Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=SankarShetty;2525920]On another note, Today being the first day of new requirements for travel back to US. The process did not go smoothly for two of my friends who are currently stranded at an airport in DR. Airlines are refusing boarding if the Covid Test is not from an 'approved' list of test centers. This list is supposedly published by the US embassy.[/QUOTE]That is incorrect information. There is no approved list. There is only a list to make it easier for people that do not want to go searching for a place. As long as it is a PCR or antigen test it is fine. Your friends must have gotten the antibody test or no test at all. "The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability, reputation, or quality of services provided by the entities on this list. ".

[URL]https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/impiden-a-mas-de-200-pasajeros-viajar-a-ee-uu-por-no-presentar-prueba-de-covid-19-GG24001986?fbclid=IwAR3gQZzJKXwsVd5Osj3VRSDYh2aQV1pe5N-sEnggjp_KDjmmRAd40teGVLU[/URL]

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2525912]I know exactly where this happened based on your description. Given how quick a group of guys can rob you, makes sense where he got jacked up where there weren't a lot of people. The lesson to be learned here is that if your an obvious gringo, and in your friends case, an obvious foreigner who doesn't fit in based on his race, you have a big "X" on your back marking you as a target, and need to be very cautious while in El Centro, especially after sundown. I hope your friend is okay.[/QUOTE]I guess he was followed and not aware of it. The robbers know where is a good spot to execute the robbery.

I have a doubt.

I am Latino with brown skin but I have never been there, since I am from Spain.

Will I have a hard time picking up girls?

[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2525902]What is your opinion on this set up? The foto with it under the arm is how I wear it[/QUOTE]It looks like "I keep my money and cell phone here".

When mongers are robbed in Centro, simply because you know better than to be in area like Centro if you know you can not handle yourself. What's so hard about Mongering in the day time? What's so hard about being aware of your surroundings? I can handle myself in and out of Centro, but I would be a damn fool to go to Veracruz on that side of the museum after 7 pm. There are far too many factors that put the monger at a deficit. Me and Nounce would always meet up in Centro and leave as a team. We never did much moving around after if became dark, because the further you move away from the statues in Parque Botero, the greater the danger you are in. Guess many of you mongers are dying, literally, to find that diamond in the rough for 30 mil pesos. Use your head, be safe, don't take unnecessary risk, see you all soon in Medellin. Pollo Negro is out.

P.S. I am also running a test run on the new requirements to enter and leave the country, I will tell you how it went and what I did to meet the requirements. If and when I arrive and leave!

[QUOTE=MMHikeus;2525875]I stayed there Dec 7th to 31. No problem with girls visiting or staying overnight. Their policy has always been that all visitors, regardless of gender, need to present a valid unexpired ID for admission. Girls need to be over 18. Colombians need to present a cedula. Non Colombians, an unexpired passport. No other documents accepted. Documents need to be originals, no pictures, photocopies etc are accepted. This effectively rules or Venezuelan chicas. Other than that, they really don't care, as long as you keep the music down and not do any lewid acts in public areas. They will scan the ID into the system, and announce your guest with a phone call. Also, they will call you if your guest is leaving unaccompanied, and with extra bags, LOL. I gave some stuff to a friend, and they wouldn't let her leave before calling me.

The only change due to covid-19 is that, only one guest allowed at a time. So threesome's or more not possible till covid-19 protocols are lifted. They also check temperature when entering.[/QUOTE]

You sir are 100% correct.

Please note that this is based on my own personal experience of how I am rolling here. In my original reference to SP I'm not saying they are refusing girls outright, I said "it's almost impossible for me to get girls past the gatekeeper". For a lot, this info will be irrelevant but I hope it will help some especially those that like to roam around centro and newcomers because I wish I had of known this before arriving.

So after a couple of weeks of hitting Centro clubs, bars strip clubs and random places I find a few gems that I make plans to spend more time with back at mine since I had quite a nice apartment, maybe even a day trip together. We go and get supplies, and I remind them they need a cedula. They show up and I pay for the cab, first girl, Venezuelan ID, no way unless they have a passport so I have to send her back in the cab with a small tip.

Now straight up, in and around Centro including casas over 90% of the girls I came across were Venezuelan so that's going to rule them out of entry into SP straight away unless they have a passport which they don't.

I had 5 girls refused in total. The Colombians I stressed they needed a Colombian cedula, they assured me that had it, one shows with some letter, refused. The others had some sort of ID but not a Cedeula, SP says the ID is OK but with that type of ID a passport is also required, refused.

