General Info

[QUOTE=Gerald Hammer; 1108864]Dear esteemed members of ISG Colombia,

Thanks to your steamy reports and pictures I'm strongly considering visiting Colombia in the very near future (Feb-Mar '11). However, these news of the flood of the century are giving me willies. I was going to visit popular tourist areas e. G. Bogota, Villa de Leyva, Coffee Zone, Cartegena with Medellin as a highlight of the trip. From English news it seemed like the whole country was flooded like New Orleans in 2006. I saw the pics and there were lots and lots of water. So I have a few questions.

A) Is bus travel still possible in Antioquia province?

Be) what about Coffee Zone?

See) Wouldn't crime rise a bit with so many people displaced?

The) What is the situation on ground in general in the areas I mentioned?

I really appreciate honest info. I'd really love to visit Colombia soon and to help those beautiful chicas learn English. [/QUOTE]Bus travel is hit or miss but the bus companies know if the route is open or not. Also a great deal depends on where you are landing or entering the country. If I were you I would get here and then count on playing it by ear and not having a solid schedule to go to all those places you mentioned as you may not be able to get them all in. For the most part Bolivar is flooded out so Cartagena from Medellin may be tricky. Water levels could be normal soon so who knows?

[QUOTE=LuckyEddie;1112204]She looks like a good girl and not all girls on that site are pros so take it slow and see what happens. It's quote normal for a nice regular 20 year old girl to accidentially select 'discreet one night stand' and guys who are up to 60 years old. Go get her tiger![/QUOTE]Yah normal. I let you guys know. Hopefully with photos.

[QUOTE=Play Hard68;1112443]Yah normal. I let you guys know. Hopefully with photos.[/QUOTE]Photos? Why stop there? Break out the video camera bro and do us right. Better yet post the address and time and leave the curtains open, we'll be by with a big ladder. Thanks!

[QUOTE=Gerald Hammer; 1108864]Dear esteemed members of ISG Colombia,

Thanks to your steamy reports and pictures I'm strongly considering visiting Colombia in the very near future (Feb-Mar '11). However, these news of the flood of the century are giving me willies. I was going to visit popular tourist areas e. G. Bogota, Villa de Leyva, Coffee Zone, Cartegena with Medellin as a highlight of the trip. From English news it seemed like the whole country was flooded like New Orleans in 2006. I saw the pics and there were lots and lots of water. So I have a few questions.

A) Is bus travel still possible in Antioquia province?

Be) what about Coffee Zone?

See) Wouldn't crime rise a bit with so many people displaced?

The) What is the situation on ground in general in the areas I mentioned?

I really appreciate honest info. I'd really love to visit Colombia soon and to help those beautiful chicas learn English. [/QUOTE]Generally it's been low-lying areas in tierra caliente that have been most affected by the rain. Most routes to and from major destinations are fine, sometimes there are some detours they have to take. It really depends on where you are going. But for the most part, bus travel is as normal, which means slow and uncomfortable :P.

Crime is generally not up because of all the displacement, those aren't the kind of people who were going to rob you in the first place usually. Poverty has very little to do with crime in Colombia, its much more about being able to get away with it.

The dollar rose because the Colombian central bank went for another round of buying USD. Didn't have anything but the most short term effect.

Just used this company to send some minutes to my lady friend considering we text quite a bit. Try this company [url]www.babblebug.net[/url] I just sent my girl $8 via this company to Comcel and she got a pretty good rate of 13987+5000 bonus minutes. They work with all the carriers. So all us gringos who like to get a text or occasional phone call from our "novias" Try this option out. MHL

[QUOTE=Schmwrr 1; 1113904]Thanks for the info. MHL. I just purchased some minutes so lets see what happens, as the minutes have not been added to the telephone as of yet, which was about 10 minutes ago. By the way, your friend Urban sends his greetings! He sent you an email awhile back after you had asked another member about him, but he says you never got back in touch. He is doing quite well. I tried to use some smilies but they do not seem to be working since Jackson changed the format.

Hope all is well on your end of the world, and thanks again for the website link above. [/QUOTE]Ahhh Thanks for the info! Thats one of my dormant emails. I will check it out! He's a good guy and we have always had cordial conversations. I don't know why he rubs people the wrong way on here sometimes.

