Medellin Reports

[Gabacho]

Here's some information on Colombian Cedulas (ID Cards) for people who may find this information useful.

https://youtu.be/3ePPf9EcZew?si=ZF2VkJNCpMabEUkj

[Villainy]

It was translated correctly. Don't know how it could have said anything close to being on time. Something else was going on with that conversation. Perhaps what she saw was "No puedo esperar para encontrarte." That would mean what she thought she read or heard.

But does translation sometimes get it wrong. Yes. And mainly when the same word has 2 completely different meanings and the translate app picks the wrong one. One trick you can use is to reverse translate and then reverse again. If all of the results stay the same chances are it is accurate.

I don't think you understood the point. No puedo esperar means I can't wait.

The app doesn't know that you are using an English idiom. The way to express your excitement is to say "Estoy emocionado conocerte".

The app also interjected para which is wrong. Esperar is the verb "to wait for" The preposition is baked in. Also true for buscar (to search for) so adding para was bad Spanish.

Lastly there are at least three verbs that can be used to say "to meet" conocerse, encontrarse & reuinirse. There are subtle shades but use any of the three and you will be understood.

So in the example I gave, I know for a fact the girl considered his statement to be rude when in fact he meant it to be reassuring. This is the problem using idiomatic phrases with a translator.

[Shoman]

I am a veteran of numerous trips to the Philippines and Kenya, and have decided to go to Medellin next month, which will be my first trip there. I don't speak Spanish at all, but have made several contacts there using Badoo and communicating via the Google Translator app. It's a bit cumbersome, but seems manageable. I have RTFF, but wondering if any of you folks going to Medellin have done so successfully without learning any Spanish. The Google Translator app has a voice translation function that will only work in person. I've never tried this in practice, but that seems to be the plan. Any pointers?.

I have some Spanish now and get by without the translator app in most instances. Still have a long way to go to be fluent. When I started I was 100% translator app. It works but after 1 or 2 blowups with chickas over translator language issues I started telling them early on that they should remember we have a language barrier and it will be extra work to understand each other. When something subsequently blew up I reminded them of the barrier which always seemed to calm things down.

[FlagRunner77]

. One trick you can use is to reverse translate and then reverse again. If all of the results stay the same chances are it is accurate.

That is a very good tip! Thanks for sharing. I hadn't thought to do that.

[Robotron]

Perhaps someone can create a new thread that solely discusses Safety Practices and Advice for Medellin and Colombia and you all experienced can post your tips in on place? Scrolling through the 100's of pages here can take forever if you don't know where to go.

I'm reading that you should take Uber everywhere (How does that work if it's "illegal."

Regarding high end Hotels such as Hilton, any huge safety difference between staying there (which is around 120 per night), compared to cheaper ones around 50 per night, and any issues bringing girls over?

As for girls in public, as a non-Spanish speaker who will rely on Translate, is the goal to notice a girl you like, chat her up and take her back to your room ASAP? So spend maybe 5 to 10 minutes introducing and discussing personal interests, then mention "Sexo?" , and head back to your short term hotel or your main Hotel (Which is saved for later if you want to see her again?

Trying to figure out a strategy since you don't want to be seen holding a phone out and bringing attention to yourself.

Lastly, keep walking on the street or being in a public place to a minimal and only Uber exactly to where you need to go? Club, Red Light Districts, Etc?

Maybe some girls on properly vetted Tinder would Uber directly to your hotel to minimize scams.

By answering these essential questions, you are saving lives. Thank you for your service.

[FlagRunner77]

No girls are hanging out by the pool. A girl you're bringing yourself can still visit you. I have very limited Spanish myself and, I got by pretty well with google translate.

Thanks. Have you experienced this recently? So there is already a restriction with girls hanging out by the pool?

[Shemp]

The staff on email still claims that changes in ownership are still just rumours. However I'm thinking for my trip, if the only change is no girls there during the daytime, I might still be okay as I was planning to visit casas during the daytime and pull girls from the M pool at night. As long as there are girls there for the evening hours, those of us who plan to be out during the daytime might be okay even with this change.

At night the chicas are not at the pool, they are hanging in a bar next door. At no time of the day are available chicas at the pool.

[LoveItHere69]

Inflation worldwide has really made mongering more dangerous than 5 to 20 years ago. If you take a bus you are advertising yourself to a lot of people that could take a liking to you and call a kidnapping friend. Quit trying to save a few bucks and take Uber always.

Inflation is making things more dangerous but another large problem is all the idiots now travelling that do no research and assume the country being visited is the same as their own. So the idiots are becoming a target. Overpaying tells the locals you have money and have no idea what the local situation is.

If you take a bus it kinda gives the impression that you have little money and that you are not really a first timer tourist.

[Zeos1]

Your best course is to speak Spanish at least at a conversational level. But, that isn't going to be possible for you this trip. Just remember something about Google Translate. Don't try to be clever or witty. Many English sayings just won't translate beyond a literal level and that will spark real confusion. Keep your sentences short and to the point. If you do that you should be fine.

Let me give you an example. A friend of mine was communicating with his date. His comment at the end of the communication was "I can't wait to see you". Well, he should have said "I am excited to meet you. ".

