Medellin Part 2

After our first experiences in Medellin, we want to see the city from above. Unfortunately, the weather is too bad for paragliding, so we decide to go to the planetarium in the university district together with Ollie. Thanks to our visit to the bar the previous night, the day is already quite advanced, and we would only have the opportunity to watch the children's show at the planetarium. Therefore, we decide to postpone this visit and go for a walk through the nearby botanical garden. At this peaceful and relaxed place, we can spot a huge iguana, and Ollie tries to chase geese. Unfortunately, without success. On the way back, we see a futuristic building which turns out to be an interactive museum. Tickets are quickly purchased and we enter a world of physics games. We try various torque experiments, play basketball in a carousel, and learn about some funny effects. After the first mechanical experiments, we visit the local aquarium. There we can observe clownfish (Nemo), piranhas, and huge Amazon fish (>2m; up to 250kg). After that, we visit the terrarium where we can observe various snakes, such as anacondas, boa constrictors, pythons, coral snakes, as well as poison dart frogs and many other species. Then we enter a room full of brain experiments and optical illusions that can be experienced up close. Unfortunately, we don't have enough time for the rest of the museum, so we have to hurry back to the hostel because it's time for soccer! Athletico Nacional Medellin vs. Whatever. We reach the stadium a bit late. Marius and Ollie quickly buy a jersey before we use the first entrance to get into the stadium. Once inside, we are in shock: we are in the ultras block! Colombian ultras are all around us, pumped with cocaine and whatever else they can take, and in the middle of it all, we gringos. The football-loving kobold rushes right into the action, and so we find ourselves surrounded by the crazy fans in the midst of the action. At half time, Max and I retreat to the upper end of the stands, where it's a bit calmer. The others join us shortly after, which is a good thing because shortly afterwards a goal is scored and everyone rushes forward towards the fence to the field, without regard for their own safety. 3 people are injured, but that doesn't dampen the mood. Shortly before the end of the game, we all decide unanimously to leave before the final whistle and make our way back to the metro. Everyone is of the same opinion. We have never felt so unsure and at the same time experienced such a gigantic atmosphere. Singing goes on for 90 minutes and a 30-50 piece band with brass instruments plays throughout the entire game.

Back at the hostel, it's time for a beer to wash the adrenaline out of our bodies ;)

After a few drinks the night before, we try again the next day to go paragliding, but fortunately the weather is too bad, so we spend the day in hammocks. The next day, on our third attempt, we finally succeed. Early in the morning, we freshen up and make our way to the starting point. Shortly afterwards, we are already strapped into the tandem and running down a hill, and before we know it, we are floating above the roofs of Medellin. We go higher thanks to the thermals and we can enjoy the magnificent view of this huge city! Wow! We have a full 20 minutes to enjoy the flight before we descend through some fast spins and make a landing. It's an amazing feeling to hang under this canopy and glide through the air and clouds. Enough for the day, it's time to sort and secure some photos on the laptop. The next day, we have to get up early again and take the bus to play paintball on Pablo Escobar's large estate. After a short tour of the huge estate, we are equipped and ready to go. After 200 shots and 4 rounds, the spectacle is already over. Mixed feelings arise because somehow I feel like I supported the wrong people, as the owner is Pablo's former security chief. Apparently, many of the old cartel properties are still owned by the same people. The others continue to Guatape, but we say goodbye after paintball and take the public bus back to Medellin. In the evening, we meet old acquaintances, the two Norwegian girls, from Cartagena. The next day, we go together to the planetarium, which turns out to be an interesting interactive museum with a well-presented show about the universe. After that, we take the gondola lift up over the slums to get a beautiful view of the gigantic city. As a conclusion to our time in Medellin, on the penultimate day, we go on a graffiti tour through Communa 13, the most dangerous neighborhood in Medellin 10 years ago. We learn a lot about the history of the neighborhood, the stories behind the individual artworks, and the importance of street art for the 180° transformation of this neighborhood. We also learn about how the ordinary people fought against losing their homes to guerrillas or paramilitaries, and we learn a lot about the Colombian mentality. We are waved at everywhere and children come by to say hello. The people are happy that we are visiting their neighborhood. In the end, we also get to spray paint ourselves and become part of Communa 15/13, as our guide explains to us.

That's all from a magnificent city called Medellin. Today, we just relaxed and made some bookings because soon we will be heading to Ecuador.

Greetings, Max and Marius.