Thank you, Hunter; I am looking forward to meeting you for coffee after the 17-th of March. Also thanks to Straightedge; I know the link; unfortunately, the phone you listed does not work. I wrote to Roberto, but so far did not get ananswer; I also wrote to Richard today using that e-mail address suggested by Hunter.

Actually, let me try to ask this here: I would like to reserve that Playboy suite, but I want to understand how comfotable is it going to be to bring in the girls. I prefer to meet a girl in the Club, or elesewhere, and to bring her to my place, rather than going to the back room for a short time...If I stay in one of the Playboy suites, would that be OK? And if this is OK, can I and my (so far, imaginary) date use the pool and jacuzzy, or is it not a good idea to go to the common areas with the "paid" date as opposed to the "innocent" marrige agency date? (I assume my girls will be acceptably looking, clean etc.)
I am writing this here becuse someone may already have the answers to this, and also because there was a post here by Colombiaguy who offered to answer questions about the Playboy place.
Best,
Kingtut

Very interesting post Hunter.

I haven't been to Colombia but I've read through some of these safety discussions on WSA and CH, and thinking back, I would have to say yeah some of the posts that kept harping on the dangers just didn't seem legit. Something suspicious about their timing, the way they were written, the names of the posters, you know, people popping out of the blue.

I couldn't put my finger on it or even verbalize it, but now I can see my gut feelings were right, heh, heh :-)

What you say seems to make a lot of sense although like I said, I haven't visited there myself. I figure violence against a gringo could be an unnecessary risk for a criminal or a paramilitary, as it would attract unwanted attention from the Colombian govt. and it's security forces. . . whereas violence between Colombians is sadly, "par for the course"

Kingtut, I don't think you will have any problems on what you want to do at the playboy penthouse, best to confirm it with them though.

Torpedo, after posting the above report, I forgot about the grenade atack on a expat bar in the Bogota nightlife area, about a year ago, one person was slightly injured. The narco terrorists are mostly in the Countryside, they do have people in the Cities, but they don't have the capabilities to mount anything really seriouse in the Cities, the odd attack here and there. In reality they don't have the capabilities to do a lot, but Colombia has a lot of jungle and mountains where people can hide out, as with any terrosit organisation they can put a road block up off some major highway or hit some out of the way place and disappear very quickly. Also many of the people involved in the groups are either in it for the money or are forced joined them, by threat to themselves or their families, these sort of people do not make affective terrorists.

I do think they would target more American contractors/military if they could, but they just don't have the capabilities. The beer bar target mentioned above, is a regular place for the contractors types to hang out so I heard, probably the reason they went for that target.

Hopefully Gator will add a few thoughts.

Hunter

For what its worth, before my first trip to Colombia almost a year ago, I closely followed the safety discussions on WSA & WSG and was, to be honest, a bit concerned before the trip. I recall reminding myself that most of the stuff you hear on the internet is BS and do recall Hunter's reasoned posts about the subject. So, I went anyway, 5x in fact, and personally had no problems in Cali & CTG. In fact, I found many Colombians to be very hospitable and welcoming and saw people going out of their way for me. In Cali, you do see more heavily armed soldiers and guards at the malls and in the streets than in CTG. The locals actually said it was good to have so many armed soldiers around. Only thing that spooked me was one night in a remote bar in CTG, a lot of soldiers w/AK-47s came in and checked everyone's IDs. Another night in the same bar, some army officers came in to drink and were accompanied by a group of armed guards. It was unnerving at first to see armed soldiers around you, but you get used to it after awhile.

I would like to echo what Sr. Hunter had to say. There is a LOT of misinformation floating around concerning Colombia and danger. For starters, Mexico beats Colombia hands down and now leads the world in kidnapping. Can you get into trouble in Colombia? Sure. Can you get into trouble in Chicago? Sure. Can you get into trouble in Miami? Sure. Most of us do NOT have sufficient funds to make it worthwhile to be kidnapped.