I had 2 girls from CC permitted and 1 from Avenida De Grill permitted. From reading reports I was under the impression that a girl would wave her ID and be good to go, that's not the case. They are very strict on ID and it is scanned and checks are made online.

I understand that this is for safety but for me it just doesn't work with how I roll. I met quite a few sweet girls not just on the streets but in casas and other places that I got along really well with and not being able to take them to my own apartment became frustrating, especially during curfews after 10pm when girls really wanted to hang out with me.

So I extended my stay here and found an apartment on Airbnb of which there are plenty, without any portero. I understand this carries more risk but I'm not picking up Centro randoms, if I session with a girl a few times and I get along with her ill take her back.

Yesterday I was able to take one of my non-working girls without cédula to my new apartment, she hung out for 4 hours. I gave her 50k because when she was refused entry to SP I bought her baby milk and make up altogether around 125k. We'll hang out on Friday, there's a restaurant she wants to go to and she also wants new trainers for around 80k. I really like these types of set ups that were impossible for me at SP.

Another thing to mention. The staff at SP were always professional and courteous and I fully understand that they are following the rules. If you hang out around Poblado or just take Facebook girls then I'll presume you'll have no issues at all but for anybody with intentions of hanging out around centro and taking girls back, it's going to be challenging to say the least.

Also I was refused entry into Premier Plaza for not physically having my passport, even though the girl had a Cedula, go figure.

[QUOTE=JohnnyO;2526055]You sir are 100% correct.

Please note that this is based on my own personal experience of how I am rolling here. In my original reference to SP I'm not saying they are refusing girls outright, I said "it's almost impossible for me to get girls past the gatekeeper". For a lot, this info will be irrelevant but I hope it will help some especially those that like to roam around centro and newcomers because I wish I had of known this before arriving.

So after a couple of weeks of hitting Centro clubs, bars strip clubs and random places I find a few gems that I make plans to spend more time with back at mine since I had quite a nice apartment, maybe even a day trip together. We go and get supplies, and I remind them they need a cedula. They show up and I pay for the cab, first girl, Venezuelan ID, no way unless they have a passport so I have to send her back in the cab with a small tip.

Now straight up, in and around Centro including casas over 90% of the girls I came across were Venezuelan so that's going to rule them out of entry into SP straight away unless they have a passport which they don't.

I had 5 girls refused in total. The Colombians I stressed they needed a Colombian cedula, they assured me that had it, one shows with some letter, refused. The others had some sort of ID but not a Cedeula, SP says the ID is OK but with that type of ID a passport is also required, refused.

I had 2 girls from CC permitted and 1 from Avenida De Grill permitted. From reading reports I was under the impression that a girl would wave her ID and be good to go, that's not the case. They are very strict on ID and it is scanned and checks are made online.

I understand that this is for safety but for me it just doesn't work with how I roll. I met quite a few sweet girls not just on the streets but in casas and other places that I got along really well with and not being able to take them to my own apartment became frustrating, especially during curfews after 10pm when girls really wanted to hang out with me.

So I extended my stay here and found an apartment on Airbnb of which there are plenty, without any portero. I understand this carries more risk but I'm not picking up Centro randoms, if I session with a girl a few times and I get along with her ill take her back.

Yesterday I was able to take one of my non-working girls without cdula to my new apartment, she hung out for 4 hours. I gave her 50k because when she was refused entry to SP I bought her baby milk and make up altogether around 125k. We'll hang out on Friday, there's a restaurant she wants to go to and she also wants new trainers for around 80k. I really like these types of set ups that were impossible for me at SP.

Another thing to mention. The staff at SP were always professional and courteous and I fully understand that they are following the rules. If you hang out around Poblado or just take Facebook girls then I'll presume you'll have no issues at all but for anybody with intentions of hanging out around centro and taking girls back, it's going to be challenging to say the least.

Also I was refused entry into Premier Plaza for not physically having my passport, even though the girl had a Cedula, go figure.[/QUOTE]That's the law. No one is supposed to get in without official ID.

That all makes sense. I know they (SP) follow the rules to the letter. I had a friend travelling with me and he had not brought his passport with him when he dropped over to see me. We were going to have a coffee then head out for the day, but there was no way they were letting him go up with me to my room, even though he is a very obvious fellow tourist / gringo. So no one goes past the lobby without a passport or cedula, and they do check validity of cedulas, make copies of them or hold them, not sure which, until the outside guest leaves.

