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I haven't really seen this talked about, but what attire do you guys usually use for going out (e. G, to the club, restaurants, etc)?
I'm packing slightly more formally than I do on other (non-monger) trips where I frequently traveled in gym clothing.
[QUOTE=Prolijo;2711275]The Metro is great. But don't be afraid to also try the buses. It's a long walk down from the Parque Lleras / Parque Poblado area to the Poblado Metro station (LOL, and an even longer walk back up). Sure it can be done in 10-15 minutes or so (or you can wait for a bus or take a taxi back up the hill) but there's a much easier and direct way to get to El Centro.
Buses pickup at a stop just a few meters north of Parque Poblado on Cra 43a (that's the main drag by the park). The bus to look for is #135 (if you forget the #, there are maps at that bus stop showing the routes). It comes by every few minutes and takes <20 minutes to get to El Centro and the fare is just 2550 COP (vs 12-14k COP for a taxi which isn't much faster, or adventurous). It's a straight shot with few stops (or at least none very long) but it makes a little loop near San Antonio and can get caught up in traffic before getting to Berrios so I usually just get off at San Antonio and walk the last few blocks.
Coming back from El Centro is a lot more confusing (unless you have the Moovit app on your phone), so you might prefer to just take the Metro (and the walk back up the hill, ugh) but I never shy away from a challenge. You might need to ask nearby bystanders exactly which bus stop you need (and, LOL, get a dozen different incorrect answers). Beyond that basically your choice is to look for that #135 bus (#130 or #130a also work) where you got off at Parque Berrios (but a lot of other buses also stop there possibly making that option too confusing) or, what I prefer, walk 2 blocks east to the main drag (Cra 43a) and catch any of those buses where they're heading in the right direction (south).
As you can tell, I like to provide complete detail (hence my handle) and probably make this sound more confusing than it's worth, but it's really not all that hard and I feel it's always better to have too much info than too little. Taking local buses is not about saving money (though there's that too). They're about experiencing a place like a native, thus adding to the adventure.[/QUOTE]When I was living at the south end of Poblado, I often took the bus to Parque Poblado, or any spot in between. Several times I took the bus to El Centro. There are also the L1 and L2 bus lines which connect with the Metro at Industriales, convenient for going to Belen, and the Migracion office.
One nice thing about the busses, they'll stop anywhere to pick you up, if you flag them down and they'll stop anywhere to let you off. They're also a good option to get rid of all the coins you end up with.
[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2711308]If you take the Metro, you can then take the Metro bus (the green one) up Calle 10 to Provenza or anyplace in between. It also goes further than Provenza, but I haven't checked the route. I think if you use the Metro card for the bus immediately after using the Metro train, the bus is free.
As for the Moovit app, I have found it to be of limited value. It will show the route between two points, but it's bus schedule is very unreliable. I have waited 30 minutes for a bus that is shows runs every 10 minutes.[/QUOTE]There's a bus schedule? I honestly thought it was more of a free for all. I've seen 3 busses from the same company, on the same route, racing each other to the next stop, even when 1 bus was completely full and the others were practically empty.
[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2711308]If you take the Metro, you can then take the Metro bus (the green one) up Calle 10 to Provenza or anyplace in between. It also goes further than Provenza, but I haven't checked the route. I think if you use the Metro card for the bus immediately after using the Metro train, the bus is free. [/QUOTE]The Metro card which is called a Civica only entitles you to ride the bus lines directly connected to the Metro Stations and not the City buses. Entrance to the Metro connected bus stations such as at the Industriales station have a turn-style entrance that reads the Civica card. If you ride the Metro and then the bus or vice versa it's included at no additional charge.
For those wanting to travel from Centro to Poblado, and avoid using the Metro, along with huffing and puffing up Calle 10, there is a bus within a block of Hotel Nutibarra that goes to Parque Poblado a few blocks down the hill from Parque Llears. I've taken it at times when the Metro is shut down and it goes along Avenida Oriental which turns into Avenue Poblado when it leaves Centro.
[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2711308]If you take the Metro, you can then take the Metro bus (the green one) up Calle 10 to Provenza or anyplace in between. It also goes further than Provenza, but I haven't checked the route. I think if you use the Metro card for the bus immediately after using the Metro train, the bus is free.
