#1 2011-03-04 14:04:43
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi all. I would like to propose using Meetup.com to set up some get togethers in Medellin. Depending on the number of people interested we could meet at a restaurant or some public venue like the Botanical Gardens.
If your interested please let us know and make suggestions through this thread.
If you are not familiar with Meetup here is the link to find out what they are about and how we could use them.
Phil Bunch
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#2 2011-03-04 14:20:23
- Yud
- ViP

- From: Sydney
- Registered: 2010-11-08
- Posts: 7025
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hello Phil Bunch,
Why are you searching elsewhere when Expat Blog is here! You can propose your meet-up by posting a convenient date & location here on the forum. What do you think?
Regards
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#3 2011-03-04 14:22:15
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
That's fine but a lot of people are familiar with the Meetup format and it provides another level of accountability.
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#4 2011-03-04 14:34:32
- Christine
- Administrator

- From: grand baie
- Registered: 2008-09-29
- Posts: 23594
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi pbunch,
Maybe you should organise an Expat-blog meet up in Medellin on the Expat-blog Medellin forum.
Thank you.
Regards,
Christine
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#5 2011-03-04 14:37:33
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
These formats appear to me to be synergistic.
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#6 2011-03-04 18:54:40
- Colombia Len
- Member
- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2011-03-04
- Posts: 20
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
It might be simpler for you to just set up a meet at a time and place on this forum and see who shows up. Much simpler than going to meetup.com which at this time has no listing for expats living in Medellin. So the ball is in your court. If nobody shows, at the very least you'll have a nice lunch or a few beers:).
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#7 2011-03-06 18:21:28
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I guess we could do that. I did see one group of women who had a meetup scheduled. It looks like it was mostly oriented toward gals getting together and did not appear to be specifically expat.
I would like to get more reaction to the idea and then set up a possible time and place. Any suggestions for a good place to meet?
Phil Bunch
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#8 2011-03-06 23:49:01
- Colombia Len
- Member
- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2011-03-04
- Posts: 20
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I'm new to Medellin and don't really know of many places. Pick the Botanical Gardens or a restaurant of your choice. When I lived in Panama a group of ex pats started meetings once a month at different restaurants. The group was initially very small in number but in time it grew quite large.
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#9 2011-03-07 00:22:58
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I really like the botanical Gardens and they have a couple of restaurants if people want to eat. In addition it's a great environment, relaxing and beautiful.
We went to the Mercado Verde there today. Great stuff.
Phil Bunch
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#10 2011-03-07 01:02:29
- Colombia Len
- Member
- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2011-03-04
- Posts: 20
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
That's fine with me.
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#11 2011-03-07 15:05:52
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I'm going to propose a get together at the Botanical Gardens next month during the Mercado Verde. I am checking with them to be sure they are scheduling an event and for the date. It should be the first Sunday of the month.
If you have not been to the gardens it is one of the best places in Medellin. This institution is world class. Their collection, landscaping and research are all top notch.
The Mercado Verde is a gathering of vendors of "green" products produced in this area or relevant to green endeavors. There is everything from foods to flowers and trinkets to books. The food stands represent some of the most innovate businesses in Medellin and they are making some very tasty products. Most of them provide samples for tasting and they are well worth it.
Here is the link to the gardens main site:
botanicomedellin.org/
Here is a link to a Google Search for images of the gardens:
http://tinyurl.com/63fsjve
Please plan ahead and join us. I will update when I get confirmation of the Mercado Verde date.
Phil Bunch
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#12 2012-01-24 05:39:06
- planacruise
- New member
- From: Florida
- Registered: 2011-11-30
- Posts: 6
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi, was wondering if the meetup ever got set up. will be moving to medellin this year and would love to meet lots of people.
Linda
planacruise[at]yahoo.com
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#13 2012-01-24 14:37:54
- Jessica Sazziot
- New member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2011-12-14
- Posts: 4
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Sure, let me know, I'm gone till Sunday
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#14 2012-01-24 15:37:58
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
planacruise wrote:
Hi, was wondering if the meetup ever got set up. will be moving to medellin this year and would love to meet lots of people.
Linda
planacruise[at]yahoo.com
It did not last year but I am still game to try! Looks like another person is showing interest today. I also have had communications with several other people living here. Good signs.
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#15 2012-01-24 15:39:21
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Jessica Sazziot wrote:
Sure, let me know, I'm gone till Sunday
The attempt last year fell through but several people have expressed interest since then. I am game to try for another meetup soon.
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#16 2012-01-24 16:48:41
- alanmalarkey
- New member

- From: London
- Registered: 2011-12-03
- Posts: 8
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
More of a visitor than an expat but I am planning to stay a couple of months from mid march and would be pleased to meet people. In Arequipa, Peru we used facebook to arrange meetups and it worked OK. facebook.com/groups/arequipaexpats/
I used to have a language meetup via meetup.com but I thought they charged too much - I now use Spruz.com which is free up to 50 people and pretty cheap up to 150. It is pretty good croydon-spanish.spruz.com/, I hope this is helpful, good luck Alan
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#17 2012-03-07 16:50:34
- Sergioz315
- New member
- From: New York City
- Registered: 2010-07-08
- Posts: 2
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hello!
This group seems like it has some potential to it. I am coming to Medellin in 2 weeks to spend some time there. Perhaps 6months-1year, depends on the job situation. I am definitely interested in having some sort of meet up. Monthly meetups should be held where people can go and bring friends and it will start growing, slowly but surely.
-Sergio
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#18 2012-03-13 23:42:49
- libby305
- New member
- From: miami
- Registered: 2012-03-13
- Posts: 1
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Same here we're moving to Medellin summer 2013...but i will be in medellin for this summer June til August...would love to start meeting other expats..
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#19 2012-03-13 23:59:09
- alanmalarkey
- New member

