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Post by jabberwocky on Jul 6, 2016 19:52:02 GMT -5
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Post by scumbuster on Jul 7, 2016 5:53:28 GMT -5
Coming Soon
In theaters July 13.
Keeps the riff raff out of Colombia..LOL
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Post by jabberwocky on Jul 7, 2016 7:47:26 GMT -5
The three questions I get asked when talking to other gringos in the US about my travels to Colombia 1 -Isn't it dangerous? 2. isn't it where Pablo Escobar is from? 3. Isn't it dangerous?
I think they think I am going to Syria or somewhere similar. I always just tell them its no more or less dangerous than going to Miami( that doesn't reassure them much).
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Post by livinginmedellin on Jul 7, 2016 8:48:50 GMT -5
The three questions I get asked when talking to other gringos in the US about my travels to Colombia 1 -Isn't it dangerous? 2. isn't it where Pablo Escobar is from? 3. Isn't it dangerous? I think they think I am going to Syria or somewhere similar. I always just tell them its no more or less dangerous than going to Miami( that doesn't reassure them much). I used to get similar questions from people at my company all the time. But that has pretty much stopped after a couple of VPs at my company came to Colombia on combined business/vacation trips including a VP that visited Medellín and Bogotá and another VP that visited Medellín and Cartagena. Both have been praising Medellín and Colombia after their trips and I now have others at my company that want to visit. We also landed some customers in Colombia, mainly in Bogotá but one in Medellín.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2016 10:01:06 GMT -5
Yes, 98% of the time, that is the reaction I get from people living in the States. But, the handful who have visited me here, want to come back... maybe not to live, but to visit. Colombia is not for everyone.
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Post by gallito on Jul 7, 2016 10:12:01 GMT -5
Colombia is still a tough sell...not many allins for pedestrian travellers
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Post by jabberwocky on Jul 7, 2016 10:44:16 GMT -5
Just one of those things - the perception of Colombia still being overrun by cartels and kidnappings will take time to change , really doesn't matter - the ones that get their knowledge from Hollywood would never visit anyway.
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Post by gallito on Jul 7, 2016 10:49:10 GMT -5
Colombia isn't for everyone and I prefer it that way;eventually it will be overrun by tourists and this will water-down it's uniqueness.
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Post by suba on Jul 7, 2016 12:48:01 GMT -5
Escobar is fashionable, but how different is that to Al Capone or Jack The Ripper? London has sightseeing tours, showing where Jack mutilated his victims.
Escobar is a stain on Colombia, but unlike other countries with their own serial killers and dictators like Hitler for instance, Colombia hasn't been able to move on, develop as a country or offer a different perception. That's the fault of Colombia, not movie audiences.
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Post by papitohead on Jul 7, 2016 14:29:38 GMT -5
If you ask me, Obama has done more harm in the US than Escobar to Colombia.
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Post by gallito on Jul 8, 2016 15:35:23 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 11:00:46 GMT -5
Well I doubt that biopics from the lives of James Rodriguez, or Shakira would be major hits. The lives of normal people are much less thrilling than the lives of thieves and murderers. Bigger than life famous people are usually controversial too. Simon Bolivar got his biopic recently. I saw it, and was technically good. But even though he had an incredible life, this kind of movie will never have the impact of a Pablo Escobar movie.
