Medellín
Welcome to Medellín - our second destination that we were really looking forward to. Not that we wanted to leave the Amazonas but there was one thing that was a real temptation in Medellín - a room with windows, large shower and normal bed! So whatever awaited us in Medellín - no matter if we liked the city itself or not - we felt it couldn't have spoilt this part :D.
Honestly, we did not know what to expect. The famously infamous city that was often described as dangerous but, on the other hand, offers an ideal climate. We didn't have a chance for any kind of the first impression because we arrived relatively late in the evening. Well, maybe not that late but it had been dark already. Despite that, it wasn't that hard to get the idea of how big and how spread out the city was! Our driver took the tunnel which surprised us as being new and modern - so far, so good. It also shortened the journey by at least half an hour, however, it cost more because of the toll.
We woke up the next morning, still having no idea what to expect. The hotel seemed to be in a nicer neighbourhood with a view of skyscrapers and some blocks of flats in the distance. Still not a clue what to think - but we were soon to find out. We had booked a free group tour of the Medellín - you probably know we would have preferred a private one but these guys were supposed to be the best and they did not do any private tours. Also, we did not want to do anything on our own because of Medellín's reputation so the group tour was not that big of an issue.
Useful tip: We really recommend to start your stay in Medellín with a group tour. It's perfect because that way you get the overall feeling of the city and you have a picture in mind when it comes to what to do next - if you are fine wandering on your own, for example. Also, it's very possible that you can get some tips from your guide.
After the tour, we agreed that Medellín was not our favourite city. Not because it seemed dangerous but simply because it's too big to get the whole picture. You can only talk about this or that barrio and they can all be completely different, then, it's impossible to summarise - and that's why I will not try to do that, I will just highlight some things:
Plaza Botero - definitely (in our opinion) the nicest part of Medellin. It's true that you have to disregard the type of people that are to be found there but the avenue (Carabobo) with the Botero statues and shops and lots of trees that then opens to the plaza and park is charming (again you need to disregard the pimps).
San Antonio Park - first of all, the guide told us not to come here alone. I think that (to some extent) explains it all. It's relatively deserted and there's nothing to be seen except for the (again) two Botero statues. However, these two are pretty unique with a great story there so we were glad we got to see them.
San Antonio cafe - this was where we finished our tour. Our plan was to take Uber but we somehow changed it to taking the metro. But before we did so, we had a little break in a nice little cafe that was right there. It was there that we also saw a woman with a mike and a speaker who just stopped in front of the cafe and started - not sure if I can call that, but here you go - "singing" right then and there. The waitress's reaction was to enclose both entrances with a rope :D. We were 100% all for that.
San Antonio station - I remembered reading something about how to buy metro/tram tickets and how the transport system works, so we were not that lost. Either way, considering we had no wi-fi there, it was kind of a ticket-buying adventure. Especially, when the machine did not let me pass the turnstile when Telchac had already passed it. I was on my own because he could not come back - a real drama, wasn't it? :D Anyway, Telchac sent me at least some guy - an employee who basically took care of it for me and I was free to follow. Nerve-wracking. Stressful. Dangerous. :D No, not really.
La Sierra - back at the hotel we needed to decide what to do next. We browsed some last-minute tours and discussed if we wanted to see this or that. Generally, we did not want to go to the really hyped and crowded, meaning touristy, places: communa 13 or the escalators. Finally, at around half past three, we agreed on going to La Sierra neighbourhood. To be there as soon as possible - we were not THAT confident to wander Medellín in the dark - the plan was to take Uber which still took quite a while but we could at least see some other parts of the city. Yes, there were moments when I was just hoping that the driver continued because I was too afraid to step out of the car. Basically, our guide recommended to get there by tram, then to take a loop ride on a cable car and return by tram.
This meant you did not need to step out of the tram/cable car stop area and wander around the Barrio. Arriving by Uber, we needed to walk a little bit to the tram station (clutching all our earthly possessions) but we made it fine. And after I made sure we did not need to get out of the cable car once at the top (my question was followed by the woman's understanding smile - we obviously weren't the first tourists to ask that), we were ready to go up.
I am still torn about visiting these types of places. I am sure I wouldn't have liked the tourists coming to my neighbourhood, pointing and taking photos of the (poor) conditions I'd be living in. Despite that part of me, seeing it combined with all the information from the tour on why, when and how people started to create these barrios, I must admit, it was interesting. Still, I asked Telchac several times to quit taking photos, to put the camera away and to go (yes, I was definitely the more scared one out of the two of us).
What was great about coming to La Sierra was that you get to return by tram and you can see all the graffiti from it. And there were lots and lots of those, all of them just amazing!
We couldn't have asked for a more interesting day in Medellín. We had only planned one day there and after coming back to the hotel, we knew it was exactly the right number of days we needed. There was nothing we felt we missed and nothing else we wished to see. Perfect day, to tell you the truth.
