Printable View
[QUOTE=Tom 33]By the way, in Medellín "ya vengo" may be better than "voy a regresar."[/QUOTE]Not trying to be snippy here just helpful. ya vengo, or ya regreso is more like saying "Be right back" ( now ), and Voy a Regresar is more like I'll come back ( at another time ). It's not specific to Medellin or even Colombia. All Spanish speakers use it this way.
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]If not do you think the cab driver would accept US dollars for the fare ? I guess my hotel could exchange dollars once I get there but what if they can't ?
Any ideas?[/QUOTE]I doubt that any driver would accept US dollars. The fare from the airport is 48K. You could bring a newspaper with the cambio rate printed, offer enough to cover that rate (usually 8-10% less than the Interbank rate), and add a tip and you could get a taker.
Another alternative would be to ask the taxista to take you to a safe ATM. La 70 in Laureles would be a good place to look if you are going that way. There are many 24-hour ATMs along la 70. And it is fairly safe especially when you have a cab waiting. Be sure to write down the taxi number while the taxista is watching. In fact you'd be better off calling a cab from the airport. You could just go out and look at the taxi line, write down a phone number of a cab there, and call that number.
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]If not do you think the cab driver would accept US dollars for the fare ? I guess my hotel could exchange dollars once I get there but what if they can't ?
Any ideas?[/QUOTE]Yes most cab drivers will accept dollars, but you usally have to pay a little more that way. I have a new rule now. I always leave with some Pesos so that when I go back I don't miss a beat.
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]If not do you think the cab driver would accept US dollars for the fare ? I guess my hotel could exchange dollars once I get there but what if they can't ?
Any ideas?[/QUOTE]Have a bit of respect for your low-wage taxista! Hit the ATM or exchange at the airport, or if that fails get pesos at the hotel.- they'll add it to your bill. But don't chuck a few bucks at the taxista without thinking of how he's going to get hit on the exchange. And even then if he needs the money for gas, food, or rent of the taxi itself.- which some nights will be more than he takes.- you could be causing him a real problem.
As a last resort change the dollars with a doorman at the hotel: they get them a bit more frequently and can change them without too much pain.
For your own safety though, if traveling alone, I would NOT stop the taxi at an ATM in the street and leave your luggage in the taxi.
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]Does anyone know if the atm's at the medellin airport are up and running very late at night? I am arriving at 10:45pm.
Thank You[/QUOTE]As I said, dont worry. You'll find the ATM working 24/24. If not, you change at any ATM in city or at the hotel.
PS:
I remember I once saw a NorthEuropean guy in front of the ATM in a Colombia airport. He was claiming the ATM was not working properly. He told me that the ATM was giving only USD and not pesos, but he needed pesos to take a taxi.
I tried, and I got my pesos. I called him back and I showed him how to do.
Well, the problem was that he thought that the $ symbol stood for USD!!!!!!
Yes. The ATM was offering 100.000$, 200.000$, 300.000$, 400.000$. I confirm it was NOT 100.000 USD, 200.000 USD, 300.000 USD, 400.000 USD. ROFL Quite enough money for a short holiday.
The best and most easy thing to do, is just ask someone on the plane, you can always find someone that will give you and honest exchange on your flight, its worked every time for me.
I really appreciate the responses. I feel comfortable enough with the situation.
Thanks
[QUOTE=Vics Picks]Yes most cab drivers will accept dollars, but you usally have to pay a little more that way. I have a new rule now. I always leave with some Pesos so that when I go back I don't miss a beat.[/QUOTE]There are so many ATMs all around, no need to have extra pesos.
