The MetroCable

[Jook]

Due to the overwhelming popularity of my last post, I thought I'd share some insights. Okay, 1 insight for now. And take it from where it comes... I'm in Medellin for the first time and I've spent all of 5 days here thus far.

My most mind blowing experience so far has been the Metro Cable ride that goes from a river on bottom up a mountain to the town of Santo Domingo. During the entire ride up there (about 15 or 20 minutes if you don't get off any of the 3 stops), I had deja vu of the favellas of Rio. This was poverty at its most extreme and was very sad not to mention scary. I was too chicken **** to get off any of the stops which I now regret.

I also kept wondering why in the world did the city decide to spend what must have been a small fortune on such a system. I have to think it was done for the noblest of reasons... to connect the city's poorest region (or one of the poorest) with the rest of the city. I have no idea how successful the tramway is in this regard but my gut tells me that one day people will look back with envy at the city architects.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Jook

.
I also kept wondering why in the world did the city decide to spend what must have been a small fortune on such a system. I have to think it was done for the noblest of reasons... to connect the city's poorest region (or one of the poorest) with the rest of the city. I have no idea how successful the tramway is in this regard but my gut tells me that one day people will look back with envy at the city architects.

I think that they have the best deal in town with the Metro cable and the metro rail! Only City in Colombia where you can get across town any time of day faster than you could on the street especially in Traffic

I have some pics of the system in my Medellin Trip Report!
Medellin lo mejor

Jook, is your gal from medellin or bogota? I thought you met her in Bogota!

Originally Posted by Jook

I also kept wondering why in the world did the city decide to spend what must have been a small fortune on such a system.

Jook, The $ came from Pablo Escobar.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Gringos.com

Jook, The $ came from Pablo Escobar.

Speaking of things coming from rich drug dealers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_L...a_V%C3%A1zquez

Jook that whole beautiful stretch of land between medellin and the International airport near Rionegro is all still owned Buy the Ochoa Family! I would love to have a house on the mountian above medellin what a view, hopefully they will continue with more metrocables!

[Jook]

Wow, I was thinking the only way that Medellin ever could have afforded many of the public works projects (nice parks!) was from drug money. Thanks for the confirmation.

LL, thanks for pointing out your trip report. Interesting and fun reading and great pictures. My trip is a yawner compared to yours but that's okay; I am with the woman I have been searching for all my life and seeing the sights. I'm afraid my pictures don't hold a candle to yours though.

A few more random thoughts about the trip (still in progress). Medellin, at least where I am, is not a runners paradise. The pollution sucks. But worst of all, I can't get used to the total disregard that drivers have for pedestrians. This seems to be the case everywhere south of the border. Unfortunately, my NY/NJ heritage got the better of me the other morning when I screamed f*ck you to a crazy driver who almost ran me over. Fortunately, either he didn't hear me or didn't understand.

The weather is perfect, like late spring. Except for the daily though brief rain, you couldn't ask for better.

I had my doubts about the Dann Carlton but no more, at least the one here in Medellin. Everyone is so friendly! I became friendly with one of the women at the front desk and she's been invaluable. When Claudia Milena and I returned from buying an engagement ring, we found our room inundated with rose petals, a bottle of champagne waiting and a dozen roses. My every request was immediately met and with a smile.

However, why the f890 do hotels in Colombia (at least the 2 I've been to) require a card to turn on the electricity?! Okay, I know why, but it's so damn stupid. I have about 8 devices charging and that all comes to an end when the maid enters for whatever reason and pulls the card out, though I've put a stop to that. Not to mention resetting the clock all the time. Ah, the little things.

Sante Fe rocks!

More later.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Jook

However, why the f890 do hotels in Colombia (at least the 2 I've been to) require a card to turn on the electricity?! Okay, I know why, but it's so damn stupid. I have about 8 devices charging and that all comes to an end when the maid enters for whatever reason and pulls the card out, though I've put a stop to that. Not to mention resetting the clock all the time. Ah, the little things.

Sante Fe rocks!

More later.

I think that trend started about 5 years ago. The whole card in hotel door, to turn on the power. They do it in Mexico, Costa rica, Panama, Colombia as far as i Know. Now they have the saving energy and the planet thing, to help the fact that they can still charge us the same and save themselves money on the electric bill!

Cool Deal, jook you were the one who said BOGOTA was butt ugly right?? jajja
Just wondering how you see Medellin! Maybe you can update the medellin hotel section with a review on the Dann.


Again congrats on the engagement!

