Medellin Reports

[Eszpresszo]

You would think you would know how to spell the country of Colombia by now.

Another pointless and snarky post, Old Parr. We need to put an avatar under your name. A troll lurking under a bridge waiting to pop out at the first chance. Minor lapses of spelling are hardly worth calling people out on, especially since the SPELLCHECK feature here on ISF frequently sabotages attempts at proper spelling and pronunciation. Not to mention the preview feature is really lousy and makes it hard to proof read.

Seriously, do something productive, and post a current trip report. All you will accomplish with snarky one-liners is make enemies and be put on ignore. I've already got so many people on ignore here, every thread post is redacted.

[Bfsie]

I personally don't refer to people from Spain as "Hispanic". But I do refer to Irish people as being from Ireland! And the only portion of the Emerald Isle that is part of the United Kingdom is Northern Ireland. Now, if you want to see somebody get angry, then tell an Irishman that he's British and a subject of the Queen and see what kind of reaction you get LOLOLOLOL!

Absolutely. Once I traveled with a couple of friends and one of my friends chatted with an Irishman from Ireland. Unfortunely my friend didn't know Ireland is an independent country and said to that Irishman so you are a English. That Irish guy was so angry and wanted to beat up my friend but was stopped by his friends fortunately. You are right. LOL.

[Advantageous]

A couple of years ago, 300 people would have been a crowd there. This last year, decriminalized weed, a good exchange rate, and the opening of inexpensive hostels has filled the place with lots of young tourists I call "sandal-istas. " They wear sandals, smell of patchouli, walk around calle 10 with their backpacks and shorts, and sometimes where their hair in dreadlocks. They don't stay in high end, or even mid-grade hotels, frequent the better restaurants, or spend very much money, but they have fueled the growth of the restaurants and clubs into the adjoining neighborhoods.

One night, I looked from the balcony of a 2nd floor bar and counted at least 37 cops trying to manage the menagerie in the park. That's a lot of overtime.

I circled the park that night, several times and spotted many dubious providers.

I don't see what the attraction is anymore.

LOL, you just described backpackers, so feel free to call them that so people have a more universal understanding of what you're talking about. Backpackers are going to show up in any culturally intriguing region that is inexpensive, as that's kind of their thing. Have no fear that an increase of kum-ba-ya gatherings will be the downfall of Parque Lleras, and that the area will eventually acclimate to the increased daytime population; it's still attractive, just to a newer, younger subset of people. So long as the place doesn't become Kuta in Bali in terms of shops and restaurants corralling a sea of humanity, it'll be fine.

[Fun Luvr]

Thanks for the update. Be interested to hear reliable reports of impact to norte-americanos mongering in MDE. As for these reported activities, I think an increased police presence wherever we hang out is a good thing. From everything I have read (and seen) we have more to worry about from a lack of police than a police presence. Should said police (in Colombia) engage in a systematic and organized program of harassing us or worse, would of course be useful to get those reports.

I am a frequent visitor to Medellin, and there has been no impact on me. Personally, I wish the police would crack down a little more on the people (almost always visitors) who get drunk and are belligerent and / or disrespectful to the local people. The only contact I have had with the police is when I ask for assistance, usually directions. They have always been very courteous and helpful.

I call pure BS on the post by ColBoxer. Sounds to me like his name should be Barbara Boxer. I will be there when his two-week time frame expires; and if I am at the police station, I will ask if they have public internet access so I can report on what happened. I don't think I will have anything to report.

[Iguana Six]

A couple of years ago, 300 people would have been a crowd there. This last year, decriminalized weed, a good exchange rate, and the opening of inexpensive hostels has filled the place with lots of young tourists I call "sandal-istas. " They wear sandals, smell of patchouli, walk around calle 10 with their backpacks and shorts, and sometimes where their hair in dreadlocks. They don't stay in high end, or even mid-grade hotels, frequent the better restaurants, or spend very much money, but they have fueled the growth of the restaurants and clubs into the adjoining neighborhoods.

