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How to walk

For years, travel guides to Colombia stressed the importance of calling a radio taxi, even when going a short distance. The first time I went to Colombia, the concierge tried to talk me out of walking a few blocks from the Hotel Morrison to Parque 93. Tourists didn't walk or take the bus.

Times change. Now even ordinary Colombians are learning how to walk a few blocks. This post gives some tips to help you walk in Colombia, especially Medellin.

Consider that you might be walking in high heels. Colombianas do this all the time, but this graceful art has been lost by some women who choose to place comfort before style. A more complete primer is presented here. I'm sure it is harder and more painful than it looks, but do you need a video for everything?

As a tourist in Colombia, you clearly have money to burn. In addition to obeying common safety tips, it helps to walk silently in Colombia. Wear soft soled shoes, avoiding boots and bare feet that will sweat (on the coast) or freeze (in Bogota) thus sticking to surfaces, which is noisy, Wear tight clothing, avoiding items from the 1973 Sears catalog (what the hell is #12?).

http://www.lileks.com/institute/sears1973/index.html

Be sure to breathe quietly. Watch where you are stepping, avoiding drunks and el tejo. Try to step on bare dirt, live grass or sidewalk tile. Place heels first and roll your foot slowly and gently towards your toes onto the ground, rotating the hips slightly. Be sure your footwear fits properly.

Alternatively, if one is unable to walk quietly due to having big feet and being unable to find footwear that fits in Colombia, one might choose to walk in an aggressive manner to scare punks and avoid confrontation. "Clown walking" can be easily mastered with a little practice. But don't do this around Bloods lest they think you are a Crip. Colombians C-walk everywhere they go. This highly inconspicuous form of walking will help you to fit in when you visit Medellin.

According to this trusted website, the health benefits of walking include heart health, pregnancy, mind and spirit, male health and the Many Benefits of Walking. http://walking.about.com/od/healthbenefits/Benefits_of_Walking_How_Wal...
(Health benefits do not apply if walking past Frisby or El Corral).

Walking is also an excellent way to meet people selling chicle, who are a fine resource for practicing and improving your Spanish skills. Walking can add years to your life unless you do it in the wrong barrio, where you may run the risk of meeting ColombiaMike.

For more information on walking in Medellin, consult this YouTube video of a guy walking around Medellin.

By Man Tequila on Mar 13, 2008, 19:53 in Friendly Talkzone.

Man Tequila says on Mar 13, 2008, 19:58:

The last Sunday of every month, the Institute for Sports and recreation schedules hiking trips to rural areas around Medellin.

www.medellintravelguide.com/medellin_sports.html

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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Medellin Traveler says on Mar 13, 2008, 20:06:

Man Tequila,

What a peculiar post, me likes.... here's my personal experience walking in Medelllin.

TAKE A WALK WITH ME THROUGH MEDELLIN

It was an incredible and wonderful experience for me to be able to walk around the beautiful city of Medellin without fear of being kidnapped. Equipped with a camera in hand and all the time in the world I set out to explore the city. As I walked about, I was amazed by the amount of new construction and development going up around the city. More importantly, I was happy to see that it was not confined to one specific area.

During my walk, I was able to meet many warm and inviting people of Medellin, known as Paisas (pie-suhz.) The transformation of Medellin into a modern world-class city is obvious to any first time visitor taking a walk around town.

Now, I may not have the answers as to who gets the credit for transforming Medellin, but the fact is that all the locals I spoke to support the Mayor of Medellin, Sergio Fajardo, and his efforts in transforming Medellin into one of the greatest cities, not just in Colombia, but in all of Central and South America. Sergio Fajardo studied at The University of Wisconsin in the United States. And he is a man with a vision not only for Medellin today, but for the future generations to come.

Medellin Mayor, Fajardo, has been busy building libraries, public parks, shopping centers, roads, new homes, as well as promoting entrepreneurial programs to help the local economy by giving everyone an opportunity to succeed and contribute to the change. The mayor has also implemented many social programs which have been made available to many in the lower-class barrios. These programs offer hope to those who feel they have been neglected in the past. And in return it has helped to keep many young men of the streets, giving them back their sense of pride, not just in themselves, but in their community, their great city of Medellin and their country of Colombia.

I’ve always believed, if you give someone a reason to live, in this case hope, that they will always choose to live a good life over one on the streets. Especially a life that usually brings an early death.

The locals I met on the streets, from various barrios, around Medellin treated me kindly with open arms and a smile. They were all as curious about me as I was of them. They opened their homes to me and made me feel like family. They shared their personal stories with me about their lives, hopes and dreams. They all told me to go back to America and let everyone know that the Paisas do not promote violence, that they want to live without fear, they want to be able to walk the streets of their own neighborhoods without risk of being victims for those that choose to commit crimes. They are tired of the violence and want to live in peace, in order to live a normal life.

They also made it a point to mention that they wish no harm to come to any Americans visiting their beautiful city of Medellin. The past has haunted them for so long that it seemed they would never escape the period when violence was a daily occurrence. But now things have changed in Medellin, a magical and miraculous transformation has swept across the city, reaching as far and high as the hilltop shantytowns where residents never thought hope was something they could experience while living in Medellin.