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Post by sedelen on Jul 15, 2016 19:12:06 GMT -5
Colombia is still considered dangerous to many, for me, it's driving here. Just yesterday coming back from El Carmen I saw a dead biker in the gutter and another bike wreck in Las Palmas. But other than driving, there are still pockets here and there you might get into trouble, places to go if you're looking for trouble. I saw this on Colombia Reports the other day, identifying the bad areas and why you should stay out of them. colombiareports.com/go-areas-medellin/And as I go through the list, I see all these places I frequent, and I go Wow! Anyway, there's a place or area identified there called "La Sierra" and I look at the map, then I look outside my window, and there it is, I can see the roads and the church. And I think about all this gunfire I have heard during the night, and thought, now it makes sense. I don't think it's as dangerous anymore, apparently the gang wars have ended. And they did make a movie called La Sierra, some years back, looking at the movie, I don't think much has changed there, but I do see new construction and lots of new metro cable cabs that are not yet is service but somewhat operational. Anyway, the movie.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2016 7:39:31 GMT -5
Colombia is still considered dangerous to many, for me, it's driving here. Just yesterday coming back from El Carmen I saw a dead biker in the gutter and another bike wreck in Las Palmas. But other than driving, there are still pockets here and there you might get into trouble, places to go if you're looking for trouble. I saw this on Colombia Reports the other day, identifying the bad areas and why you should stay out of them. colombiareports.com/go-areas-medellin/And as I go through the list, I see all these places I frequent, and I go Wow! Anyway, there's a place or area identified there called "La Sierra" and I look at the map, then I look outside my window, and there it is, I can see the roads and the church. And I think about all this gunfire I have heard during the night, and thought, now it makes sense. I don't think it's as dangerous anymore, apparently the gang wars have ended. And they did make a movie called La Sierra, some years back, looking at the movie, I don't think much has changed there, but I do see new construction and lots of new metro cable cabs that are not yet is service but somewhat operational. Anyway, the movie. You think about all the gun fire you hear at night and then conclude its not dangerous anymore-huh! Yes they are probably just shooting pigeons.
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Post by jabberwocky on Jul 16, 2016 7:39:55 GMT -5
I am sorry but what a load of crap from Colombia reports - don't go to the museum because it is boring? Its hardly dangerous - and warning about the other parks - it is no different than any major city - during the day pretty tame - lots of people - at night lots of vagrants, homeless drug user types - lots of city parks here in Florida that I would avoid at night - no different in Medellin.
You got to have a little street smarts -there is always the chance of pickpockets anywhere in the city, and you could be unlucky and be at the wrong place at the wrong time, staying out of poor communities is always a good idea unless you are with a local. I like Centro, shopping in el Hueco, betting on the guinea pig races in Parque Bolivar - usually I walk quite a bit and never had a problem - however I get out by 7pm - at night the crowds thin down - the ones left after the work day have a lot more desperate look to them .
If walking I usually avoid the park next to the Dann Carlton - even though it is a fairly pleasant little park and a shortcut to LLeras and Provenza - it always seems a bit isolated and just too many areas for a bad guy to wait under cover and rob someone coming by - vert nice section of town , next to one of the best hotels in the city - but still iffy.
The moto wrecks - I have seen a lot and the wife has had two distant friends killed on a moto the last 4 years. I just bought a new moto in Medellin, siting in the dining room waiting on me to get there in a week - I understand it can be dangerous , but I have been riding a bike since I was 14 and I try not to do stupid things - although eliminating risk is impossible - not a fan of riding in Medeliin but outside the city the traffic gets much lighter and it feels safer than riding in the States - the bike is a new AKT TT180 - so not much of a high end speed, but a big improvement over my old bike - same make and model but with a drum brake on the back which I never liked.
I am going to go check out the movie next week here in Florida with my son before he heads off to basic training.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2016 7:45:21 GMT -5
I am sorry but what a load of crap from Colombia reports - don't go to the museum because it is boring? Its hardly dangerous - and warning about the other parks - it is no different than any major city - during the day pretty tame - lots of people - at night lots of vagrants, homeless drug user types - lots of city parks here in Florida that I would avoid at night - no different in Medellin. You got to have a little street smarts -there is always the chance of pickpockets anywhere in the city, and you could be unlucky and be at the wrong place at the wrong time, staying out of poor communities is always a good idea unless you are with a local. I like Centro, shopping in el Hueco, betting on the guinea pig races in Parque Bolivar - usually I walk quite a bit and never had a problem - however I get out by 7pm - at night the crowds thin down - the ones left after the work day have a lot more desperate look to them . If walking I usually avoid the park next to the Dann Carlton - even though it is a fairly pleasant little park and a shortcut to LLeras and Provenza - it always seems a bit isolated and just too many areas for a bad guy to wait under cover and rob someone coming by - vert nice section of town , next to one of the best hotels in the city - but still iffy. The moto wrecks - I have seen a lot and the wife has had two distant friends killed on a moto the last 4 years. I just bought a new moto in Medellin, siting in the dining room waiting on me to get there in a week - I understand it can be dangerous , but I have been riding a bike since I was 14 and I try not to do stupid things - although eliminating risk is impossible - not a fan of riding in Medeliin but outside the city the traffic gets much lighter and it feels safer than riding in the States - the bike is a new AKT TT180 - so not much of a high end speed, but a big improvement over my old bike - same make and model but with a drum brake on the back which I never liked. I am going to go check out the movie next week here in Florida with my son before he heads off to basic training. Yeah centro is nice, just stay away from the human chop houses.
