Navigating Difficult Dating in Medellin: Finding Meaningful Connections Beyond the Tourist Scene 🇨🇴❤️

• 💔 Dating Difficulties: Explores the challenges of finding genuine relationships in Medellin, noting a perceived transactional nature post-tourism boom.

• 💡 Beyond the Surface: Highlights the shift in Medellin's social scene towards superficial interactions and suggests moving away from typical nightlife for deeper connections.

• 🚀 Meaningful Alternatives: Introduces a curated English-speaking speed dating event (May 23rd, ages 35-50) focused on fostering genuine connections and shared values.

Dating is difficult everywhere in the world; this is a fact. If you are single, you've definitely experienced this. Maybe it's just my perception, but relationships in Medellin are far too transactional for my taste. People tend to look at what they can benefit from a relationship here and less about building a partnership or a team with someone. I'm not sure what dating in the rest of the world is like, but I'd venture a bet that it's similar.

Why Is Dating So Different Here?

Well, if I were to guess, it is because there has been a change in the tourism here in Medellin since the COVID pandemic ended and the country opened up. Medellin was more of a niche location to visit, but now if you look for videos about visiting Medellin, you'll be inundated with the sexual imagery of the women here and the "We have Miami at home" party nightlife, with the undercurrent of cocaine partying and going to bars.

If this is your thing, great. You do you. But this isn't everyone's cup of tea. I think I am too old for that, and when my mom told me as a man in my 20s, 'nothing good happens outside after midnight,' I chuckled, but she's right. I've written many stories about why this is the case here in Medellin particularly.

Dating for everyone has specific challenges here. If you're a foreigner and want to date a local, how do you meet a quality person? How do you mesh your cultures and values? It's sure as hell not on an app. Yes, it does happen, but I've heard more ghosting stories and disaster dates than success stories. If you're not good at Spanish, going up to random people can have bad consequences here. So what do you do? Well, I can tell you that your next great relationship isn't at a party at a bar in Provenza or Lleras at 1 AM on a Wednesday night.

Ok, Then What Do We Do?

Well, if you're serious and not perfect with Spanish, you need to think outside the box. I'm going to make a suggestion that I NEVER thought I would have in my life - you should try a speed dating event. Yes, yes, I know what I just said and how it sounds terrible, but stay with me for a second. If you saw my article and interview with the uber-lovely Laurel Van Woerkom (click her name to see the article), you'll already know she is a very good person with a genuine soul, and she is one of the people putting this event on, so you know it's not just going to be another boring speed dating event.

This event truly focuses on making a genuine connection, past the superficial look and the surface-level chit-chat. The event on May 23rd is for people aged 35-50 only, but they have other age events. They only allow 10 men and 10 women into the event, so it's intimate and gives you a chance to truly get to know the people you're talking to. That sure as hell beats yelling "¿Quieres un guaro?" to someone in a crowded bar. The goal here is to make a meaningful and substantial connection.

They are also curating who will be there based on a questionnaire you'll have to fill out in advance, so this makes sure that everyone who is there is there for the right reasons and not just looking for their next hook-up partner or the next person who will fund their life.

What You Can Expect

Well, the first thing is that the event is in English, so there isn't the need to translate on the fly if you want to show off your intellect and how interesting you are; this will allow you to relax a little if your Spanish isn't on point. They have crafted a unique experience with thought-provoking questions and fun activities, so there is a little pressure taken off the need to start.

They will also have light tantra practices so that you can get in touch with the connection part of your brain and do so with people you may potentially connect with. That can only make you looser and give you a chance to build a connection better. Also, yes, sex is part of Tantra, but it is more about the connection portion of it. Please, FFS, don't think this is an invitation to come and dirty talk. I just had to say that, haha.

So, all of the information is on the flyer below. If you want to know more about the event, please get in touch with the event organizers - Laurel or Mieke

Location: Casa Adentro, Laureles
Ages: 35-50
Date: May 23, 7-10pm
Price: 125,000 for foreigners / 80,000 for Colombians (Register by May 20 for 25,000 off)
Language: English

Sign Up - https://bit.ly/MUSpeedDating

Come and make a real connection.