Medellin Reports

[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.

[Mr Enternational]

The Interplaza Mall not to far from the Blux Apartments, does it have a liquor store there or someplace to by liquor and beers?

Just let the chicks bring it. They are going to have to spike it anyway.

[Mr Enternational]

I'the love to learn Spanish, but that takes time. It's hard until one can be immersed in the culture.

Nah. That is just an excuse. If one was already immersed in the culture, they would be saying I should have learned this before I was immersed in the culture. However it comes, you are going to learn it the same way you learned English: one word at a time.

[Traveler3345]

The Interplaza Mall not to far from the Blux Apartments, does it have a liquor store there or someplace to by liquor and beers?

[Villainy]

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?

RG.

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.

[MoonShot]

Do you find Uber quite accessible down there over the night time hours? In general, is it hard to book Ubers compared to large urban cities in North America of they are frequent enough in Medellin?

If you're using Uber, you have to set aside some time for Uber to find a driver and for the driver to get there. Sometimes it would take more than 10 or 15 minutes before I got picked up. Sometimes a driver would cancel and then you would have to start over. I had a doctor's appointment and I was late due to Uber. Uber is reliable but you just need to give yourself additional time if you need to get somewhere by a certain time.

[Exoticspirit]

I almost exclusively use Uber for convenience, since it tells me how much. Sometimes I pay for a higher tier to get a car faster or insure I get one with AC (if a hot day).

Do you find Uber quite accessible down there over the night time hours? In general, is it hard to book Ubers compared to large urban cities in North America of they are frequent enough in Medellin?

[TjBrazil]

As usual, the reality is in the middle of the two sides. Which is why we should always stick to facts.

Fact: Traveling to Medellin is not implicitly safe. Traveling to ANY city as a tourist involves some risk, particularly if you don't speak the language or understand customs and socio-climate.

Fact: As a monger in Medellin, you ARE a target. While we can't accurately quantify it, your profile is a target. Being Asian, Black, Dutch, American doesn't matter so much, as we've learned. If you are out hunting, you are a potential target.

Fact: You can mitigate risks. Literally hundreds of pages on ISG on what to do and more importantly, what NOT to do. If you don't abide by all of this good advice, you increase the target on your back.

Fact: Just because it didn't happen to any given monger does not mean it won't happen to you. Along the same lines, any monger declaring Medellin is safe is lying.

Inflation worldwide has really made mongering more dangerous than 5 to 20 years ago. If people that didn't have much to begin had it hard before Covid, what do you think is happening to them now. I think people in Colombia Brazil Mexico are becoming more desperate. Think of how many more homeless we have compared to just 5 years ago. It's a different world now, so be safe. I would take Uber everywhere, no taxis or buses. 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.

[Knowledge]

Spanish helps, mostly as a convenience. It's not going to make or break anybody's two weeks of fun in Medellin.

Learning Spanish is so important. The speed, slang varies from countries / cities but at least you can read a menu, direction and communicate your needs.

If you're short on time, limited budget if you're in a large metro area go to Spanish neighborhoods / restaurants / bars where Latam citizens go. Advantage of your home turf & "safety" of US jurisdiction. To prepare for working girls go to a strip club. Most are ripoffs for special action, but some gems of Latinas can be fun tutors, sometimes for the price of those online conversational tutors. You learn the slang & the pro side of negotiations. The good ones will appreciate a regular customer especially if you're giving her a paid breather from dancing 8 hrs straight. Thru the rapport I've gotten club discounts for action, OTC, and referrals to her home country.

Still fluent Spanish won't matter you can't negotiate if 2 dudes decide to make you their target. Spanish or not, that won't protect you from being jumped just like how we should avoid rough neighborhoods in US if you're an outsider. I'd be willing to trade a portion of Spanish fluency for every trustworthy street smart bro you can have.