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

Lunch (sidewalk cafe of course) today (Sat) with German & S. African (Michael & Larry). Multiculturalism makes for good conversation. Made some Skype calls $3/Month for free calls to phones USA & Canada but the cell phones all over town are cheaper here. Met with Carolina at Olvideo Mall (from metro station - taxi $4,000). Poblado, Parque Lleras for a cervesa and an appy plate that was large enough to be dinner. Along with 3 beers it was about $43.000 pesos $24 for us both, about the same cost as Carerra 70 or downtown and much nicer. On less popular streets this bill is maybe 50%. Tips are often included but if not an economical cafe they might tip a bit extra. Today $1 USD/CDN is 1875 COP. The ATM only gives 400,000 pesos ($213 USD ... read more

The gym charges $70,000 cop/mensual & I seem kinda busy so will pay $6,000/day $3 USD. Bring your drinking cup if you like coffee on the go I lost mine and can't find one here. Great date with Filipe's mom. We went to El Parque de los Pies Descalzos . The Park of the Barefoot Feet Lucy chose not to do it, but enjoyed the ambiance, Walk on stones though a bamboo grove to a sandy area with trees arranged with ying and yang in mind, to another sandy area, drag your feet for energy benefit and feel some trees with very soft, velvety bark from Australia. Next you go though a maze of stone pillars, hands over your chest and eyes closed using your feet to find your way (kicking gently ahead and to the ... read more