Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=Ezyngo; 1233901]Gran Hotel, Calle 54 # 45-92, Calle 54 (Caracas) with Carrera 46 (Av. Oriental). Chica friendly. Rates: 100k-228k, Pool. Tel: 4-513-4455. [email]mercadeo@granhotel.com.co[/email]

[url]http://www.granhotel.com.co/[/url]

I stay here whenever I feel I want to bang more chicas from the casas than the non-pros. It is very close to basically all the casas- within walking distance. One caution is that it is still in the 'danger zone' at night once the sun goes down.

Cheers.[/QUOTE]I'm going to MDE next week and need a room for two nights after I have to leave my apartment. What's the best way to reserve a room if your Spanish is limited? Do they speak English there?

Thanks

Thanks guys for all the replies about booze. Funny how the duty free shops do not publish prices or many details at all on their web site for what they sell. Anyone have a good link for duty free prices?

I could not find Baily's on the Exito web site. Is this really a paisa favorite? I've never seen anyone drinking it or ask for it in CO. Personally, I think it's gross. But hey, whatever loosens you up.

To sum up, it seems like if you want something specific thats in the mid to high end range, duty free is the way to go. Otherwise, just buy when you arrive.

Personally I really enjoy Rum and Aguardiente when in CO, which are both inexpensive. And I have rarely had a paisa say no to either. I am also a fairly seasoned whiskey drinker and in Colombia it always seemed pretty expensive. Duty free here I come.

[QUOTE=Sailor Jim; 1236646]In all airports I have dealt with in the Americas I am handed the duty free items as I am enting the plane / gate, already wrapped up. Most US airports' Duty Free shops are more expensive than regular stores (jewlery, perfume, candy, makeup) and usually the same price on booze if you have a discount liquor store near you.

Or just buy in Colombia. Most lower end items eg: Baileys 750ML is 38. 000 at Exito / Carrefour = USD$20. 75 at today's exchange rate.

I buy my booze (not available in Colombia like single malts or DJ 1942 Tequila Or better priced stuff in the US like Grey Goose) in the US at the Duty Free shops on the way to Colombia instead of beforehand (packed in my suitaces) because of the [B]airline weight restrictions[/B]. The Duty Free stuff does not count towards any weight total. This since you are handed the bag of bottles as you are walking on the plane. I usually grab 3 or 5 bottles depending.

Like MiamiHeatLuvr when I land in Colombia I stuff a bottle or two in my carry on and stick the remainig 1 or 2 bottles in each of my suitcases. Never a problem with customs.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BlkPanther; 1236706]Do they speak English there?

Thanks[/QUOTE]Yes. You can do make reservation online for Gran hotel. For me, I normally go to kayak. Com and Gran hotel is listed right there. Or you can just show up on the day you want to stay. They speak English very well. There is one cute paisa working as a receptionist; and it's been like a year I still could not forget her. She even speaks English to boot. There are a few doormen who also know English. But are you sure you want to stay in El Centro?

Cheers.

[QUOTE=Hasideas Tao; 1236715]Thanks guys for all the replies about booze. Funny how the duty free shops do not publish prices or many details at all on their web site for what they sell. Anyone have a good link for duty free prices?

I could not find Baily's on the Exito web site. Is this really a paisa favorite? I've never seen anyone drinking it or ask for it in CO. Personally, I think it's gross. But hey, whatever loosens you up.

To sum up, it seems like if you want something specific thats in the mid to high end range, duty free is the way to go. Otherwise, just buy when you arrive.

Personally I really enjoy Rum and Aguardiente when in CO, which are both inexpensive. And I have rarely had a paisa say no to either. I am also a fairly seasoned whiskey drinker and in Colombia it always seemed pretty expensive. Duty free here I come.[/QUOTE]Paisitas love Baileys, if they can get a hold of it but I don't like serving it to prepagos because 1 puta can kill a whole bottle by herself in one sitting, they can drink it like chocolate milk all day night long and it doesn't even give them a buzz.

