Medellin Reports

[BayBoy]

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?

The Mean Streets of Medellin. I'm sorry Chicago Man, you got robbed like that. That must have been a scary situation.

For me, I'll stay in California, at least for now.

[Elvis 2008]

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.

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.

JI,

You are taking an effective therapy for stopping the spread of Covid (vaccines) and then mixing it with one that does not work (lockdowns). Of course, you are going to get great results if you lockdown and vaccinate, but Colombia is not doing that or at least not vaccinating nearly enough.

Thing is I got into Medellin on April 3 around when they started the lockdowns. On April 3, there were 9000+ cases. For the last 2 weeks, there have been about 17,000 cases every day, so the lockdown has been a complete failure, a total disaster.

Thing with public policy "experts" though is they never admit defeat. Even though cases have nearly doubled since the lockdown started, I can imagine what the "experts" would say. Can you imagine how bad things would be if we did nothing?

I do not know how anyone can look at this data and conclude lockdowns work. They do not. They have been utter failures everywhere they have been tried.

[ChicagoMan]

I wasn't wearing the headphones. They were in my pocket and got them when they searched me. I don't mind being called stupid. And I guess I was for having my cell phone and wallet on me, as well for not calling a cab. But I saw these kids walking towards me and they didn't give off any vibe until they went into robber mode. They just got lucky to catch me walking during a break in traffic and took advantage.

As others have said, I only post to give you guys a heads up to keep your head on a swivel because things do seem a little crazier here around here on this trip. My girls are telling me to avoid centro at all costs for example.

But I think if you take cabs anytime you leave well populated areas, you should be fine. Still love this place and will be coming back.

[LatinaLover#1]

Thank you ChidagoMan for the post, this is the type of information that is extremely helpful to know, that the thieves are getting more brazen and coming up into Poblado without regard to the heavy police presence there. This is excellent information for newbies and even for experienced members who regularly stay in Poblado, it is such a pleasant area that it is easy to see why people would let their guard down some. If you were right near that police station then I am assuming that you were just north of that Carulla, that is where the thugs took advantage of the protest and broke into that Bancolombia so I would think they would have more police there, but I suppose the damage was done.

You think it would be too much to ask that when someone who is in Medellin and reports back with some damn good information that members need to hear, do you think it would be too much to ask that people refrain from calling them "stupid". We do not want to discourage people from making these reports. If you knew Medellin then you would know that this is not an "iffy" area, it is the most touristy and affluent areas and because of this it has its own police station nearby and is regularly patrolled by the policia. He called it 43 a but is also called Avenida El Poblado, these things rarely happen here in normal times, the last report in this area of an on the street mugging was about 2 years ago and it was cone by 2 up on a motorcycle so the new information here is that these guys were on foot. Not something even experienced members would normally think would happen.


All the snips were taken off of Google Street Maps within a block of where he said he was robbed and while there is no way to tell I suspect most of these people are Colombian and what these people all have in common is that they are all openly flashing their "marketable tech" with our regard to thinking they are "dar papaya". Because reputation and statistics show this to be one of the safest areas of Medellin.

No one needs to hear, shoulda coulda woulda but some of his impute is valuable. I think you are living in Colombia, so I think you know that NO WHERE in Colombia is safe anymore. No city, no barrio, EN NINGÚand LUGAR. Telling the truth about this beautiful country and people will not deter us guys from coming for a variety of reasons, mostly for the most beautiful women in the world but please don't describe any area as safe anymore. That will be giving us a false sense of security. Especially any new guys venturing into Colonia for the first time, when they hear 'safe area' they think ok I'm safe here and let their guard down, a very bad thing to do nowadays.