As for the Moovit app, I have found it to be of limited value. It will show the route between two points, but it's bus schedule is very unreliable. I have waited 30 minutes for a bus that is shows runs every 10 minutes.[/QUOTE]Yes, you can take the bus up from the Metro station. In fact, when I did it, it even let out right in front of where I was staying at the Hotel Dix. I've also heard that it can be free with a Civica Card if you take it right after taking the Metro (though I'm not quite sure how that works as my card was empty when I did it and I just paid in coins). The drawback to that though is that it's an extra connection, which means an extra wait between the rail and the bus (the last time I did it, I ended up waiting 15-20 minutes and could just as well walked), plus it's not as direct. With the bus direct to/from El Centro, you only have to wait once and it takes you direct to the top of the hill at Parque Poblado with no need to change transport anywhere and I never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes for a bus plying the Cra 43a route.
As for the limitations of the Moovit app, yes I hear you. It's far from perfect though I still found it somewhat useful and FAR better than what's available for bus routes and schedules that you can find for buses in most of Central and South America, which in most areas is virtually non-existent (BTW, why do the few Latin American bus company websites that do exist typically just show pictures of their buses with no route, fare or schedule info?)
Another transportation app I used in Medelln was Cabify and that I found to be even less useful than Moovit. The best that can be said for that app is that you can charge taxi rides to your credit card, which can be very useful for when you first arrive at the airport and don't yet have local currency (though the 2 ATM's right before the airport exit can take care of that) and also the fare to or from the airport comes out a few dollars cheaper than regular taxis. However, everywhere else I tried Cabify the fare came out more (sometimes much more) than a regular taxi, plus it involved waiting a few minutes for it to arrive vs. just jumping in the nearest available cab.
I also tried the Metro app and if you thought Moovit was a pain to deal with then you shouldn't even bother with the Metro app.
Any nice high-end swinger clubs in MDE with decent, younger crowd? Want to give it a try with a chica.
[QUOTE=MiamiBoy1;2711331]Any nice high-end swinger clubs in MDE with decent, younger crowd? Want to give it a try with a chica.[/QUOTE]I don't know about high-end, but there are a few. From my experience in the US, the best you can hope for in a younger crowd is maybe an average age in the 30's. Colombia is more focused on physical beauty, so you probably won't find a club where everyone else is old, fat, flabby and ugly.
I'm going on the assumption that you don't regularly visit swinger clubs. If I'm wrong maybe this will be useful for others.
1. Be certain that you and whoever you take can handle it. I've seen and even been involved in some difficult situations caused by both people not being on the same page. In one case, the girl I came with left me there. Fortunately, I had other people I knew to get a ride back. If you're going, hoping to get into a good 3 some, remember that the other woman probably came with another man and he's going to participate as much or more than you. Either you, or the girl you take might not be comfortable with that.
2. Most clubs have nights when single men are allowed in. Colombian clubs have prepagos working to take up the slack, but it's still likely to be a sausage fest and you'll probably draw a crowd of men everywhere you go. I've seen a few women have panic attacks over all the men trying to get closer and get a feel.
3. In the US the standard rule is "no means no." If you ask someone else to join you, if they aren't interested, move on. Also touching requires prior permission. In practice it's not absolute, especially with women touching first, but it's always best to ask. I don't know how well that rule is followed in Colombia. It's possible some of the men will get touchy with your girl and she might not be okay with it.
4. Have a plan. It's possible either you or your girl will want to leave shortly after arrival. Agree beforehand how you'll deal with it. My suggestion is to agree to stay for a specific time period. Take your time, watch others and don't push things faster than both are ready for.
[QUOTE=Surfer500;2711268]Well for some, it might sound like your on something, and in a daze, but all kidding aside, I enjoyed Centro much more several years ago before the arrival of the Venezuelans or the hordes of mongers that have shown up on it's shores.
I remember when a gringo sighting was a rarity, and a total novelty to the girls, but nowadays a totally different landscape.
And don't get me wrong, I still ply the streets, and have good and new experiences, but it's just not the same as before.[/QUOTE]I believe we are writing about the same thing. The vibe, the energy, the carma, the milieu, it changes over time and we all instinctually resist change when we are comfortable. I think that might be one of my many problems. I am uncomfortable being comfortable, jajaajajaaa. Asti Out.
P.S. Reality is for people who can't handle their drugs, jajajaja.
[QUOTE=Surfer500;2711270]I fell sorry for the little baby, he missed his afternoon feeding because his Mommy was sucked dry. LOL.[/QUOTE]And I had to work harder as a result, jajajaja.