One night, I looked from the balcony of a 2nd floor bar and counted at least 37 cops trying to manage the menagerie in the park. That's a lot of overtime.

I circled the park that night, several times and spotted many dubious providers.

I don't see what the attraction is anymore.

[Charm City Dave]

Everyone has been aware, but there is a new mayor and there has been changes already. 2-3 months ago the police started shooing people away in parque lleras if they are seen drinking (on some nights). There are more checkpoints where the police stop people going by. Someone I know was stopped for smoking a joint (which he finished), told they had it on camera. The original posters assessment of what is going to change in lleras may be off, but I do not doubt more change is afoot.

Thanks for the update. Be interested to hear reliable reports of impact to norte-americanos mongering in MDE. As for these reported activities, I think an increased police presence wherever we hang out is a good thing. From everything I have read (and seen) we have more to worry about from a lack of police than a police presence. Should said police (in Colombia) engage in a systematic and organized program of harassing us or worse, would of course be useful to get those reports.

[EstebanH]

You call people from Spain hispanics? What a stupid remark! You are embarrassing yourself. In the USA, if you say to people from Spain they are hispanics, they will get angry at you, just like you say to irish people from Ireland Ireland is a part of Great Britain. From your remark, I know you are not an American because almost every American knows pure spanish people from Spain are not hispanics. Hold yourself to see how American punters react to your remark.

From the Merriam Webster Dictionary.

Full Definition of Hispanic.

1: of or relating to the people, speech, or culture of Spain or of Spain and Portugal.

2: of, relating to, or being a person of Latin American descent living in the United States; especially: one of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin.

[MrThomas]

I am very sure they have been 'aware' of this for some time LOL. Even in Columbia I would think the police need some type of probable cause. Is this someone frustrated by the price inflation gingos invariably bring trying to discourage visitors? Dunno but I'm not loosing any sleep about this until I see some independent reports, perhaps a link to one of those news outlets apparently full of stories about this initiative.

Everyone has been aware, but there is a new mayor and there has been changes already. 2-3 months ago the police started shooing people away in parque lleras if they are seen drinking (on some nights). There are more checkpoints where the police stop people going by. Someone I know was stopped for smoking a joint (which he finished), told they had it on camera. The original posters assessment of what is going to change in lleras may be off, but I do not doubt more change is afoot.

[Charm City Dave]

Colombian media and magazines as well as local authorities are finally aware of the major problem offer (paisa hookers) and unwanted demand (gringos) are causing to.

En Elite area of town. Be aware the WORST thing you could do to a paisa is to make them feel they are loosing their beloved El Poblado Territory. I have a friend of mine who.

Is a high rank officer in Medellin and they are receiving precise orders from the mayor himself and the Antioquia Governor to get rid of both unwanted gringos and hookers.

On that area of town ASAP. I am not trying to create an argument here just be aware gringos will be taken to police stations quite frequently from now on, Hookers will.

Be removed and not licensed hotels, hostels, apartments will be closed in no time. They are designing a strategy to tackle heads on this problem. If you don't trust my information.

I invite you to see the news within the next 2 weeks. The gringo back yard in LLeras is about to get to an end.

I am very sure they have been 'aware' of this for some time LOL. Even in Colombia I would think the police need some type of probable cause. Is this someone frustrated by the price inflation gringos invariably bring trying to discourage visitors? Dunno but I'm not loosing any sleep about this until I see some independent reports, perhaps a link to one of those news outlets apparently full of stories about this initiative.

[Surfer500]

Colombian media and magazines as well as local authorities are finally aware of the major problem offer (paisa hookers) and unwanted demand (gringos) are causing to.

En Elite area of town. Be aware the WORST thing you could do to a paisa is to make them feel they are loosing their beloved El Poblado Territory. I have a friend of mine who.

Is a high rank officer in Medellin and they are receiving precise orders from the mayor himself and the Antioquia Governor to get rid of both unwanted gringos and hookers.

On that area of town ASAP. I am not trying to create an argument here just be aware gringos will be taken to police stations quite frequently from now on, Hookers will.

