Medellin, 12th November

How people arrive in Medellin is already an interesting experience. The bus ride is a long un, but time to catch up on sleep at least.
As it's located almost completely in a valley, Medellin looks geographically contained but spreading up the surrounding hillsides (mainly favelas).
After a short walk with the rucksack I managed to find my digs for the next couple of nights without much asking of kind people on the way. How should I describe the area? Shabby chic with most of the chic worn away through use? Some might call Medellin 'trendy'. It often gets voted one of the most 'liveable' cities in the world. 'Quality of life' seems to come high on the ratings. All this is a bit overstated - Medellin's improvements post-Escobar are amazing, but a lot of districts have a grubbiness that's hard to cover up with trendy coffee shops and the like. On balance though, Medellin's absolutely fascinating and much more enjoyable to be in than Bogota.
I did a bit of exploring around the local area - got refused entrance to Museo Antioquia to see paintings by Fernando Botero (maybe tomorrow), and made it out with a struggle to 'Comuna 13' that the guidebooks recommend. Think a less American-plastic version of Haight Ashbury in San Fransisco. The place doesn't seem like it can work, but it gets ridiculously crowded anyway. Having a cable car station contributes to the business.
Cheap? You bet.
An unlimited journey whilst on the bus / tram systems in either Bogota or Medellin: c. 35 pence. A dodgy meal in an average restaurant: c. £1.50.
Once again, the food was a bit 'stodgy', but I suspect if you use the restaurants the American tourists go to, things might be different. I ate with the locals and it was fine.Les mer