Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=JackTaggart;2917042] But at a strip club 2 blocks from the nutty (and thus 2 streets from Centro) it was 80 mil for Medio with bbj. 100 mil for BBFS. It was the one where you enter the rooms through the dj booth. It's near Centro.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=ObjJay;2917178]Which club did you get 100 K BBFS?[/QUOTE]It sound familiar based on you have to go through or more likely squat down to an opening in the dj booth. Its probably the one near Conjitos on Calle 53 across from Parque Botero. It's just a few spots before you hit the corner and make your way to cross the street to Hotel Nutibara. Getting BBFS there or any of these strip clubs is just a stroke of luck. It's not a given. I was there last year and very surprised it was still open. I was there once and that was a very long time ago and I remember bending down to go through low doorway in the DJ booth. The rooms if I remember were horrible. The only el Centro strip club that had any decent rooms was Conejitos.

[QUOTE=CeeJay1;2917576]It sound familiar based on you have to go through or more likely squat down to an opening in the dj booth. Its probably the one near Conjitos on Calle 53.The only el Centro strip club that had any decent rooms was Conejitos.[/QUOTE]Probably Grill Avenida. But could be Victoria too. Both have ducking access to the rooms. Actually Victoria just upgraded the access to theirs a few weeks ago. Hilton Bar also has decent rooms.

[QUOTE=HumbleHal;2917110]No. I was in Medellin last week and had no problem entering through airport immigration, however I am in my late 60's. I did notice many younger males in line and they slowed down the process quite a bit. The young, single males in line were getting questioned much more at the front booth and this made it much longer to get through. Heck, 75% of the non-Colombian airline passengers were young men 20-30, probably sex tourists![/QUOTE]Sadly, these guys are not doing anyone any favors. Last time I had three 'bros' from Chicago in line behind me. One had a wifebeater t-shirt, shorts, crocks, fake Rolex, Prada backpack. Another was traveling in sweats and loud t-shirt. All three had diamond earrings and excessive necklaces. All three were loud and talking about how they would have to hide their jewelry before the 'bitches took their shit', all the partying they were going to do, some 'buddy' who was going to hook them up, etc. Yes, those actual words, no respect, no class, no care, all ego. I was honestly ashamed and embarrassed to be in front of them and I don't think I would have been upset if they were grilled at immigration. When I walked to the agent (female) and I saw that she clearly was looking past me at the 'bros' with a concerned face, I said an "Ay Dios mio!" exasperated statement with rolling eyes, she smiled at me, and then I was super polite (rest was in English), and she stamped me right in. What delay they may have faced, no clue.

My advice, as always, is when traveling to a foreign country. Blend in. Aim to look, not like a local as that may not be possible, but at least as an expatriate who lives there. Dress like they do, be calm, don't be loud, and above all be super respectful. It goes a long way. They will more readily accept you as 'one of them' and your trip will be exponentially more pleasant.

[QUOTE=Hobo3;2917317]...... I did find one keeper, she was 20 yr old spinner. I am very very discreet and checked her ID. 20 minutes after she arrives, I hear the loudest banging on my door and it's 4 police officers! They came in furious, screaming asking questions. Apparently, a lady in the building called the cops........[/QUOTE]I find it difficult to understand why she would call the cops if there was no noise coming from your apartment.

[QUOTE=DiscoverFL;2917589]Sadly, these guys are not doing anyone any favors. Last time I had three 'bros' from Chicago in line behind me. One had a wifebeater t-shirt, shorts, crocks, fake Rolex, Prada backpack. Another was traveling in sweats and loud t-shirt. All three had diamond earrings and excessive necklaces. All three were loud and talking about how they would have to hide their jewelry before the 'bitches took their shit', all the partying they were going to do, some 'buddy' who was going to hook them up, etc. Yes, those actual words, no respect, no class, no care, all ego. ... What delay they may have faced, no clue.