Be removed and not licensed hotels, hostels, apartments will be closed in no time. They are designing a strategy to tackle heads on this problem. If you don't trust my information.

I invite you to see the news within the next 2 weeks. The gringo back yard in LLeras is about to get to an end.

So gringos are going to be taken to police stations. Sounds highly unlikely that the police are going to waste their time picking up gringos from the most affluent part of town and taking them to police stations. So how are the police going to identify who is a gringo and who isn't. So anybody with blond hair and blue eyes is going to be picked up or an older man speaking to a young woman.

Since very few people in Medellin speak English let alone the police will they have an English speaking task force to handle the detention of gringos. Perhaps your high level friend can shed some light on this which you could share.

[Hutzesq]

Hey guys,

I'll be heading down to Medellin in a few weeks.

Can anyone happen to have the contact info of Olga? (The masseuse that worked at Mansion).

Even though she's up there in age, she gave me some of the best head ever.

Her business card reads [Telephone Number deleted by Admin]. Hope this helps. Headed to MDE in a week, probably should try more than just a massage from her.

EDITOR's NOTE: This report was edited or deleted to remove personal telephone numbers. Please do not post personal telephone numbers in the Forum. Instead, please invite other Forum Members to contact you for this information directly via the Forum's Private Messaging system. Thanks!

[Advantageous]

Steven you bring up a good point. I had heard that you can get a private chef to come to your place and cook meals for you for pretty cheap. Anybody have any contacts of private chefs? I would definitely be interested if so. Thanks in advance. Also, in terms of delivery, can we use apps like seamless, eat24, grubhub, etc down there or does Colombia have their own food delivery type app.

No private chef recs (I enjoy a nice hotel, but I'm still not in my room enough to merit a private chef), but plenty of places deliver in MDE -- if you don't know the website for what you want off the top of your head, you'll have to hearken back to 15+ years ago and use the deliveries insert in the yellow pages; if you don't speak enough Spanish to order delivery to your place, hopefully you'll have a doorman / concierge / front desk clerk that can help you figure that out. If you have none of those things, you should probably just go wander aimlessly for your food, as that is what you're prepared for (you in the general sense, not you personally).

[MedellinGringo]

Colombian media and magazines as well as local authorities are finally aware of the major problem offer (paisa hookers) and unwanted demand (gringos) are causing to.

En Elite area of town. Be aware the WORST thing you could do to a paisa is to make them feel they are loosing their beloved El Poblado Territory. I have a friend of mine who.

Is a high rank officer in Medellin and they are receiving precise orders from the mayor himself and the Antioquia Governor to get rid of both unwanted gringos and hookers.

On that area of town ASAP. I am not trying to create an argument here just be aware gringos will be taken to police stations quite frequently from now on, Hookers will.

Be removed and not licensed hotels, hostels, apartments will be closed in no time. They are designing a strategy to tackle heads on this problem. If you don't trust my information.

I invite you to see the news within the next 2 weeks. The gringo back yard in LLeras is about to get to an end.

On what grounds will gringos be detained by the police?

[Knowledge]

Damn, now all the Centro casas are going to be more crowded than usual. It's probably for the best, things will return to normal once the over the top culturally insensitive crew who cause these problems go away for a while.

Colombian media and magazines as well as local authorities are finally aware of the major problem offer (paisa hookers) and unwanted demand (gringos) are causing to.

En Elite area of town. Be aware the WORST thing you could do to a paisa is to make them feel they are loosing their beloved El Poblado Territory. I have a friend of mine who.

Is a high rank officer in Medellin and they are receiving precise orders from the mayor himself and the Antioquia Governor to get rid of both unwanted gringos and hookers.

On that area of town ASAP. I am not trying to create an argument here just be aware gringos will be taken to police stations quite frequently from now on, Hookers will...

[Lylaster]

Hey guys,

I'll be heading down to Medellin in a few weeks.

Can anyone happen to have the contact info of Olga? (The masseuse that worked at Mansion).

Even though she's up there in age, she gave me some of the best head ever.