Feria De Las Flores 2011

Time is rapidly approaching for Feria de Las Flores 2011.  It is scheduled from July 29th t0 August 7th this year and like last year, Cabalgata is on the 29th, the first Saturday. They are expecting over 10,000 horses this year and expect to set another new Guinnes Record for largest outdoor horse parade

 

Speaking of Cabalgata, I rode in it last year and had a blast.  A small back problem will prevent me from participating this year but a friend can make arrangements for anyone that would like to ride in the parade.

 

He will also have a private tent set up along the parade route where food and adult beverages will be sold (seating limited to about the 1st 100 people).  Great place to meet a lot of local ex-pats and English speaking people. Lastly, he has arranged for several Chiva (party bus) rides for people that would like to see the sights of the city in a party atmosphere.  A moving party on wheels so to speak.

Contact him directly if you are interested in riding in the parade, watching from a private tent or having a blast on a chiva ride. He can provide prices, locations and dates.

 

Camillo Uribe

curibe99@yahoo.com

 

Next up, my good friend and personal dentist, Juan Carlos Mejia is offering a laser whitening special during the Feria.  One person gets Laser Whitening treatment for 380,000.  Bring a  friend or loved one and it only costs 35o,000 per person.,  That is quite a savings off his normal prices and less than a third of what it costs in the US or Europe. Call him directly or e-mail him.  He actually responds to calls and e-mails.

 

If you are planning to be in Medellin for the Feria, you are  encouraged to make arrangements for your  accommodations as early as possible as places fill up fast.  Remember, Colombiamoda is the preceeding 3 days pefore the Feria de Las Flores and this town is jammed with attendees many of whom stay over for the Flower Festival.

 

My good friend Rich Holman at First American Realty Medellin has a very nice selection of over 30 rental apartments in a wide variety of price ranges to choose from.  Expect a 20% or more surcharge from hotels, apartments and hostels during the Feria.

 

Now, depending on how long you can stay during the feria, my favorite events are;

Cabalgata-Thousands of horses and thousands of beautiful Paisa ladies riding them.  OK ladies, lots of good looking guys too!

Antique Auto Parade-Nostalgic 50′s, 60′s and 70′s muscle cars as well as a wide range of other types of antique cars to view. Not to mention, lots of pretty Paisa ladies (and guys too for you ladies)

Desfille de Silliterros-Flower Carriers Parade. I don’t know how some of them walk that far carrying flower displays, some of which weigh over 100 pounds but it is a sight to behold with beautiful displays of the many flowers native to Colombia.  Need I mention the abundance of beautiful Paisa people that participate in this parade?

If you can’t make it this year, plan on it next year.  It is an event, much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where the whole city is in party mode for 10 straight days and you will have a chance to see sights you never dreamed imaginable!

 

Travel safe,

 

MTG

 

Medellin, “Where do you recommend I stay in Medellin when I visit?”

I get hundreds of these types of inquiries on www.medellintravelguide.com.

My responses generally center around what are you wanting to do when you come here, how long will you stay and do you speak any Spanish?

If it is just for 1-2 nights, I generally recommed a hotel in the El Poblado area of Medellin.  There are many for almost any budget and most are within walking distance of malls, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

 

If your visit is for a longer period, I generally recommend an apartment centrally located in El Poblado that is within walking distance or a minimum cab fare of most places you want to visit.

 

You will find a number of options and price ranges at www.medellinapartmentguide.com or www.firstamericanrealtymedellin.com

I recommend these guys because they are the closest thing to professional property managers that Medellin has to offer.  You won’t find many property managers like this guy in West Palm Beach Florida https://www.secureinfossl.com/affProgram/VI-Affiliate-Program/52930 but he has been doing it for 30 years. First American does have a full time staff of people dedicated to managing over 30 rental properties in Medellin and do a very good job of it.  I rarely get complaints and that is always a good benchmark of how well someone is doing their job.

