What To Eat In Medellin

In most parts of Colombia, including Medellin, you’ll find two kinds of food, “comida rapida” meaning “fast food” like hot dogs (perros), and shish kebabs (chuzos). You also have the regular restaurants offering all types of local foods as well as international foods.

Whenever traveling you should follow my guidelines on how to eat and not get sick when traveling.

In Parque Lleras you’ll find all sorts of international food including sushi, mexican, and local food. Usually the vendors of fast food are small places, or food carts found on various street corners.

The food in Medellin is based on some core ingredients including beens, eggs, beef or pork, potatoes, plantains, and the famous “arepa”, a corn based bread similar to the Mexican tortilla.

Some of the most well known typical plates that you may want to try include the following:

Bandeja Paisa: Traditional Antioquia dish with beans, ground beef, egg, rice, plantain, chorizo sausage, pork cracklings, arepa and hogao (a sauce based on tomatoes and onions).:

Ajiaco (Soup): Ajiaco is a Colombian Potato soup. It typically contains pieces of chicken, large chunks of corn on the cob, two or three kinds of native potatoes, and guasca (Galinsoga parviflora), a weedy, aromatic herb that lends the dish part of its distinctive flavour.
The soup is typically served with heavy cream, capers and avocado, all mixed in just before eating in the proportions each individual prefers.:

Sancocho (Soup): Sancocho is probably the most famous of all Colombian soups and is a soup based on chicken, potatoes, and plantains. However many places offer sancocho de res (sancocho made with beef):

Mondongo (Soup): In Colombia sopa de mondongo is often eaten as the soup course of a traditional almuerzo. The soup in Colombia, is often made with chicken or beef stock, with a lot of cilantro. Many vegetables such as peas, carrots and onion are used to flavor the chicken or beef stock. Salt and pepper, along with corn, are also thrown into the soup for extra flavoring. The tripe used for this soup is varied. The most typical kind of tripe is beef tripe, but in several other regions across the nation, pork tripe and chicken or turkey tripes are also used in the soup:

How To Renew Your Tourist Visa In Colombia

I’ve been in Colombia for almost two months now. When I arrived, immigration gave me a 60 day stamp on my passport. This means that I can stay legally for 60 days within the country. Since my 60 days are almost up, I have to renew my Visa.

What happens If I don’t renew my visa? What happens is that I end up staying in the country Illegally, and I’ll have to do a whole bunch of paperwork, get stuff notarized, and pay fines in order to get my proper paperwork to be able to leave the country. It’s too much of a hassle, not to mention more expensive, so I recommend just renewing your visa the proper way which I outline below.

Most likely you’ll also get a 60 day stamp, which means that if you get close to your 60 days in Colombia, you’ll have to go to the D.A.S. which stands for “Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad” which translates to “The Administrative Department of Security.” Most large cities in Colombia have a D.A.S. agency within the city, but if you’re in a smaller city you might have to go to one of the larger ones to get your paperwork done.

If you have a local agency in your city all you need to do is hop in a taxi and tell them to take you to the D.A.S, pronounced “das”. Once you’re at the agency you’ll have to go past security and let them know you want to extend your tourist visa or “extender mi visa de turista”.

The agents in the office will ask you to photocopy a your passport as well as the original entry stamp. You’ll also have to fill out a form which should only take about 5 minutes. You’re going to have to sign the form and also take a few photocopies of it. Finally, you’ll have to go to a bank and pay a fee, based on the details they give you in the D.A.S. agency. Usually this involves going directly to a bank and paying with a certain code that you’ll be assigned.

Once you pay the fee at the bank, you bring the receipt back to the D.A.S. agency and they will process the final paperwork. All in all it took me about an hour and half to complete everything including taxi rides. Unfortunately, after your first initial stamp is up, you’ll have to repeat this process every month.

Latin American Block Party – Barranquilla Carnavales 2010

I took a small video here in Barranquilla on the second to last day of Carnavales, which was a Monday night. People were partying outside of my apartment until the sun came up. It’s not uncommon to see block parties like this one, not just in Carnavales but for birthdays, holidays like New Years as well as other festive dates. This isn’t exclusive to Colombia. It’s a common to see block parties all over Latin America especially during New Years and Carnaval season.

The One Time I Got Scammed By A Girl In Colombia

This happened a few years ago but I think it’s a story worth telling. It’s a story about the only time I’ve been scammed by a girl in Latin America, and it happened in Colombia. I’m not signaling out Colombia or Colombian women, but I just happen to spend a lot of time in Colombia so it makes sense that here is where I would most likely be scammed for the first time.

Basically what happened is that I met this girl online and we talked for months. I was planning a trip to Medellin, and this was about four years ago. I was really attracted to this girl and I had seen her pictures and chatted with her on a web cam. The only problem was that she didn’t live in Medellin.

When I got to Medellin we kept in contact through phone calls and we flirted on the phone, she seemed like a normal trust worthy woman. I was debating whether or not to go see her in Bucaramanga, the city where she lived. I decided against it because I really didn’t want to take the bus all the way to her city so I suggested she come visit me.