- From: London
- Registered: 2011-12-03
- Posts: 8
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Well, I am arriving on Thursday - is there any interest in a meeting some time next week? best wishes, Alan
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#20 2012-03-14 14:03:29
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I am sure game to take a another shot at this. I think it will be an important addition to the pleasures of living in Medellin and could be very helpful for people arriving. There has been an increase in interest in this idea in the last few months. Let's strike while the iron is hot, or at least heating up :-)
Would you like to try to meet during the week of March 19 through the 25th. I am good all days except the 21st from 1100 to about 1500.
Alan: lets plan to meet for sure. Let me know when you arrive.
Libby: We will see what we can do.
Sergioz315: Are you still here and interested?
Anyone else: Let us know through this thread. All would be welcome.
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#21 2012-09-12 17:40:38
- GeoWalther
- New member
- From: Barcelona
- Registered: 2012-08-04
- Posts: 5
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Meetup is fantastic, and I'm currently active in Barcelona. Would love to see it take off in Medellin when I move here in July 2013. Hiking groups are especially active in Barcelona, and there are plenty of such opportunities around Medellin. Phil, thanks for being so active in organizing people.
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#22 2012-09-12 19:28:25
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I wish i was a better organizer. So far we have nothing. Several people have expressed interest but I have been caring for my wife over the last year+ and have not followed through. She should be done with therapy this month and perhaps I will be more active.
GeoWalther wrote:
Meetup is fantastic, and I'm currently active in Barcelona. Would love to see it take off in Medellin when I move here in July 2013. Hiking groups are especially active in Barcelona, and there are plenty of such opportunities around Medellin. Phil, thanks for being so active in organizing people.
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#23 2012-09-12 20:31:28
- alanmalarkey
- New member

- From: London
- Registered: 2011-12-03
- Posts: 8
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi, as I said in an earlier post there are some costs associated with meetup.com which you can only defray by charging a nominal fee which I suppose is possible - I just wonder if you will have sufficient interest. I think you would be better with a yahoo group, spruz.com or facebook all of which are more or less cost free. have a look at my meetup group in the UK, http://croydon-spanish.spruz.com/
I will be back in Feb 2013 so maybe you'll get something going - well done for keeping at this, best wishes, Alan
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#24 2012-09-12 20:36:11
- pbunch
- Active member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2009-09-10
- Posts: 59
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Assuming all goes well with Nubia's recovery I am going to be very interested in getting together with folks. We should see soon so perhaps I will have something more going by February.
alanmalarkey wrote:
Hi, as I said in an earlier post there are some costs associated with meetup.com which you can only defray by charging a nominal fee which I suppose is possible - I just wonder if you will have sufficient interest. I think you would be better with a yahoo group, spruz.com or facebook all of which are more or less cost free. have a look at my meetup group in the UK, http://croydon-spanish.spruz.com/
I will be back in Feb 2013 so maybe you'll get something going - well done for keeping at this, best wishes, Alan
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#25 2012-09-15 01:17:26
- Carl Salvo
- Member

- From: West Palm Beach
- Registered: 2011-11-22
- Posts: 21
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hello Bunch, how are you doing. Carl Salvo here! I was in Medellin recently but left your contact info at home. Can you resend it to me as I am soon returning to Colombia.
Carl
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#26 2012-10-18 20:41:39
- billhon
- New member
- From: sarasota, florida
- Registered: 2012-10-18
- Posts: 2
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
I will be in MDE for the month of November studying spanish. Are there any meetups planned.It will be my 4th trip to Colombia. Thanks, Bill
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#27 2013-04-27 22:10:31
- Xedroc
- New member

- From: Medellin
- Registered: 2013-04-27
- Posts: 1
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi, guys. Is there nobody here since last year? If there's anyone interested to do something interesting in the city or around let me know. I'll be in MDE from June and maybe I can suggest you something to do.
(By the way: I knew meetup in London last year I found lot of things to do by this via. I mean, despite Medellin is not London we can do our best, no? I'm not organizer, only interested, but I can help while it begins...)
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#28 2013-04-28 02:04:22
- planacruise
- New member
- From: Florida
- Registered: 2011-11-30
- Posts: 6
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi Bill,
Where did you study Spanish and how was it? Would you recommend it? Thanks!
Linda
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#29 2013-04-28 16:11:55
- billhon
- New member
- From: sarasota, florida
- Registered: 2012-10-18
- Posts: 2
Re: Expat Meetups in Medellin
Hi Linda, I take lessons from Jorge in El Poblado, he is also a latin guitar instructor...and a great guy. Tel. 311 749 2904. Also I take latin dance at Baila Latino, 448 1338. Are you in town? best to email me direct billhon[at]yahoo.com. I am here until 5/13 this trip. Thanks.
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