FARC, ELN, for the most part, frequent the remote areas where, unless you have specific business, most of us would never go. An occassional incident takes place in the cities and, if you get caught in one of those, it is the luck of the draw.

What can you do.

Rule 1. Don't wander about with your thumb up your ass.

Rule 2. If you feel you could not pull a needle out of your ass with a John Deere tractor follow your instincts and leave the area.

Rule 3. Do not go into areas/neighborhoods you know nothing about. Ask local advice first.

Rule 4. It there really any reason to wear a Rolex to impress the locals? Which leads me to rule 5

Rule 5. Never wear a watch someone would cut you arm off to get.

Rule 6. Relax, take normal precautions (as you would in any large US city) and enjoy this wonderful country.

BTW, do not get too excited when you see security, military and the police armed to the teeth. It's normal. Same in Venezula, Peru, Ecuador, and lots of other countries.

Have I ever been in trouble? Couple of times, once going to a farm I owned outside of Cali a few years ago and the FARC tried to stop the 4WD by dropping a tree across the "road" and a couple of AK-47 rounds through the back of the vehicle.

Other time I was accused of being a DEA agent but put gravy on top of my french fries and called it poutine, a mushy mess and is best described as a heart attack in a bowl, and convinced them I was Canadian.

Seriously go and have a good time. Use you head and you will have no problems.

(Message edited by Gator on March 02, 2005)

Here is a news report regarding a foreigner in Colombia, looks like he was kidnapped and killed in the Countryside.:

Hunter

Bogota, Mar 2 (EFE).- Colombia's DAS secret police announced Wednesday the capture of six rightist militiamen and three other people accused of kidnapping an Italian tourist who has been missing since early February and is feared dead.

DAS official Gabriel Sandoval said that Sabino Mobile fell into the hands of the paramilitaries while vacationing in the central town of Girardot, a port on the Magdalena River.

The police commander told a press conference that while authorities have yet to ascertain Mobile's fate, the 27-year-old Italian goldsmith may well have been killed and then dumped in the river.

Though Mobile first went missing a month ago, authorities did not reveal the abduction until Wednesday.
Arrested along with the six militiamen were two prostitutes and a taxi driver who aided the paramilitaries with their kidnapping racket. Sandoval said investigators determined that the women "identified and seduced possible targets for abduction."

DAS confiscated two cars, several firearms and communications equipment in the course of making the arrests.
The right-wing militias, now united in a federation known as the AUC, arose two decades ago to battle leftist guerrillas. But the estimated 19,000 fighters are heavily involved in the cocaine trade and have been accused of numerous massacres and assassinations.

More than 4,000 paramilitaries have laid down their arms in the context of a peace process with the government that envisions the complete demobilization of the militias by the end of this year. EFE

Here is newer updated report, sounds like he was very stupid, also it states that four foreigners were kidnapped in 2004.

Hunter

BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombian kidnappers confessed to abducting and killing an Italian tourist who had boasted about his wealth in a brothel, police said on Wednesday.

Police have arrested nine people in connection with kidnapping Sabino Mobile on Feb. 4 in the town of Girardot, a popular warm-weather weekend destination a few hours' drive from the cool climate of the capital Bogota, Gabriel Sandoval, head of the DAS detective force in Girardot said.

Several of the suspects confessed to killing the 29-year-old jeweler around Feb. 20 and dumping his body in the Magdalena River after realizing he did not have as much money as he had claimed in excursions to bars and a brothel.

Detainees included two local prostitutes and three men who claimed to be members of the outlawed United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a far-right militia known by its Spanish initials AUC.

Sabino, from Foggia in Italy, arrived in Colombia on Dec. 20 with his Colombian wife and their two children but spent time boasting and throwing money around Girardot red light nightspots.

"He said he had lots of money, that he was going to buy a luxury hotel," Sandoval told Reuters.

His kidnappers kept him for some time on a rural property before disposing of him. His body has not been found.