She thought it was a great idea but she told me she didn’t have money. I suggested she try to get the money from someone, even borrow it, and that i would pay her ticket when she got here. Here’s where the story takes a twist. I never send money. But this particular instance I figured, “ahh what the hell it’s only $40 dollars.” That’s approximately what the buss ticket would cost.

I went to a western union and sent her the cash, I called her and gave her the code, everything seemed to be going along fine. She told me she would arrive on the bus about two days later.

Two days passed, I called, I waited. I called I waited, and nothing. I started to get the feeling I had been scammed. She never picked up my phone calls after that and I felt like a real sucker. I knew I shouldn’t have broken my rule of never sending money. Eventually I got her on the Messenger and I asked her what happened, I forgot exactly what she said but basically she said she couldn’t send the money back, and that she couldn’t come visit me either. I erased her from my phone and MSN messenger list and I never heard from here again.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from my story, it’s to: never send money. PERIOD. The second lesson to be learned is to: never break your rules for anyone.

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A Little About Medellin

Medellin has the natural setting and weather of various other Latin American and Central American cities. The two things that differentiate Medellin from the rest is the vast transformation it’s had over the past 20 – 30 years, and from a man’s point of view, all the beautiful women.

Once known for being home to arguably the most powerful drug cartel ever known, the Medellin Cartel, lead by Pablo Escobar called this nestled valley city home. Since those times Medellin has seen a renaissance. Safety has improved greatly, the weather is still splendid, yet today you can find hotels, apartments and other accommodations in the city that have all the amenities you would find anywhere else in the world.

Medellin is the type of city that can cater to back backers and businessmen a like. Within the city you can stay at one of the many hostels or rent a luxury apartment with ease. Medellin boasts of good food, good weather, friendly locals, great night life, and many tourist attractions including the “la piedra del penol”.

The Women

Within Colombia, Medellin is known among Colombian men for it’s beautiful and marriage material women. Many Colombians from all over Colombia have been known to say that the when it’s time to settle down, they’ll do it with a “Paisa”, the local term that refers to the women of this region of the country.

Although the culture of the city and the city itself has changed a great deal over the past 15 years, you eyes will not deceive you, when you walk down the Poblado Avenue. The sexy women of Medellin can be seen prancing around the city streets throughout the day. Because of Medellin’s climate, the local women find a local walk refreshing as well as good exercise.

Medellin has become the fashion capital of Colombia and probably one of the hottest fashion focal points in Latin America. Twice a year, Medellin hosts two international fashion events that bring in some of the top fashion names in the world. It’s not surprising that Medellin has become famous for it’s fashion because the women of the city sure know how to dress and look their best.

The Weather

The city of Medellin has an average annual temperature is 22 °C (72 °F), and because of its proximity to the equator, its temperature is constant year round, with minimal temperature variations. Temperatures range from 15 °C (52 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F). Because of the pleasant springlike climate all year, Medellín is known as ‘La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera’ or ‘City of the Eternal Spring’. Exercising, walking, pool activities, and other out door activities can be done all year due to the nice constant spring like weather.

EL Poblado

El Poblado is a large section of city that hosts some of the best hotels, malls, restaurants, bars clubs and casinos in town. If you’re going to Medellin you’re most likely going to want to stay here, at least if you’re a first timer. Most of the hostels in Medellin are located in this section of town close to the famous “Parque LLeras” pronounce “Yeras” (seen on the picture to the left). The blocks surrounding this small park have the highest concentration of bars, restaurants and clubs in the entire city. Most of the best hotels, and hostels are also within walking distance of the park.

How To Meet Colombian Girls In Your Back Yard

Colombia has about 4 million of it’s citizens living outside of the country. A vast majority of those Colombian’s live in and around Miami, and the New York Metro area. Although more men then women migrate abroad from Colombia, I’m never disappointed when I attend a Colombia festival in the New York area, even if it’s just to enjoy the view, some good food, and the festive atmosphere. I’m sure it’s no different in Miami and other Colombian communities around the U.S. and around the world.

Colombian’s, like all Latin American’s love to party, and they love to celebrate their independence day. There’s nothing better then celebrating these festivities in Colombia, but this is definitely the next best thing.

A little About Colombian Independence:
If you want to meet some Colombian girls right in your own back yard some of these special dates, like Colombian Independence day are perfect so that you can get your feet wet. I suggest going with some Colombian friends if you have any, but it’s a friendly atmosphere and you can go to any of these places without a problem.

On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota formed the first representative council to withstand Spanish authority, and achieved full independence in 1810. The struggle for independence in Columbia received an impetus led by great freedom fighters Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Paula Santander in New Granada which resulted in the Battle of Boyaca, on August 7, 1819. Bolívar was subsequently elected as the first president of Greater Columbia and Francisco de Paula Santander, as its vice president.