Google translated it into Spanish "No puedo esperar para conocerte. " Which implies that I can't wait for you if you aren't on time. The date was pissed. Being on-time isn't so much a requirement here. They managed to untangle things.

But just keep your conversation very direct with short sentences.

It was translated correctly. Don't know how it could have said anything close to being on time. Something else was going on with that conversation. Perhaps what she saw was "No puedo esperar para encontrarte." That would mean what she thought she read or heard.

But does translation sometimes get it wrong. Yes. And mainly when the same word has 2 completely different meanings and the translate app picks the wrong one. One trick you can use is to reverse translate and then reverse again. If all of the results stay the same chances are it is accurate.

[TraveLight]

Following on from recent chat regarding a potential change to management at Hotel M, and a potential restriction of ladies' access during the daytime, has anyone been able to get any further info as to whether this is happening or not?

I was planning to visit Medellin for the first time in May, and recent events I was going to stay at Hotel M for the duration of my trip, at least for my first trip. I'm an obvious gringo and I'm learning Spanish but still far from conversational. If the rumoured changes are actually true, I think that would be my cue to find another destination, at least this time until things hopefully die down (no pun intended).

Thanks.

No girls are hanging out by the pool. A girl you're bringing yourself can still visit you. I have very limited Spanish myself and, I got by pretty well with google translate.

[Dcrist0527]

Thanks. Do you have any further intel on this.

You do have to pay a night up front but you can get that refunded if you cancel (and I have done that successfully in the past. Although it takes a bit of effort). The bigger issue right now is that, as my first time to Medellin, I don't really want to stay in a condo / hotel right now, given what is going on. I'm probably too risk averse in that regard, but my gut is telling me Hotel M or another country right now, and I'm inclined to listen.

I have no further info at this time though I will be in MDE in a few days. I'm not staying at Hotel M. But I promise you I'll close that bar down at least twice in the coming week. LOL. So I might have more information soon, though I suspect those that actually know have alot of reason to stay quiet.

In any event, I think as you and others have said, there is still some value with the nighttime selection. However, if the hotel is sold, I imagine the bar goes with it. It's the same building though, "technically" they operate separately. IF (big if) the bar remains as is, and the hotel remains very girl friendly, I'd say go for it. Especially if you are engaging in casas daytime.

One other concern I would have if it was sold: the people that work there have always been fantastic. They've lost a few critical pieces but they are very gringo friendly and willing to help with anything. It'd be curious to see if that's the same approach with new owners.

PM me, if you want, with the timing and duration of your trip. I can think of 2 other places that might be of interest. Nothing like the mansion but might fit your needs.

[FlagRunner77]

The staff on email still claims that changes in ownership are still just rumours. However I'm thinking for my trip, if the only change is no girls there during the daytime, I might still be okay as I was planning to visit casas during the daytime and pull girls from the M pool at night. As long as there are girls there for the evening hours, those of us who plan to be out during the daytime might be okay even with this change.

Thanks. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if just a daytime restriction (I had non-mongering daytime plans in mind anyways). The risk is some major overhaul, which is unlikely, but I don't want to commit to a full trip on the basis that it 'probably' won't change dramatically.

[FlagRunner77]

For what it's worth: the employees are not aware if it is being sold. They are telling me that they know something is going on. But, they also say there is always something rumored to be happening. It's fair to say they are worried but also not convinced it will be sold. I've talked to a few of the chicas and they are hearing a lot of rumors but nothing concrete.

For those planning a trip yet haven't made reservations, if it was me I would wait it out. Unless their policies have changed, you have to pay one night to hold the reservation. I wouldn't sink the $100, but that's just my opinion.

Thanks. Do you have any further intel on this.

You do have to pay a night up front but you can get that refunded if you cancel (and I have done that successfully in the past. Although it takes a bit of effort). The bigger issue right now is that, as my first time to Medellin, I don't really want to stay in a condo / hotel right now, given what is going on. I'm probably too risk averse in that regard, but my gut is telling me Hotel M or another country right now, and I'm inclined to listen.

[Exoticspirit]

Following on from recent chat regarding a potential change to management at Hotel M, and a potential restriction of ladies' access during the daytime, has anyone been able to get any further info as to whether this is happening or not?

I was planning to visit Medellin for the first time in May, and recent events I was going to stay at Hotel M for the duration of my trip, at least for my first trip. I'm an obvious gringo and I'm learning Spanish but still far from conversational. If the rumoured changes are actually true, I think that would be my cue to find another destination, at least this time until things hopefully die down (no pun intended).

Thanks.

The staff on email still claims that changes in ownership are still just rumours. However I'm thinking for my trip, if the only change is no girls there during the daytime, I might still be okay as I was planning to visit casas during the daytime and pull girls from the M pool at night. As long as there are girls there for the evening hours, those of us who plan to be out during the daytime might be okay even with this change.

[FlagRunner77]

Following on from recent chat regarding a potential change to management at Hotel M, and a potential restriction of ladies' access during the daytime, has anyone been able to get any further info as to whether this is happening or not?

I was planning to visit Medellin for the first time in May, and recent events I was going to stay at Hotel M for the duration of my trip, at least for my first trip. I'm an obvious gringo and I'm learning Spanish but still far from conversational. If the rumoured changes are actually true, I think that would be my cue to find another destination, at least this time until things hopefully die down (no pun intended).

Thanks.