"They said they killed him because he was becoming a problem for them. They killed him because they realized he didn't have all that money," Sandoval said.

The self-identified AUC members were arrested on Tuesday night while traveling in a car with two hand grenades.

Four foreigners were among the 1,440 people kidnapped in last year in Colombia, which has the world's highest incidence of the crime, according to anti-kidnapping foundation Pais Libre.


A large proportion were abducted by Marxist rebels seeking ransoms to fund a four-decade-old war. But AUC members have been responsible for an increasing number of kidnappings, even though the 20,000-strong band is negotiating a peace accord with the government.


The prospect of laying down their weapons as part of a peace deal has led some AUC members to seek alternative employment in kidnapping and extortion, analysts say.


The AUC, which funds itself with cocaine trafficking, says its main aim is to fight Marxist rebels. It has been responsible for massacres and many of Colombia's worst human rights abuses.

Regarding the Playboy-Penthouse, could someone please give me the address of this place? I paid for a reservation, but never got full confirmation, and the Colombian phone number they list is not working for me.
Please help! Is there a different number from Medellin itself? Or an address to be found somewhere? (I didn}t see an address on the site.)

Chazz; I was going to suggest that you PM Colombiaguy, but his homepad is private or does not exist.

On the Penthouse website they do have a phone number from the U.S. 1(312)546-4301 In Colombia 300-600-3763

I called the U.S. number this morning and it is good!

Please let me know how things turn out.

RG

Great chain of juice 'stands' like the sucos places in Brasil:

La Jugosa
Calle 10N 41-51 (El Poblado - about 5 blks from Parque Lleras)

Also on Cra 70 C4-39 (Laureles - down street from stadium) and a few others.


Best (?) place to buy wines:

La Ravinia
Calle 10N (10A?) 36-29 (El Poblado)
354.1212

Will be arriving in Medellin the first week of September. The massage and other places have been discussed here. But I am very much intrigued by these "pre-paid" girls and the possibility of procuring the "top model" types. The girls in the photo section here are beautiful. But I'm talking about Colombianas that are even more beautiful than those. Any contacts anybody wants to share?

(Message edited by OralSkillz on August 21, 2005)

Just got back from Medellin, several insights.
It was a holiday weekend , and apparently all the talent had skipped town. Faces II was really off, tons of gordito chicks. I hear it can be hot or cold, and relly dead sunday to tuesday. I Left empty handed. The guys at the Medellin Mansion saved the day on a dead sunday. They called in a selection pros nd regs and put together a nice pool BBQ. Kudos to them for saving my trip

What's up. I'm planning on trip to Medellin and was thinking about February. Are there any holidays in Feb. I should be aware of? With ample planning I want to be sure I hit on the best days.

Also if anyone else is thinking about MDE in the Feb. timeframe let me know.

Cheers,
Dwyane

There are no holidays in Feb. in Colombia

Looking at going to MDE in February as well. Just getting our plans going. Early February most likely.

Here is a link showing the holidays in Colombia, for future referance:

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiestas_de_Colombia#D.C3.ADas_festivos_oficiales

I just received an email from a buddy of mine that went to MDE last week.

Apparently November/December is not the best time to go.

He said that the non pro talent was the best but the pickings were slim at the casas and MP's.

Apparently he ignored all of the research I gave him and he stayed at the Dan Carlton. He speaks virtually no Spanish and although he is a frequent traveler, I consider him fairly dumb in the way he travels.

That being said, I hope to see a few of you at the Mansion in late Feb/March.

Im heading back to Medellin feb 15 and staying in the mansion, if that fits anybodies timeframe. After my last experience I have an alternate plan of bolting back to Cartegena if the action is subpar

Sniper, I can't see November or December any different in Medellin as any other time of year P4P wise, except around the Christmas/New Year period, I suspect he didn't go to the right places or know where to go exactly.

Hunter

He said he went to the San Diego club and Loutron and they both sucked.