For the last 10 years I have been staying in Chico Norte in Bogota a 'safe area'. Right behind my apartment is a contingent of 100 or more campistas,200 meters long, against the wall of all the closed up restaurants and businesses and all Venezuelans, all lined up with card board boxes and plastic bags. They have even erected a Venezuelan flag over the site. This site is 100 meters from Parque 93 in Chico Norte, here-to-for a 'safe area" there are 3 policemen stationed across the street from this spot, 24 hours a day and still the robberies continue to occur. I stopped and spoked to the cops a few weeks ago and they advised me NOT to venture out of my apartment in the area at night anymore. Every city has become very dangerous, Bogota, Medellin Bucaramanga, Cartagena TODO! With millions of Venezuelans give permeant status by Duque, and no jobs for them or Colombians for that matter to support themselves things can only get worse. One side note. Don't trust anyone, not the people working at the reception desk of your hotel, or the vigilance in a bank, anyone because if they see you have money or are carrying anything of value they will text the bandits, give them your location and description and they will hit you in the street, which may have happened to Chicago man. I love Colombia but until they can end this surge of crime you MUST stay vigilante. Please stay safe.

[Surfer500]

Not confused, I have been going to the Monterrey mall for the past ten years. They used to have a fairly good cafeteria on the top floor, now gone. There's many phone accessories stores; but, other than the carrier stores, I could not find any store that had a variety of brands of cell phones. I checked all three levels.

Well there used to be a Claro store but they shutdown and now only have a booth. And your correct in that most of the stores that sell accessories do sell a limited amount of cell phones from what I noticed as well, versus the carrier stores that have a larger variety, but don't seem to exist there anymore as I only recall the Claro store.

[Just Incognito]

Thank you ChidagoMan for the post, this is the type of information that is extremely helpful to know, that the thieves are getting more brazen and coming up into Poblado without regard to the heavy police presence there. This is excellent information for newbies and even for experienced members who regularly stay in Poblado, it is such a pleasant area that it is easy to see why people would let their guard down some. If you were right near that police station then I am assuming that you were just north of that Carulla, that is where the thugs took advantage of the protest and broke into that Bancolombia so I would think they would have more police there, but I suppose the damage was done.

You think it would be too much to ask that when someone who is in Medellin and reports back with some damn good information that members need to hear, do you think it would be too much to ask that people refrain from calling them "stupid". We do not want to discourage people from making these reports. If you knew Medellin then you would know that this is not an "iffy" area, it is the most touristy and affluent areas and because of this it has its own police station nearby and is regularly patrolled by the policia. He called it 43 a but is also called Avenida El Poblado, these things rarely happen here in normal times, the last report in this area of an on the street mugging was about 2 years ago and it was cone by 2 up on a motorcycle so the new information here is that these guys were on foot. Not something even experienced members would normally think would happen..

I hope my posts about this were not taken as victim blaming.

[Mojo Bandit]

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?

Thank you ChidagoMan for the post, this is the type of information that is extremely helpful to know, that the thieves are getting more brazen and coming up into Poblado without regard to the heavy police presence there. This is excellent information for newbies and even for experienced members who regularly stay in Poblado, it is such a pleasant area that it is easy to see why people would let their guard down some. If you were right near that police station then I am assuming that you were just north of that Carulla, that is where the thugs took advantage of the protest and broke into that Bancolombia so I would think they would have more police there, but I suppose the damage was done.

If you're wearing headphones you've not only put up a sign you've got marketable tech on you, you've also isolated one of your primary forms of defense. Any ne'er-do-well seeing a foreigner with headphones on knows he can walk up on the blind side and ambush someone with impunity. If you're hanging out in iffy areas in a foreign country wearing earphones, you're too stupid to travel. If you were in the jungle you'd be eaten. This is a textbook example of a "dar papaya".

You think it would be too much to ask that when someone who is in Medellin and reports back with some damn good information that members need to hear, do you think it would be too much to ask that people refrain from calling them "stupid". We do not want to discourage people from making these reports. If you knew Medellin then you would know that this is not an "iffy" area, it is the most touristy and affluent areas and because of this it has its own police station nearby and is regularly patrolled by the policia. He called it 43 a but is also called Avenida El Poblado, these things rarely happen here in normal times, the last report in this area of an on the street mugging was about 2 years ago and it was cone by 2 up on a motorcycle so the new information here is that these guys were on foot. Not something even experienced members would normally think would happen.

