Tell Your Mom I Said Hi. This person can do it himself or herself if Auburn wins. Here are the rest who are in contention:
Where to Feast: Medellin, Colombia
Where to Feast is part of the Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report. It has been updated to include new restaurants from the Birthday Bash Trip Report.
I love my Rio Mar bubble (see House Hunters Puerto Rico: TPOL Finds His Home), but food options in the area leave much to be desired. That’s why it was a welcomed change to go to Medellin and sample all sorts of food.
La Carbon
I arrived in Medellin en route to stay at my friend’s house (see Hostel v. Hotel v. Friend’s House). I could not find the address for his building on Uber. I asked for a restaurant nearby and he said La Carbon. When the Uber dropped me off, I stopped in for what was supposed to be a light lunch.
Trying to get a grasp on my binge ways, I attempted to order a half bottle of wine. As good luck would have it, they were out. Since moderation was not an option, I decided to splurge for their finest Malbec.
With a full bottle to consume, I needed an adequate amount of food. I started with the shrimp ceviche and, despite my complaints about PR cuisine, ordered the fried pig cutlets.
With half a bottle to go, I needed more food and ordered the mixed chorizo plate. I received the check, a modest $82, paid, and walked down the hill to my friend’s house.
Delivery
On day two, we were supposed to go out for dinner. Since I had given up on moderation, that did not go as planned. After a stop at the golf club (for wine not golf), we went back to the house of views for more vino. Three bottles later, it was clear we were in no condition to leave the house. Unlike Rio Mar, Medellin has delivery options like all real cities do. I took a calculated risk and ordered Arabic fast food. The shwarma, though not top 10 worthy (see The Best Kebab in the World), was good. The falafel sandwich was excellent, and the hummus was passable.
Dandre
Since I was here for ‘work’ (see IQKhameleon in Medellin for the Final Stretch), I needed to get my life together and not arrive at the meeting completely disheveled. I walked to Parque Lleras and came across Dandre. I started off with an espresso which, compared to the bean water most coffee shops in PR serve, was perfect. I ordered a mimosa as an appetizer. That brought back memories of first-class travel (see Get Ready to Takeoff: The World’s Best Champagne). Though it was not made with Krug, the freshly squeezed OJ made it worth ordering a second. Like San Carbon, I needed food to accompany my libations. The salmon with rice sounded pleasant. I did not know that I would also receive tomato soup and a fruit salad. All of this was only $20.
Terraza
Following the meeting and in need of a celebration, we did make it out to dinner. This time the cuisine was Italian. A few appetizers, a pizza, rigatoni bolognese, and two bottles of wine made for a great way to end my trip. Pricepoint: $115.
The following are new additions:
Clemente Coffee Shop
Minus the influx of gringos (see Manila, Medellin: Too Many Gringos), this is where to come for espresso.
TPOL’s TIP: Clemente is located at Cl 11B #36B-13, Edificio C36 Local 2, El Poblado, Medellin Colombia
Malevo
If you’re looking for an Argentinian parilla, look no further.
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Cra. 43E #11A – 20, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Criminal Taqueria
The tacos are so good that they are illegal.
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Cra. 43E #11A – 46, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Cuzco
If you’re looking for too much steak, look no further.
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Edificio Platinum, Cra. 25 #1 a Sur 155 local 9901, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín,
Overall
For food, Medellin may not be Melbourne (see Guns & Butter: Melbourne Travel Guide). However, there are still so many restaurants with excellent and diverse food, friendly staff, and great wine for the right price. Puerto Rico needs to catch up on all fronts.
Keep Vs. Cancel: Citi Strata Premier
Over the years, I have been too lazy to call retention when an annual fee is due. I hate talking on the phone and need to snort espresso beans before doing so. I also hate paying for anything.
High off my own supply, I called Citi to see if anything could be done about the $95 fee. I received the following offer: $95 statement credit after spending 1k each month for the next three months. This is an annoying offer as I have to track my spending month in and month out to make sure I hit the 1k each month.
Even though Bachuwa Law bills $815/hr, it was worth the 20 minutes to save $95.
Medellin Wine Tasting
Wine Tasting Medellin is part of the Birthday Bash Trip Report.