[QUOTE=BayBoy;1236429]Personally at the first area I go to Cafe Cataraca have a coffee and watch the chicas go by.[/QUOTE]Where does Cataraca locate? What kind of venue is it? Thanks.

[QUOTE=Matt Psyche;1236880]Where does Cataraca locate? What kind of venue is it? Thanks.[/QUOTE]Cafe Catarata (I gave the wrong spelling) is at the corner of Calle 51 and Cra. 53. BUT there's no name on the building. They serve from pastries to Paisa lunches and food. Plus all the usual drinks (coffee, coke, beer). Its right at the apex of the action I can watch all the chicas walk by on the street.

[QUOTE=Ezyngo; 1236737]Yes. You can do make reservation online for Gran hotel. For me, I normally go to kayak. Com and Gran hotel is listed right there. Or you can just show up on the day you want to stay. They speak English very well. There is one cute paisa working as a receptionist; and it's been like a year I still could not forget her. She even speaks English to boot. There are a few doormen who also know English. But are you sure you want to stay in El Centro?

Cheers.[/QUOTE]It's kind of a compromise between a decent hotel and an easy way to do some mongering. I've been mongering in el centro on a few of my previous trips but had to make that trip back to my apt in Poblado. About the same thing this time, but I have to move out of my Poblado apt after 3 nights this time as they are booked up and I'm trying to meet a couple of regular girls I met on-line as well as get in some mongering just for the fun of it. And I can handle myself pretty well. Ex military police. 6'3", over 200lbs. But if you ask the question if I'm 'sure', maybe I should get another hotel in Poblado for my last two nights and make that trip to el centro. I'm open to suggestions from mongers that have more experience than me in MDE. This is maybe my fouth trip but my experience is still limited.

[QUOTE=BlkPanther;1236921]I'm open to suggestions from mongers that have more experience than me in MDE. This is maybe my fouth trip but my experience is still limited.[/QUOTE]I've stayed at the Nutibara Hotel in El Centro a number of times. Its right at the center of el centro action. They speak some English there. Cost is $110K a night. Its got a pool, sauna and steam room.

El Centro looks worse than it is. Walked all over the place and never had a problem. Yes, theres street people and beggars but its never bothered me. Never been hasseled or robbed. My one warning is not be up and around late at night. But most of the casas close at 8-9pm. Its best to not go to the SW areas after 8pm also. That leaves the strip clubs open later.

[QUOTE=BayBoy; 1236942]I've stayed at the Nutibara Hotel in El Centro a number of times. Its right at the center of el centro action. They speak some English there. Cost is $110K a night. Its got a pool, sauna and steam room.

El Centro looks worse than it is. Walked all over the place and never had a problem. Yes, theres street people and beggars but its never bothered me. Never been hasseled or robbed. My one warning is not be up and around late at night. But most of the casas close at 8-9pm. Its best to not go to the SW areas after 8pm also. That leaves the strip clubs open later.[/QUOTE]I've walked around a bit on a previous occasion in the afternoon after leaving a casa to find a taxi. Never felt threatened. [Trying to get some food to go from one of the local vendors after a good casa workout was a bit difficult though. ]

Thanks

[QUOTE=BlkPanther;1236921]It's kind of a compromise between a decent hotel and an easy way to do some mongering. I've been mongering in el centro on a few of my previous trips but had to make that trip back to my apt in Poblado. About the same thing this time, but I have to move out of my Poblado apt after 3 nights this time as they are booked up and I'm trying to meet a couple of regular girls I met on-line as well as get in some mongering just for the fun of it. And I can handle myself pretty well. Ex military police. 6'3", over 200lbs. But if you ask the question if I'm 'sure', maybe I should get another hotel in Poblado for my last two nights and make that trip to el centro. I'm open to suggestions from mongers that have more experience than me . This is maybe my fouth trip but my experience is still limited.[/QUOTE]With your size, and military experence you should have no trouble in Centro if you follow the basic safety rules from the forum. Now if a gun is pointed at you than all bets are off. Of course even Poblado has had it's share off stickups so don't carry a lot of cash, and give it up when looking down the barrel.

