Medellin Reports

[Just Incognito]

The number of new cases is only meaningful in relation to the actual number of tests and of course hospitalizations which are the bottom line and less likely in young people. Everything seems to vary from City to City and from week to week.

The recent wave of Covid where I live was the British strain and it was mainly young people. Why? The old people were already vaccinated!

[Just Incognito]

Yeah, it depends on the number of Covid cases and demonstrations. If the demonstrations keep up and there is pressure to bend on Covid, the government might let up. But the best measure is the number of cases, and that has not gone down. Every day, Colombia is still at 17,000 cases give or take, and unless there is political pressure, my guess, and it is just a guess, is the government does not let up.

I also do not think the number of cases goes down anytime soon. Lockdowns do not work (and in fact are harmful. Even the NYT had a blurb today on how rare transmission is outside) and the Brazil variant is in Colombia, and it does not seem to be letting up in Brazil. In fact, the Brazil variant hits young people.

On top of that, Colombia is doing a shitty job with vaccinations. The vaccines are way more prevalent now (states in the USA are turning them down now), so maybe, maybe Colombia will start to get more, but that is the one ray of hope in a bleak picture IMO.

I live on an island. More than 1 out of 20 people had Covid at the same time a few weeks ago. We did 1 month of night curfews, shutting businesses, not letting anyone meet with other people from different househilds, closed must businesses, and everyone was locked down unless they were outside and away from anyone from another household. We went from over 500 positive cases to 5 in 4 weeks. They lifeted the lockdown. We went to 30. Now back to 20 since the government went to businesses to check and change procedures where they though businesses could do better. The lockdown worked here.

In Colombia they do lockdowns, then open things up like the metro. Or they do the tax free days and everyone crowds stores. Or the people have demonstrations where they are not distanced from each other. They keep doing things that counter the effectiveness of the lockdowns. Its not that lockdowns don't work-its that they aren't done correctly in some places.

The rule should be: everyone is locked down unless you are outside solo or with members of your household-and moving-walking / running-and if you can maintain real distance from others not in your household during the lockdown.

I really think the game changer for where I live was the vaccines. And giving out the vaccines in much greater numbers-while people were locked down. It makes sense. While we weren't spreading the virus we were getting inoculated. And boom--the numbers dropped very very quickly and our systems are not overwhelmed now. They started driving into the local neighborhoods and pushing them-now more than 1/2 the island is vaccinated and its getting better each day. Of course, as more tourists come back--more virus and transmission and spread will happen. If more and more people get vaccinated-then the virus won't have anywhere to spread as much or as easily and will burn out.

I wish they would require vaccines for all flight travel and most group indoor activities like night clubs, bars, concerts, sports, etc. In all cases, its not entirely up to the government to fix this problem. Individuals need to do better. A this point there is no excuse for not understanding how masks help, how the mask goes over the nose, how to not congregate around non vaccinated people and how to stop the spread. Its been over a year--people can't be this dumb--they are just being lazy or obtuse with their defiance-and companies that communicate to masses-like Facebook need to do better to stop the spread of misinformation and disinformation on their sites.

I don't know why, while the USA is dealing with some potential fuel issues they don't go to Colombia and say: Here's 100 million vaccines-we'll trade ya for some cheap oil. Everyone wins (except the environment until we get off of oil).

Maybe we should create a new program: Free blowjob with your vaccine! Every man will be vaccinated in days! That would be some progress.

[Lucky Nuts]

I was walking down 43 A yesterday at 7 pm and had two young dudes walking the opposite direction suddenly pull out a gun, put it to my face, and rob me of my iphone, wallet, and headphones. I just kept my head down and handed everything over and they took off.

The police came to my airbnb and were very ashamed because when looking at the map. It was right next to the poblano police station. Maybe 200 meters from Parque poblano. Cops said they've never seen a time where robbers were so brazen.

Keep your head on a swivel! Or I guess don't walk alone at night. Obvio.

P.S. - anyone know where I can buy a cheap Iphone?

