Medellín

Our first stop in Colombia was the City of Eternal Spring – Medellín. It is modern and slick, with high rises, a metro and outdoor escalators for the steep hillsides. It has the lush, jungle-y flowers and plants of Hawaii with the weather of San Diego. You can find avenues that close for the weekend for joggers and dog walkers and neighborhoods that devote themselves to hip hop culture.

We were fortunate enough to have 4 nights here in the upscale neighborhood of Poblado-a little taste of luxury (saunas and pools with city views) while we dipped a toe into all the city had to offer. Serendipity connected us with friends from Yakima and new friends from an online group that happened to be in Medellín at the same time.

We spent our first day in Parque Explora – a massive science center. We spent a whole day here and didn’t finish all the exhibits. Our favorite section dealt with our minds – the ways we process information, fill in gaps, and remember. We also loved the eels!:)

Another day was spent exploring Communa 13. After some amazing fruit cups, we took a tour and learned that a this particular neighborhood had a reputation for extreme violence and paramilitary presence prior to a major governmental operation in the 90’s. This artistic neighborhood is a hotspot for tourists and is known for colorful murals and hip hop culture.