EMERGENCY CONTACT
JCI CANADA DELEGATES GUIDE TO THE JCI CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS
Canadian Embassy Bogota: 57-1-657 9800, 57-1-657 9951 Ottawa:
It is my pleasure to serve as coordinator for the Canadian delegation going to Medellin, Colombia the site of this year’s JCI Conference of the Americas.
613-996-8885
At a Conference you will have the opportunity to attend training, broaden your cultural horizons, network and make new friends.
Astrid WadniparMachon in Colombia
As Colombian I want to showcase the best of my country, so besides the conference you can also participate in a Pre-Conference tour to some of the best beaches in Colombia: Cartagena and Santa Marta. In this guide you will find general information about the country and the conference. For more information about the conference you can go to their website http://conferencia.jcimedellin.org/
Police Number: 112
318-659-0070 Hotel Diez Calle 10A Nº 34- 11 Tel (57 4) 448 10 34
About Colombia Colombia is a tropical country of incredible diversity and charm. Its ever-changing geography, a history loaded with mystery and adventure, its people and cultures, have fascinated the world for centuries. Although its excellent coffee and the purity of its emeralds have made the country famous, Colombia is also the homeland of the El Dorado legend and the magical universe of Garcia Marquez’s Macondo. Entry/Exit Requirement: No visa required. Canadians must present a valid passport to visit Colombia. Language: Spanish. Although in the main cities many people will speak English.
Inside this issue: Currency
2
Get to/from airport
3
Pre-Conference Tour
4
Hotel
4
Delegation
5
Things to bring
6
Communications
6
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JCI CANADA DELEGATES GUIDE TO THE JCI CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS
About Colombia Population: 47 million people live in the country and over 2 million in Medellin, Colombia second largest city. Departure Tax: Since you are not staying over 60 days, you can apply for an exit tax exemption in
the Aerocivil booth at the airport. Your passport will be stamped and you will receive a voucher that you need to submit when check-in at the airline counter. This will save you about $38 CAD
About Medellin
MedellĂn is an example of transformation. It went from being a violent city to be chosen
With a population over 2 million people, Medellin is a vibrant city that revolves in great measure around its museums, theaters, art galleries, and its Botanical Garden, one of the most complete in the country (where the Global Village Night will be). In the evenings, festiveness is shared, amid couples and tangos, and accompanied by aguardiente (sugar cane spirits). The surroundings are ideal for relaxation.
in 2013 as the most innovative city in the world due to his advances in politics, education and social
Favorite activities are visiting picturesque villages surrounded by lovely scenery, traditional hacien-
development.
Where to exchange The exchange of foreign currency should be made exclusively in hotels, banks and money exchange, never on the street.
das that preserve the region’s architecture, and roadside stops that offer the best cuisine in Antioquia the department (province) in which the city is located. The paisas, as the people from this region of the country are called, have earned a reputation as enterprising and visionary people who are also great bargainers. Their proactive spirit, frugality, and hospitality have become proverbial, and they are also famous for loving life on the street and exaggerating their colorful stories.
Currency The official currency of Colombia is the peso (COP) ($). $1 CAD = $1,835 COP (subject to change)
Most often it is easiest to just withdraw cash from local instant tellers (ATM). Please check that they are connected to PLUS or Cirrus.
Credit cards The majority of hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments accept international credit cards. The most frequent are Visa and Master Card. Only some places accept American Express and Diners Club. Debit cards The larger stores and shops, supermarkets, and higherclass hotels and restaurants accept such cards.
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Volume 1, Issue 1
Climate, Local Time, Power Climate: o
Temperature ranges between 18 C and 28oC Local Time Time in Colombia is based on Greenwich Mean Time with a difference of five or six hours, de-
pending on the season. For our Conference when it’s 9:00am in Medellin, it will be 10:00am in Toronto or 7:00am in Kelowna Power 110 v. Same outlets as Canada
Local Transportation In Medellin you can find Metro, Metro cable, buses and taxis. I recommend getting taxis to move around the city. They are inexpensive (about $7 CAD to get to Plaza Mayor-the congress meeting place). Most Colombians don’t tip. Always have the hotel to call a taxi for you. The dispatcher with give
you the taxi number and how many minutes for the cab to arrive. Write down the number and compare it to the taxi that arrives.
Metro Cable: An aerial cable mass transportation system
If you decide to take the Metro, the closest station is Poblado, but you will have to take a taxi to get there from the hotel.
Getting your baggage at the airport Keep your luggage claim tags (attached to your ticket ) Collect your luggage and show them to an airport employee. You will then be asked to press the light signal. If you get a green light you can
place your luggage on the XRay machine and exit the terminal. If you get a Red light your luggage will be hand inspected by the police before you are allowed to exit the terminal.
Getting to/from Airport to Medellin The airport is located in the town of Rionegro, about 45 min to 1 hour drive to Medellin (depending on traffic). From there you have 2 options: Taxi: About $34. ($60,000 COP) You don’t have to pay tolls and generally Colombians don’t tip. Microbus: $7 ($12,000 COP). Put your luggage in the rear of the bus and they'll give you a ticket. Enter the bus and the driver will collect the fare just
before departure. The bus departs as soon as its full and drops passengers off at either Centro commercial San Diego or near Hotel Nutibara. You need to drop off at San Diego Mall. A taxi from San Diego to the hotel should cost less than 10,000 COP ($6). This option is not generally recommended at night for safety reasons.
Medellin has the only metro system in Colombia
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JCI CANADA DELEGATES GUIDE TO THE JCI CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS
Information If you still haven’t done it, please send me the following information at astrid@JCIDurham.com
Santa Marta beach
Flight schedule: Date and time of your arrival and departure, airport you are flying in.
