And it Begins - Medellin, Colombia

I thought that I’d be writing weekly to update my trip adventures. Already, it’s 3 weeks into the trip and this is my first attempt. I arrived in Medellin on April 1 and spent my first 4 days with my niece and a friend for their first visit to Medellin. We were busy every day visiting the local must see spots. Including, Comuna 13, Guatapé (about a 2 hour bus ride outside of Medellin, well worth the trip), Metro Cable rides and Coffee Plantation Tour (my favorite!)..

Comuna 13, Graffiti tour

Guatapé

Metro Cable Ride

Coffee Plantation Tour - La Casa Grande Coffee, Medellin

The following Monday, I began my Spanish immersion classes. Whew! Every weekday morning from 9AM - 1PM. It was exhausting! My brain in over drive and my body still trying to catch up from the trip here and 5 full days of touristing! I also felt the affects of the altitude. The elevation in Medellin is 4,905 ft. For reference purposes, Denver, CO is 5,280 ft. (Mile high!) and home in Dallas, around 500 ft elevation.

My apartment (I rented an Airbnb) is located in the neighborhood of Castropol. It is one of the safest neighborhoods and the street where I am staying, mostly residential. It is a one mile walk to my school. When I booked the place, I thought “one mile, easy!”. I walk quite often at home and usually at least 3 miles on the regular. I was somewhat mistaken in my assumption. My daily walk:   First a VERY steep downhill and then mostly uphill the rest of the way. It takes me over 30 minutes, even though I feel I am walking at a decent pace. The good news, Ubers here are super cheap! If I feel lazy, I can just hop in an Uber and go most places in the vicinity for about $3. Its awesome!

Enjoying my backyard

It rains here, all year. Apparently, April is the rainiest month of all. Most days it starts later in the afternoon and can last through the night. Sometimes thunder and lightening. According to Wikipedia, “Medellin features a trade-wind tropical forest climate”. It is beautiful and green and lush, an urban jungle.  The scenery and moderate temperatures (year-round) are worth carrying around an umbrella!

Ok, now to how this all feels. I have been here before, so the awe-struck quality is not as intense. This city is huge and sprawling. Full of people, cars and over 11 million motorcycles. It can be overwhelming at times. Yet, it is also joyful and exuberant and full of life. I love that. The people are friendly and more than willing to help me bumble my way through speaking Spanish. They seem to appreciate my efforts, however feeble.

Me encanta Medellin!