All the snips were taken off of Google Street Maps within a block of where he said he was robbed and while there is no way to tell I suspect most of these people are Colombian and what these people all have in common is that they are all openly flashing their "marketable tech" with our regard to thinking they are "dar papaya". Because reputation and statistics show this to be one of the safest areas of Medellin.

[Fun Luvr]

I believe he had this Mall confused with another one.

Not confused, I have been going to the Monterrey mall for the past ten years. They used to have a fairly good cafeteria on the top floor, now gone. There's many phone accessories stores; but, other than the carrier stores, I could not find any store that had a variety of brands of cell phones. I checked all three levels.

[Paulie97]

Medellin isn't uniquely dangerous for a large city. Shit happens.

But who are you trying to convince? Not all large cities of the world are created equally when it comes to crime profiles. Medellin is also in distress at the moment in a way not seen in the years preceding the pandemic. Also obvious North Americans and Euros are targets in a way that they are not in many large cities. So yea, let's all take care, operate within our preferred risk levels without suspect generalizations that could lull us into "feeling safe" or a false sense of security.

[SavePros321]

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.

Did you forget you were in Colombia and not Hyde Park?

This is the new bread of mongers on the scene: walking around Colombia with Beats by Dre headphones on while checking sports scores on their Apple Watch. Smdh.

[Paulie97]

If you're wearing headphones you've not only put up a sign you've got marketable tech on you, you've also isolated one of your primary forms of defense. Any ne'er-do-well seeing a foreigner with headphones on knows he can walk up on the blind side and ambush someone with impunity. If you're hanging out in iffy areas in a foreign country wearing earphones, you're too stupid to travel. If you were in the jungle you'd be eaten. This is a textbook example of a "dar papaya".

No one is promoting headphones here. The point you missed was that this can happen regardless, especially in the present atmosphere. Maybe you missed the series of recent videos where the victims were attacked by crowds of guys. There's really no defense against that, and it happens to plenty of locals without headphones.

P.S. Most folks would consider anyone who plans to go to Colombia right now to drink, seek out hookers, and perhaps partake of party favors too stupid to travel. All perspective I guess, plus they have passports, oh well. Wink.

[MiamiSammy]

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?

If you're wearing headphones you've not only put up a sign you've got marketable tech on you, you've also isolated one of your primary forms of defense. Any ne'er-do-well seeing a foreigner with headphones on knows he can walk up on the blind side and ambush someone with impunity. If you're hanging out in iffy areas in a foreign country wearing earphones, you're too stupid to travel. If you were in the jungle you'd be eaten. This is a textbook example of a "dar papaya".

[MiamiSammy]

This is a fact, and especially in the present atmosphere. But everyone is too smart for it to happen until it happens. C'est La Vie.

If you're wearing headphones you've not only put up a sign you've got marketable tech on you, you've also isolated one of your primary forms of defense. Any ne'er-do-well seeing a foreigner with headphones on knows he can walk up on the blind side and ambush someone with impunity. If you're hanging out in iffy areas in a foreign country wearing earphones, you're too stupid to travel. If you were in the jungle you'd be eaten. This is a textbook example of a "dar papaya".

[Paulie97]

Headphones may draw attention but the point is these bandits are looking for any opportunity to rob someone. If they think they can get away mugging you they will. Doesn't matter if they saw something or not. If they feel they can get away with it they will do it.

This is a fact, and especially in the present atmosphere. But everyone is too smart for it to happen until it happens. C'est La Vie.

[IamLookin]

Headphones may draw attention but the point is these bandits are looking for any opportunity to rob someone. If they think they can get away mugging you they will. Doesn't matter if they saw something or not. If they feel they can get away with it they will do it.
As far as dressing like a native, I know plenty of Colombians that have been robbed.

I agree about this I agree about this. The headphones are on advertisement.