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Post by jabberwocky on Jul 16, 2016 9:59:45 GMT -5
Yea I read about the chop houses in Bogota, I will try and avoid the streets with the blood curdling screams.
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Post by livinginmedellin on Jul 16, 2016 10:36:54 GMT -5
I am sorry but what a load of crap from Colombia reports - don't go to the museum because it is boring? Its hardly dangerous - and warning about the other parks - it is no different than any major city - during the day pretty tame - lots of people - at night lots of vagrants, homeless drug user types - lots of city parks here in Florida that I would avoid at night - no different in Medellin. You got to have a little street smarts -there is always the chance of pickpockets anywhere in the city, and you could be unlucky and be at the wrong place at the wrong time, staying out of poor communities is always a good idea unless you are with a local. I like Centro, shopping in el Hueco, betting on the guinea pig races in Parque Bolivar - usually I walk quite a bit and never had a problem - however I get out by 7pm - at night the crowds thin down - the ones left after the work day have a lot more desperate look to them . If walking I usually avoid the park next to the Dann Carlton - even though it is a fairly pleasant little park and a shortcut to LLeras and Provenza - it always seems a bit isolated and just too many areas for a bad guy to wait under cover and rob someone coming by - vert nice section of town , next to one of the best hotels in the city - but still iffy. The moto wrecks - I have seen a lot and the wife has had two distant friends killed on a moto the last 4 years. I just bought a new moto in Medellin, siting in the dining room waiting on me to get there in a week - I understand it can be dangerous , but I have been riding a bike since I was 14 and I try not to do stupid things - although eliminating risk is impossible - not a fan of riding in Medeliin but outside the city the traffic gets much lighter and it feels safer than riding in the States - the bike is a new AKT TT180 - so not much of a high end speed, but a big improvement over my old bike - same make and model but with a drum brake on the back which I never liked. I am going to go check out the movie next week here in Florida with my son before he heads off to basic training. I agree with "what a load of crap from Colombia Reports". Don't go to Museo de Antioquia because it's boring is BS. Colombia Reports recommends Medellin’s modern art museum as an alternative, which is completely boring IMHO. Also Colombia Reports claims "in Medellin, food prices have soared as much as 66%" due to the trucker strike - another load of crap.... See: colombiareports.com/37-days-strike-began-frustrated-colombias-truckers-begin-blocking-roads/
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Post by jabberwocky on Jul 16, 2016 11:03:02 GMT -5
I like the museum on Botero plaza - I am not a big Botero fan but it does have an extensive collection - I enjoy the paintings from early Colombia - - landscape/city scenes from 1800's - last time they had a small exhibit of photos of Medellin from the early 20th century - quite a contrast - interesting to see working train tracks ( not the Metro). They also have the original Cano - "Horizontes" I have a big print of it here in Florida hanging over the fireplace.