The Independence Day of Colombia is celebrated with unequaled festive fervor throughout Colombia, and throughout the many Colombian communities found in the United States, across Europe, and other locations around the world. The day falls on 20th July every year when all the offices, schools and college establishments remain closed. Various festivals and events are held on this occasion at different cities and towns of the country. It’s also the time to organize events highlighting the traditional folk dances and songs of the region.

Here in the New York area, which holds one of largest Colombian communities, festivals, parties and concerts abound.

Without a doubt if you want to see some Colombian women up close and personal, without having to go all the way to Colombia, you should attend any one of these places. Now if you want to learn how you may be able to date a Colombian girl, or any foreign girl here in States, I’m working on a guide that will give you my top secret tactics that no else is using to meet foreign women right your back yard.

Just to give you an idea of how celebrated these festivals are in New York/New Jersey Area, here are a few fliers I’ve picked up around the area. I know it’s a little late for you guys to take advantage of, but make a note for next year, and you should have my guide by then which will leave you well equipped to dive into these festivals.

Later,

Dan DeLa Cruz

Tips For Traveling Alone

Traveling alone can be a tough decision. Sometimes it’s a little nerve wrecking going to a foreign country by yourself. I’ve had this feeling myself many times when traveling alone, but over the years I’ve found ways to make every trip lots of fun, even when I’m traveling alone.

Step 1: Make some friends online. This is a must do, especially for those shy guys out there. If you don’t think you’ll be able to approach women on the streets or in clubs when you travel, you have to do the dirty work on the Internet before you get there. The good news is that it’s really easy, especially when you’re trying to meet foreign women. So get on the Internet start chatting with some women and start building some trust and friendships. After a few weeks of chatting on a regular basis, you’ll see that these women will warm up to you greatly.

You can get my book if you want the nitty gritty details about meeting foreign women online: Meet Foreign Women Online: The Complete Guide

I’ll give you one example. I was headed for Barranquilla, Colombia, and on this particular trip, I was going to head down on my own. I started sending out emails and making friends a month before I got to Barranquilla. By the time the final day of travel arrived, I had already made about 15 new female friends in that city. I have all of their email addresses and out of those 15, I’ve chatted consistently without about five of them, and I have those five ladies phone numbers. Two of them offered to pick me up at the airport; I opted for the one that I like more… So when I got to Barranquilla I had this beautiful girl, waiting there to give me a warm welcome! The moral of this story is that you need to get your butt online.

Step 2: Make friends on the plane, and in the airport. One of the best places to make friends and meet people, both men and women, is on the plane ride over. Plane rides are long and boring, and it’s the perfect place to start up a conversation with a stranger. A simple “where are you headed?”, can start up a conversation that could last the entire flight. I’ve met many male and female friends on the airplane and at airport gates while waiting for my flight.

Step 3: Approach and make friends! If you haven’t done step 1 and 2, then you’re last and only choice is step three. Some good people to befriend are taxi drivers, hotel personnel, waitresses, and cashiers. This approach is probably the toughest out of all three, and one of the main reasons is because of the time limitations you will most likely have on your trip. You’re also going to need some conversational abilities in the local language. This is why I strongly recommend going online first.

However, if you decide to take this route only, once you meet a girl in town, it’s going to take some time to build some trust, and if the girl works or goes to school you might not have enough time to make something happen. The benefit of meeting women online before you get there is that you will already have a certain amount of trust with the girl when you finally meet in person.

Approaching people on the streets is not easy for everyone but look at this way, if you’re in the lower tiers, there’s no easier place to approach women and people in general in the entire world.

But here’s a tip that will work in just about any location you travel too. If you see someone interesting, just ask them a question about the city. These are questions that should park YOUR genuine interest. Some questions can be:

• Do you know a good place to eat?
• Do you know a good place to get a drink?
• Can you tell me how to get to so and so? (park, court, hotel)

After you ask your question, you can add. “The reason I ask, is because I’m not from here, I’m visiting”

Those are some of my tips for traveling alone! Remember, you don’t have to be alone for the entire trip, most likely the only place you’ll be alone is on the ride the airport when you’re leaving because after that, it’s time to meet the women you met online and make more friends on the plane.

Talk soon,

Barranquilla Trip Summary Part 1

Live in direct form Barranquilla, Colombia!

It’s been five weeks since I touched down in Barranquilla, and it’s been a hell of a time. Carnavales, good food, friendly caramel skinned ladies, and lots of sun… I can’t complain and I hope some of you guys can someday make the lifestyle change I’m in the process of making now. As the author of The Global Dating Revolution, I felt I really had to lead by example. I had a good, high paying, comfortable job back in New York but I left all that, including my apartment, and my girlfriend (I have a new girlfriend in Barranquilla, and a new apartment ), in order to prove to myself as well my readers that I don’t just talk the talk, I’m really walking the walk and am now living in Latin America. I don’t know if I’ll stay in Colombia longer then 6 months, I’ll play it by ear, but all I know is that I’ll be living somewhere in Latin America for the foreseeable future. So, I now give you part 1 of my recap of my five weeks here in Barranquilla Colombia.
Read the rest of this entry »

Barranquilla Carnival Video