Colombia - WHY?

A few tidbits on the beautiful country of Colombia. I arrived on Wednesday from St. Pete Beach, FL on a one way ticket to Medellin (pronounced med a geen). On the airplane I shared travel stories with a new found friend named Ryan. He shared pertinent information about the area as we shared a taxi into the Barrio Poblado. I received the keys to an apartment near Zona Rosa from a woman named Catalina. The apartment is owned by a guy named Michael in which we share a mutual friend, but have yet to meet.

Wednesday I origined myself with my new home for the moment. Even though I had no expectations for Colombia, I am shocked to see really nice mountain and road bikes, a really clean city, and friendly people (they still all stare especially when I go running in the mornings).

I woke early Thursday morning to venture to the top of a surrounding mountain. Medellin is surrounded on either side with large mountains. The metro runs throughout the city, easy to use and much nicer than other public transportation systems. I heard about this Park Santa Ellana and to get there you take gondolas or metrocable to the top of the mountain. When I reached the top, I began talking with a group of high school kids fascinated by this gringa. They kindly invited me to join their tour and it was a day filled with laughs. Upon reaching this pond in the woods, all the girls participated in a soccer game and I think I laughed for an hour straight. Later we ventured to find this swimming hole, but instead got lost and had to hitchhike in the back of a dump truck (20 kids 2 teachers and my self in the back of a dump truck driving fast down this road.

On Friday I decided to communicate with the family to ensure them I had not been kidnapped by some FARC group. On the metro ride over to the library, I met up with a few travelers. It is not hard to find them since we do look very different. I parted ways with them only to see them 7 hours later in the metro. What are the odds. After a day at the ultra modern library, I went to a cafe / pub that played old time spanish songs. A nice older man bought me a tea and we talked about life in Colombia. I shared a few of my favorite music on my ipod.

My mind began to hurt from dusting off the Spanish filing cabinet and trying to remember what I once knew. Instead of visiting with locals, I called my new found friends from the metro and we traveled an 1 1/2 to Santa Fe antioquia. A beautiful colonial town nestled in the mountains. The ultra rich locals from Medellin all have fincas along this road. During the weekends, the city folks travel to the countryside to relax and unwind. The town is surrounded by montains and I talked with a bike shop owner, who told me that their are many mountain bike trails. Our next stop was the Puente where we walked 4 miles to this large river with a funky bridge over it.

Saturday night I met up with a few foreigners at a near by hostel and went with them to explore the nightlife. Medellin is known for dancing, drinking and parties. Zona Rosa is party central and the people come out looking hot. The rumor is that Colombian woman are the most beautiful in the world. I guess that statement can be debated, but people do look nice. The party started with a beer in this garden sitting on tree stumps. It later moved to Casa Kiwi with a DJ and dancing. I left around 2pm but the party certainly went to at least 4 or 5.

Sunday I paid $10 to get a pedicure and manicure, went to the grocery store to stock up on exotic fruits of this area, and later met up with my friend Ryan from the airplane. He explained a business idea and how I might be making money and having an apartment. After dinner, we met up with a girlfriend of his and walked into this high-end night club. I began videoing, but was made clear that the clientele might not want to be public. After an all night of dancing, we made it back to his house at around 4am. Slept for a few hours.

After 3 months in this beautiful country, I feel like a local. I speak better Spanish, have met a great friends and have experienced some really cool things.