About Me
In 2011 I was working full time as a commodities trader, while trading stocks in the morning for 30 minutes before going to my “real” job. The previous 5 years I had been supporting myself solely from trading stocks. I thought I wanted a new challenge, and that trading commodities could be a worthy challenge. Although it was an interesting field, I ultimately didn’t enjoy what I was doing for nine hours a day. The best part of my work day was the 30 minutes from 7:00-7:30 while I was trading stocks. I decided to stop doing something I didn’t enjoy doing, and start a new challenge. This new challenge came in the form of moving to Colombia to trade stocks, learn Spanish, take dance lessons, cycle, and immerse myself in a new culture. I made the decision to move to Colombia in August of 2011, and carried out this decision in October of 2011. I flew into Medellin on October 13th, the day before my 30th birthday. Since arriving I have been soaking up life and all that it has to offer here in Colombia. I love my life, and refuse to live any other way. I’m a true believer that if you aren’t happy doing what you’re doing, you need to find a way to be doing something else. Life’s too short to do something that doesn’t excite you.
Cheers! Salud!
Hi there,
I came accross your page after you started following me on Twiter.
Sounds like a fantastic adventure. I’m half Colombian myself and I’m here since October last year on a sabbatical. I crossed the country last year (road trip) and got to see the most of this fascinating country. If you need some info/tips, let me know.
I live in the south (Pasto). To me, the most spectacular and variated landscapes in Colombia.
If you’re ever coming to the south, let me know. The carnaval’d gotta be the best in the world!!
Buena suerte and keep the great spirit,
Cathy
Cathy,
It’s an amazing place. I took a bus through that area in December. It’s amazingly beautiful. I need to go back and explore more. I’ll let you know when I do.
Yes, Carnaval is unbelievable! I absolutely loved it! You should definitely go!
Gracias para tus palabras amables.
-Brice
Hey !! Nice bloggg! I loved it
Hey Brice! This is great stuff. I’m Colombian, but have been living abroad for a very long time. I have not travelled throughout my own country because of my family’s concerns. You would think foreigners would be more scared, but it’s not the case! I just came back from a solo trip though Asia, and I am dead set on doing some Colombia traveling while I’m here. I shall be using your blog as my guide.
Cheers!
Thanks! It’s an amazing country. Let me know if you need anything specific.
Hi Brice! Love your Blog idea. I have actually daydreamed about doing exactly what you’re doing! I too work in the industry and I actually found this blog by googling I LOVE DAYTRADING right after scored on a reversal this morning. Since I don’t make my living DAYTRADING and just do it on the side (of my cubicle) I look forward to any and all helpful advice you can share about making it work overseas! Tips,tricks, tools,start up capital etc. Gracias amigo!
The beauty about day trading overseas is that your costs of living are way lower! That’s the original reason I wanted to do what I’m doing. If you can make $750/month, you can live in many cool places (including Colombia.) If you’re looking at accelerating your trading, check out my friend’s site: http://www.thedaytradingacademy.com. Glad you love my site! It never gets old hearing praise.
Hey Brice,
We are a family of three traveling around the world for 14 months, currently in Colombia for the next 12 days. We are interested in doing a multi-day bike tour in the zona cafetera. Do you know of any companies or individuals that could provide us with bikes, a well planned route for us to bike through beautiful countryside, and/or a guide?
Thanks for any information or suggestions you can provide,
John
John,
It’s something I’ve thought of doing. The problem you’re going to come across is finding the proper bikes for rent. Renting bikes is not a big business in Colombia. I wanted to rent a mountain bike for a race in Medellin, and there was no where to rent a reasonable bike. No where, in a city of 3 million! I’d say your best option would be to post something on Couchsurfing in Bogota to see if you could rent three bikes from locals. In the case that you can do this, I’d gladly help you with your route.
Good luck,
Brice
Hi Brice,
Great blog, you are capturing the best parts of the city. I am planning on moving to Medellin beginning of 2013. My biggest concern is I don’t have a job that I can take with me (like day trading). And I don’t really want to teach English (and not super qualified).
What is your take on getting a job in Medellin? I would have to continue Spanish lessons when I first got there. I’m assuming I would have to be fluent in Spanish to get work.
Any advice or resources you can throw my way is appreciated.
Victoria,
If you’re not looking to teach English, and you’re not fluent in Spanish, it will be a challenge. You can look into doing contract work over the internet. Many people are looking for qualified people to do everything from bookkeeping to graphic design. You could also look into learning how to day trade. My friend Marcello’s course is really high quality. Take a look at it: http://www.thedaytradingacademy.com.
-Brice
Really like your style.
It takes commitment to make a bold move to another country, we have done it (New Zealand to Australia for me and my wife – Russia – New Zealand – Australia)
We love to travel and plan to visit Colombia in the next 18 months to meet friends we have there in Cali – may you enjoy the fruits of your hard work
https://www.facebook.com/GlobeTrottersForPeopleWhoLoveToTravel
Thanks Wayne and Elena! It’s always scary to take that first step. I’ve found out, however, that once that first step is taken, things usually work out. Confronting our fears is what makes life an adventure, and not a tedium. Enjoy Cali. It’s a passionate, beautiful, and wild city. Make sure to brush up on your salsa steps before arriving.
Hi Brice! I´m a Spanish language teacher, colombian, living in Portugal. Next year I will be coming to Colombia and living in El retiro, Medellín. I hope to take in students for intensive courses and to prepare them for the official Spanish language exams, DELE. So, I hope to meet a lot of foreign friends. Or only for drinks and meeting up. I hope to place and ad in your blog if you are still there! Enjoy Colombia!
Diego,
Thanks for the message. That sounds like a good plan. I think that there are many foreigners who need to bring their Spanish to the next level. We’ll keep in touch, and let me know when you’re ready to advertise.
-Brice
Hi Brice, Having retired from the same profession I find myself once more in Medellin, now considering the city as one of my bases for part of each year. Let me know if you would have time to meet for a beer sometime these next three weeks, as I would be interested to hear your thoughts on living here. My local friends are clearly biased in their views of their city and some independent input would be welcomed. I had planned on being in L’Alpe d’Huez next May for biking some of the great Tour climbs; thus also interested in your cycling experiences here.
Simon,
Great city, but I’m actually in Buenos Aires right now, working on my next venture. I’m in the process of moving this site over to a more general travel site. Best wishes on the trip to France for some of the famed climbs. Enjoy the climbs around Medellin. They’ll be a great training ground for you.
-Brice