The second largest city in Colombia...
The location of Colombia's only metro...
The headquarters of the infamous Pablo Escobar...
And, my selection for a weekend adventure:
Welcome to Medellin!
It all started at about 9:00 PM on a rainy Bogota night and ended upon a sunny 6:00 AM arrival in Medellin. We headed out on the overnight bus and winded through the Colombia mountains to the department of Antioquia, also known as Paisa country. (A rather enjoyable bus ride except for the intense air conditioning and man arguing about not getting off the bus when we filled up with gas).
A few highlights of the trip included:
1. Delicious Delicacies: As food is always a highlight for me, Medellin did not disappoint. We enjoyed Choclos (sweet corn arepas) and Bandeja Paisa (pictured). Who doesn't enjoy a plate full of beans, rice, and three types of meat?!2. The Art: Yes, the home of Botero didn't disappoint with replicas of his statues dispersed throughout the city. This particular bird actually suffered an attack in 1995.
3. Trainspotting: The only metro system in Colombia is a smooth operating machine...albeit rather packed. It made me feel as if I was right back in Washington, DC. 4. Barefoot and Loving it! Yes, an entire city park (Parque de los Pies Descalzos) created so people could dip their little piggies in the refreshing water. It was a lovely way to pass the afternoon.
5. The Garden of Eden: Well, not quite, but the Jardin Botanico was fabuloso. Not only did they have great flowers, butterflies, and walking paths...we got in on a meditation session and a cheerleading practice. There is something for everyone!
And, of course, I can't forget about the people! From the servers wanting to be as tall as me (though they changed their minds when I explained how hard it would be to find a Colombian boyfriend tall enough...) to the many curious watchers in the city square, people were always interested in meeting someone new.
All and all, it was a great mini-vacation and a welcomed change in climate.
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