First Destination: Medellin, Colombia

I finally have Internet! I have a lot of catching up to do! It has been three weeks since I arrived. I have seen so much and I am not even at my destination yet. As soon as the plane landed in Medellin, Colombia everyone started clapping. The pilot announced our arrival and advised to stay seated until the plane came to a complete stop and the seat belt light turned off. That did not happen. Seat belts were unbuckled and compartments were opened as soon as the tires hit the ground. Everyone had a smile on and I heard a lot of them thanking god they arrived safely.

The plane finally came to a complete stop and everyone hurried off. I took my time but then quickly realized why everyone was in such a rush. Immigration lines. There was only one long line but surprisingly enough it moved rather quickly. Once that part was over I went to get my luggage and went to the metal detectors. They make you press a green button that decides whether you go straight through the metal detector or to another line that checks your bags. I was the unlucky one that had to go to the long line while the others behind me nonchalantly passed right on through. I finally stepped outside and saw my family.  After much hugging and kissing, we flagged down a taxi and hopped right in. It was a long ride home since the international airport is located on a mountain. Due the altitude changes, my ears kept popping.

 

• El Parque Biblioteca Pública España 2007. Architecture Giancarlo Mazzanti. It was one of many projects and part of the social inclusion agenda of the Mayor to provide equal opportunities in social and economic development to the people.

 At every stop light people approach your car and offer you everything from chicklets (gum) to DVD’s. They go up-close and personal into your car and will not stop begging until you give them some change or tell them no thank you about five times. I am not exaggerating. These people will sell or do anything for money since most of them do this for a living. At one stoplight I saw a man juggling sticks on fire! At another one I saw a man dressed in a Barney suit dancing around.

People really put their car horns to use here. They will honk for anything! The buses are worse. You would think the buses would have the most consideration when driving but definitely not. Ironically they are the worse drivers. They cut everyone off, they honk at everyone multiple times and they take all the red lights. It is quite the scene and especially when you are in one. It is like riding on a rollercoaster; you pretty much have to hold on for dear life. 

Other forms of transportation in Medellin are taxis, the metro, another type of metro system but it resembles buses (Metroplus), and the metro on a cable (El Metrocable). The Metroplus is like a bus system but it has its own lane. Then there's the metro that travels on rails. It is very clean and well kept but no air conditioning. From the regular metrorail, you can go on the Metrocable, which will take you high up on the mountains en route to a town called Santa Elena, a rural farming area. It was amazing!

There are ups and downs to everything and I mentioned some of the good things about Colombia but there are definitely issues concerning personal safety. People say not to wear gold or anything extravagant because you are only asking for attention. It also depends where you are in the country. The people that live here know where the good, the bad and the ugly are and they know exactly which streets are safe and which are not. If women wear purses, they recommend having it in front of them at all times. Someone can sneak up behind you and easily reach into it. One of my aunts recommended always having some cash on you, at least 10,000 Colombian pesos (COP), which is about 5 US dollars just in case someone wants to steal from you; at least you have something to give them. It is better to have some cash rather than nothing because they probably will not believe you and want to cause harm. It is sad but it is reality. The chances of anything happening to you are slim but it is better to be cautious.

Medellin really was an adventure and it has grown so much from what it used to be. Technology is on the rise as well as construction. It truly is a destination to consider visiting. Next destination is Barranquilla, Colombia. Till next time!