Sorry to hear of your bad luck Chi-town guy. Yeah it can and does happen everywhere. But I wouldn't carry around an expensive phone in Medellin. Or more than 200 mil pesos in my pocket. And dress like a poor dude too which is pretty much how I'm most comfortable. Maybe why I've never been robbed after a few winters spent in Medellin. Look like you are more trouble than you're worth and that doesn't mean you look like much trouble.

[JjBee62]

I suppose it has been a while since you were at the Monterrey mall looking for cell phones. I was there last February and the only stores I found that were selling cell phones were the carrier stores.

I guess it's been 2 years. Strange to think all those stores have gone. It must look like a ghost town now, because most of the stores are too small for much else.

Are you sure we're talking about the same place? The Monterrey mall website still lists a bunch of cell phone stores. I'll have to stop in next trip and update my knowledge.

[JackNimble]

Has been a long time between posts for me my brothers. Finally back in the game -- and just wanted to give thanks to all those boots on the ground reports. I will be sharing mine once COVID allows!

[MiamiSammy]

You didn't end up like this dood, was he a monger?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lIunFoBzHM

The region is becoming more destabilized, I think its safe to say crime will continue to increase.

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/20...-labour-crisis

Medellin isn't uniquely dangerous for a large city. Shit happens. https://abc7ny.com/times-square-shoo...rist/10603908/.

[Paulie97]

Lots of mongers will try to recommend what could have been done to avoid the armed robbery.

If the thieves want what you have, whether its the clothes on your back and even if you look local, sadly they are going to get it.

Though there are exceptions to all rules. Wink.

https://www.eltiempo.com/bogota/vide...-bogota-572746

[Surfer500]

I suppose it has been a while since you were at the Monterrey mall looking for cell phones. I was there last February and the only stores I found that were selling cell phones were the carrier stores.

Scratching my head here, I walked thru Montery mall in April and all kinds of stores selling cell phones. Montery Mall is adjacent to the Poblado METRO station and can be accessed from a pedestrian bridge from the walkway into the METRO station. It is a technical / gadget type of mall, with stores selling printing supplies like cartridges, and all kinds of things electrical, like cables and routers, and stores selling computers and games, etc. And Claro had basically a booth, versus a full on store, albeit a few years ago they had an actual store there.

[Osteoknot]

Hi all, how much would you give a chica to stay with you all weekend? I'm talking about Friday to Monday morning.

Do you think 300 mils a day before is good? TIA.

Short answer, offer her a thousand mil COP for the entire weekend, not including tip and taxi. That is a nice round number and fair market value for a good experience.

Long answer, don't be surprised if she wants more and be happy if she takes the 1000. I am assuming you know this chica well enough to want to spend that much time with her and she with you. Always better to err on the short side of time add as you go so you are not over committed. Ask her to arrive 6 PM Friday and be happy if gets there before midnight, jaja. She will probably be out the door by 6 AM on Monday or sunrise is their common exit strategy. That puts you time with her in convenient 12-hour blocks. 300 mil COP is sort of a standard 12 hour-rate for an upgade after 3 hour short-time to overnight, capish? Going by that, a weekend starting at 6 P Fri ending at 6 A on Mon would have five 12-hour blocks and run you 1,500 mil COP.

But she will be late and you deserve a block discount whcih is why I said start at a thousand but be prepared to work your way up. Oh yeah, you will be feeding her too. I also make clear in advance whether or not we will be doing any shopping on my dime. And you can "no shopping" with confidence. If you want to take her shopping, stick to your guns and if you agreed to buy her food or jeans don't get diverted to the jewelry or iPhone stores, jaja. Also, be very wary about meeting any of her "friends" because they will automatically want you pay for whatever activity you are engaged in at the moment.

The main message is not the numbers, but be sure you know what you are doing before you commit to a whole weekend. I have told prepagos before, let's pay-up after the first 24 hours (for you that would be Sat evening) and decide if we want to keep going. Paying them as you go motivates them and they feel safer you won't screw them out money at the end. Plus, it gives you an out if you need it. For a long weekend with lots of fucking and sucking you should tip, anything less than 50 would be an insullt, 100 would be good. 200 if she rocked your world. Ostee Out.