One interesting area CR notes to avoid - Prado - have spent some time there - wife used to go to the medico in the area and I would walk around and check out some of the streets ( in the daytime) - it was actually pretty quiet - there are some very big older houses - many turned into medical offices - but if the area would be in a US city - it would be ripe for revitalization - some interesting architecture ( which is lacking in Medellin)
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Post by sedelen on Jul 16, 2016 11:06:45 GMT -5
I am sorry but what a load of crap from Colombia reports - don't go to the museum because it is boring? Its hardly dangerous - and warning about the other parks - it is no different than any major city - during the day pretty tame - lots of people - at night lots of vagrants, homeless drug user types - lots of city parks here in Florida that I would avoid at night - no different in Medellin. You got to have a little street smarts -there is always the chance of pickpockets anywhere in the city, and you could be unlucky and be at the wrong place at the wrong time, staying out of poor communities is always a good idea unless you are with a local. I like Centro, shopping in el Hueco, betting on the guinea pig races in Parque Bolivar - usually I walk quite a bit and never had a problem - however I get out by 7pm - at night the crowds thin down - the ones left after the work day have a lot more desperate look to them . If walking I usually avoid the park next to the Dann Carlton - even though it is a fairly pleasant little park and a shortcut to LLeras and Provenza - it always seems a bit isolated and just too many areas for a bad guy to wait under cover and rob someone coming by - vert nice section of town , next to one of the best hotels in the city - but still iffy. The moto wrecks - I have seen a lot and the wife has had two distant friends killed on a moto the last 4 years. I just bought a new moto in Medellin, siting in the dining room waiting on me to get there in a week - I understand it can be dangerous , but I have been riding a bike since I was 14 and I try not to do stupid things - although eliminating risk is impossible - not a fan of riding in Medeliin but outside the city the traffic gets much lighter and it feels safer than riding in the States - the bike is a new AKT TT180 - so not much of a high end speed, but a big improvement over my old bike - same make and model but with a drum brake on the back which I never liked. I am going to go check out the movie next week here in Florida with my son before he heads off to basic training. No doubt, I took that article with a grain of salt, having recently read it, and having been to a lot of those places many, many times, and not having any problem or bad experience either. You live in Orlando, as I have, it has become a dangerous place if you keep up with the news at all, and I've lived in the Miami area also, Homestead during the Mariel boatlift where Dade County was bad, very bad. So, we grew up with some street smarts having lived there. As far as bikes go, I have ridden here, but I don't have one or plan to get one as I once did, which makes me sad because I think their fun and a little 180cc would be fun to putt around on here. I've seen too many accidents, close calls, even knew a kid that got killed on one a few months back. I might change my mind but for now content with not having one. Depending where you are here, it could be the thing to do. But in El Centro Medellin, not for me. I do share your thoughts on the rear drum brake, not a fan.
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Post by wildstubby on Jul 17, 2016 7:08:45 GMT -5
I was at Botero's art gallery in June. I liked his art collection. An interesting note that I did not know until I talked to one of my co-workers. A woman I worked with, who I didn't have a clue was from Colombia, (we called her Chile-bean), personally worked for Fernando prior to emigrating to the US. Her family supposedly owns a large concrete company in Medellin.
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Post by sedelen on Jul 19, 2016 19:29:29 GMT -5
Colombia is still considered dangerous to many, for me, it's driving here. Just yesterday coming back from El Carmen I saw a dead biker in the gutter and another bike wreck in Las Palmas. But other than driving, there are still pockets here and there you might get into trouble, places to go if you're looking for trouble. I saw this on Colombia Reports the other day, identifying the bad areas and why you should stay out of them. colombiareports.com/go-areas-medellin/And as I go through the list, I see all these places I frequent, and I go Wow! Anyway, there's a place or area identified there called "La Sierra" and I look at the map, then I look outside my window, and there it is, I can see the roads and the church. And I think about all this gunfire I have heard during the night, and thought, now it makes sense. I don't think it's as dangerous anymore, apparently the gang wars have ended. And they did make a movie called La Sierra, some years back, looking at the movie, I don't think much has changed there, but I do see new construction and lots of new metro cable cabs that are not yet is service but somewhat operational. Anyway, the movie. You think about all the gun fire you hear at night and then conclude its not dangerous anymore-huh! Yes they are probably just shooting pigeons. I hear lots of gunfire at times. Doesn't really bother me, I used to hear automatic gunfire all the time when I lived in Miami. But there's a soldiers battalion nearby and I've often thought they were doing some kind of target practice. I did ask all my friends about the place and they say they don't go there, and told me not to go there either, so I asked why, and they said you risk getting shot. Okay, I'll take their word for it. I have yet to see anything on the news about it. And I can see all these new metro cable cabs installed that are functional, just not in service yet, and new wider roads being built.
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