Touring In and Around Medellin

Keith & I have enjoyed two half days of buzzing around this big city using public transport of all types. Taking a cab is out-of-the-ordinary for us and yesterday we hailed them like pros. For less that $2.00 US you can be delivered right to the door of previously unknown location, fabulous! Especially handy when you are on a specific mission and not just sightseeing.
Yesterday, Wednesday, we had two specific tasks to complete: #1- replace the towel (see previous post) & #2- inquire about changing our airline tickets now that Shana Jan is unfortunately unable to join us in Cartagena. After that we were free to wander.



After finding the towel we asked the checkout bagger at the department store how to walk to the nearest metro station. Rather than giving us verbal instructions he proceeded to walk us out the store, across the street, down and around the corner. I asked him if this was part of his job or if he was just enjoying a little outdoors time, he responded "It's not my job, but it's part of being a Paisa!" Paisas, again, are the name for the special, kind people in Antioquia, of which Medellin is the largest city. We have been treated like important guests here, being thanked countless times for coming to visit Colombia. These people are very proud of their country, one young girl described her home in the country just over the mountaintop "pure paradise". They wouldn't live anywhere else.

Seeing these displays of genuine patriotism did influence my perspective on the State of Nation speech which we watched with four other Americans here at the Art House on Tuesday night. I was disgusted by the competitive nature of most of the President's remarks ~"Win the Future". While he reminded us that "we do good things" and certainly encouraged all Americans to reach for their personal best, I resent the "we're #1" mentality. While I am proud to be an American, I have seen other countries succeed in areas beyond what I have experienced in my own backyard and wish that the United States would adopt a more cooperative, rather than competitive agenda. Well, enough of this soap box ranting, and back to travel blogging!


Our travel day yesterday was cut short by a serious thunderstorm with hailstones which we just barely missed. It started raining really hard the minute we reached the metro station after a short walk and had finished by the time we took the bus to the park and walked the rest of the way home, starting again in our neighborhood once we walked inside!



Today we started our tour by taking the bus to the metro to another tram that took us up & down hills filled with an interesting statum of housing. The tram line seems to drape from hilltop to hilltop. Children run playing in and around all the homes; it's an interesting vantage point riding just over the top of the homes looking in from above.
Some of the homes are very nice with garages, wrought iron fences and window guards, and gardens within their terraces. Other homes are shacks built on stilts with curtains in the open spaces that serve as windows, and no concrete or flooring leading to and into their ramshackled shelter. I have noticed that homes on the valley floor seem to be of higher quality than those built into the side of the hills.




One thing I noticed was the care that was taken when the tram poles were placed 10 years ago when the metro line opened. At the bottom of each is a gathering place with trees, benches and, in some cases, sculpture or murals, a thoughtful touch and nice addition to each neighborhood.



All in all we spent 100 minutes riding the metro and train before setting out on foot today, I figure it cost less than one cent per minute, an inexpensive and very interesting way to tour the city!



We walked through the municipal buildings and Plaza Major today passing many libraries, churches and restored buildings from the turn of the 19th century. As we stopped for lunch in the 'barefoot park' we started pointing out 'beautiful people' to each other. Paisa women are a pretty species, many with some help from plastic surgery on their chests, but today the number of super, thin, fashion conscious women and men was uncanny. After we ate we discovered that there is a big fashion industry convention in town meeting in the same area, so it all made sense!



When the dark clouds began to build and we saw raindrops in yesterday's puddles, we headed for the metro. After getting off the bus, we stopped in the commercial area of Envigado to buy some fruit and veggies from a stand purchasing two small watermelons, a red pineapple and bunch of celery for $1.50 US in all! What a life!!
Tonight we are hosting the Spanish teacher of one of our house mates for a simple supper. I'd better go finish my black beans.