Medellin, Colombia - First Impressions

Not Wbat You Might Expect
In the late 80s it was known as the "most dangerous city in the world."  Since then, the homicide rate has dropped 95% and it's now called the "city of eternal spring", so named for the mild year-round weather.  Pablo Escobar is long gone and he hasn't left much of a shadow.  Medellin sits in a valley in the Andes, 5,000 feet above sea level.  Most of the buildings are made of brick, their brown color standing out against a ring of verdant mountains that rise another 2,000 feet.

We flew through Fort Lauderdale and landed at the airport, which is on top of the mountains an hour outside the city.

We bought a SIM card, popped it in our phone and downloaded a taxi app to call a taxi.  Our cabdriver was named Lina and she spent the hour suggesting what we should do during our visit.  She spoke a high-pitched machine gun Spanish, I made out 1 of every 3 words.  She was very friendly as is nearly everyone else we've talked to so far.

We rented an apartment in a neighborhood called Estadio, which means "stadium" in Spanish.  Every neighborhood has a designation of 1-5, 1 is the best neighborhood, 5 the worst.  Estadio is a 2.  It's quiet and clean and close to a subway stop.  This is the view from our side veranda.

This is the view from our northern veranda.  We took a walk around as soon as we arrived.  There are many barbershops and beauty salons, many being run from converted garages.  Our landlord is from Spain and told us that most of the people living in Estadio are very old, just the way he likes it.

We found our way to a local cafe and one thing that stood out immediately is how cheap everything is.

Double-shot with milk - one dollar.

A lunch of rice, salad and large chunk of fried pork, with a soup and a drink - three dollars.

At 3,000 Colombian pesos to the dollar, you can get a hair cut for around $2.50.  About the same price for a manicure or pedicure.

Books for 3 bucks...  It's early in the trip, but it's already beginning to feel like love at first sight...