Several of the apartment owners and property management firms have started doing videos which I absolutely encourage them to do (I even help some of them).  There is a right way and many wrong ways to make videos to promote properties.  You can almost do more harm if you don’t do it correctly. For those just embarking on their video efforts, I recommend they take a few pointers from one of the masters at the game. He has been using videos in his property management firm for over 10 years and has it down to a science.

 

What do you look for in selecting a vacation apartment in Medellin?

1-As with most real estate decisions, location, location, location is of tantamount importance.  You can not go wrong with most places in El Poblado, especially if they are somewhat close to Parque Lleras or Oviedo Mall.  That will put you within walking distance or a short cab fare of most places you will need to go. Be careful on locations further east and up the mountain as you could find yourself on some steep slopes that make walking almost impossible and require a cab ride to anywhere you need to go. Laureles is another area to consider with most everything within easy walking distance (on flat ground) and you may find the prices a bit lower than Parque Lleras.

2-Is the apartment guest friendly?  Lets face it, many guys come here to meet girls they have met on Colombian Cupid or other dating and marriage sites and they would like to entertain them where they are staying.  Most buildings will allow a guest to enter but they may have to show an ID.  Many buildings will even put up with parties but keep the music down and don’t go much beyond midnight.

3-Unless you prefer to cook all of your meals, you are going to want to be close to restaurants, a supermarket and perhaps a local coffee shop or watering hole where you can meet up with friends.

4-Easy to get to.  What does that mean? Many streets in Medellin are one way and you could have to go 5-6 blocks out of your way just to get to the street where your apartment is located.  Always ask, is it on a two way street?  Trust me on this one.  When you visit you will quickly learn what I am refering to.

5-Is there 24 hour gated security? If not, you should seriously consider someplace that does offer it unless there are just overwhelming reasons to the contrary. Gated security is very important here especially for visitors. They will announce any visitors and will generally call you on the house phone when somebody leaves to make sure everything is OK.

6-Do you speak any Spanish? Only 7% of the locals will speak any English and adding an O or an A to an English word will not get you far. 

Learn a few basics before you come and the most important one; Donde esta el bano?  Where is the bathroom….LOL.  Me gustaria________ for most anything you need.  (I would like_________)

7-Transportation.  Taxis are highly recommended, inexpensive and generally safe.  Best to call from your apartment as they will tell you the number of the taxi being sent to pick you up and there will be a record of it. They will also have your street address and apartment number from the phone number you are calling from.  Hailing a taxi on the street is OK as well but the former is a safer way to do it. Just remember to have your address written on a piece of paper for the driver.

 

Hostels-There are many hostels in and around the Parque Lleras area of medellin for the backpacker or budget minded traveler.  Many have private, semi private and most have dormitory style beds available.  Most also include breakfast in their room rates. To get an idea of what is available, you can go to www.medellinhostels.com

 

Wherever you decide to stay on your visit to Medellin just remember a few safety precautions.  Take money from a well lit ATM in public places and only take out what you will need for the day.  Don’t flash large sums of cash anywhere.  Keep your money in two pockets.  Big money pocket and small money pocket.  Leave your gold chains and expensive watches at home.  Don’t venture into El Centro at night.  OK during the day but leave by sundown. Never leave a drink unattended in a bar or restaurant.  Take it with you even if you need to go to the bathroom..

If you  are carrying a camera, laptop, I phone or any other electronic device, keep them close at hand.  Keep your camera strapped to your neck or wrist, your lap top in a case strapped to a chair and never put an I phone on top of a table in a bar or restaurant.  Keep it in your pocket.

Travel safe and enjoy your visit to Medellin.  Remember, you may not want to leave!

Los Alumbrados 2010

The lights are already being installed and the viewing stands are full of Christmas displays.

If you have never visited Medellin during the Christmnas season and plan to do so this year, you are in for an excellent treat.

This city goes all out to put on a Christmas lighting (Los Alumbrados) display that would rival anywhere in the world.

