A Month in Medellin

[Flaco]

There is alot of good stuff in the archieves, but wanted to start a new thread for Exploring Medellin since I will be down there for the next 30 days. Any recommendations for restaurantes, cosmetic dentists, spanish lessons, salsa schools , viewing of festival of flowers or any suggestions on what to see, and what to skip appreciated.

[GrizGator]

I am by no means a Medellin expert (wife is from Bogota), but I have visited there several times (for better info, try Mickey and Tinto and others who've lived there). I've always stayed in Poblado...for several reasons.....safety, location to restaurants and the Oviendo and Tesoro malls, etc. However, that is not the real Medellin. Poblado is where the rich of Medellin live and hang out. Yes, there are some beautiful women around and some nice restaurants and shops, but to experience the real Medellin, you need to get out.

Whenever I'm in town, I go down to Centro and walk around (but only during the day). I walk the streets. I eat in the little places that serve typical Paisa food. I walk around the shopping area. I go to the plaza with the Botero statues. There's the museum in that area, with several Boteros (although not as good as the Botero museum in Bogota). There's a public library there as well. I've met a lot of nice people in Centro, but just be careful....no flashy jewelry or watches (I wear a plastic Timex)...if you bring a camera, keep it hidden.

I also like to ride the metro. You can see a lot from the Metro, perhaps identifying places you'd like to visit (buildings, churches, etc.). I've met some very nice people on the Metro. A lot of the teenagers are very curious about you and may try to speak. I also like to take the Metro Cable (which is actually a stop on the Metro and costs you no more....not that it's expensive....the Metro is less than $2). There are two Cables now. I did both of them. Great view. Always found some interesting people to talk with on the cable cars (which hold about six people).

Just be careful where you get off on the metro cable. I've gotten off at the top of both cables and had no problems. However, I would not necessarily get off on all of the stops of the metro itself....there are some rough barrios that are not gringo-friendly. I'd stick to the stops near centro and the soccer stadium.

You can always go outside of town to the big rock or to Escobar's grave. If you want to look at the eye candy, then take an afternoon to go to Oviedo or Tesoro for lunch and a nice walk....or walk the aisles of the grocery stores like Pomona or Carrullo or Carrefour.

The weather is nice in Medellin (usually)....so go swimming or take a run.

Have fun!

Griz

[Tinto]

Flaco,

I would highly recommend attending ColombiaMODA while you are there. I believe that the dates for the fashion show are July 27-31. Admission for the three day event is 70.000 COP. There are lots of beautiful women attending as well as working there.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Tinto

I would highly recommend attending ColombiaMODA while you are there. I believe that the dates for the fashion show are July 27-31. Admission for the three day event is 70.000 COP. There are lots of beautiful women attending as well as working there.

Now that is an event I would like to attend!

[Ricardo]

Flaco,

You lucky dog! EAFIT is a university in Medellin that has a serious Spanish language program. Their shortest courses are two weeks long. Shep wrote a classic trip report about living in Medellin and attending EAFIT. Here is the link to their Spanish language program web page:

http://www.eafit.edu.co/EafitCn/Idio...gles/index.htm

[Tinto]

Flaco,

I read your post again and noticed you are looking for a good dentist while in Club Med. I found an excellent dentist and he is very reasonably priced. His name is Rodrigo Restrepo and teaches dentistry at one of the Universities there so he is knowledgeable in his field. He also speaks English at a conversational level. He can be reached at rodrycam12@hotmail.com

[Flaco]

GrizGator, Ricardo, Tinto, and Micky(pm): Thanks for all the good advise, I am going to look into all of these suggestions and posts results.

[LuckyGirl]

LL. To be in "Colombiamoda" you must have a special card, like "buyer" and can go to www.inexmoda.org.co/ and get it.
Well I am a fashion designer, so I will be there!! There are "desfiles de Moda" but need invitations! and sometimes are soo difficult to obtein if you not are in the "clothing business"
LG

[Tinto]

Lucky Girl,

You're correct! You have to be in the industry or some related field to gain entrance or know someone that can get you in ColombiaModa. One year I went in with a couple friends that had a local web site that was covering the event and I got in as their photographer. Another year I had made up some fake business cards and wallah, I was in the clothing export/import business. I'm not sure if they are getting more selective on who gains entrance but I guess they would be inundated with attendees if it was open to the general public. The 70.000 COP may discourage some but any guy attending will have a great neck-turning* time. That is kind of you to help Senor Flaco get inside. My only regret is that I'm not in Colombia at the moment and won't be able to meet you.

*Past ColombiaMODA neck-turner slide show

[STM]

Tinto, you must have more fotos then just 6-7
The girl in the black thong is really nice