[Jook]

Originally Posted by LastLion

Cool Deal, jook you were the one who said BOGOTA was butt ugly right?? jajja
Just wondering how you see Medellin! Maybe you can update the medellin hotel section with a review on the Dann.

I stand by my Bogota report and still feel that Bogota sucks. Of course it's only 1 man's opinion and I'm going by only one seven or eight day visit. It was pointed out in that thread that some of us have different reasons for traveling to Colombia. However, I was a little confused by the argument that some people travel to Bogota for the primary (and solitary?) purpose of meeting women (or a woman). I forget the exact argument or who said what, but that was the gist of it. In any event, I think it's ridiculous for someone (like me) with limited resources and vacation time to look at finding a wife as a job and taking every "vacation" from work to embark on another kind of work. I see no reason why a fun vacation can't be combined with the primary purpose of finding a woman. Whatever.

As for Medellin, I like it very much, at least tons more than Bogota. The Metro and better traffic situation (though far from great) are almost reasons enough to make Medellin more attractive. I swear, I was afraid to travel anywhere in Bogota for fear of being caught in endless traffic. I also find Medellin to be a much friendlier city, though my experience is limited. I find the people not only friendlier, but more laid back (except for their maniacal driving habits!) I've also never felt unsafe, at least so far and except when crossing the street! In the area I'm staying, Poblano Avenida or whatever, I feel safer than I do in Jersey City. On the down side, outside the hotel, there is little English spoken. However, I haven't found that to be too much of a problem. With the little Spanish I know, I'm generally able to communicate okay. Also, as far as vacations go, there isn't all that much to do although I have enough to keep me busy, i.e., meeting with Claudia Milena's family and day trips.

As for meeting CM in Bogota... sort of a long story. She is from Medellin. Last August was my first trip to CO and I didn't want to be "stuck" with meeting only 1 woman. I was straight up with her and told her I wanted to see other women too. She agreed to meet in neutral Bogota. As time went on (prior to my trip), we really connected. We video chatted every day, phoned, etc. Something told me she was the one. As the time approached for my trip, I found I lost my desire to even see anyone else. Sounds crazy and unwise, but I went with my gut feeling. While I did fulfill my obligations and I met with other women, it was only out of obligation. I knew CM was the one.

Sort of a sad note. Today we found out she probably has TB. Asshole doctors. The doctor she saw in her town (Bello, just outside Medellin), kept telling her that her cough was caused by second hand smoke in her house. A few weeks ago she had to go to the hospital because she couldn't stop coughing. Still, they sent her on her way with no diagnosis. Today, I asked the Dann Carlton for a recommendation for a doctor and they had the hotel doctor telephone us. What a first class asshole. All he did was tell her to get some over the counter cough medicine. No exam, no nothing. In the US you'd lose your license for that. So I brought her to a clinic, the one next to the hotel. They were thorough and took an x-ray and blood tests. The x-ray seemed to indicate TB. We got a recommendation for a doctor. And there we stand. Fortunately, TB is easily treatable, at least the type that's common in Medellin.

And yeah yeah, I promise, I'll update the hotel section when i get back.

[Micky10]

Jook -

If you want to run - just head up the hill from the hotel - If you stay away from the bus and truck, you should not suck bad air.

Love - Micky

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Jook

As for meeting CM in Bogota... sort of a long story. She is from Medellin. Last August was my first trip to CO and I didn't want to be "stuck" with meeting only 1 woman. I was straight up with her and told her I wanted to see other women too. She agreed to meet in neutral Bogota. As time went on (prior to my trip), we really connected. We video chatted every day, phoned, etc. Something told me she was the one. As the time approached for my trip, I found I lost my desire to even see anyone else. Sounds crazy and unwise, but I went with my gut feeling. While I did fulfill my obligations and I met with other women, it was only out of obligation. I knew CM was the one.

And yeah yeah, I promise, I'll update the hotel section when i get back.

Jook, I think the fact that you were straight up, is why oyu are where you are right now. I have tried all methods being straight up, some times just not saying anything, but honestly the striaght up deal is what makes it a serious ventrure!

Good Luck, I guess you liked medellin (at least more than bogota) I am kinda wondering what you really like in a city??
I liiiiiiiiike medellin!!!!!

[Jook]

Originally Posted by Micky10

Jook -

If you want to run - just head up the hill from the hotel - If you stay away from the bus and truck, you should not suck bad air.

Love - Micky

Thanks loads. I didn't gasp from the pollution but the hill nearly killed me. -)