It is kind of a unique experience in that ever year is different. They manufacture/fabricate the displays locally but already have them sold to some other city somewhere in the world. In fact, I am told they have already pre sold the next 3 years worth of decorations.

For those who think the city is wasting money with these fabulous displays, don’t worry too much. Each resident is assesed a small increase in their monthly electric bill to pay for the added use of electricity and as mentioned above, the displays have already been pre-sold……except, Medellin gets to enjoy them first.

The lights will formally turn up around the first week of December and will continue until the middle of January.

It is a sight to behold and will provide long lasting memories of your visit to Medellin. Bring your cameras and video recorders but keep a tight hold on them in the crowds.

MTG

Colombian Coffee-Feeling like Juan Valdez

My wife and I were on the way to El Penol for a weekend get away when at the base of the turnoff to get to El Penol, she asks me to stop.

I thought she wanted a drink or snack but before I knew it, she was opening the back door of the car and offering a lift to a local Campesino (farmer).

Seems this is a common custom for the area but I was still a little uncomfortable.

Within a few minutes, my concerns were quelled as this guy was a chatty Kathy wanting to now all about the gringo who had offered him a ride. Obviously poor as a churchmouse and living on little more than substience, he was elated when I offered him a beer. First one he had had in over 3 months.

Now, he had his gringo prize.

He had a small farm where he grew coffee, bananas, tomatoes and a few other vegetables and he share cropped some adjacent properties.

He asked, “would you like to see my farm”?

Again, with a little uneasiness, we agreed as it might lend to some adventure.

We exited the main road to a small secondary road, then exited to a tertiary road then exited to what was little more than a donkey cart path. We ran out of navigable road and got out to walk the last 100 yards to his farm.

As expected, his home was a tiny 2 room concrete dwelling without doors or windows.

His wife and 2 small children were all smiles and very curious about the strange visitors invading their property but very welcoming none the less.

He started showing us around his property and was very prideful of his crops.

I asked if I could pick a few coffee beans and he told me I could pick all I wanted for 1,000 pesos per kilo. Wait a second, that is only about $.25 per pound, I thought to myself, get me a bag.

I wound up picking about 20 kilos of coffee beans, making sure to select only the colored ones that were near ripening (per his instructions). I had a treasure and he had a “pay day” as they call it here.

I knew nothing about processing raw coffee beans but I was getting ready to learn…the hard way.

Firsty, you have to let them dry and start splitting. There are two outer shells to a coffee bean (much like a pistacio nut but not nearly as hard). Spread out on a blanket in the sun, after a few days they start becoming light beige and splitting open. More days in the sun and an occasional shake and many of the outer hulls start to fall off and the beans themselves begin to split.

Now, 20 kilos seems like about 1,000,000 beans…seems like it anyway.

Carefully sifiting through the beans on a daily basis, selecting the ones ready for further shelling and setting them aside in storage.

This process took well over a month to complete the entire batch.

We were down to about 8 kilos of cleaned coffee beans but still a prize worth pursuing.

Off to the internet to find out what to do next.

Let them age was the advice we found. With aging, the flavor is supposed to improve as opposed the the additives the coffee manufacturers use to rapid age their coffee.

Suppose 6 months is enough? That was the target the internet advised for really flavorful coffee.

In a dark, dry cupboard, in an unsealed bag, the coffee matured in a kind of “out of sight, out of mind” environment.

After a big haul at the grocery store one day, my wife decides to rearrange our cupboard and lo and behold there are the coffee beans still safely tucked way. They had been well over 8 months in hiding/maturing. Time for some coffee!

Devoid of a proper coffee roaster, we made do with a large pot and frequent stirring while roasting over a high heat on the gas stove.

The aroma was incredible and I am sure our neighbors were enjoying the pleasant smell as well.

Batch after small batch was roasted and ground up in a blender to about a #3 grind.

We now have about 9-12 months worth of fresh ground coffee stored in zip lock baggies.

