, I think I should have plenty to keep me satisfied.

[LeyenLouvain]

You may have given permission for Facebook to read all your contacts on your phone and use that to suggest people you already know (based on Facebook already having their phone numbers associated to Facebook profiles).

At this point delete your real photo from the fake profile as Facebook may indeed be suggesting your fake profile to your real life contacts.