[NeilGeorge]

Abydos was once the training ground for Loutron's.

They were owned by the same person. Abydos was much cheaper. Loutrons more expensive. I preferred Abydos! Girls were fresher, more amateurs.

[Fun Luvr]

Go straight down Calle 10 towards the metro station. The Metro station will be to your left Monterrey mall will be to your right. There are probably 20 stores selling phones. Shop around to get the best price.

I suppose it has been a while since you were at the Monterrey mall looking for cell phones. I was there last February and the only stores I found that were selling cell phones were the carrier stores.

[ColombiaLover]

Brain fart over. I had heard that Abydos was once the training ground for Loutron's.

It was my favorite spot also. I always heard it was the junior team to the high-end casa (Can't think of the name) that was up the hill several blocks from the Mansion way back 15 years ago. Like the training casa for it. I remember my first year visiting MDE. A chica who was in Abydos. She used to play basketball. So she was taller and fit. What a body. And so sweet. I always wanted to see her again. Stupid me for not getting her number (that was back in the day when they had flip phones in Colombia and you texted the chicas). Energy was a great casa then also. Not sure of the affiliation.

I also remember Abydos was close to Miel why Canela. Good place to go for cheap pussy, especially if you wants anal. After sex at Abydos, I'd always walk down the street to Mario's to eat ribs. Good times.

[Bill]

I was walking down 43 A yesterday at 7 pm and had two young dudes walking the opposite direction suddenly pull out a gun, put it to my face, and rob me of my iphone, wallet, and headphones. I just kept my head down and handed everything over and they took off.

The police came to my airbnb and were very ashamed because when looking at the map. It was right next to the poblano police station. Maybe 200 meters from Parque poblano. Cops said they've never seen a time where robbers were so brazen.

Keep your head on a swivel! Or I guess don't walk alone at night. Obvio.

Lots of mongers will try to recommend what could have been done to avoid the armed robbery.

If the thieves want what you have, whether its the clothes on your back and even if you look local, sadly they are going to get it.

[RiceRocket99]

I'm kinda excited, second time was a charm, and finally got to open a Bancolombia account. I feel a little more Colombian now haha. I went to the branch inside Santa Fe Mall. I think the one by EAFIT is closed or it moved because I couldn't find it. All good, I brought in some real estate paperwork and original passport (gave them a photocopy as well), the lady was nice and asked me some questions and entire process took about 30 minutes. You'll need local address, local phone number, and provide additional personal info and puff that's it. All done in Spanish.

Also, there's like 3 different account fees: 6 mil, 9 mil or 12 mil per month. I just picked the 12 mil option since it had more perks. I put down a 200 mil deposit and there's no minimum balance to maintain. I left with brand new debit card with PIN and now I can start dumping my stockpile of pesos into the account. Hope this helps those who are planning to open local account here. Good luck!

[Knowledge]

That stretch has been a hotspot for robberies since before the Pandemic. Criminals know it's the place to find people who are much more likely to have money and valuables than the long rusty knives people carry around in slumming areas. The criminals also know foreigners often have their guard down because they see other foreigners. This is no criticism of our unfortunate brother. I am very sorry it happened.

So sorry to hear this, nothing ruins a trip more than a mugging. Every city has this problem, it's no longer true to "stay out of the bad areas" if you don't want to be mugged. It can happen anywhere, anytime nowadays in Colombia. Over the years I have seen robberies increase exponentially with the influx of Venezuelans. Not disparaging a whole country just calling them like I see them. I have said it over and over, take a cab, don't walk at night, don't wear any jewelry, leave your phone in the room if at all possible, hide most of your money in your underwear, only keep a small amount in your pocket and lastly the Venezuelan robbers are known to shoot first and rob later so if your alone or at night, take a cab! Even if it's only a few blocks.