Hotel you decide to stay. Generally all Canadians will be staying at Hotel Diez. If you are coming for the Pre-Convention tour, flight information for arrival to Barranquilla.
Pre-Conference Tour: Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta For the people interested in visiting some of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia we are planning to travel to Barranquilla (my home town) previous to the conference. You are free to arrive starting Friday, April 18th. Cartagena old city
From there we will have day trips to Santa Marta and Cartagena (just 1.5 to 2 hours away). We will be departing for Medellin on April 23rd in the morning. Cartagena is a fantastic city, declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It guards the secrets of history in its walls, balconies, buildings and narrow cobbled streets.
Playa Blanca, Cartagena
We will be also visiting Taganga, Rodadero and Playa Blanca beaches.
Accommodation will be at my parents’ home, who have graciously accepted to host a group of Canadians. The only extra expense you will have it will be for the travel to this two cities (around $25 a day per person) and food, beverages and souvenirs you buy there. If you decide to take this opportunity you need to let me know asap, since there are limited beds. You will need to book your flights: Canada-Barranquilla-MedellinCanada. You can book internal flights (Barranquilla-Medellin) through Avianca or LAN. Important to follow these links or you could pay double. Email me if you need help.
Botanical Garden - Jardín Botánico
Botanical Garden
Jardín Botánico is a 14-hectacre botanical garden. It has an important collection of orchids preserved in an architectural space called the Orchidiarium. The botanical garden has more than 1,000 living species and
4,500 flowers. Global village will be held at this place. Address: Carrera 52 con Calle 73
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Plaza Mayor MedellĂn Conventions and Exhibitions Centre This is the international convention and exhibition center of the city and is one of the most modern in Colombia, opening in 2006. It is located in the Alpujarra district and has 21 meeting rooms, space for 3000 people, and 280 parking
spaces. All the meetings, training sessions, speaking and debate competitions and Gala dinner will be held at this place. Address: Calle 41 No. 55-80
Plaza Mayor Convention Centre
Hotel The Canadian delegation will be staying at 10 Hotel. (www.diezhotel.com) Each floor is themed with a different region of Colombia. These are the JCI rates: Single room $103.5 USD per night Double Room $137 USD per night. Notice that double rooms have 2 single beds Triple Room $ 170.5 USD
Suite (Queen Bed) $187 USD per night Suite (Queen Bed plus single bed) $220.5 USD For registrations please email Alexandra Otalvaro at Alexandra.otalvaro@diezhotel.com, so you can get these discounted rates. You can also call her to 574-448-1034.
Diez Hotel, Medellin
Address: Calle 10A NÂş 34 11
Things to Bring We are asking you to bring Canada pins, flags (you can get them for free at your local MPP/ MLA office). Also we are asking every Canadian delegate to bring a bottle (750 ml) of Canadian Club for the Global Village booth
Finally, I also suggest you get some Canadian stuff: tattoos, key chains, deck of cards, stamps, gums, maple cookies, etc. The objective is to have something to give to the delegates at Global village. Check on the Dollar Stores.
Botero Sculptures Plaza
Communications By now all of you should be part of the WhatsApp Group: Canadian Delegation. We will be using it to communicate any change to the original plan, or any impromptu activity.
If you need to get a hold of me while in Colombia please email me at astrid.wadnipar.machon@gmail.com or call (57) 318-659-0070 Traditional Bandeja Paisa
Delegation Activities You are free to attend the activities you want. However we would like all Canadians to sit together at the following events: Opening Ceremonies: Dress casual. Plaza Mayor Convention Centre JCI Speaking Competition. Support our candidate Natasha Fisher on Thursday, April 24th at 4:00pm – Plaza Mayor Room 1 and 2. Consider this Semi-Mandatory! Global Village: Thursday evening will be the Global Village, where all the countries will be invited to exchange with each other and learn a little bit about our cultures. For this night we are dressing in a Canada hockey jersey. JCI Quebec will be lending them to our delegation. They must be RETURNED!
Dress Code Typical Dinner: On Thursday evening we will get together and go to a typical restaurant, so you get the opportunity to taste Medellin traditional dish: Bandeja Paisa with beans, ground beef, egg, rice, plantain, chorizo sausage, pork, arepa and hogao (a sauce based on tomatoes and onions). Yum! Bid Presentation at AGM. We need all delegates to support the bid. As soon as we know date and time we’ll let you know, so you come to our AGM (General Meeting at Plaza Mayor).
Meetings and Training session are business casual Opening Ceremony (Wednesday): Casual Global Village (Thursday): Canadian hockey jersey and jeans Colombia Night (Friday): Casual. Gala Night (Saturday):Black tie, dark suit, evening dress
VIP Reception: As a part of our bid for WC 2016 will be hosting a VIP reception on Friday evening.
Final Words I know that some of you are wondering about the safety of the country. I have to say that the violence situation in the country has improved significantly in the last 10 years. The main cities are safe, although pick pocketing is still common throughout the country. Exercise caution, dress down, avoid wearing valuable jewelry, keep cameras and electronic equipment out of sight, look both sides before crossing street - you don’t have the right of way! and book your taxi from the hotel or through an authorized and controlled taxi centre With that said I encourage you to embrace the new culture you will be immersed for few days. Colombians are in general very friendly, warm people, who love their country and genuinely want all visitors to have a great time.
EMERGENCY CONTACT Canadian Embassy Contact Address: Carrera 7 No. 115-33, 14th Floor Bogota, Colombia
Telephone: 657 9800, 657 9951 For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Bogotá and follow the instructions. You may also place a
collect call to the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa
at 613-996-
8885. Police Number: 112 Astrid Wadnipar-Machon: In Colombia 318-659-0070