¡Viva Colombia! 🇨🇴

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 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.

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.

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.