Next day, next location and all that in a mere two weeks, I don't think you have the strength to continue now, do you? However, we will go on to Guatapé and maybe even Cartagena. I hope our virtual travels are helping to keep your spirits up. It is said that our posts are ideally combined with planning your next trip! For that, you can always get in touch if you need more details about something. With all that out of the way, there's only one thing left - C U then and there!
 |
| Symbol of the city - try to find it close to Medellin's Town Hall ;) |
Honestly, we did not know what to expect. The famously infamous city that was often described as dangerous but, on the other hand, offers an ideal climate. We didn't have a chance for any kind of the first impression because we arrived relatively late in the evening. Well, maybe not that late but it had been dark already. Despite that, it wasn't that hard to get the idea of how big and how spread out the city was! Our driver took the tunnel which surprised us as being new and modern - so far, so good. It also shortened the journey by at least half an hour, however, it cost more because of the toll.
 |
| Monumento a La Raza - The story of the people of Antioquia |
We woke up the next morning, still having no idea what to expect. The hotel seemed to be in a nicer neighbourhood with a view of skyscrapers and some blocks of flats in the distance. Still not a clue what to think - but we were soon to find out. We had booked a free group tour of the Medellín - you probably know we would have preferred a private one but these guys were supposed to be the best and they did not do any private tours. Also, we did not want to do anything on our own because of Medellín's reputation so the group tour was not that big of an issue.
Useful tip: We really recommend to start your stay in Medellín with a group tour. It's perfect because that way you get the overall feeling of the city and you have a picture in mind when it comes to what to do next - if you are fine wandering on your own, for example. Also, it's very possible that you can get some tips from your guide.
 |
| One of the many famous Botero statues |
After the tour, we agreed that Medellín was not our favourite city. Not because it seemed dangerous but simply because it's too big to get the whole picture. You can only talk about this or that barrio and they can all be completely different, then, it's impossible to summarise - and that's why I will not try to do that, I will just highlight some things:
Plaza Botero - definitely (in our opinion) the nicest part of Medellin. It's true that you have to disregard the type of people that are to be found there but the avenue (Carabobo) with the Botero statues and shops and lots of trees that then opens to the plaza and park is charming (again you need to disregard the pimps).
 |
| Palacio de la Cultura |
San Antonio Park - first of all, the guide told us not to come here alone. I think that (to some extent) explains it all. It's relatively deserted and there's nothing to be seen except for the (again) two Botero statues. However, these two are pretty unique with a great story there so we were glad we got to see them.
San Antonio cafe - this was where we finished our tour. Our plan was to take Uber but we somehow changed it to taking the metro. But before we did so, we had a little break in a nice little cafe that was right there. It was there that we also saw a woman with a mike and a speaker who just stopped in front of the cafe and started - not sure if I can call that, but here you go - "singing" right then and there. The waitress's reaction was to enclose both entrances with a rope :D. We were 100% all for that.
 |
| Monumento Ave Gorda at Parque San Antonio |
San Antonio station - I remembered reading something about how to buy metro/tram tickets and how the transport system works, so we were not that lost. Either way, considering we had no wi-fi there, it was kind of a ticket-buying adventure. Especially, when the machine did not let me pass the turnstile when Telchac had already passed it. I was on my own because he could not come back - a real drama, wasn't it? :D Anyway, Telchac sent me at least some guy - an employee who basically took care of it for me and I was free to follow. Nerve-wracking. Stressful. Dangerous. :D No, not really.
La Sierra - back at the hotel we needed to decide what to do next. We browsed some last-minute tours and discussed if we wanted to see this or that. Generally, we did not want to go to the really hyped and crowded, meaning touristy, places: communa 13 or the escalators. Finally, at around half past three, we agreed on going to La Sierra neighbourhood. To be there as soon as possible - we were not THAT confident to wander Medellín in the dark - the plan was to take Uber which still took quite a while but we could at least see some other parts of the city. Yes, there were moments when I was just hoping that the driver continued because I was too afraid to step out of the car. Basically, our guide recommended to get there by tram, then to take a loop ride on a cable car and return by tram.
 |
| La Sierra - fancy a stroll around? |
This meant you did not need to step out of the tram/cable car stop area and wander around the Barrio. Arriving by Uber, we needed to walk a little bit to the tram station (clutching all our earthly possessions) but we made it fine. And after I made sure we did not need to get out of the cable car once at the top (my question was followed by the woman's understanding smile - we obviously weren't the first tourists to ask that), we were ready to go up.
 |
| ...and it goes up and up and up |
I am still torn about visiting these types of places. I am sure I wouldn't have liked the tourists coming to my neighbourhood, pointing and taking photos of the (poor) conditions I'd be living in. Despite that part of me, seeing it combined with all the information from the tour on why, when and how people started to create these barrios, I must admit, it was interesting. Still, I asked Telchac several times to quit taking photos, to put the camera away and to go (yes, I was definitely the more scared one out of the two of us).
What was great about coming to La Sierra was that you get to return by tram and you can see all the graffiti from it. And there were lots and lots of those, all of them just amazing!
 |
| One of the many street art pieces in the city |
We couldn't have asked for a more interesting day in Medellín. We had only planned one day there and after coming back to the hotel, we knew it was exactly the right number of days we needed. There was nothing we felt we missed and nothing else we wished to see. Perfect day, to tell you the truth.
 |
| Another one (not by DJ Khaled :) ) |
Next day, next location and all that in a mere two weeks, I don't think you have the strength to continue now, do you? However, we will go on to Guatapé and maybe even Cartagena. I hope our virtual travels are helping to keep your spirits up. It is said that our posts are ideally combined with planning your next trip! For that, you can always get in touch if you need more details about something. With all that out of the way, there's only one thing left - C U then and there!