My advice, as always, is when traveling to a foreign country. Blend in. Aim to look, not like a local as that may not be possible, but at least as an expatriate who lives there. Dress like they do, be calm, don't be loud, and above all be super respectful. It goes a long way. They will more readily accept you as 'one of them' and your trip will be exponentially more pleasant.[/QUOTE]Yes, I have noticed most of the Americans in El Pobado wear short pants. I have told many of the NYC gentlemen to get rid of their gold chains and flashy jewelry and hide their cell phone or they will be snatched by some Colombian thief on a motorcycle or by one with a knife. Colombians all wear long pants as a sign of respect and few can afford flashy watches and gold chains. And please leave your "boom boxes" at home. I have seen many playing "ghetto" music loudly from their boom boxes while walking on Avenida 43 in El Poblado. It disturbs me and I am sure it disturbs the Colombians more.

[QUOTE=Turgid;2917607]I find it difficult to understand why she would call the cops if there was no noise coming from your apartment.[/QUOTE]Could be for a wide variety of reasons ranging from maybe the chic looked young to the neighbor just hates foreigners bringing girls to the Airbnb.

[QUOTE=ObjJay;2917468]How much for the girl? Was the savings worth the hassle?

Personally, I am happy to pay the 600 K La Isla charges because I know that a bunch of cops are not going to knock on my door in the middle of me having sex and take pictures of me.[/QUOTE]It comes down to the service level and the cost is secondary. What you do not know is that you are paying a lot more for a very limited service and limited time. If you are happy, then good for you. La Isla used to cost less than half of what it costs now and with better service at all levels for a single person. The same thing can be said about Loutron.

For that amount of money, some can get 2 to stay all night with little restriction, and maybe not worse looking girls too.

[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2917399]That is funny. I thought all the veterans here said the only one having problems with Colombian customs in Medellin was me.

[/QUOTE]As much as I hate to admit it, maybe Elvis was right and I was wrong. Maybe they are targeting single male gringos going thru migration Colombia. That has never been my experience, although I usually go thru Bogota more often than I go thru Medellin.

That being said if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't have a problem. As Elvis mentioned if you want to take extra precautions it wouldn't hurt to have a new phone and leave your personal phone at home.

This guy hobo3 wasnt doing anything wrong, he even asked the girl for her cedula and tried his best to make sure she was not underage, and yet the neighbors still made a fuss and then the police show up at his place making a whole scene as if he was a criminal.

A word of advice would be to maybe not bring girls back to your place for now atleast until the heat dies down. Maybe just visit establishments that are on-site or short time hotels that are designated for mongering activities, then atleast you avoid the disgruntled neighbors and police banging on your door wanting to take your photograph.

Or even better yet check out other areas of the country besides Medellin. As Elvis mentioned, Bogota is great, I have also had great times in Cucuta as well. If you like vennies there are many of them to be had there. Of course if you like dark chocolate, then Cali is worth checking out as well. And last but not least, the eje cafetero region while smaller and slower paced does have some gems to found in places like Armenia and Pereira.

Remember to Monger, but monger Safely.

Gabacho Out.

Yes, it's normally going to be some combination of those two factors. A good way to limit that sort of scrutiny is to avoid walking in and out with girls so you aren't the star of the building administration's security camera shows (yes, building administrators typically look over security footage on a regular basis). Local girls are much less conspicuous coming and going alone than they are when they come and go with an older punter in tow.

[QUOTE=Goped28;2917631]Could be for a wide variety of reasons ranging from maybe the chic looked young to the neighbor just hates foreigners bringing girls to the Airbnb.[/QUOTE]

I don't see loud music upsetting Colombians, if they notice it all. It bothers the hell out of me but I'm not Colombian and I don't put loudspeakers facing outside my apartment windows at all hours the way Colombians do.

