MedeSCHin - on the trail of Pablo Escobar

Early in the morning at 7 a.m. we make our way to the airport in Cusco. We wait and wait, but the plane just won't take off. After about 2 hours, the technical problems are finally resolved and we can get started - with some turbulence. Asma and Scholle are looking forward to ordering something to eat on the plane. They are horrified to discover that there is no menu and that we have to make do with a chocolate bar for the next 4 hours. We land in Medellin at 6 p.m. We take a taxi about 40 minutes to our Airbnb. Since there is no supermarket that is still open nearby, we walk to the nearest pizzeria and order ravioli, pizza and wine to take away. Nina arrives at the Airbnb around midnight. We are very happy! We make ourselves comfortable on the far too small balcony, drink wine and chat :)

Let's go to Communa 13, which was considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world. Between 1980 and 1991, Medellín recorded what is said to be the highest murder rate in the world, with almost 400 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. The neighborhood was feared. Nobody thought of going to Comuna 13 voluntarily. But today the district is overrun with tourists. There is impressive graffiti on every street corner. Lissi leads us to a bar with a beautiful view. The bartender even remembers Lissi. She was here with Doni and Tascha two months ago ;)

We want to eat in a very well-rated restaurant and take a taxi to another part of the city. Our taxi driver is super funny and is very happy that we know a little Spanish, but is unimpressed by the sights of Medellin. When we ask him what the botanical garden is like, he only answers "some some". When asked whether a visit to Cartagena is worth it, he answers again with "some some" :D

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the restaurant we discovered that it was completely booked. We don't feel like waiting 30 minutes and end up heading home hungry.

The next morning we go to the botanical garden. There are exotic plants, an orchid display and - to Nina's horror - iguanas. While Lissi and Scholle are having their photo taken with one, Nina runs away :D We quickly leave the botanical garden and drive to the next cable car station. As in La Paz, Bolivia, there is also a cable car system here. Our destination: the Arví National Park. We drive over a jungle and wonder how long this ride will last :P Apart from us, no one takes this cable car - very strange. What do you do in the national park? Of course - drink beer :D We enjoy the sun, give a cute dog countless cuddles and then take the cable car back so we can make it in time for dinner. Today we have a reservation ;) We take a taxi to the restaurant. Since Medellin is so huge, the journey takes almost an hour. People honk and overtake. We drive past several accidents. A woman lies bleeding on the ground. Driving a car here is truly horror! When we finally arrive at the restaurant, we enjoy local dishes.

We booked a 3-hour free walking tour for the next day - super interesting. We learn a lot about the history of Medellin and how the city is trying to find a new image away from the drug trade. Various activities such as music lessons, sports classes, etc. are offered to get people off drugs.