[QUOTE=Nounce;2526017]I guess he was followed and not aware of it. The robbers know where is a good spot to execute the robbery.[/QUOTE]I know exactly where this is too. That is a very dangerous area. I've been down all the side streets behind there. For a little ways, and it is dangerous during the day let alone at night.

Your strategy at night would be to run through at full speed screaming at the top of your lungs in some foreign language. Crazy they understand, and might leave you alone.

The airlines are supposed to follow CDC guidelines and CDC is quite clear on what is needed. Seems like a simple enough process to me. I am in Mexico now and going to CO in two weeks. My hotel in CO is arranging a discounted test for me. They must get a bulk contract and seems like a very good added service.

Here is the CDC link.

[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/attachment-a-global-passenger-disclosure-and-attestation-2021-01-12-p.pdf[/URL]

[QUOTE=SankarShetty;2525920]Looks like Medellin has taken a turn to the dark side. I agree with another BM comment about 'desperation', risk may have increased recently. Travel clampdown resulting in thinning of crowds in centro may have created more opportunities for violence towards gringos.

Hope the guy's is fine / doing well.

On another note, Today being the first day of new requirements for travel back to US. The process did not go smoothly for two of my friends who are currently stranded at an airport in DR. Airlines are refusing boarding if the Covid Test is not from an 'approved' list of test centers. This list is supposedly published by the US embassy.

Not sure what other US returning travelers are facing. If a BM is returning to US in the next few days, please post your travel experience.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2526027]It looks like "I keep my money and cell phone here".[/QUOTE]But don't thieves assume that everyone is carrying money and a cell phone? I think it looks like a target but I have been using it for over a year now, including a lot El Centro time. I keep my credit cards in left front pocket so I am left with something if they take the bag. I dunno. . . I probably over think it. I don't carry my passport but a copy of it. Thanks for the feedback, would like to hear more.

[QUOTE=JohnnyO;2526055]Why I Left SP[/QUOTE]I guess you missed the reports about cedula requirement for both places you mentioned. It has gotten stricter last couple of years in many other places too.

[QUOTE=Zeos1;2526070]I know exactly where this is too. That is a very dangerous area. I've been down all the side streets behind there. For a little ways, and it is dangerous during the day let alone at night.

Your strategy at night would be to run through at full speed screaming at the top of your lungs in some foreign language. Crazy they understand, and might leave you alone.[/QUOTE]I would walk on the road, cross the street when necessary, and avoid the sidewalk at that hour for sure. The parking across the street is where more zombies start to show up. It's not a good idea to go north past that point.

I spoke with spirit yesterday about the new regulations and they confirmed that for flights return from mde. They only require a negative test within three days either Pcr or rapid test. So hopefully nothing crazy happens and it'll be a simple process to return.

[QUOTE=Zeos1;2526068]That's the law. No one is supposed to get in without official ID.[/QUOTE]So if I want to smash Centro hoes at Premier Plaza I need to bring a VALID passport, I rather have my phone or wallet stolen / lost than that! I keep that in my room at all times.

I wonder if they take expired passports, or DL?

Is there are clean short time place with towels and hot showers that won't check my ID in El Centro?

[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2526082]But don't thieves assume that everyone is carrying money and a cell phone? I think it looks like a target but I have been using it for over a year now, including a lot El Centro time. I keep my credit cards in left front pocket so I am left with something if they take the bag. I dunno. . . I probably over think it. I don't carry my passport but a copy of it. Thanks for the feedback, would like to hear more.[/QUOTE]What Black Page was pointing out is that nobody wears what you are wearing in Colombia, hence you stick out and it marks you as a foreigner, and to a local, all foreigners have money, lots of money, and expensive smartphones.

And some advice for you based on how I navigate Medellin. Everything of value including my cell phone, Passport, and credit cards stays locked in my Apartment. When I need cash, I go to an ATM near where I live, get the cash, and immediately return back to my apartment and lock up my cards. When I leave my apartment to go anywhere, I carry colored photocopys of my ID's, enough cash for a daily outing, a civica card for use on the Metro, and a Colombian $ 30 USD burner phone. I dress down, wearing jeans and a T shirt, and have a backpack and try to blend in as much as possible. Carrying credit cards with you is a mistake, and if I were to loose my USA I phone with Verizon service in Colombia I would be totally hosed as I cannot get my number re-instated while outside the USA and it's my lifeline to the outside world, hence its stays locked up. This topic has been covered many times on this forum, and when I hear stories of guys getting jacked up, meaning losing things that are a pain to replace, besides cash, I have little sympathy for them, because this can all be avoided.