I�ll make this trip report quick, as I have no real new information or insight to offer. I was in Colombia a week ago, and spent a few days at El Castillo in Medellin. I chose El Castillo because about three years ago I had the privilege of meeting Robert, who is a top-notch, class A guy. Unfortunately during this trip Robert was out of town for all but one evening and I did not get the chance to catch up for too long. Se�or, si estas leyendo a esto, nos vemos la pr�xima vez, �cierto?

I did have quite a good time and met some cool guys in Medell�� as well, including Mr. Greg from the Mansion. Greg, you are a gentleman, and I�d like to thank you once again for the concept and the hospitality!

I made all of the usual stops in Medellin, including Face Dos, Loutron, etc. The girls in MDE are wonderful. I had GFEs each time I sessioned, the prices were not outrageous but also not inexpensive like Cali or especially Pereira, and as in most of Colombia the median girl would be at least an 8 in the U.S.A. With its great weather, nice people and multiply hobbying options, Medellin is a good place to go.

I connected with several other gentlemen of our hobby during my time. Two guys in particular became good pals of mine (not sure if they are on this board), and I will definitely stay in touch with them. I got to meet some guys who are on this board as well. Sparky, you seem like a great dude, and if I ever get out on a boat I would hope to have the guidance and expertise of someone like you along with me. Relapse, I enjoyed our several conversations, your fantastic storytelling abilities and I wish you luck in kicking the smoking habit. Scooby, I think you have a heart of gold and I hope you had tons of fun. Take good care of yourself! There were several others who are either not members here or under user names that I do not know, but I must say that everyone I met was in general a good person.

My only other thought is that there�s a danger in the comforts of the Mansion/El Castillo. I think that it is so gringo-friendly, and that El Poblado is such a nice neighborhood that it paints an unrealistic picture for the inexperienced traveler as to what a lot of Colombia is really like. Colombia is still a place where significant caution should be taken. I saw several instances of guys fumbling around with their wallets/ATM cards out in public, getting into taxi cabs without too much discretion (and slamming the doors shut, which pisses the taxi drivers off really bad!), and in general being a little too care-free. I think it�s wise to observe the local customs/behaviors and emulate them. That includes the way people dress, the volume at which they speak, the way they cross the street�Everything. It won�t mask the fact that you�re a gringo, but it will create the impression that you�re a seasoned gringo who might not be worth the trouble of giving a hard time. It will also make you more palatable to the girls. I saw two occasions where a Face Dos girl blew off a gringo because she found him uncouth. I know that they�re pros and that in the end it�s all about the pesos, but at the same time the mileage you get for your pesos depends a lot on you and the presentation you make.

Anyway it was a great trip, and I hope to get back to MDE at some point later this year. Let me know if I can answer any questions.

La Muerte

Thanks for your take...

LM, good job and thanks for the input. You're statements are very true. Have you been in Cali lately? When in MDE I struck up conversation with alot of locals who told me that Cali has gotten pretty dangerous and I haven't seen much info coming out of here for Cali. Just wondering if it's still a worthwhile destination.

I would recommend staying the fuck out of Cali. The big problem there is the high unemployment rate. Of course Cale�os themselves can be a problem. They are known as hard-drinking/drugging, uncouth people. Life is very cheap in Cali.

Lamurte

I don't think I will ever be mistaken for a Columbian. Im leaving tommorrow and know I am going to miss it terribly. But unless you are retired with a lump of cash stashed we all have to work.

I hooked up with one really great girl while here and I would love to take her home but its not going to happen.

I have had a great time here with only one bad incedent & I have to come back if only to see the one girl who made my time here so memorable.

Baypilot, I go to Cali every Colombia trip. It's my base location in Colombia, and is still my favorite. I don't see it as any more or less dangerous than it always is, but I'm so familiar with it that I may simply not notice. I actually think the MDE Mansion is about the best thing that has happened to Cali, in that the less-seasoned (and higher spending) gringos that were coming to Cali three years ago are not coming so much these days. In fact TomTom, I appreciate your substantiating an unwarranted stereotype if that what�fll keep the masses away.

LM