Medellin Reports

[Knowledge]

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Benches were removed to discourage loitering in the park. The stated objective of the barriers and the bench removal was to "take back the park" from undesirables (anyone who isn't a tourist). The last Mayor did it as a hail Mary attempt to salvage the sinking campaign of his progressive alliance after it had become clear in the polls that it was quickly trending downward. There were constant photo ops and flashy staged performance events. At one point the barriers were pushed down and sculptures were vandalized by protestors. Mayor Quintero had then re-installed. The streets are saying Fico will remove the barriers when he takes over next year. I think there is a happy medium of restricting street cart vendors with public address systems and allowing the traditional mix of punter rats, chicas, and drug dealers. We will all see what happens two or three months from now.

LOL Exactly. And all the zombies in the park. I hope the barriers stay. It way more chill inside since they're up.

They should install some more benches at the plaza for people to sit though.

[Gabacho]

It's not about freedom or comparison. It's about the irrational fear. Think about it. Do you think the robber is going to rob me if I wear a football shirt and shorts? I personally think the robber will be pretty dumb to do it as it is obvious I don't have much on me. This is an extreme example but you can get the point.

I don't agree or disagree that they target all gringos. I think they target money so they target anyone who they think have money. We think they target all gringos because most only read news related to gringos, or because a large portion of gringos have money relatively speaking.

Who's that gringo from Canada who lives homeless on the streets of the Bronx smoking bazuko? I saw him on a YouTube video. They definitely aren't targeting him and he is a gringo.

I agree that they target gringos that appear to have money.

[Nounce]

I don't know why this particular topic is so persistent. To give it a bit of context, compare the average age of this web site's membership with the average age of Colombian guys who wear shorts around Centro. The bottom line is everyone is free to dress as they please. With freedom comes responsibility and consequences.

It's not about freedom or comparison. It's about the irrational fear. Think about it. Do you think the robber is going to rob me if I wear a football shirt and shorts? I personally think the robber will be pretty dumb to do it as it is obvious I don't have much on me. This is an extreme example but you can get the point.

I don't agree or disagree that they target all gringos. I think they target money so they target anyone who they think have money. We think they target all gringos because most only read news related to gringos, or because a large portion of gringos have money relatively speaking.

[Gabacho]

The "gringo" Mike S. (34-38 years old) was killed with a crossbow on a farm in Envigado.

The alleged murderers of the American were a woman and her accomplice, motive being stealing jewelry and money.

https://www.minuto30.com/con-una-cru...che=1701018994

I was literally just saying like a week ago that there would be more. And what do you know iphone 15, jewelry, money, 2 women. It's like I predicted the future.

[JohnnieCash]

The "gringo" Mike S. (34-38 years old) was killed with a crossbow on a farm in Envigado.

The alleged murderers of the American were a woman and her accomplice, motive being stealing jewelry and money.

https://www.minuto30.com/con-una-cru...che=1701018994

[Knowledge]

I don't know why this particular topic is so persistent. To give it a bit of context, compare the average age of this web site's membership with the average age of Colombian guys who wear shorts around Centro. The bottom line is everyone is free to dress as they please. With freedom comes responsibility and consequences.

I suggest you count how many locals are wearing shorts next time when you go to El Centro,. There are some vendors under Parque Berrio wearing shorts. I saw a whole group of locals sitting by the fence at the corner of the museum wearing shorts. In less then 2 minutes I counted 20 then I gave up.

Based on what you said, a man with blonde hair or over 6 foot tall has the same effect of wearing shorts.

[JohnnieCash]

Yes, I look forward to the return of the gang boys and the violence and muggings in Botero Plaza.

LOL Exactly. And all the zombies in the park. I hope the barriers stay. It way more chill inside since they're up.

They should install some more benches at the plaza for people to sit though.

[JohnnieCash]

I suggest you count how many locals are wearing shorts next time when you go to El Centro,. There are some vendors under Parque Berrio wearing shorts. I saw a whole group of locals sitting by the fence at the corner of the museum wearing shorts. In less then 2 minutes I counted 20 then I gave up.

Based on what you said, a man with blonde hair or over 6 foot tall has the same effect of wearing shorts.

Most (self-respecting) Colombians wear long trousers, it's mainly Venezuelans that are wearing shorts and various loose rapper clothing (and Vennies do love their airflow and sandals). But them wearing shorts due to a different skin complexion doesn't have such a blinding effect like a gringo showing off his white legs.

I don't think I have ever seen a Colombian wearing sandals here (I wonder whether they go in the sneakers to the beach when they play tourist). Venezuelans, sure, they don't even mind wearing flip flops out and about (but then at least have the decency to put on the socks while doing so LOL).

[Mr Enternational]

I suggest you count how many locals are wearing shorts next time when you go to El Centro,. There are some vendors under Parque Berrio wearing shorts. I saw a whole group of locals sitting by the fence at the corner of the museum wearing shorts. In less then 2 minutes I counted 20 then I gave up.

Years ago I took pictures of a lot of people downtown wearing shorts and ballcaps and posted them here. I do not know how that myth persists.

The same thing was said about Santo Domingo. I asked a chick I was messing with at the time and she said most of the ones you see in slacks are going about their work day. Sure enough go to the mall in the evening and there are plenty of men with their families wearing shorts. So we may be observing something but coming up for the wrong reasons as to why we are seeing it. Just like the dude that made the original "A wolf" observation. He had to come back and admit he had it all wrong. Too late, because people have already ran amuck with his incorrect theory.