Not sure I would ever do it again because it is a very boring, labor intensive process but it sure was a fun, once in a lifetime learning experience.

As I sit here enjoying one of the most flavorful, rich, full bodied cups of coffee I have ever had in my life and know that I have at least 9 months worth of this incredible brew to look forward to, I think about giving some of it to my friends who love coffee.

Well, maybe just a little but the rest of it is alll mine!!!!

I get asked a lot…..

“whats it like living in Medellin”

This question comes from people visiting, from people considering moving or investing in realestate, people who have siginificant others or girlfriends and a wide range of others.

Actually, it is a very difficult question to answer with an understandable response because most can not fathom the elements of the culture that must be understood to make any sense out of a reply.

The easiest to describe is the climate. It is just absolutely perfect. The city of Eternal Spring justifiably earns its name with little more than a 10 degree swing in temperature during any season of the year. I usually describe it like this; “When it is hot, I open the windows. When it is cold, I close the windows. Energy management at its finest” Whats funny is to hear the local Paisas complain when the Temp. drops 5-7 degrees that it is cold or that it is hot at 82 degrees. I just chuckle and try to tell them it is perfect.

The food: Personally, I find the local Paisa “typical” food to be very bland, devoid of spices except salt (and lots of it) and not very creative in it’s preparation. Imagine eating in a restaurant that does not even have black pepper to offer it’s patrons. Now, imagine thousands of them!! Imagine using ketchup on spagetti instead of a good sauce with lots of garlic and oregano. Imagine pizzas without red sauce and lasagna the same. I have actually taken a jar of sauce (spiced up at home) to pour on my lasagna (then tell them to heat it up). The looks are priceless. The lasagna much better as a result.

Paisas love to eat and many do it all throughout the day. Lunch is a major meal and for many it is a two hour ordeal everyday. “Typicos” such as Bandeja Paisa include large quantities of rice, beans, an egg, some type of meat, avocado, plantons and more. I do not know how they stay awake back at work after eating it. Breakfasts are generally on the skimpy side with an empanada, arepa con chocolo, bunelo (a kind of doughnut) or pastel/pastry of some kind and usually with coffee or cocoa.

Suppers vary widely by individuals. Some have very large meals while others merely snack at the evening meal. There is no rhyme or reason to the varying preference on any given day except perhaps the amount of money they have to spend that day.

When you go to a restaurant with a group of Paisas, expect it to be a social event as well as an opportunity to eat. They will sit and talk for hours while eating. If you are a fast eater, you may find yourself finished before they have eaten more than 4-5 bites. For many, eating out “is the social event” of the evening.

The Arepa, a flat tortilla like offering made of corn is a mainstay of most Paisas breakfast. They will eat it with butter, put their eggs or whatever else they are having for breakfast, pick it up with their hands and eat it (Note: no self respecting Paisa eats an arepa with a knife and fork. It is hands all the way). There are literally hundreds of varieties and large sections of the supermarket chilled foods section are dedicated to this local favorite.

Visitors have referred to the arepa in many fashions (like eating dried concrete mix; like eating cardboard; the most tasteless food I have ever eaten etc) It is about 90% against and 10% that will eat them on occasion. The locals cannot seem live without them and actually panic when they run out of them.

Personally, I am not fond of them. I will eat the arepa con chocolo, which is more of a pancake texture and taste. I have actually been known to put syrup and butter on them and eaten them like pancakes. As far as the regular garden variety, well, my wife usually gets mine when it is served in a restaurant.

My kitchen at home has all sorts of spices and foods that friends have brought to me from the states when visiting. I have introduced my wife to several of them with mixed results.

She loves green bean casserole but is not too fond of good baked beans. She loves deviled eggs but can’t stand relish in chicken salad….(mostly because of the look and not the taste). I made a squash casserole one time and she wouldn’t even try it. She had never had squash in her life and the yellow veggie with cracker crumbs and onions was just too much for her to bear.