Listen I had to call the company the first time considering you are a new customer they like to be called to verify information first. The lady told me after the first time they verify information it will instantaneous. So the second I got off the phone with the rep, my lady friend got the recharge. Peace MHL

[QUOTE=Bango Cheito; 1112611]Generally it's been low-lying areas in tierra caliente that have been most affected by the rain. Most routes to and from major destinations are fine, sometimes there are some detours they have to take. It really depends on where you are going. But for the most part, bus travel is as normal, which means slow and uncomfortable :P.

Crime is generally not up because of all the displacement, those aren't the kind of people who were going to rob you in the first place usually. Poverty has very little to do with crime in Colombia, its much more about being able to get away with it.

The dollar rose because the Colombian central bank went for another round of buying USD. Didn't have anything but the most short term effect. [/QUOTE]Bango Cheito,

Thanks a lot for the heads up. In general, I found it hard to gather what exactly is going on from reading English media sources. Some of them did mention that a few roads in the Coffee Zone were badly damaged. I was going to travel by bus a bit so roads are important for me. Well, at least women will still be there.

[QUOTE=LuckyEddie;1112206]Bus travel is hit or miss but the bus companies know if the route is open or not. Also a great deal depends on where you are landing or entering the country. If I were you I would get here and then count on playing it by ear and not having a solid schedule to go to all those places you mentioned as you may not be able to get them all in. For the most part Bolivar is flooded out so Cartagena from Medellin may be tricky. Water levels could be normal soon so who knows?[/QUOTE]Lucky Eddie, playing it by ear sounds a great strategy, I better regroup.

Any news about flood waters receding? This stupid El Nino season is surely messing up a lot of great journeys.

On the other hand, rainy days are good for one particular activity.

[QUOTE=Gerald Hammer; 1114368]Lucky Eddie, playing it by ear sounds a great strategy, I better regroup.

Any news about flood waters receding? This stupid El Nino season is surely messing up a lot of great journeys.

On the other hand, rainy days are good for one particular activity. [/QUOTE]I drove from BAQ to Tolu beach today, going inland thru the flooded parts of Bolivar, then crossing the Magdalena river on a big bridge, then going thru some hills. The road then splits, going to MEdellin on the left and Cartagena on the right. The road continues to Cartagena, but I turned off on the road to Monteria / Sincjelo and Tolu, which road was in terrible condition with lots of pot holes.

All the roads were open. The flood waters were high, with 6 ft of water in many houses, but below the level of the roads. In some destroyed villages, the people were living in tents and makeshift shacks on the road shoulder (only high ground in the neighborhood that wasn't under water). Very sad.

Was in Cali too. Floods have receded and roads are open again. There are still some low lying agricultural areas that are flooded, but the flooded industrial areas that I saw in Nov have been drained.

Drove from Cartagena to BAQ last week along the coastal route, no problem.

-zing

I found this on CL posting a few days ago under Colombia vacation rentals. Negative to say the least, any board members wish to comment?

Hi.

Yes it is true.

You now can choose from 6. Yes SIX. Vacant dusty apartments.

They all have the newest most modern electronics and furniture.

And that stuff is expensive down there.

The idea was to have some great places available for rent but it.

Seems every gringo and his dog had the same idea, so now there.

About a dozen of us gringos with about a dozen apartments each and we.

Are all trying to rent to the hapless gringo tourist who still.

Thinks that Medellin is still a cool place to hang out.

A few years ago it was but not anymore. Medellin is yesterday's flavor.

Maybe while Uribe was president, it was a real cool place but now.

That he is gone it has gotten just downright dangerous again.

Gringos being accosted and robbed on the streets and while casually strolling in parks.

Screwed with at every opportunity.

You don't think there is a huge police presence because it is safe do you?

You should hear some of the stories I could tell you about the apartment renovations.

Oh why did I ever get involved?

When I first visited Medellin I was a pretty wealthy guy with a net worth of almost two million dollars.

I spent a good chunk of that buying the apartments and now the expenses are eating me alive.

All I used to do was spend my time there with all my pretty girlfriends and it was nice.

Then I decided to get involved. Bought apartments.

Tried to start renting apartments to what are.

