Sunday October 8, 2017
Boulder, Colorado
Sunny and Warm
Our last and final stop was Medellin - The City of Eternal Springs. Again we flew at night, arrived late at night, drove up a mountain and down to our hotel but because it was dark could not see anything. We stayed again at the Intercontinental which was fabulous. My main objective was to see my Uncle but to also learn more about this city which is being revitalized after the cartels have disappeared. Almost always I was asked if I am visiting Colombia because of the Netflix series Narcos. I kept on telling those folks I'm in Colombia to see my Uncle and because I love Gabriel Marquez Garcia. Anyhow, Medellin was where Pablo Escobar ran his cocaine drug cartel and Narcos is the story about his rise and fall (its fiction but based on actual events). I have seen Narcos after visiting Colombia (got to season 2) and learned how much influence the cartels had on the towns and people of Colombia and how many decent folks were killed because of the cartels. Their client by the way was the USA. But the Medellin today is a beautiful city that is proud to be the city where the famous artist Botero was born.
On our first full day we took a taxi to where my Uncle lies in Bello, just outside the city. My Uncle and his wonderful wife Ruby took us up the famous cable cars of Medellin to a park on top of the mountain. There we had lunch and took a beautiful walk in the mountains. Hard to believe we are just minutes away from the bustling city of Medellin.
Ruby, Uncle Jeff and I on the cable car
View from the cable car. Medellin has an amazing network of cable cars that from some is the only means of transportation to get to their homes along the slopes of the mountains.
Top of the mountain
After lunch, we went back to Uncle Jeff and Ruby's apartment and met Ruby's gracious and wonderful family. We then took a taxi back to our hotel. I was a bit nervous as the concierge told me to return before dark (and we left after dark) but found it very safe and easy to get back to the hotel via taxi.
The next day Uncle Jeff and Ruby met us a the main square in the heart of Medellin so we can do shopping. The main square is also home to many Botero sculptures.
My favorite Botero sculpture in the plaza
Our first stop was a crafts fair that is a weekly Saturday event. We found the prices reasonable and of high quality so Sandra and I bought some handmade bags and leather goods. Thank god Ruby was with us as most folks do not speak Spanish
After exploring the crafts fair, we took a taxi to one of the famous shopping malls in Medellin. It reminded me of South Coast Plaza but bigger. Not only did they have high end stores but a playground for children, a famous medical clinic and a high end supermarket. Sandra and I bought some very nice leather goods, Colombian coffee and even eyeglasses at the mall! We then went to a famous restaurant near my hotel for a delicious lunch of empanadas, local cheeses, fish and of course arepas. We then said our good byes to Ruby and Uncle Jeff but I decided I will definitely visit Medellin again especially during the flower show and the Christmas lights. The people of Medellin are extremely nice and the city is beautiful with perfect weather. Can't wait to visit again.
On the last day, we just relaxed, went to another mall and found out that they have mass inside the mall on Sunday mornings and hung out by the pool at our hotel. We have to get up very early the next day to catch our flight back to the US so really didn't do much. Sandra and I had another great trip together and are looking forward to our next adventure in 2018.
Sunset at Medellin
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