Cartagena Reports

Yep, LDV and the other discotecas will all be closed. I am pretty sure the casas are closed too, though I never visited and checked.

You might find a few LDV girls in town, however most that live nearby will take the chance to go home for the weekend.

I don't have much constructive to suggest, except go out to the islands for the day. This usually involves getting up early in the morning, which can be hard to do if you're playing until 4am or 5am every morning. Tours leave from the big boat dock that you see on your right hand side when travelling into the Old Town coming from the Laguito direction.

1) Where is the best place to live in Colombia. Saftey is still # 1, you pay for saftey. Gringo = $$$ = target. People in colombia are hungry.

2) CTG is spoiled and overrun. Yet still a great place.

3) Itilians dress very good and pay way to much.

4) Pros. Show me the money. Euros, dollars, pesos, a 18 year old girl with no education can convert any of these in a second.

5) Tony told me about his brother. Tony is on something. Dosent matter. 99% of his girls are crap. But the 1% are worth a look. There is a girl there now until August when she goes back to school. 20 years old, great body and can take almost all of your dick in her throat. She will try to take you for as much money as she can. Its her tuition. Your just a tourist.

6) Israelis: sure some of the hard bodies get some very nice girl. But it still comes dowm to the beans. No money no game. Women do not go for broke guys in any country. A fat wallet makes you sexy. They really are not a factor.

The big sandwich is very good at the Israelis place. Also the guys that own the place are very good guys. They will not rip you off.

7) Seems everywhere is spoiled now. I will not. Never pay $100 for a girl. In fact it has turned me away from the casas and pro scene. You can find very cheap girls in colombia.

You can find anything you want there. The internet that has opened up everything and is also driving everything underground.

8) Some women in Santo Domingo will rival any girl in colombia.

9) Colombia: . Big firm tits.

10) University girls in CTG. They will always be there.

It comes down to if you travel there often or live there.

In any country.

You can watch the inaugural activities on TV.

I never was much into the bar/disco/casa scene. Just go out and mix with the people. It's amazing what can turn up in a simple conversation. If worse comes to worse, think of it as leche management.

You, Sir, show outstanding wisdom.

""CTG is spoiled and overrun. Yet still a great place.

Gringo = $$$ = target. People in colombia are hungry.

Women do not go for broke guys in any country. A fat wallet makes you sexy.

University girls in CTG. They will always be there.

You can find very cheap girls in colombia.

You can find anything you want there. The internet that has opened up everything and is also driving everything underground.

It comes down to if you travel there often or live there.In any country.""


True words of wisdom concerning both CTG and Colombia

""The big sandwich is very good at the Israelis place. Also the guys that own the place are very good guys. They will not rip you off.""

I have no idea where this place is. Can anyone give me the name and location?? I would like to try it. A place with good food where I do not have to worry about my wallet or back sounds real good to me.

The restaurant is called Manchi's. It is also known as the Israeli Restaurant. It is near the Punto.com Internet Cafe and Loco Gringo across the street from LDV. It was started by Noam in 2003. Noam is from Tel Aviv, married to a Paisa. Recently another Israeli, Schlomy married to a gal from Quindio, bought half the business. Like most younger Israelis, they speak good English. They are both great guys.

The big sandwich is called a Shawarma. They also do a plato del dia that is cheap, good, and a lot of food.

Hi, guys.

I arrived yesterday morning. Paid COP 13K for the cab to Laguito.

I'm lodged at Marina del Rey, an apartment at the 10th floor. I found that apartment through a realtor recommended by Juan Ventura. It is called Inmobiliaria Diaz Ruiz. They charge me COP 90K per day, A/C but not hot water (not an issue).

The apartment is basic, and just acceptable for my standards (maybe below standards for other people). Except for a couple of minor details (not nice furniture, kitchen not completely restorted, bathroom light not working but being repaired), it works for me. They provided towels and such. Cell phone and safebox were also provided, each for USD 2 per day. The building so far was quiet for sleeping, but noisy during the dust hours (parties and such). You can buy food and such at Olimpica, at Calle 3.

This city is completely different from Cali. It is clearly a tourist town, with prices varying widely across the city (you may pay COP 1.5K for 1 hour Internet at Downtown and COP 3K at Laguito). Lots of restaurants, emerald stores, handcrafts stores and touts. I found the touts less annoying than those at Maceio and Fortaleza in Brasil, although I did't and wouldn't lay at the Bocagrande beach (too dirty and noisy to relax). I was also approached by the infamous Tony, but his hassle lasted for 10 seconds since ignoring touts works easily.

Weather is an issue during these days. Too hot and humid for keeping dry and clean for more than 15 minutes. I wonder how do members cope with this weather all year round.

Ley seca didn't hinder me to meet a non-pro. We went to Crepes & Waffles at the Old City. Great and affordable food. I also took advantage of the quiet afternoon to spot LDV, Tiplerterra, Babilla, Tu Candela and the such.

Oh, the Old City... this is one of the most beautiful places I ever visited, and by far the best colonial Spaniard town I ever saw (much more than La Havana Vieja). Too touristy, perhaps, but romantic and enticing anyway.

I will continue with the non-pro action, but it wouldn't hurt to watch the SW scene to see what is available. Where do girls meet? I heard that in front of the Torre del Reloj there are many college girls, but now is that place is now under construction. Also, LDV had more cops and soldiers yesterday than girls (maybe due to what Tom explained).

If you are a side-mongering traveler like I, you may want to go to the Tayrona park close to Santa Marta if you stay more than 5 days here. I may hire a tour there.

Hope this helps,

Andres

If you go to Tayrona make sure you have your proof of Malaria innoculation
with you.