Myself I stay where ever I like for many years with no problems. One time in one of the toughest areas in Lima because it was near a great dentist, Again the key is more your actions then the location you choose.

[QUOTE=John Gault; 1236955]With your size, and military experence you should have no trouble in Centro if you follow the basic safety rules from the forum. Now if a gun is pointed at you than all bets are off. Of course even Poblado has had it's share off stickups so don't carry a lot of cash, and give it up when looking down the barrel.

Myself I stay where ever I like for many years with no problems. One time in one of the toughest areas in Lima because it was near a great dentist, Again the key is more your actions then the location you choose.[/QUOTE]Poblado stick-ups are probably much more common than is let on by the local media. Fear of losing tourism is the obvious culprit. My lady friend was relieved of her Iphone and watch right on the outer streets of lleras. If you are a ladron from estrato 1 or 2, If you're going to be a low-life thief, don't you want to go where the money is? You're not going to get a big payout robbing your fellow estrato 1's an 2's

[QUOTE=MiamiHeatLuver;1236976]Poblado stick-ups are probably much more common than is let on by the local media. Fear of losing tourism is the obvious culprit. My lady friend was relieved of her Iphone and watch right on the outer streets of lleras. If you are a ladron from estrato 1 or 2, If you're going to be a low-life thief, don't you want to go where the money is? You're not going to get a big payout robbing your fellow estrato 1's an 2's[/QUOTE]True MHL, very true.

It's been talked and talked and talked about. Bottom Line "Life is Cheap in Colombia" just because you see nice cars and fancy movie theaters does not mean you're 100% safe.

Smart phones are the new gold chains or Jordan's in the 90's! That is for real! Is you're life worth a smart phone? Don't draw attention to yourself and keep an eye out for those keeping an eye on you. Don't be an easy target, walk with confidence, be alert; Eyes open and hands up. Don't be an easy target stumbling home at 2am from Mayorista, don't get fooled by the girl who's WAY into you because you're going to wake up with a massive head-ache and missing your passport, wallet, and laptop.

If you feel uncomfortable GET THE FRACK OUT! It's just that simple.

Travel safe and report back fellas.

Doesn't matter. Your size and your self-chosen indicators for your strength could be irrelevant to the tactics of robberies in Colombia.[QUOTE=BlkPanther;1236921]And I can handle myself pretty well. Ex military police. 6'3", over 200lbs. .[/QUOTE]

Gran Hotel and Hotel Nutibara are good hotels. The former is close to the casas, and the latter is close to the strip clubs. The area of Gran is not that bad. Next time I will stay in El Centro for the same reason.[QUOTE=BlkPanther; 1236921]But if you ask the question if I'm 'sure', maybe I should get another hotel in Poblado for my last two nights and make that trip to el centro.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Doesn't matter. Your size and your self-chosen indicators for your strength could be irrelevant to the tactics of robberies in Colombia.[/QUOTE]

I think most people new to the places miss the most important point: size and combat experience are irrelevant when someone from the calle uses a gun and is used to do it. It's not a boxing fight.

Confrontation is not fair: you have everything, he has nothing to lose. Criteria to evaluate risk and cost / benefit are also different: there has been people killed for 10 dollars or so.

Personally, I would even not consider to resist in front of a small knife: to save my bucks, there is the possibility to be cut somewhere. Small probability? Big? No thanks I don't care.

My strategy is to not show I have money. When I ventured at night in the Centro streets (till 2am) , I had no watch and an almost empty wallet.

[QUOTE=Matt Psyche; 1236994]Doesn't matter. Your size and your self-chosen indicators for your strength could be irrelevant to the tactics of robberies in Colombia.

Gran Hotel and Hotel Nutibara are good hotels. The former is close to the casas, and the latter is close to the strip clubs. The area of Gran is not that bad. Next time I will stay in El Centro for the same reason.[/QUOTE]I stay at Hotel Nutibara quite often and that area isn't too bad until later on in the evening, past ten o'clock or so. It's not a bad hotel at all, the only thing is their wi-fi is very weak in the rooms but I am there for the pussy so I don't care too much and they have lots of hot water so I like it.