Modern Day Medellín

South America » Colombia » Medellin
November 10th 2022

Published: November 23rd 2022

Plans often change as many of us have realized throughout our travels. The plan looks good and appeared to be manageable….but then….the universe strikes. For us it was our route to Medellín. As we were driving from the airport in Pereira on our way to coffee country, our guide mentioned that the route to Medellín could take up to 20 hours.What?.... how can that be? We were to be driven there... Read Full Entry

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Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

D MJ Binkley

Photographers, divers, writers, foodies, chefs and music enthusiasts. Travelers' Century Club Members: 12/2023. MJ 107 and Dave 104. We appreciate your feedback and if you like our stories we would appreciate it if you follow our blog. We live on North Hutchinson Island, Florida. If you are in Florida please send us a private message as we would love to meet you. Two retired nurses who are passionate about traveling the world. Our love of travel, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures will hopefully take us to wonderful plac... full info

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24th November 2022

Michael Huffman
non-member comment

excellent to hear the nitty gritty
Thanks for such an in depth review of the good, bad and ugly of Medellin. Great to see Johnny after we all met in Paris 6 years ago.

24th November 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

excellent to hear the nitty gritty
Medellín has had a rough past. They are reinventing themselves. One part of the city is new and lively the other side of town is still crawling out of poverty. It takes decades to recover from what they have been through but it looks like attempts are being made to lure digital nomads and tourist to this city. It was great seeing Johnny again.

27th November 2022

Claudia
non-member comment

Gasp!
Wow, that stone! Interesting to learn the big picture view of Medellin. Enjoy your lovely picture!

27th November 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Gasp!
We got our steps in while we were in Colombia. It felt good to be on the move. Medellin is an interesting city with a dark past and a complicated future.

27th November 2022

Doug Hassing
non-member comment

Goldfinch
This bird is either a Kiskadee or one of several flycatchers that look similar.

27th November 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Goldfinch
Doug, thanks for the tip on the bird. I'm making a small effort to learn a few more birds. He was pretty.

27th November 2022

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Botero's Horse
I first became aware of Botero when I saw his chubby Black Horse in Barcelona Airport in the '90s. I have always looked out for his work since, but I can now see what you mentioned in a precious blog about his human figures. I think I need to read up a bit more about him.

27th November 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Botero's Horse
We were drawn to the humor in the paintings and sculptures but once we were in a room full of them and realized each one had the same face whether it was a man or a woman we found it odd... or maybe he was going for funny. Then we began to wonder if it wa a self portrait. Let me know what you learn. It is curious.

27th November 2022

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

PE sites
I am not a fan of drug lords. But I have listed a few Pablo Escobar related sites that I want to visit if I go to Colombia. I am not a fan of serial killers either. But one day I am going to make a Jack the Ripper themed trip to London. To locate the sites where his victims were found and so on. /Ake

27th November 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Pablo Escobar sites
When you get to Colombia I'll be interested to read all the PE sites you find to visit. I would think they are many. I am fascinated by serial killers and didn't realize there was a Jack the Ripper themed tour. I will absolutely do that next time we are in London.

27th November 2022

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

That's a place I want to go to
That's just super cool. I so want to climb up those stairs. /Ake

27th November 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

That's a place I want to go to
They have really done an excellent job on this staircase. It is pretty wide, has hand rails and is fairly easy to climb. They have frequent places to stop for rest and allow you to take photos as you go up.

10th December 2022

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Medellín
I think I would really enjoy a visit to Medellín, it sounds like my kind of city - modern, yet gritty, and unknown to the outside world. Its past sounds dark and tragic, I'm sure there is much to learn there. I found it amazing when I was in Colombia just how happy and open the people were, despite their very troubled and recent past. Amazing accomplishment climbing El Peñol, well done indeed! Surely the medic was talking about medical attention, not CPR... At least, I very much hope so...! A wonderful country to be your #100 Merry, congratulations 😁🥳

10th December 2022

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Medellín
They seem to except the past and are moving on even with continued corruption around them. Medellín is a city of contrast. We will always remember number 100!

23rd January 2023

Piprey on wheels
Shona

Past and present
From the lovely pics, cannot imagine such a dark past.

23rd January 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Past and present
Poverty, greed and drugs make a combination for a dark past. Things have changed a bit. It was a nice visit.

12th February 2023

starship VT
starship - VT

Fascinating Read!
I very much enjoyed reading about the somewhat improved Medellín, because even just a few years ago I would have thought it a totally unsafe city to see, much less be a tourist there! I would find observing the people and culture there very interesting, as well as learning more about its notorious past! The street art, transportation systems, and scenery in general would be interesting too! Wow, climbing El Peñol!!!! What an accomplishment! Great write up and photos!!

13th February 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Fascinating Read
Thanks Sylvia for reading and commenting. Medellin is quite the city now and as we said eager to pull in digital nomads. It is a lovely country and moving forward.

16th February 2023

Waddads Travel
Lori & Susan

Very interesting
Medellin sounds like a very interesting place, with a very sad violent history, but hopefully a better future. That staircase up to the viewpoint - very impressive! I'm surprised that the food isn't more spicy - I had assumed it would be in Colombia. The fruits and juices and soups sound very tasty though.

17th February 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Very interesting
In the 80's and 90's I never imagined it would be safe to go there. ... Progress. The views at the top of the hike were well worth the effort. We thought the food would be similar to Mexico in spice and that was not what we found. Indeed the soups and fruits were winners. Thanks for commenting.

3rd March 2023

Readingfcboi
Alan Atkinson

Medellin
Fantastic to see you guys go to Medellin. I had heard the stories of this city in particular being dangerous, so it is good to see how things have changed. Congrats MJ for making it to #100 country of the travellers century club, I know you have now gone past this number too :)

3rd March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Medellin
Alan, good hearing from you. Thanks for commenting. Colombia has moved on from its dark past. I will admit in the 80s & 90s this is a country I never thought I would visit.

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Modern Day Medellín

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