He's lame. I suspect he probably went there on an off night and didn't try again. He uses old research everytime and then complains when he doesn't get enough action. He only has a good time when he is with me because I always know the places to go. THANKS CH!

I spend a lot of time researching and going through all the posts. I always stick to the plan uniless I see an opportunity. Then I write about it so everyone else can benefit from it.

He was using WSG stuff from 2002.

Hunter, how is MDE in February or March?

I am considering CTG and MDE in March. Sounds like the mansion is the way to go in MDE. Couple of questions - would you guys split your time between the two even and how is it overall (ie:weather, girls, etc) in March? thanks, AZ

Sniper/Azguy, Medellin in Feb & Mar, is fine, both weather wise and girl wise.

Azguy, depends on how long you have, a few days I wouldn't, a couple of weeks or more I would.

Hunter

For those of you who think that travel around Columbia is super dangerous check this site out click on the Columbia or Columbia II links http://www.MotoAdventures.org some great pics

This guy cruised all over Columbia on a motorcycle
I believe that you can bring your own trouble on how you carry yourself. But if you run scared you will miss the best part of adventuring. You just have to use common sense.

Im going to be in Medellin from March 21 to March 31, 2006 If Sniper/Azguy/Hunter lets get together for some Fun in the Sun. Im looking into Medellin Apartments, Castillo.
They have a room for $35.00pn has anyone stayed there or know what its like?
Is it owned by the same guys who own The Mansion.
I tried to call the number on the Mansion website for international calls and it has been busy everytime I try. Does anyone have a number for them that I can get through on?

Scooby

What airline would be best suited for flying out of the west coast (L.A.) to Medellin. All the flights I am able to find, are to Miami then down to Colombia. Isn't there something more direct for us west coast folk????? Any insight would be appreciated.

Copa has just added a second daily flight to MDE that ties in well with their LAX flight

The Copa flight out of LAX is a red eye with connections in Panama to everywhere they fly. The LAX flight leaves at 12:15 AM connecting in Panama and arriving MDE at 12:14 PM, 9 hours duration. The return leaves MDE 4:45 PM, connects in Panama and arrives LAX at 11:15 PM, duration is 9.5 hours.

They fly fairly new 737's and their "Biz" class service is about the same as front cabin service on US Domestic flights. Their FF program IS Contintal OnePass.

If you have OnePass Gold status, you are pretty much assured of an complementry upgrade which you will NOT get comped from Continental on an International Itinerary.

Merlin had a bit of a scare on them but I have been generally pleased with their service.

Smitopher, glad you posted the new info on the MDE route addition. Despite my one and only bad experience, I have nothing but good things to say about Copa in general. I've racked up quite some miles w/them and they are easily the best airlines in Central America.

Although all their 737s are the newer planes, I wish they flew some bigger planes for the 7 hour routes.

CO does not comp on their Business First, but they do comp the LAX- Hous-Panama-CTG (Copa last leg). It's just more competitive b/c the LA-Hou route has a lot of frequent flyers gold/plats.

Cazadores, Copa should be your first choice, but Delta is also not too bad LAX-ATL-BOG-MDE and you get Skymiles. Delta flies bigger planes. They also have a good website for FF tix. I also heard that Avianca will start service from LAX-BOG early 2006. Continental through Houston or Cali requires an overnight layover in Panama or Cali.

(Message edited by merlin on December 07, 2005)

The second added Medellin flight is actually on Aero Republica. They are calling this a "strategic alliance", but what does that mean exactly?

The new flight isn't showing up on COPA's website, only on Aero Republica's site. Can you buy a COPA ticket with the AR connecting flight? Do the upgrades work? Do you get miles? Not really a big deal if you don't, as it's only 500 miles and an hour flight anyway, but I've become an upgrade whore and I whine like a bitch when I don't ride up front.

