Blogs from Medellin, Colombia, South America - page 14

1st I should say I plan to return to Colombia fall 2011. Stay in touch if you like. I will reply to comments as I revisit here once a month or so but a personal message comes to my email for quick communication. On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 2:39 PM, Barry Belau wrote: Dear william williams, You have been sent a message from Barry Belau ============== Hello, I enjoyed your blog about Medellin. I am also divorced and planning to visit Medellin to learn Spanish/volunteer and explore Colombia. So is it true that there are many beautiful women in Medellin? What did you like best of the city and what didn't you like about it? I am from St. Louis MO. Keep on blogging in the free world... -- Barry I really like Colombia ... read more

Don't forget to click on the photo to see it more clearly (bigger). To film a crash as the people are still laying on the ground it helps to know what to listen for. Cars colliding are loud but hitting a motorcycle is not so loud but does sound like metal on metal. One guy told me he saw 3 motorcycles get hit all at once by a cab. That would have a totally different sound I guess. Bit of excitement for me, I booked a trip to Salinas, Ecuador. It's on the coast I am excited. If I decide to hang out there next winter I may have a chance that Brigitta and others will visit. Of course I am pretty sure I have to be within 3 blocks of a good beach to get ... read more

Apto Compartir translates to Shared Apartment. Apto is slang. Went to Poblado (UPscale) (Parque Lleras Pronounced Jyeras) last night with Sol,(happy hour the menu is 40% off) $53,000 for dinner for two after happy hour. Good steak, passable chicken wings & fries. Then stopped at another more upscale restaurant, Sol had a Monte Christo coffee, me a regular coffee for 16,000 COP's. Mixed Martial Arts, a UFC fight was on one TV, cousin Jim and a bunch of us get together often to watch. The bars are capacity in the USA ($10/head in Palm Springs) & Canada to see them, I was the only one watching in Lleras, most were watching nothing or the football game. I bought a cell phone in el centro, a bit of an adventure but ended up same cost as Exito ... read more

Waking up to 19th day of perfect weather. If it feels a little hot you just move to the shade. Breakfast was exciting as Margrit and Pius (& another fellow I didn't meet, with only a basket on his bike for his gear) were leaving. As far as going through dangerous territory I asked how they found out what was safe? They said simply the locals always let them know. They were an amazing Swiss couple. I couldn't get on their website this morning. The adventure for most starts on arriving in Medellin, for Margrit and Pius it starts when they leave. Met several people today and will have a coffee tomorrow with Diana, who I haven't met, to practice Spanish and make a new friend I hope. ... read more

This is an update on house-hunting: I have a friend or 2 who can provide a room and exchange language tutoring, the cost is minimal, not much over $225/month. If you have or know of a similiar situation please post it in comments here. Thanks, William Check local "periodicos" & "agencias"online possibly phone or email them in English if it is your only alternative and hope they understand. Craigslist tends to be high priced. If your Spanish is very limited search the famous "poorbuthappy" website, it is shutdown but the archives are very good and still there. #1 Site if your looking to share a dwelling http://www.compartoapto.com/Cuartos-Estudiantes/antioquia/en-arriendo-medellin/anuncios/h or just http://www.compartoapto.com of course Tennis 9AM .. I was set up with a club pro ($5/45min) I wasn't happy (didn't know) about, he was better than me ... read more