After my final session of yoga and the ice bath (see Yoga Medellin: Another Side of This City & Frozen: Ice Bath Medellin), I Googled ‘wine tasting bar’. Right around the corner in the neighborhood was Urvino.
The first glass was a carmenere. It was good but had too much sediment, a result of being grown high up in the mountains.
I went inside and started noticing familiar labels, including the Framingham from New Zealand (see Wine Tours by Bike NZ: A Must for Wine Enthusiasts).
The Lagarde from Mendoza. (see “It’s Like Riding a Bike.” Those words have haunted me for years).
I probably should have left, but I stuck around for wine and cheese and a glass of Italian. Then, like chips and salsa, I had too much cheese and not enough wine. They brought an emergency screw cap bottle.
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Cra 43D #13 – 17, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Frozen: Ice Bath Medellin
Ice Bath Medellin is part of the Birthday Bash Trip Report.
After a hectic week in Medellin (see The Almost Perfect Sane Asylum Getaway), I needed to chill out. What better way of doing so than by sitting in an ice bath? After witnessing a tourist shivering and having a meltdown after trying it, I was a bit nervous about giving it a go.
After diving in, I was surprised why the tourist was so traumatized. To be fair, the ice had melted so maybe it wasn’t as cold as when he went in.
The next day after my yoga session (see Yoga Medellin: Another Side of This City), I scheduled another ice bath. This time the ice was freshly packed and ready to go.
I went in and, once again, could not understand why the tourist made it seem like an ice bath is a dare-devil activity.
On the contrary, it is a refreshing rehab after intense sport (see Muay Thai Medellin: Chapter 3 of My Combat Journey). In fact, I prefer it was more comfortable when it was packed with ice versus when it was only freezing cold water. The ice cubes felt like I was wearing a full-body compression suit. Between this and my fat-freezing session (see Medical Tourism in Colombia), I was iced out.
TPOL’s Tip: Ice Bath and Yoga are available at Flow Wellbeing: Cl. 12 #43D-105, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Here is the IG page.
March Madness Standings: TPOL’s at the Bottom
Nothing went my way this opening weekend, meaning some lucky someone is going to be visiting me in Puerto Rico soon.
Here is the current leaderboard:
Keep Vs. Cancel: Capital One Venture X Business
It is a no-brainer to keep the Capital One Venture X card (see Keep vs. Cancel (Proactive Edition): Capital One Venture X). But what to do about the business version? Is it worth the $395 annual fee? Ultimately, I said no. Here’s why:
- $300 travel credit < $395
- 10k anniversary points: From a valuation stand point, the 10k is worth ore than the $95, the difference in the travel credit and the total of the annual fee. I have over 332k Capital One points that are sitting idle, that’s a sin in itself. Why do you I need more? I prefer to keep my cash.
- Business is Mastercard, and Personal is Visa: I use the personal card, a Visa, at Costco and everywhere that Amex is not taken.
- Phone protection: I use the personal card for this as well.
I called retention. They offered nothing. I cancelled. Anyone disagree?
TPOL’s Tip: Be sure to transfer your points from the business to the personal card.
Hours Left: Free Flight to Puerto Rico
We’re up to 26 entrants If I get to 30, I will throw in a bottle of Don Q Silver.
Last year, I DOGE cut my March Madness bracket (see No TPOL March Madness Bracket. And No One Cares). This year, I’m bringing it back. Winner gets a flight to Puerto Rico to play golf with me.
Enter here.
*Offer available only from the US or Aguadilla.
March Madness Last Call: Free Flight to Puerto Rico
Last year, I DOGE cut my March Madness bracket (see No TPOL March Madness Bracket. And No One Cares). This year, I’m bringing it back. Winner gets a flight to Puerto Rico to play golf with me.
Enter here.
Simply The Best: TPOL Is 11 And Vlogging
In the words of the critically acclaimed Miley Cyrus and the fallen star, Sean ‘Puff Daddy’, ‘Diddy Combs’, “We can’t stop. And we won’t stop.” Indeed, I don’t even know how to stop. And that’s why after 11 years, I am still writing this critically acclaimed blog.
With an eye on the future, I have launched a Vlog that will combine the very best of my travel with the very best of why you read this blog- me.
My goal last year was to become the #MasterOfWon (Simply The Best: TPOL Is Ten And #MasterOfWon). I would say that I am well on my way.
Happy birthday to me.