Medellin, Columbia, anyone been there, or know anyone there?

Question

I've had a penpal from there for some time, and I'm reseaching as much as I can about the area. I'd like to know is it hard living there? Are most of the people nice ? What foods does an average family or person eat. What kind of things do they have that Americans don't have and what do we have that they don't. I know about the drugs down there, so I don't want to here about that....Anything you can tell me would be good.......Thanks

Answer 1

Climate is awesome. I've been there a couple of times and I love it. People are very nice both physically and the way they treat foreigners. But remember it is a 3rd world country so common sense is a must. Food is VERY good. Their typical plate is called "Bandeja Paisa" and I only recommend it if you have the time to take a siesta after you've eaten one, and probably you'll want to eat the whole plate. A common food is beans, meat, rice, plantains, excellent coffee, and there is some american influence there so there is McDonalds and all that crap, even Blockbuster Video besides, many people have maids living in their homes and some even have choufers and you don't have to be a Rockefeller to have all that.. Things they have that americans don't have, is TIME. Distances are much shorter and "paisas" (that's how they call people from the region LOVE their region and take good care of it. The old Pablo Escobar days ended in the early 90's so most of that is gone. "Paisas" are privileged with a very nice race and many people are beautiful.

Answer 2

First of all it is Colombia not Columbia, also it's USA not America. This guy Marc, doesn't know anything about Medellin or Colombian people, he is totally lying about everything. I am not Colombian but I know Colombians and they are good and nice people. The drug thing (the type of Pablo Escobar things) has been over for a long time now and it is a safer place than many other Latin American countries and some U.S. cities. Medellin is a really nice city to live and Cartagena has some nice historical sites and nightlife. Enjoy the music, the climate, the food, and the festivals in different seasons. It is better if you get some help from some local if you know somebody on how to move yourself, but the transport system is efficient (metro, bus, taxi).

Answer 3

Son, I assuming that you are young and inexperienced with South America and especially Columbia. I live in Ecuador and that is just across the border from Columbia, so let me enlighten you on current events. You have said and I quote, "I know about the drugs down there, so I don't want to here about that" but you cannot find out any information about Medellin without talking about the drug trade and since America is fighting a war against drugs in that country, it is extremely dangerous for Americans in Medellin, Cartegena, and that region of Columbia. Columbians (for the most part) are lying, deceptive, untruthful, and untrustworthy individuals. They come to Ecuador and rob people on the streets and that is why they aren't welcomed to many latin american nations. So, decide on your own but I'm telling you that you will be making a grave mistake to go to Medellin. Also, Bogota is lovely spot to visit. My wife and I go there all the time.

Answer 4

As Jorge Alberto says it is a nice place to visit...

I have traveled to Medellin about 15 times in the last three years (from a weekend to a month) and I am still traveling there!!. Pretty much I am very familiar with the area; if you need to know some specifics you can write me at: [e-mail]

For marc30083 (below)

I can understand that you have a negative opinion about Colombians. Fair or not, Colombians are often pictured that way (and I am not Colombian). But what I don’t understand is your closing remark “Also, Bogota is lovely spot to visit. My wife and I go there all the time.”!!!

Then my question is. How many times and where you have been in Medellin?
Why then Bogota is Lovely and Medellin is not?

And why you make such remarks about Colombians and then you say that Bogota is lovely and that you go there all the time???¡¡¡

Being myself very familiar with Medellin as well as knowing Bogota, I am interested to see your response (and don’t tell me that people from Bogota are a different kind of Colombians!!)

Answer 5

I'm going there in 3 weeks and I can't wait. I've never been to Medellin, so my uncle is taking me there for a few days. As the other posters have mentioned, the people there refer to themselves as Paisas. The women are beautiful. The weather is pretty warm there (warmer than Bogota, which has an avg. temp of ~65F during the day). Medellin is Colombia's second largest city.

That's all I know for the moment. Ask me when I get back at the end of September and I'll have more to tell.

Answer 6

I believe Pablo Escobar, the famous or infamous drugloard based his drug cartel operations there. I know that's not really positive but that's something I know. Oh yeah, in Entourage, the HBO show, the main character Vince wanted to be Pablo in a movie called Medellin.

Answer 7

the only thing that i cant say is that medellin is a beautiful city with wonderful persons i'm colombian and i love my country .chao cuidate

Answer 8

www.penpalsnow.com i got a lot of penpals here and it's free