Essentially poor gringos who are trying to save 2 bucks a night.

What a pain in the butt.

Not to mention the monthly nut on the apartments is almost 3000 us dollars.

So anyway now I have 6 dusty vacant apartments in Medellin waiting.

For renters and I am sitting here in snowy New York freezing my butt off.

How did this happen?

Anyone want to rent (or buy) 6 vacant dusty apartments in Medellin?

Thanks for everyone who has added so much to this forum. I've spent the last several weeks reading this thread (starting in the beginning of 2005!). It's been very interesting to follow a poster asking questions weeks before their first trip, a few last questions just before leaving and the follow-up after wards. Thank you all.

There were 2 posts (or group of post) that I found the most memorable.

The first is this compendium of mongering information by Routard in February of 2008.

Chica Management: See thread #1113 (Sorry. I don't know how to link just 1 post).

Chica Management lesson 1 beginner: Rookie: See thread #1112 (I stopped here!)

Chica Management Level 2 intermediate: Todo La Noche : See thread #1111.

Chica Management Level 3 advanced: dating a pro: See thread #1110.

Chica Management Level 4 expert: non pro: See thread #1109.

Chica Management Level 5 "Gone too far": Living together: See thread #1108.

The second was by Gonzo in June of 2009 titled, Personal Travel Security Measures: See thread #1601.

In late July, I will be traveling on consecutive days starting from MDE to Cali to Armenia to MDE to Cali to Armenia then a day off. Then Armenia to Cali to Pereira (and then 2 days off). Then, I'll be in Pereira then Armenia / Manizales. Then I have a few days to relax.

Given my rigorous travel schedule, will the inter-city buses work for me? Most of my activities start late in the afternoon (5pm) , so I'll have the whole day to travel to the next city. Of course, I could take a night bus but I won't be able to leave before 11pm-midnight. I was thinking that once that I got to Armenia, I would get a hotel where I could leave most of my gear, but clothes and stuff for the next couple of days. Thoughts on this plan?

My difficulty is that most of the bus companies don't have schedules, so I could validate the feasibility.

I considered flying (especially the MDE to Cali leg) , but I worried about the cost (when factoring in bags) and I want to experience culture. One of the ways that I've done that in the past is by chatting with my fellow travelers.

Anyone have an update on the casa, MP, SW, call girls in Armenia? I'm not looking for a GF / GFE, instead I'm looking for a good time and for the lady to go home. This is what I like about pros.

Here's some of the previous posts on buses specifically between Cali and MDE.

[QUOTE=Artisttyp; 952808]I was curious to know if anyone has done MDE to Cali by bus and can somebody refer me to a bus company with executive class seating? I would be happy to pay whatever it costs.

*A bathroom on board is a must have for me.

Are there any towns along the way worth a stay over as far as mongering or photography is concerned?

Also can anyone tell me if there is a "centro" in Cali like in Medellin? I am asking this in hopes of locating economic hotels. In Medellin's centro you can walk around and find several of these hotels.

* Does somebody not recommend staying in economic hotels in Cali due to extreme heat and the need for a good AC? What are you thoughts?

Thank you for your time.

Artisttyp[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Justafool; 953202]But I have never seen "first class" bus sevices. I think it is teminal Sur, and all the buses are the same. Quite comfortable with a small bathroom for all to use but at times it was locked.

The seats are comfortable and they do show a DVD (so if you want to hand one over they and ask them to play it for you.

There are afew compaies Boliviana comes to mind. I am not sure which I rode to Cali but I have used to others for Buga and surrounding areas.

I usually take the last bus out about 10:30 so I can arrive and enjoy the day but this has backfired at times when the bus was stuck in some mountain due to a mudslide or something.

Sit back enjoy![/QUOTE][QUOTE=Blourghus; 953370]I have done the whole thing by bus, but in segments, I. E. Cali- Armenia, Manizales- Medellin.

Smack dab in the middle of Medellin and Cali is the Eje Cafetera with the three departments of Risalrada (Pereira) , Qundio (Armenia) , and Caldas (Manizales). Definitely highly worth spending some time in.

This is one of the most beautiful areas in the world with gorgeous and stunning green mountains and rolling coffee fields. Incredible weather. Manizales is a very photogenic city, very quaint, hilly little streets, colorful buildings, just gorgeous, VERY FRIENDLY PEOPLE. Great place to take photos. It is a very cool city.

