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Medellin the spice of life.

This site was a life saver for me. Colombia is so unknown by the average travller. I sent this to my website and it is a bit personal but I would like to post it here also.

Of course it I have had only 5 days in Colombia and I have slept only one nite in candlaria (sp?) with 4 nites in Parque Poblado at kelivins great Blacksheep hostal.

Patricia hello! I am so happy you wrote. And always you write from the heart. That means so much to me. Luckily I wrote last nite from the heart. I hope you are well and I missed not hearing from you for so long.

I was sitting in Balcones Del Parque watching latin life go by on avenida jundin. Colombian musica playing (blaring but good no..great). So much life in throngs of people...it gives me goose bumps and a feeling of amazment at the human condition personified by everyday life her in Colombia. It is 6 pm and another perfect monday evening in Medellin.

With one eye out to make contact with John Pierre, things I can´t capture with the digital camera..they happen to quickly. The girl who walks below me with the huge tatooed breasts symbolic of the silicon capital of the world. The way the motorcycles take off sometimes at rush hour when enough make it to the front of the intersection. Like motocross racers jocking for position. A guy pulling a huge cart on steel wheels, beautiful women, mothers and daughters, lovers hand in hand, school girls arm in arm, almost everyone touching touching the other when they make contact.

The very distinguished (like the guy from the fantasy island tv show) waiter brings me another Colombian Club cervesa, the light is fading to night but the street is as full of life as before. I am not sure it will ever lose the magic and as I sit here I am looking forward to meeting with Jaqueline. All I know from my limited Spanish is she is calling at about 8.

Often I hate to be alone in such a setting but right now I am enjoying so much the astmosphere..it wouldnt be quite the same not alone. The incredible experience continues, the cell phone guy dancing a bit to the music, the cigarette and the flower ladies, the more prim and groomed passing by.

Why is there something special about these people? Maybe it was the lady on the metro this morning that set the mood. I asked directions to the university that we had just passed. She gave me good directions before the train came to a stop but then she got out with me...i thought to point the way or to go to her house. She was planning to walk me to the right office for language training. And it wasnt even her stop. I said mil gracias pero no necasario muchas gracios. So she got back on the train before it left.

A 45 y.o. guy I met briefly 15 years ago said “My life didnt start until I moved to Colombia”. I may be experiencing some of that.

I was thinking of mentioning in the next post about the poverty and the drug addicts sleeping and freaking out on the street once in awhile, the deformed that sit on the sidewalk to beg but it is not so prevalent and it is enough to know it exists I guess.

I gave my charming waiter, Ucho, a 1,000 peso tip (50 cents) on a 5,000 peso bill for 2 cervesas. I told him restaruant was fantastic. He shook my hand 2 times and not only about the tip but showing friendliness and we exchanged nombres.

FootnoteÑ Medellin is know as murder captal of the world (9,000 people killed on average during the 1990,s every year just in this city.. it is well under half that now). There are places you would not last long at night but that doesnt romove the magic of the city.

I was lucky to have Patricia show me some of this life a few years ago.

By DonkeyDust on Jan 17, 2006, 11:04 in Friendly Talkzone.

Lucia Rojas says on Jan 17, 2006, 11:56:

Very nice. Thanks for sharing this.

"My life did'nt start until I moved to Colombia..." WOW!!! what a compliment. That is very nice.

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claudejack says on Jan 17, 2006, 12:24:

similar thoughts i just got back from month in medellin,,and ive never fell in love with a place so quickly and deeply,,,my life had obviously begun before columbia,,but it has been revived and made anew,,,with the spirit of medellin and thanks to all the people who showed me such love while i was there,,,medellin paisitas are the best in the world.!! and the landscapes are nice too.

Damn it! I wish I was back in Bello!!!!

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moby says on Jan 17, 2006, 18:20:

Thinking of travelling in April or may to Medellin Hi, Just wondering if I could make some friends that could let me know how it is over there, and to give me a few pointers. Would like to travel with some friends. If anyone that is planning a trip during this time, it would be great to get in touch.

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ana lucia says on Jan 18, 2006, 10:56:

I am a Paisa, I miss my city If I can help you guys with anything for your travel to my wonderful city, please write me a mail, or just let me know, I am from Medellin, But I live in Philly, I got married 4 months ago with my american guy.
Any advise, anything you want to know about Medellin, let me know.
from the food, to places, to the girls....

Ana Lucia

Ana Lucia

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