Medellin

We came here to Colombia's second city a couple of days ago on a day bus from Cartagena. We spoke to lots of people about the journey trying to decide if we should do the usual and go by night bus (save a night's accomodation costs and not waste a whole day on the bus) but in the end we decided that although Colombia is not the battle-zone the FCO website makes out, better safe than sorry, plus the ride is through some beautiful countryside. We caught the 6.15am bus arriving in Medellin about 14 hours later. By now it goes without saying that the ride was fast, minimal brakes, maximum overtaking on blind bends and hills blah blah blah.
We're staying at the Palm Tree hostel in Medellin, in the Suramerica suburb, only a 15 minute walk from the centre and next door to a huge Exito hipermercado which, sad but true, is very exciting for us after using tiny (and relatively expensive) supermercados for the previous few weeks, although it does lack character. So we've cooked in the hostel during our stay here which probably only saves a bit of money but makes me feel better.
Its a pleasant city of about 2 million people with a climate that is cooler than the steaming coast but still warm enough for a t-shirt to do. Its good to get away from mosquitoes for a while and be able to sleep without a fan! We have had a good wander around, in the centre their are a group of sculptures by Botero, probably Colombia's most famous artist who was born in Medellin, which I really like; I would never have imagined someone could make a huge bronze statue seem cuddly!! The city has Colombia's only metro system which runs mostly on stilts across the city. Its very clean, efficient and easy to use and the staff and police go out of their way to be helpful. As well as getting from A to B quicky, cheaply and painlessly you also get great views through the city.
The highlight of our stay here however has been today's trip up the hill to go paragliding. 5 of us from the hostel took a taxi up the road which winds sinuously up the hillside passing through the suburbs and eventually coming out into green countryside. The road is very popular with cyclists which made for some nail biting moments, although coming down afterwards was worse when I was sat in the front and had to cover my eyes...
Anyway paragliding in Medellin takes place off a hill overlooking the city, it's at about 2000m so the air is cooler but the sun still bright. Its a popular spot- when we arrived there were half a dozen or so brightly coloured 'chutes floating around over the city. As well as the spectacular location the cost- only USD25 for a dual flight (as opposed to the USD60 charged in Merida, Venezuela) makes it attractive even to those on a tight budget. My pilot for my flight was named Juanito (the -ito ending is a diminutive for those non-Spanish speakers amongst you) and he was indeed only tiny (especially compared to me), but very friendly and clearly in love with his sport. We overflew his house perched on the hillside- what a gorgeous spot to live!! The flight was very peaceful - the closest I suppose you could get to flying as there is no engine and nothing between you and the air except a few harness straps. I could have asked him to pull some stomache churning manouvers but thought best not as stomache not at its strongest recently.
This city is very chilled and friendly, as Colombia on the whole has been so far. A place less like its popular image I couldn't imagine. However of course we have only scratched the surface and stayed well away from the areas known to have problems with guerillas and paramilitaries. We have met one guy whose bus was held up by guerillas but they only frisked the passengers and let them go on- his assumption was that they were just looking for soldiers, police or paramilitary. Anyway so far so good for us, tomorrow we're moving on to Bogota where we will meet my brother. Hasta luego

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