Finding spices and foods from the US locally is a challenge and very, very expensive. As an example, a can of Campbells mushroom soup that you pay $.89 for in the US will set you back over $4.00 here. A plastic bottle of Heinz 57 Relish that is $2.49 in the US will be almost $4.50. Kraft dressings are beginning to appear in the stores but are about 2.5 times the cost in the US ( most paisas eat their salad with only vinegar and oil) minimal demand. Thank goodness I have friends visiting frequently that always have a little extra room in their luggage for items not available locally.

I will continue in the next couple of days with more local Paisa culture and daily living. In the meantime, if you want to brush up on local customs, you can visit the Medellin Travel Guide Culture Gram at www.medellintravelguide.com/medellin_culturegram.html It is full of good things to know if you are planning to visit Medellin for the first time.

Feria de Las Flores-Panic sets in

As predicted, many have waited until the last minute to book their Medellin accommodations for Feria de Las Flores. I have had no less than 5 “panicked” inquiries during the past 2 days. One old friend even offered to pay me to stay in my spare bedroom. He can stay for free but he will have to bring me a few goodies from the US…ha ha ha.

Most of the hotel rooms are booked as a combination Colombiamoda backing up the the Feria has the hotels packed.

Most of the hostels are full as well because this town is in party mode for 10 days and the backpackers are drawn to the fun times to be had.

One site where you may find available apartments is www.medellinapartmentguide.com

If you are unable to find a place to stay, plan on coming next year but make reservations early. Heed the warnings because this town will have tens of thousands of visitors during Colombiamoda and Feria de Las Flores.

Good luck

Colombias Bi Centennial

Medellin really turned all out for their Bi Centennial celebration. On Monday night, there was an incredible fireworks display hosted by the mayors office, the Governor, local businesses and more.

It was billed as the largest spectacle of it’s kind in Colombian history and I can believe it.

Two and one half tons of gunpowder was exploded over a 70 minute period of time.

The show was choreographed by Group F, a French firm who is renowned worldwide for fireworks displays with a word cup, an olympics several Cannes Film festivals and others to their credit.

To say the show was spectacular may be an understatement. To say the proud Colombians were exhuberant would be short sellng the pride they have for their country.

The mayor started off the festivities with a speech recognizing the original liberators of Colombia from Spain. The President elect, Manuel Santos was greeted with applause and cheers from the crowd and was only overshadowed when he praised outgoing President Uribe. The people here love him for what he has done for their country and what he has done for Medellin.

Crowds estimated at over 200,000 attended the waterfront spectacular and continued into the wee hours of the morning with parties in their homes and local watering holes.

Independence day on the 20th was relatively quiet. I guess most were nursing hangovers or catching up on their lost sleep.

Coming up next is Colombia Moda and of course Feria de Las Flores. (July 31st-Aug. 9th)

Cabalgata (the horse parade) is one of my favorite events of the feria. For the past three years, I have joined the millions that turn out and watch the parade along its 28Km route. This year, I am participating!!!

Thats right, I am going to put this saggy butt into a saddle for 8-10 hours and enjoy the feria from the back of a horse. The past two weekends warm up rides have been great and I am looking forward to being a part of this 53 year old event.

Big hat, long sleeve T-shirt, lots of sunscreen….and of course Ron Medellin Rum to quench the thirst of a long hot summer day………LOL

Now, I guess I can start to live up to the nickname my friends have started calling me: Gringo Paisa!

Wish me luck!

Where have I been?

I have received numerous e-mails about the lack of updates to this blog. Well, the easiest answer is I have been very busy but that is something of a cop out on my part.

The real answer is I and my partner have been planning and executing the required steps to open an import/export business in this wonderful country.

It has not been an easy task and has somewhat consumed 6 months of daily effort. Much fraught with frustration, surprises and challenges of getting anything done in a timely fashion.

Banks, attorneys, accountants, DIAN, Camara Comercio, import brokers, EDI providers and tons of conflicting requirements, legalities and must do’s.