[QUOTE=Black Page]Scene 1
A homeless is looking for food in big black garbage bags, under the elevated metro 300m from the museum. He works in the darkness close to a pillar. He has opened one bag and all garbage is spread on floor. The garbage collectors come and literally kick him off, to take possession of the bag he is working on. They shout collecting the spread garbage from floor, damning him for the mess. The poor man desperately fights for the bag, holding it and resisting to those who want to take it. The bag is now what they are hard fighting for. Collectors finally win.[/QUOTE]Good visual description of the scene. Tung also provided an equally visually descriptive post here:
[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?p=744444#post744444[/url]
"Many homeless individuals indeed resemble forest-like animals, scavenging for food in garbage bins and piles. My first walk to Carrera 54 y Av De Greiff on Tuesday I passed one guy sitting on the ground. You know the fat and gristle scraps cut and garbaged by a butcher? He found a large garbage bag full of that, pure raw scraps, and was feasting like a king on filet mignon in a classy restaurant. He thought he hit big-time pay dirt. A half hour later, when I re-passed him on my way home, his buddies had joined him. Goddamn sometimes I wish I could photograph these things.
Not even five minutes later, at the end of Carrera 53, I came across a small square piled high with garbage, a dozen guys busting open the bags and chowing down. Mirroring Casa Medellin's thoughts, these guys truly are animal status -- as in borderline (thinking) human beings. Their degree of abstraction is limited to about two to three seconds into the future and five meters in front of them."
[QUOTE=Aussie Greg]Guy's,
Got a group of 40 people going to Halloween Mango's tomorrow night, same group going to the 50 Cent concerto Saturday night also.
"Conquistardor Aussie Greg"[/QUOTE]Oh man, I am so hating on you right now. I was there a week too early! How was the turnout at the 50 concert? I did get to Mangos the weekend I was there, it was. Different to say the least. LOL.
So last trip I started hanging at Sexi alot cause they were running a special, 2 for 1 for an hour. These chicas enjoyed looking at my pictures and they wanted to get in my rotation but there are limited spots available. I have my morning chica whom i met in October 2007, and two night chicas that I met in april 2007 and November 2007.
In addition to that i have been talking to many that work in the stores and restaurants and thats going real well as I took some out to the movies and dinner. The good thing about them is they work so if I take each out once during a trip, they are very happy. I also stop by during the day to get lunch or have coffee with them. My last trip was 4 weeks long so I had lots of time. This up coming trip will be only 2 weeks.
I am leaning my way around the city as well as some other areas such as Santa fee and Cartengna. Many of these chicas are interested in a 2-3 day getaway.
Last trip, I met a chica in cartengna that was from Bariquilla. She had wanted 200,000 an hour but after talking to her, she came down to 100,00 for a few hours and spent a night for 100,000. She was really interested in coming to Medellin with me so I bought her a bus ticket. I decided to not ask about money at that point. We hit Santa fe as well and she spent 4 days 3 nights with me. As she was leaving, I handed her 300,000 and she looked at me and asked how much was there and I told her. She gave me a hug and said that she hopped that I would call her when I returned.
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the repetitive post, I just don't know the best place to post this - But I'm arriving tomorrow night at MDE, staying at Florida Hotel, if anyone wants to meet up.
Also, can someone tell me the best way to get there from the airport. Is it safe? Is there a driver I should use?
Thanks much!
Bill
[QUOTE=Doc Bill]Hi Guys,
Sorry for the repetitive post, I just don't know the best place to post this - But I'm arriving tomorrow night at MDE, staying at Florida Hotel, if anyone wants to meet up.
Also, can someone tell me the best way to get there from the airport. Is it safe? Is there a driver I should use?
Thanks much!
Bill[/QUOTE]Just grab a taxi, its 48,000 pesos. I usually take the bus for 6,000 and then cab it over.
[QUOTE=Doc Bill]Hi Guys,
Also, can someone tell me the best way to get there from the airport. Is it safe? Is there a driver I should use?
Bill[/QUOTE]Taxi! a normal, plain, regular licensed taxi from the airport line. Ask before how much does it cost, to be sure, but normally you will not be overcharged.
Want to be even more sure? Ask the Tourist information desk at arrivals about taxi fares.
Thanks guys! If I can buy any of you a drink I'll be there til the 10th!
DB