[QUOTE=HumbleHal;2917615]Yes, I have noticed most of the Americans in El Pobado wear short pants. I have told many of the NYC gentlemen to get rid of their gold chains and flashy jewelry and hide their cell phone or they will be snatched by some Colombian thief on a motorcycle or by one with a knife. Colombians all wear long pants as a sign of respect and few can afford flashy watches and gold chains. And please leave your "boom boxes" at home. I have seen many playing "ghetto" music loudly from their boom boxes while walking on Avenida 43 in El Poblado. It disturbs me and I am sure it disturbs the Colombians more.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=HumbleHal;2917615]Yes, I have noticed most of the Americans in El Pobado wear short pants. I have told many of the NYC gentlemen to get rid of their gold chains and flashy jewelry and hide their cell phone or they will be snatched by some Colombian thief on a motorcycle or by one with a knife. Colombians all wear long pants as a sign of respect and few can afford flashy watches and gold chains. And please leave your "boom boxes" at home. I have seen many playing "ghetto" music loudly from their boom boxes while walking on Avenida 43 in El Poblado. It disturbs me and I am sure it disturbs the Colombians more.[/QUOTE]Nah. Walk around the malls you'll see plenty of Colombians wearing shorts. Why wear pants and long sleeve shirts when its 80 degrees outside? Its silly. Anyways be yourself. Your a gringo whether you wear pants or shorts.

[QUOTE=DiscoverFL;2917589]…….

My advice, as always, is when traveling to a foreign country. Blend in. Aim to look, not like a local as that may not be possible, but at least as an expatriate who lives there. Dress like they do, be calm, don't be loud, and above all be super respectful. It goes a long way. They will more readily accept you as 'one of them' and your trip will be exponentially more pleasant.[/QUOTE]Your advice could not be more spot-on.

[QUOTE=Huacho;2917242]Then how come only a minority of women do it? And how come their ugly cousin works in a laundry or at McD's? Fifty years of mongering in LatAm makes me think there is a lot more to it.[/QUOTE]The same reason we're not rocket scientists or billionaires; we don't have the skills, ability, family connections, etc. The ugly cousin works at the laundry because no one is going to pay to bang her. The pretty girl gets into the business because she is lusted after her whole life, her sex appeal is reinforced by the men in her life, and she is given the opportunity to make money by using her beauty. Why is that hard to understand? And what does that have to do with being lazy?

It's not as simple as just being poor and there are a million reasons why anybody does anything, but money is the prime reason people do jobs. Things like abuse, lack of opportunity, lack of education, rebellion, sexual exploration also have a big part to it. But I would say that "being too lazy to get a real job" is very far down the list and that's my main point.

[QUOTE=Turgid;2917607]I find it difficult to understand why she would call the cops if there was no noise coming from your apartment.[/QUOTE]I think some people are miserable and can't tolerate anyone being happy. The following is an experience I had last month. I have a lady friend in Medellin that I've known for 12 years; only a friend, not a friend with benefits as most think of benefits. She has a 5-year old daughter. The little girl likes to go to Frisby because they have a children's playground. My friend was sick, so her friend and the little girl and I went to Frisby on LA70 for a late lunch. Her friend is 20 years old. While we were eating, a group of 4 or 5 police came into the restaurant and asked the lady for her ID. The lady was dressed conservatively, and both her and little girl were sitting on the opposite side of the table from me. They asked for my ID, and returned it after a few minutes. They took the lady and girl outside the restaurant for more questioning. They required the mother to come and get the girl. They asked me very few questions. The whole ordeal lasted almost an hour. The lady told me there was someone from the table behind me go outside just before the police came in. Obviously, someone called the police. I don't think it was anyone who worked at the restaurant because many of them have seen me in there many times with the girl and her mother. Some of the employees asked the lady what was happening. Just another day in Medellin.

[QUOTE=HumbleHal;2917615]Colombians all wear long pants as a sign of respect[/QUOTE]That myth was dispellled a long time ago right with the Colombians don't wear ball caps. You are either looking at someone during their work day or an old man. Colombians wear shorts, sneakers, flip flops, and ballcaps AND basketball jerseys just as most people around the world. You generally will see it after hours when they are off work and on the weekends.