Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=FFlintstone69;3029107]I rather not pre-bias any suggestions by mentioning the names I've found.

But I was wondering what would be the best University course to take a begginers Espanol course in Medellin.

Perhaps 4-6 hours per day 5 days per week for 6 months in person, afternoons or evenings would be ideal.

Any help would be appreciated.

This is my first retirement gift to myself.

Ok other than EAFIT.[/QUOTE]I did something like that as a post retirement thing. I found that 4 days a week with 4 to 6 hours per day in classes as long as those classes were not all heavy ones (some were more conversation, interaction through games, etc). 5 days a week was exhausting, 4 about right as there were 3 day weekends to sort of recover. And the most I could do at one go was about 5 weeks. So I did a total of around 25 weeks doing about 8 to 10 weeks a year. I think it would be ok doing it on a more continual basis, say for 6 months, but it uses a lot of energy in the brain and can literally tire you out. So some pacing is good.

As far as universities in Medellin the only one I know about is EAFIT. I didn't do my Spanish in Colombia, but in a non-university language school. Although they did offer options to get credit at many universities as they had university educated instructors. I would prefer some of those over university based as the class groups were much smaller (max 5 or 6 per instructor) and there were more activities included. Unfortunately many of these institutes did not do well through the shut downs and most went to on line versions and have never got back to in person classes.

[QUOTE=SlapShot10;3029359]PSA: Claro & Tigo turn off your internet service after one month of non-payment, and cancel it after 2 months.[/QUOTE]Are you talking about home internet or cell phone? Of course they turn off your internet if you have not paid it. But your cell phone SIM is definitely is not canceled after 2 months. I have had the same Claro number for years and do not pay on it every 2 months. The last time I topped up was July 1 when I was in Colombia. If I have any problems tomorrow (October 1) when I arrive, then I will report on this post being true.

[QUOTE=FFlintstone69;3029107]I rather not pre-bias any suggestions by mentioning the names I've found.

But I was wondering what would be the best University course to take a begginers Espanol course in Medellin.

Perhaps 4-6 hours per day 5 days per week for 6 months in person, afternoons or evenings would be ideal.

Any help would be appreciated.

This is my first retirement gift to myself.

Ok other than EAFIT.[/QUOTE]If you are a true beginner, I would start out with online work, listening to recordings on head phones, etc. Establish a basic vocabulary and phrases that way. Then progress to watching Spanish language TV and listening to radio and music. 4-6 hours a day is too much in any event and I would recommend 2 hours a day, 3 to 4 days a week. A university is not the way to go. Language schools with small interactive groups, then go out and socialize and practice.

Planning on going to Colombia the the end of November, just wanted some inputs on the state of Medellin specifically politically I saw trump is beefing with them right now for some reason but other than petty crime and obviously watching your drink does anyone feel unsafe right now? Just want to ease some of my friends minds.

[QUOTE=Tacoma101;3028073] All of the subway cars coming out of downtown were packed.[/QUOTE]I have rode the Medellin Metro Lines around town and it does not go underground. It is not a subway.

[QUOTE=BenjiGold1999;3029469]Planning on going to Colombia the the end of November, just wanted some inputs on the state of Medellin specifically politically I saw trump is beefing with them right now for some reason but other than petty crime and obviously watching your drink does anyone feel unsafe right now? Just want to ease some of my friends minds.[/QUOTE]This comes up all of the time. Don't drink if you are concerned or get a bottled beer!

[QUOTE=BenjiGold1999;3029469]Planning on going to Colombia the the end of November, just wanted some inputs on the state of Medellin specifically politically I saw trump is beefing with them right now for some reason but other than petty crime and obviously watching your drink does anyone feel unsafe right now? Just want to ease some of my friends minds.[/QUOTE]I haven't heard anything about Trump or USA relations in Medellin and I've been back from vacationing in Europe for about a month now. Safety is always a concern, especially if you are out drinking around strangers or people you don't really know.