I was in CTG and BAQ end of June.

I traveled from CTG to BAQ and then to Santa Marta with a cyber amiga specifically to spend a day in Tayrona Park. I could not get in without the health card proof of innoculation, which of course was back at my apt. in CTG.

Goat

XXXGoat: it is a YELLOW FEVER certificate that is required to enter Tayrona Park, NOT "malaria" (there is no shot, nor immunization card, for malaria).

First time I went I had no idea (and they let me in anyway). Now they are MUCH stricter. Ditto entry tickets; used to be pay once and you could go back every day for three days, but no longer. Foreigners pay about $10 PER DAY (21,000 Pesos last time and I heard it went up again) PLUS you have to pay for the toll road unless you are going to Neguanje.

If they used that money to clean up trash or maintain the trails or better yet to provide security I wouldn't mind the steep tariff as much, but that $10 merely gets you entry.

From BAQ the drive is more than 2 hours each way so if you plan to hike into the beach (about 1 hour each way) you'd need to leave REALLY early. They close the gate at 6pm and you would NOT want to get stuck inside overnight.

The weather there is also an issue: BAQ & Santa Marta are almost always sunny yet once you cross the mountain it is OFTEN cloudy and surprisingly cold. If it looks overcast in SM, don't even bother let alone if it has been raining in nthe last couple days go elsewhere-( the trail can be 6 inches plus of quicksand like mud-you MUST use neoprene booties as the mud will suck the shoes right off your feet).

[QUOTE=Andres]

Oh, the Old City... this is one of the most beautiful places I ever visited, and by far the best colonial Spaniard town I ever saw (much more than La Havana Vieja). Too touristy, perhaps, but romantic and enticing anyway.

I will continue with the non-pro action, but it wouldn't hurt to watch the SW scene to see what is available. Where do girls meet? I heard that in front of the Torre del Reloj there are many college girls, but now is that place is now under construction. [/QUOTE]

I thought that Old Havana was much more impressive than Old Cartagena. But that was the only category won by Cuba. Of course Old Havana is really crumbling.

You can find chicas in the area of Plaza Santo Domingo. There are many college-type bars in the area. Arepas Pues on the Laguito end of San Martin is a good place to hang. There is a huge mall on the other end of town, Centro Commercio Castellana. And there is another large mall near Castellana.

Thanks guys for the tips. They will save me time and money.

Anyone knows where to get inoculated against yellow fever here?

Thanks,

Andres

[QUOTE=Andres]
Anyone knows where to get inoculated against yellow fever here?
[/QUOTE]

I would go over to Hospital Bocagrande. It's just across the mouth of the lagoon from the Hilton.

Andres: While they likely will let you in regardless, it takes 10 days after the injection for your body to develop sufficient level of yellow fever antibodies to provide prophalaxis. YF vaccine is VERY expensive (at least $100 for the injection in the wasteland). In Colombia, there are two types of vaccine, domestic and French, which are priced quite differently. Public hospitals, the cheap way, offer it only during limited hours on specified days of the week. IMHO private clinics with imported vaccinne are worth the extra dosh (though I got it done in the waste). Vaccinne valid for 10 years though.

Tom wrote: "I thought that Old Havana was much more impressive than Old Cartagena. But that was the only category won by Cuba."

Have not personally been to Cuba, for a variety of reasons primary being the legal prohibition that is justa small part of the unjust embargo, but I would think it would "win" many competitions with CTG:

The lack of hordes of American sex tourists, lack of STDs, ease of bb action, true love of sex for which the Cubana is World famous, cheaper food and lodging, and the lack of guns and violent crime seems like a HUGE plus. No drug trafficking or narco violence either. How about a culture that does not stigmatize casual sex? Beautiful beaches with azure Blue sea (instead of dirt beaches with brown water) also appear to make La Habana more attractive.

How about free health care and education? While there is poverty, largely due to the US embargo, I think there is less hunger in Cuba than Colombia. Granted guys who never venture beyond Laguito/BocaGrande/CiudadVieja never really see it, but in the REAL Cartagena, in barrios like El Bosque , Las Gaviotas etc etc, one can see how a large portion of Colombians like in abject poverty.

[
How about free health care and education? While there is poverty, largely due to the US embargo, I think there is less hunger in Cuba than Colombia. Granted guys who never venture beyond Laguito/BocaGrande/CiudadVieja never really see it, but in the REAL Cartagena, in barrios like El Bosque , Las Gaviotas etc etc, one can see how a large portion of Colombians like in abject poverty.[/QUOTE]

Well surfer, gee I wonder why so many Cubans flee thier country in makeshift rafts, if they have free healthcare and plenty of food to eat. While there is poverty in Colombia, the poverty does not compare to Cuba's. The poverty is in countryside in Cuba, is much worse than in Habana.

Such a worker's paradise Cuba is....

[QUOTE=Surfer] the unjust embargo[/QUOTE] . . . uhhhh, the Cuban-Americans are the MOST in favor of this embargo.

[QUOTE=Surfer] How about free health care and education? [/QUOTE]Nothing is free...and their's suxorz

[QUOTE=Surfer] While there is poverty, largely due to the US embargo[/QUOTE]Every other country in the world trades with Cuba. Their government is the reason for their poverty and the rest of their problems for that matter.

If Cuba had a democracy and capitalism, they would be the pearl of the Carribean and maybe the Western Hemisphere.

Bevis,

Most of my time in CR was at Arenal and Manuel Antonio. I made it to the BM for one evening before my flight out. So keep flaming if you want, but my questions were sincere. Unlike your response. Also, if you reread your response, you said you didn't want to see "middle age gringos" in banana hammocks...which led to my question asking who you liked to see in such attire.