It's been almost 2 months since my last blog post, so it's time for another one :-)
After a turbulent month on the Caribbean coast, I took a flight with my Californian Asian friend to Medellín (pronounced 'Medeschin'), the second largest city in Colombia with about 2.5 million inhabitants. Back in the day, I had never set foot in this city, but now I can explore its modern metropolis with ease.
Medellín
Medellín is known for its dangerous neighborhoods, and one of them is Comuna 13. In the past, it was controlled by Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel, but in 2002, the government took action to end the violence. Now, Comuna 13 is a popular tourist attraction, offering FreeWalking tours led by locals, showcasing the neighborhood's street art and culture.
Comuna 13, Medellín
Medellín is also known for its escaleras eléctricas, which are outdoor escalators that connect the steep hills of the city. They are a symbol of progress and change in this vibrant metropolis.
Parque de las luces, Medellín
Apart from exploring Medellín, I also volunteered in Guatapé, a small pueblo located about 2 hours away from the city. Guatapé charmed me with its colorful houses, friendly locals, beautiful lake, and scenic surroundings.
Guatapé One of the highlights in Guatapé is La Piedra, a massive rock formation that offers a breathtaking view of the village and the surrounding area. I climbed the 700 steps to the top and it was definitely worth it! La Piedra I also had the opportunity to visit Pablo Escobar's mansion, La Manuela, which is located near Guatapé. Nowadays, it is a tourist attraction and a reminder of Colombia's dark past. La Manuela - Pablo Escobar’s Mansion After my time in Guatapé, I volunteered in a hostel in Salento, a small town in the coffee region of Colombia. Salento is known for its beautiful landscapes, coffee plantations, and the stunning Valle de la Cocora. Zócalo - discover yourself on the wall 🐶 La piedra Kayaking From Salento, I continued my journey to the Tatacoa Desert, a unique desert region in Colombia. It was fascinating to explore the gray and red desert landscapes and learn about the different cactus species that thrive in this arid environment. Rote Wüste Chlini Erfrischig 🍹 In Calí, the salsa capital of Colombia, I experienced the vibrant nightlife and took salsa lessons. It was a lot of fun and a great way to immerse myself in the local culture. View over Calí In addition to exploring the city, I made friends who showed me the best of Calí. They took me to local bars and clubs, introduced me to their favorite spots, and made me feel like part of their family. Angie 🤗 Cristo Rey in Calí After nearly 3 months in Colombia, it was time to continue my journey to Ecuador. I crossed the border and arrived in Quito, the capital city. Now, I'm taking some rest before exploring everything that Ecuador has to offer. Goodbye Colombia 🇨🇴, hello Ecuador 🇪🇨 That's all for now. Buenas noches y hasta luego chicos 💫🤗
