Medellín, Columbia – changing?

‘The City of Eternal Spring’ is a welcome relief temperature and humidity-wise from Cartegena. It’s history is interesting in that it’s development did not depend on a slave-based workforce. Its modernity lacks colonial style.

To get a good view of the city we took a short hike up Cerro Nutibara where we enjoyed sunset:

Pueblito Paisa on top of Cerro Nutibara and view of city from there.

Comuna 13

Through the owner of our hostel we booked Jason (https://www.facebook.com/CultureTour13/) a passionate and knowledgeable guide to take us through this formally notorious slum area of Medellín . Comuna 13 up until recently has been considered one of the most dangerous parts of the city ruled by gangs who guarded their turf on rooftops; a place where the police dared not venture, where government-sponsored clean up operations failed and paramilitary groups replaced the gangs and ruled in chaos.

Our guide Jason stands in front of one of many wall artworks – this one by a well known local artist: Chota.

Some truces have been signed in slum Medellín neighbourhoods. Comuna 13 has the unusual benefit of a escalator that has been installed up the hill through the community as part of its rejuvenation project.

Six minute ride up escalator now replaces 35 minute arduous hike up the hillside; messages of hope and encouragement.

Art with messsges: long memories; innocence and movement from hopelessness to hope.

The artwork is extensive and quite amazing:

Another major must see in Medellín is Plazoleta de las Esculturas, where 23 bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero are proudly on display.

Botero sculptures in front of Museo de Antioquia.

A day trip to the holiday town of Guatapé was a nice diversión.

PIEDRA DEL PEÑOL

A few kilometers before reaching Guatapé we stepped off the bus to see this monolith:

Atop the 200 high metre, granite monolith with its 659 steps up. Great view overlooking the sprawling artificial lake, Embalse Guatapé.

Our walk into Guatapé; and, setting up a concert in community square.

Two damsels and entrance to Guatapé.

Colour everywhere in this town. Lots of bass relief depictions of animals, people, etc. cover many of the lower parts of houses and bars.

Hard to guess what kind of place this is.

From Medellín we head into the coffee zone!