Based on what you said, a man with blonde hair or over 6 foot tall has the same effect of wearing shorts.

That is why my brother JTK wears what he wants. No matter what he does or does not wear, he is still standing out. Nobody is first going he has on shorts so he is definitely not from here, then secondly saying he is 7 feet tall so there is a chance he is not from here. As far as I know he has not run into any problems from wearing shorts and sandals all the time.

[Nounce]

My point is that if your wearing shorts in Centro you may be assumed to be a foreigner...

I suggest you count how many locals are wearing shorts next time when you go to El Centro,. There are some vendors under Parque Berrio wearing shorts. I saw a whole group of locals sitting by the fence at the corner of the museum wearing shorts. In less then 2 minutes I counted 20 then I gave up.

Based on what you said, a man with blonde hair or over 6 foot tall has the same effect of wearing shorts.

[Knowledge]

Thanks for the STD public service announcement. I guess you felt the need to go there because you like to bareback. So there are STDs around hooker strolls. Can you also confirm there is gambling in Las Vegas?

STD in Centro?

I am sitting on the cement block on the side of the church. Girl motions me to come so I run over like a lost puppy as I always do (I am well trained). She asks me about "no condom". I have been with her 3 times and always with a condom. I do not understand. Her friend says "other girls". I say sometimes. My girl says the dreaded "gonno" word. They both then walk away to stand at the other end of the alley way on the side of the church. I can only interpret this as they heard of someone with gonno. No girl has ever talked about STDs to me before in any city I have been in so I can only assume something is going around. Some of these girls work at Parque Lleras too so if you guys hear of anything please post or send me a message and I will post minus your name / ID.

Centro Barriers.

Far more positives having them than not. I see so many tour guides with some groups as large as 25 people and a lot more tourists in general. The old Premier Plaza is going upper scale with the customers they want to attract. Two new taco restaurants and another steak house place (I think). The two taco places have outside tables and now one of the old time restaurants has added some outdoor tables. Inside the barriers during "police hours" as I like to call it, I do not have to worry about taking my phone out and I see a lot less problems in general. If the barriers go then the vendors return and block a lot of the picture taking of the tourists and bring so much noise with them. I think and hope they are here to stay.

Sushi (serious stuff to discuss).

I love the fake sushi places. Fresh Fish, Hamai, and Colombian Sushi are all the same place. I walked there today for something to do. Their address is a lie. If you do Street View on Google maps they are on the opposite side at the bottom of the small 5 story building. My Sushi & Wok and Gari Food are both the same place also. Same food same receipt. Not that good. The first one is better. So 5 business are actually just 2. Wonder how many more there are.

Violence (comes and goes in spurts).

Afternoon a few days ago. Two black guys fighting. Not sure if 2 locals, 2 foreigners, or 1 of each. Not serious.

Afternoon several days ago. Two street girls mini fight at entrance to ST hotel on side street across from D1. Girl 1 tried walking away into the hotel. Girl 2 grabbed her hair from the back and threw her to the ground by her head. Ouch! And threw some punches. Real punches like a guy would.

9:00 pm tonight. Sitting on the concrete block on the side of the church. Street girl and maybe ex-BF on his motorcycle. Knives out! If he would have connected she would have been blinded or not made it to the hospital if he hit her throat. He was swinging at head level. She cut his seat up. Stabbed his back tire 10 times which I am sure was flat by morning. She flattened the front tire with her 5th stab. Everyone just watched for 10 minutes then started to get them apart. No cops with a police station 1 block away.

Game Over.

Colombians are so friendly my ass. I never saw a tenth of this kind of shit when I was in the Philippines. Going back to Asia. So tired of this shit. This place is all yours. Leaving for the last time in January (if I make it). Did I just hear clapping? OMG! I think I can actually hear some of you guys smiling!

[Steve 9696]

Sorry if dumb question. I wouldn't be in Medellin longer than 7 days, but I have google Fi, any phone issues (other than having it stolen) while down there?

Fi works great in Medellin. And everywhere else! I find I sometimes have to turn my phone off and back on or wait a bit for it to figure out a new country. But then you are good. Prob used in 10+ countries last year. All good. It's amazing.

[LoveItHere69]

Sorry if dumb question. I wouldn't be in Medellin longer than 7 days, but I have google Fi, any phone issues (other than having it stolen) while down there?

My Google FI has been useless this trip. No "Welcome to Colombia" message this trip unlike all my other visits. SIM did not work after 2 weeks. Ordered 2. The second again lasted about 2 weeks. My belief is Google no longer has a deal with the cell phone companies here since we do not register our phones. My third FI SIM I can make calls for 2 weeks now but no WIFI access. PM if you have problems. I will tell you all about Google's idiot help desk!

[Nounce]

... The two taco places have outside tables and now one of the old time restaurants has added some outdoor tables....

I read a news report from H13 N or something like it that more Prevenza restaurants are moving in. It says the one next to WOM is from Provenza but I could be wrong.

[PdSuave]

What happened to your phones was not locking. It was blocking. Colombia requires phones to be registered for reasons of theft control and preventing narcos and guerillas using them with no audit trail. I think you have 30 calendar days to register before the phone gets blocked.

Sorry if dumb question. I wouldn't be in Medellin longer than 7 days, but I have google Fi, any phone issues (other than having it stolen) while down there?