The Paisas I spoke to on the streets and up in the hilltop barrios would not stop raving about Mayor Fajardo efforts and his aggressive campaign toward ending the decades of neglect in the poorer barrios. Fajardo made them many promises for change. He not only kept his word, but he also offered many locals something that they so badly needed for such a long time… HOPE!

After witnessing many urban and social programs taking affect, the locals took it upon themselves to contribute to the transformation. They said, “Mayor Fajardo kept his word. Now, we must do our part to show the people of Medellin, that we appreciate the changes. We are all Paisas... we are all in this together!�?

The most amazing thing I witnessed was how curious the children I met on the streets where. They were not shy, to say the least. They always approached me with big smiles on their faces, eager to share their stories of growing up in Medellin. Lucky for them, they were all too young to witness the violent past in their hometown. And it shown in the faces. It was obvious, because they were all full of hope with dreams toward the future. I held many impromptu English lessons on the streets as the children pleaded with me to teach them English. “Juan, Tu, ThwrEE, FO...�? the kids would all repeat after me. Everytime I think about those children trying to count outloud in Ingles, it always brings a big smile to my face. I feel so lucky!!

Say what you will about Colombia, but if you haven't been to Medellin, then you do not know the magic and true beauty that this enchanting city possesses.

The city, the culture, the weather, the energy and the Paisas will all capture your heart after just one day in this wonderful city in Colombia, known as MEDELLIN!

I’M GOING BACK!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of my journey through the city of Medellin... from fear to hope!

http://medellin-colombia.blogspot.com/2007/10/walking-and-talking-in-m...

Discover Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia www.medellintraveler.com

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 13, 2008, 20:08:

Mr T. I thought you didn't do drugs?

La vida es una rutina

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Man Tequila says on Mar 13, 2008, 20:25:

I clearly need sleep. This post was a parody. There seem to be two other threads on how to travel in Medellin. ;)

On the other hand, I don't need drugs to come up with this crap. How scary is that?

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Mar 13, 2008, 20:45:

Ahh, that was good. My sides are sore from laughing.

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Mar 13, 2008, 20:45:

hiccup

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Portena says on Mar 13, 2008, 21:08:

Thanks for a good laugh, Man Tequila!

Prophesy is a good line of business, but it is full of risks ~ Mark Twain

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msaucey says on Mar 13, 2008, 21:51:

ManT, I really like the 1970's Sears Catalog touch.... That is classic!

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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El Polo says on Mar 14, 2008, 06:13:

crip walking resembles what a conejo trabao hopping through the foking grass would look like. wtf is that monda??? jajaja

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nine inch nails says on Mar 14, 2008, 06:27:

Not taking a taxi is often about just wanting to get some exercise. I lost 5 lbs. in 10 days (no not from mongering) but from walking everywhere I could safely up and down the hills. Amazing how quickly the pounds go away but quickly placing them back on now in US locked up in an office all week behind a desk. I wanna execute myself right now, rip my brainstem right out.

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 14, 2008, 08:36:

Sears Catalogue: What the hell is #12? I say, what the hell are #11 and #14?! Geez.

I also lose weight every time I go to Colombia because we walk EVERYWHERE. I eat like a pig and lose weight, a dream come true.

Diana

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Man Tequila says on Mar 14, 2008, 08:47:

I walk everywhere as well, when I can. Medellin is very spread out though, and this was trickier there.

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SiV says on Mar 14, 2008, 09:59:

I love those Colombians who ring to stop the bus 20 metres after its last stop, just 'cos it's too damn far to walk.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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Man Tequila says on Mar 14, 2008, 11:31:

Well, due to the safety situation it takes time for attitudes to change. Some older Colombians do not want to be seen doing newfangled things like "walking". Your wealthier Colombians and tourists would prefer to take a taxi.

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houstongal says on Mar 14, 2008, 12:24:

jajajaja MT....love the first video! I don't know how many women I've seen walking with wobbly ankles and I thought it was due to their shoes! Thank goodness I walk in heels virtually every day! One question....how does one do the C-Walk with heels?????

P.S. Glad you're back. I missed your humor! And I'm back home myself. Nice to be back in hot and humid Houston.

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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Man Tequila says on Mar 14, 2008, 12:30:

Welcome home, HG. I miss the heat, and would take it dry or humid.

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houstongal says on Mar 14, 2008, 12:37:

Thanks MT! I ended up with an ear infection on Monday and am so happy that I had 4 days to get better. My sinuses are happy to be back in humidity. Tlaxcala was pretty dry. Sorry it's not warm where you are....I think it's 84 in Houston today (sorry to rub it in!).

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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Man Tequila says on Mar 14, 2008, 12:42:

It hit 50 here today, which is worth 100 in Canada.

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houstongal says on Mar 14, 2008, 12:43:

Whoo hoo! I agree....50 is pretty nice this time of year where you are! Spring MAY be right around the corner! ;-)

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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