This makes COPA JFK-MDE much more doable, especially for a three-day weekend. There doesn;t seem to be any avaiablilty on COPA to Colombia thru the end of the year, but as soon as I book them next year, I'll report back on how it worked.

Ok. I just booked my trip for MDE. I'll be getting in Feb. 11 and leaving the 18th. Of course that's nearly 2 months away.

I'll probably stay at the Mansion.

I had to switch my dates to March 16th through the 22nd. Hope there are others there.

I plan to stay at the Mansion.

What is this place Mangos can u pick up women there? Is it a stip club? The women in those pis are delicious! I am planning a trip to Medellin I was going back to Rio!!, but after seeing all the pics I think I change my mind. What is the earliest the Mansion excepts resevations? I plan on going in the first of April? I read pretty much everything I do have limited spanish but I know its lots of fun to be had!!! thanx for the info fellas. p.s. is that a pretty good time of the year or is any part of the year good?

(Message edited by detplaya on December 23, 2005)

From what I can tell, Mango's is probably a great place to bring someone, not so much as a pickup place.

I'm not speaking from experience, I just recall seeing that in reports all over the place.

I certainly hope to find out in March when I'm there!

Sniper, I would agree with you.

Detplaya, Mangos is a disco with girls and guys that dance on the bars there, probably about 30-40 dancers there on a weekend night.

Hunter

Mangos is strictly a place to bring a date. There are absolutely no P4P opportunities there. None. I know this from having gone there 20 times - I know all the bouncers and I hang out in the VIP room when I go. I have asked. I have offered money. Nothing. It just doesn't happen there.

There are countless beauties there, but they are not available. Not for 1 million, 2 million or 5 million. And if you enter Mangos alone, you will leave alone. Period.

Great place to take a date, though. That's why I keep going back. I also like Universal, a newish club down the road from Mangos. Less of an a-list crowd, but I still have a good time. Breaks up the evening nicely.

Hello everybody, my handle is Medellin Bob from the Mansion and El Castillo, alas, succumbing to the modern era of the internet and computers is one of my new year resolutions

The main reason I joined is to have the opportunity to thank and keep in contact with the many guys I have met that are members of CH and other boards

Guys like Hunter,a pioneer in Medellin and a wealth of information, highly regarded Ricker (possibly not in CH) and of course my partner and best friend Aussie Greg

I am no here to promote anything, i don't have to,hopefully, honest reporting from some of the members will take care of that

Guys like Radioman, (the best i've ever seen with street action, he even surpassed Rajun Cajun), Cubanut,(the nicest, unselfish monger i have ever met, who else would give up his turn with a beautiful, highly coveted Loutron girl to a newbie), the very knowledgeable Sandman (i don't mind him staring constantly at my girlfriend), Roadglide, Don Pedrinio, Surfer, Wolfieboy, Dbonar, (are you still alive?) and countless others

I just would like to give back a little to the over 500 great guys I've had the pleasure of serving in the last four and half years in Medellin and the many repeat clients who have seen me grow from my humble beginings,renting a 3 bedroom apartment to renting a 6 bedroom penthouse to owning our current 2 locations, the 11 bedroom Mansion and our new soon to be expanded 8 bedroom El Castillo

Also I could provide updated information and complement some great reports i have seen here, after all i live in Medellin

the only problem is I do keep very busy but I will try my best to help and answer all the questions and clear all the doubts(I am currently working in discovering which Mango's dancers are p4p, i have narrowed it down to 4 or 5 and trying to get them to offer their services to our guests, allegedly starting at 400,000)

I am currently in the States for the Holydays but i should be back in Medellin very soon

Bob, see you in March. I just called you to say hello and ask a little advice.

I left my office number, give me a call anytime.

Medellinbob,

Welcome to the board and I am really glad to see your comments on the Mangos dancers. It has been driving me crazy to see if any of the mangos dancers were on the game and I had posed this questions to many on this board and did not get a straight answer. So I really hope you can really provide valuable and accurate information on that end. I like to hobby with models or model quality girls and I hope you can provide some information on that as well. I already have a similar setup in Cali and have enjoyed company of some real models in Cali.