Trust me, opening a small business here is relatively easy if you only want to operate on a local level. Opening a business that will operate internationally is something of a quagmire exascerbated by the fact it is very difficult to get the same answer twice about a certian law, rule or regulation. If I had it to do over again, I probably would not even try. I am glad I did because now I know how to do it and can easily duplicate the process and effort. It is all documented!

We are only importing a single product to begin with as acceptance of new items is the only missing piece of data we need. We are highly confident this new entry into the market will have very high acceptance and repeat business.

We do have our eye on 4 additional products to import.

We will keep you posted of our progress and release the product brand after our launch. We alsoplan to re-export to other countries in Latin America

Keep your fingers crossed for us. We are going to need all the good will we can muster.

Feria de Las Flores 2010

If you are just now making plans to attend you may be too late. Most hotels and apartments are full or filling fast. This years feria is expecting a record attendance….as if last years could be surpassed?

Cabalgata will be the first Saturday of this years feria whereas in the past it has traditionally been held on the last Saturday of this 10 day event.

After 3 years of watching Cabalgata (the horse parade) from the calles, I am actually going to participate as a rider this year. Not only will you see photos of the horses and pretty Paisas, you will also get to see photos of the crowds along the way.

I am sure I’ll have a sore posterior. Not because I am not used to riding. I am just not used to riding for 10 hours……LOL

Hope to see you there. It is a “do not miss event” in Medellin.

There have been a lot of foreigners that have purchased apartments and penthouses in Medellin over the past few years.  For many, it is  home or a home away from home and a place to stay on their frequent visits to Medellin.  For others, many have been investments in furnished Medellin rental properties. Business has been brisk and many investors have seen some very nice returns, especially in the higher end properties and rightly so.  Two or three friends can rent a very nice, large penthouse for about the same price as a single room in a local upscale hotel.

Because of the number of English speaking realestate and property management firms that have opened recently, these investors have a local source for managing and maintaining their properties while providing full service turn key rent and deposit collection, maid service, repairs, promotion and advertising for their clients.

A number of these local property managers have formed an association called Acovitur and have established a set of guidelines by which each operates.  They include minimum standards for accommodations, cooperation with building management and security for the actions of tenants, collections and payment of proper taxes, daily reporting of occupants to DAS as required by law, cooperative assistance in locating accommodations, and pressing legislative issues affecting investors rights against powerful hotel lobbying organizations.  The standards by which they operate should give clients some added peace of mind in dealing with legitimate companies and not fly by night operations.

The charter members are now expanding to include other locally and nationally owned realestate and property management firms across the country.  The Colombian government is actually pleased with their progress and applauds their efforts at policing their industry.

What will  you find at an Acovitur members web site?  Minimum 3 day stays for most apartments is required.  If you plan to stay in Medellin for less than 3 days, you are probably better off at a hotel. Security and rental deposits will normally be required. You will find guidelines and rules of conduct and behavior for most of the apartments.  Afterall, there are families living there as well, so all night parties and visitors of a less than a desirable nature will be frowned upon and may be cause for expulsion from the property.  Members also share names and information amongst themselves on guests and clients who have not conducted themsleves with a little dignity and common sense.

Some of the Charter Members of Acovitur include:

First American Realty Medellin   www.firstamericnrealtymedellin.com

Furnished Apartments Diana Restrepo http://www.propiedadamoblada.com/

Colombian Real Estate Realty  www.colombianrealty.com

Apart Iraka Suite  www.irakas.com

JH Realestate http://www.jhinmobiliaria.com/

 Paradise Realty http://www.paradiserealtymedellin.com/

The Apartment Medellin http://www.theapartmentmedellin.com/

Other web sites promoting Acovitur properties; 

www.medellinapartmentguide.com

www.medellintravelguide.com

You can rent in Medellin with confidence from an Acovitur member.

 

Enjoy your visit to Medellin