Communa 13 and plaza Berrío

Communa 13 was the most murderous section of Medellin in the 1980s and 90s. Cocaine flowed through here and control of the trade was violent. I had a guide to explain it to me and show me around. Nowadays it is a huge tourist trap with bars and shops and entertainment.

Pueblito Paises is a little town on top of a hill in the middle of the city. It has an excellent exposition of the works of local photographers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was fascinating to see the changes as the city grew up. Especially plaza Berrío where the Church of Guadalupe still stands. It is such a strong marker since everything else has either burnt or been demolished. So I visited that square and walked around in a time warp remembering the old photos and where buildings stood.

Plaza Botero showcases the famous artists' statues with the Palacio in the background.

The subways are packed tight, this is what I was expecting in Japan and did not see, they even have cages for people to line up in.

First visit to a supermarket, the surprise is that prices are very much elevated compared to the standard of living. I'm not sure yet how that works, restaurants are a lower cost option in Colombia.

My initial safety concerns are still valid, but it is completely manageable. There is military grade barbed wire in many places and every home has metal gates, typical of Mexico as well and even in Tucson.Read more