[QUOTE=BenjiGold1999;3029469]Planning on going to Colombia the the end of November, just wanted some inputs on the state of Medellin specifically politically I saw trump is beefing with them right now for some reason but other than petty crime and obviously watching your drink does anyone feel unsafe right now? Just want to ease some of my friends minds.[/QUOTE]So you're basically going December, from my personal experience I avoid going to Colombia in November and December as crimes goes up because of holiday. Airfare will cost more, the same as hotel prices and Airbnb's and chicas will be hustling more for the prices. Colombian celebrates Christmas the whole month of December, some people say it's fun to visit Colombia but be very careful and use your common sense so you don't get got. This is something you have to consider. That's my two cents.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;3029640]I plan to go to Medellin later this month and be there five weeks. I'm a little concerned because the Colombian president is wacky. His US visa was revoked. My concern is will he retaliate, and how.[/QUOTE]What does any of that have to do with you visiting Colombia? Do you think Petro is going to go find you and do something to you because of his back and forth with Trump? Petro will be like I got your boy Fun Luvr Trump; now talk that shit!

Mr E! Always bringing the humor and common sense! Love it! Shame I'm missing you in MDE. I'm flying out tomorrow. I'll be in Asia in the spring. Let's catch up again over some food!

Taco.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;3029724]What does any of that have to do with you visiting Colombia? Do you think Petro is going to go find you and do something to you because of his back and forth with Trump? Petro will be like I got your boy Fun Luvr Trump; now talk that shit![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Tacoma101;3029747]Mr E! Always bringing the humor and common sense! Love it! Shame I'm missing you in MDE. I'm flying out tomorrow. I'll be in Asia in the spring. Let's catch up again over some food!

Taco.[/QUOTE]I am in Barranquilla now. I will definitely catch you in Asia brother.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;3029400]Are you talking about home internet or cell phone? Of course they turn off your internet if you have not paid it. But your cell phone SIM is definitely is not canceled after 2 months. I have had the same Claro number for years and do not pay on it every 2 months. The last time I topped up was July 1 when I was in Colombia. If I have any problems tomorrow (October 1) when I arrive, then I will report on this post being true.[/QUOTE]As I was saying, no problem with my Claro internet that has not been active for 3 months. Topped up at the pharmacy. 22,000 pesos got me unlimited calls and 40 GB of data.

[QUOTE=BenjiGold1999;3029469]Planning on going to Colombia the the end of November, just wanted some inputs on the state of Medellin specifically politically I saw trump is beefing with them right now for some reason but other than petty crime and obviously watching your drink does anyone feel unsafe right now? Just want to ease some of my friends minds.[/QUOTE]Funny enough, I decided to visit El Poblado today for a change of pace. After having lunch in a Mall, I went walking down Avenida El Poblado and there was a pro-palestine protest in the middle of the street. Maybe 50 people. Some of the signs were in English. Some were anti-American. Basically looked like the type of people you see protesting in the USA. No baddies in the crowd.

A friend also sent me the attached today, which I think is more comedy than anything.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my previous question. I was never asked by immigration if I had a ticket out of the country. I was asked by the airline though when I was checking bags. I had already bought a ticket so I am not sure what would happen if I did not have one. I decided to spend 2 weeks in Argentina to avoid getting the yellow fever vaccine, for obvious reasons. This is my fourth time in Medellin. And my fourth day in a row slumming it in centro. I just stay by the church now. No clubs or casas for me. I thought of doing a casa run just to have something to report, maybe I will. Any suggestions? But with prices ranging from 7 to 15 usd, it is no need to go anywhere else. Enough good talent for me. The talent is a lot better than I was expecting or saw on previous trips. But time of day matters a lot. Quick question. I have heartburn in my throat that won't go away, didn't experience this in Brazil or Argentina. Any ideas? Stay safe.

[QUOTE=SeizeTheDay;3029849] I have heartburn in my throat that won't go away, didn't experience this in Brazil or Argentina. Any ideas? Stay safe.[/QUOTE]I assume you have eaten more spicy or acid food than normal or been eating very late at night right before sleeping. First, stop that. Second take anti-acids. I just take baking SODA (not baking powder). Dairy products help counter balance spicy food but just a little but sometimes that is all that is required.