Saturday, January 22nd, we were treated to another sensational day of touring Medellin by the #1 guide, Mike Manning. Along with his father, Randy, and a new traveling buddy, Carla, Keith & I visited several stops of interest in central Medellin before taking a tram to the top of Santo Domingo for an amazing mountaintop view of the huge city below.
We started the day by bus to metro getting off in the center of town to see a mural of the area's history. The city is easily accessed by the elevated train which makes convenient stops at the major tourist points.
Plaza Botero is filled with 23 bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, Colombia's leading contemporary artist born in Medellin is 1932. He has donated countless other of his paintings & sculptures to the Museo de Antioquia which also included paintings by other Colombian artists and famous international artists as well. Keith purchased a hat outside the museum which helps him fit right in, he looks a lot like Juan Valdez of coffee fame!
A short metro ride further north took us to the Botanical Garden which was a lush green spot which proved to be a perfect refuge from the afternoon sunshine. Keith played in the jumping fountain and walked through a misted trellis there before we headed in to the garden proper for lunch, a tour inside a butterfly sanctuary and a walk through the park.
Our next metro stop was to a tram ride, which was part of the metro system, to the neighborhood of Santo Domingo near the top of a steep mountain. Here in the northern part of the city of Medellin built one on top of another are the residences of paisas with lesser means. Their homes appear to be built as money is earned from red cinder blocks filled with mortar. Windows are left open and roofs are constructed from corrugated metal held in place by rocks or red tile bricks.
The neighborhoods were packed with people outside, children playing, music blaring, cars, buses and motorcycles darting around kids on bikes... wild and crazy, but fun to experience. It isn't a place to visit after dark, but we had a nice time looking at the city below and tasting sweet treats such as crushed ice covered with heavy fruit syrup and condensed milk.
We chatted, in spanish of course, with a woman working a piece of taffy like candy on a tree limb and sampled a small piece. It was pure honey cooked with vanilla & gelatin; she had to keep it moving or it would harden up. I couldn't help but wonder what she does when her nose itches or she needs a potty break, her hands were a sticky mess. And no, I didn't ask.
The city of Medellin is very socially progressive. This tram, which I was shocked to find was included in the price of the metro ticket ($.75US) was built to include the poorer population living on the mountainside into the greater metropolitan population. By provided easy access to transport to more working opportunities the community is thriving. The black boxy structure is a library built to inspire educational pursuits. Impressive city planning!
After taking the tram to the train to a bus back to our Envigado neighborhood south of the city center we stopped at the grocery store for foodstuffs. On our arrival back to the Art House, tour guide Mike became the BBQ king.
We had yummy shish kabobs cooked on the grill outside our terrace penthouse room. Many friends of Mike and Todd, both paisas and travelers, arrived throughout the evening to eat and drink, it was a lively party until the party moved to two of the guests' parents' home where live music was part of a big birthday celebration. Keith & I missed out on this part of the evening, we were pretty tuckered from the full day's activities.
Mike & his dad Randy leave today for trips to a nearby lake and the Amazon Basin for more adventurous activity. We will miss them, but will try to carry on the fun!
Today is Sunday, a day of rest, well timed & deserved!
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