[QUOTE=BoarderDude301;2710926]Anyone been to San Peter apartments lately. I stayed there twice 2 years ago and it was definitely chica friendly and had an on-site bar. Now seeing Airbnb posts saying "Absolutely no Sex Tourism". And some other very strict rules. Anybody have any intel?[/QUOTE]The more signs there are warning against sex tourism, the better that location is for taking chicas, jajajajaa. Seriously, my favorite short time love motel over by Parque Bolivar had more warnings and signs that any hotel I went to. However, it did eventually get shut down and bricked closed.
[QUOTE=JjBee62;2710958]When you create an account on any "dating" website you will almost immediately begin getting hits from women on that site. Mostly these are from fake accounts maintained by each "dating" website in order to convince you to pay for a subscription.
It's simple. Every similar website from Match to Seeking makes money by convincing men to pay for a subscription. If the only hits you receive in the first few weeks are from a couple of 50+ women you're probably not going to spend $100 or more to talk to them. But, if it appears that dozens, or hundreds of women are dying to meet you, cha-ching.
If you spend the money you can probably find some women on Seeking. You'll probably spend at least double what you would spend elsewhere in order to have sex with them and not all will be interested in sex until they are certain you're a good investment.
Seeking is set up for women seeking some type of arranged support, however some women use it for simple prostitution because they can usually get paid more.
If you expect to travel frequently to Medellin, or you wish to find a woman who will happily let you pay her monthly bills, Seeking might be perfect for you. If you're just making a first trip and hoping to get laid, there are many other options which are cheaper, easier and more reliable.[/QUOTE]Ignore any that are not from Colombia, you are going to get a lot Venezuelans either desperate or scammer, check the last location, if it not Colombia tread with care. 80% of the interests and Messages are filtered applying these rules, I found I get a 50% conversion rate to all multi night PPM arrangements from Genuine girls that I initiated on Seeking.
[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2711198]Marriott in Bogota and Cartagena are girl friendly but the one in Medellin is not.[/QUOTE]At check in at the Medellin Marriott, the registration you sign has a paragraph that clearly states that there is a $200 charge for bringing girls to your room, even if you are single and make your registration for 2.
I spoke at length with management and he acknowledged that they do not want girls there.
I since have stayed at the San Fernando Plaza and have been fine there as long as I register for 2. Laureles just seems to be much more relaxed and a better overall experience.
I have booked a stay at the Marriott (one of their concepts, I forget) in Cartagena and will see how that goes.
[QUOTE=Orion4;2711312]I haven't really seen this talked about, but what attire do you guys usually use for going out (e. G, to the club, restaurants, etc)?
I'm packing slightly more formally than I do on other (non-monger) trips where I frequently traveled in gym clothing.[/QUOTE]Usually jeans, a nice pair of sneakers and either a nice t-shirt or occasionally a polo. I'll also usually bring a light jacket or hoodie in case of rain, although I'll skip the jacket for strip clubs, since I'm usually not going to be hopping from club to club.
By nice t-shirt I usually mean one of the dry wick types. They're comfortable and dressy enough for anyplace I've been in Medellin.
[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2711377]The more signs there are warning against sex tourism, the better that location is for taking chicas, jajajajaa. Seriously, my favorite short time love motel over by Parque Bolivar had more warnings and signs that any hotel I went to. However, it did eventually get shut down and bricked closed.[/QUOTE]I've seen the error in that approach.
A boutique hotel I spent a few days in over Christmas 2017, while my roommate's entire family was visiting from Bogota, had signs in the lobby and pictures of the signs on Booking and other hotel sites. You couldn't check in without seeing the signs and "No guests or visitors" was posted in the rules. I had to wait 10 minutes to talk to reception while a gringo begged and pleaded to get them to allow his obvious working girl visitor come in. He didn't succeed.
The upscale jacuzzi loft I rented last month only stated that guests under 18 weren't allowed. The place was obviously set up for fucking. After I booked, the confirmation email stated "no prostitution", but I figured, provided a bit of discretion was used, it wouldn't be a problem. I was correct and I wasn't the only one breaking the rule.
However, as a general rule, I avoid "no sex tourism" places and I keep things quiet and discreet. That way everyone is happy.
[QUOTE=Sukhanna1983;2711001]I have tons of points I can use. Is Marriott girl friendly? Are they okay bringing in girls?[/QUOTE]I use the Four Points. The first girls is obviously fine, after that I take one of two approaches:
1) Book back to back one or two night reservations (you get a new +1 each time).
2) Discretely bring in girls through the back gate during the day. It locks at like 8 pm and they pay more attention at night.
For $45 to $50/ nt including a great breakfast buffet, onsite spa, waiting taxis, and proximity to the mall I've found it a great place to stay.