Highly recommend you check out the National Coffee Park (near Armenia). Very beautiful place and a great place to take photos. One of the top tourist attractions in the country. Pereira is perhaps the least interesting of the three cities, although you have plenty of cool stuff nearby (such as bungee jumping of the very cool bridge in town, or skydiving over coffee fields, Santa Rosa de Cabal. Hot springs). Tons of cool little traditional towns ('pueblos paisas') which attract tourists on weekends.

For mongering, Pereira is amazing (and has some of the sexiest women in Colombia. This is where Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso comes from) , also Manizales is great. Armenia not so much at least IMHO (but has very beautiful women!).

IMHO, this is whole area is more interesting and much more beautiful than Cali or Medellin. [/QUOTE]As an aside.

[QUOTE=Nino Bravo; 1106377]Regarding women closing their legs on religious holidays, many colombianas will not have sex during Holy Week and Easter Sunday. They believe that the penis might become PEGADO, or in english STUCK in the vagina. Very strange of course, but part of the cultural thinking. I don't think they teach this in any of the universities Mr. Enter attended[/QUOTE]Would you continue to be charged per hour during this "predicament"? Would this be considered the tip. Not that I want to start that discussion, again! .

[QUOTE=Joe Chang; 1118969]In late July, I will be traveling on consecutive days starting from MDE to Cali to Armenia to MDE to Cali to Armenia then a day off. Then Armenia to Cali to Pereira (and then 2 days off). Then, I'll be in Pereira then Armenia / Manizales. Then I have a few days to relax.

Given my rigorous travel schedule, will the inter-city buses work for me? Most of my activities start late in the afternoon (5pm) , so I'll have the whole day to travel to the next city. Of course, I could take a night bus but I won't be able to leave before 11pm-midnight. I was thinking that once that I got to Armenia, I would get a hotel where I could leave most of my gear, but clothes and stuff for the next couple of days. Thoughts on this plan?

My difficulty is that most of the bus companies don't have schedules, so I could validate the feasibility. [/QUOTE]Yes it is feasible and easy. Every city has a business terminal with posted schedules.

The companies do have regular schedules and traveling by bus is very inexpensive. Some of the larger bus companies include: Empresa Arauca, Flota Magdalena, and Expresos Brasilia Bolivariano and Expresso Palmiranda.

I have used Flota Occidental. I have always had good experiences with their buses, schedules and staff. I highly recommend the company. When you can receive private messages I will send you an address for a small motel in Armenia that you can leave your gear.

[QUOTE=Fla Fun; 1119273]Yes it is feasible and easy. Every city has a business terminal with posted schedules.

The companies do have regular schedules and traveling by bus is very inexpensive. Some of the larger bus companies include: Empresa Arauca, Flota Magdalena, and Expresos Brasilia Bolivariano and Expresso Palmiranda.

I have used Flota Occidental. I have always had good experiences with their buses, schedules and staff. I highly recommend the company. When you can receive private messages I will send you an address for a small motel in Armenia that you can leave your gear. [/QUOTE]Bolivariano actually has its schedules posted on the net, the rest of the companies you have to call.

My favorite company is the Expreso Palmira, the S26 with those big yellow buses. It's good fast and CHEAP. Velotax Berlinas Brasilia and Bolivariano are all good. Flota Magdalena I had a bad experience with. It seems their fleet is not that well maintained. Breakdowns.

AVOID Auto Fusa at all costs. And watch most of the little companies. You want to avoid any company that picks up people on the road while travelling. I've seen some of those buses get packed like Tokyo subways because of greedy-ass bus drivers.

I've used Flota Occidental a couple of times from Medellin to Pereira and back. A good bus line with comfortable seats and bathroom in the back. The buses are Mercedes Benz made. They have 2 classes of buses, I think the more modern bus is called the Presidente, but it doesn't run as often as the regular buses.

Price: 29, 000 to 32, 000 to Pereira.

Hi guys traveling to Bogota and Ibague, anybody know Viagra prices there? I normally get them in the USA for $20 from Walmart. Just wondering if it is worth all the effort to get them in Colombia instead of USA