Phd

waz up fellas, try'n to get this trip setup I had a few ? about the Mansion set up, do they have like 2 bedroom suites or is every room single set for one. and does all the rooms have there own restroom facilities (shower) or does everyone wait for a turn like a dorm setup.

Det-You can go to their website www.medellinmansion.com and actually see a virtual tour of each of their rooms. You can get 2 Br's with a shared bath in a 2 room suite kinda deal.

Welcome to the board Bob. I only stare at your GF because she is soooooo beautiful and I can't believe she has anything to do with your ugly mug....he he!

Enjoy your Holyday/holiday in the US!

CYA in the springtime.

Phdmonger

I have a contact that provides actual models, but is pricey, starts at one million and a half

another contact provides model types starting at 600 K and up

I don't deal much with this contacts since most of the guys are happy with the less pricier options we have

When i get back to Medellin I will contact some very pretty free lancers I haven't talked to in a while starting at 300K for a couple of hours

shared bathrooms? with other mongers??? yuck!

Hi Medellinbob,

I recently booked a room at Castillo, I will be there Feb 16-20. The reputation and stories of AussieGreg and yourself and the especially girls is the reason I booked a trip to Medellin. I don't think I would have come if the Mansion or Castillo wasn't available. I look forward to meeting you guys and having the time of my life.

See you soon

Medellinbob

Ill see you at the mansion on April 24TH. Looking forward to this newbe's intro into the world of international mongering. I've been doing it in the states ...well forever... but this will be my first trip abroad and from what I've seen Medellin has the best looking girls anywhere.

If you guys need anything you have my e-mail addy just drop me a line and Ill see if I can get it.

Scooby

MedellinBob: It's funny that you mentioned Rajun Cajun and the street girls. In my first trip report I reveal how I could not find Calle 53 and the street girls I knew were there. On my 3rd or 4th day I meet Rajun Cajun at the old Penthouse, and he volunteers to show me. He took me to where the action was, and while we did not find what we wanted that day, he showed me the ropes.

On several subsequent trips I have returned to the scene of the crime...where Rajun Cajun showed me the babes. On four different occasions I have had street girls ask me if I knew Rajun Cajun. He has one distinguishing feature that sets him apart for most people, and the girls always mention it to prove they really know the guy. He is a legend on the streets...so I am honored you put me in that category.

There still are only a handful of gringos that go down there. It is in El Centro, and it looks really nasty at night, although in the afternoon the street girls stand amid the vendors outside the store fronts as if nothing is amiss. In my opinion Medellin offers the most awesome, varied and incredible street scene on earth. It is one of the reasons I keep going back. Trip #6 in a few weeks.

radio

Quick question please to the Medellin experts - I have a one shot opportunity to monger there this coming Sunday night, not ideal but that's how it is... Best bet? thanks

Sunday is slow for P4P. The guys who run the Mansion (Greg and Bob) have contact lists for girls who will come on a Sunday. I think there are a few massage parlors that do open on Sunday, but can't recall the name. Street action around San Diego or the downtown (El Centro) may be the best other bet.

Good luck,
Hogpenny

Hog - thanks. Maybe my best bet is an agency, if there is a reliable one in Medellin...?

Haven't any personal experience with a P4P agency in medellin but I believe there are a few, chuscos.com (or such) comes to mind. A google search brings up some more results but I don't have anything personal to recommend on that, sorry.
Good luck!

MedellinBob:

Do you offer "guide services" similar to Don in Rio?
AzGuy and I are coming in May, but are more into a hotel situation, than a B&B situation, so are looking at the torrepoblado. However we would love to hook up and hit the town at least one or two days/nights with someone with some serious Medellin experience.

We have both used Don's services in Rio, so the cost is not a big deal, and there is great info on this board, it is nice to have someone you know in town, for advice and to show you around the first day or two.