Tierra de Paisas

After an eternity in the heat of the jungle and coast, I finally made my way back to my old friend the Andes. I stayed a couple of days in Medellin in the neighborhood of El Poblado. Medellin is hands down South America's most modern city. Far from its recent past as the World's most dangerous city, Medellin is a sparkling jewel of what Latin America is possible of and an example for the future. I spent a day in the village of Guatape and La Piedra near Medellin that supplies 65% of Colombia's power through hydroelectric dams and creates an amazing landscape for Paisas trying to escape the very business oriented Medellin center.

Medellin itself is built in a valley with the Medellin River running through the middle. Most travelers see Medellin's amazing night life and their dorm bed during the day. If you can find time to wake up when the sun is up, Medellin is pretty cool in the light as well. Famous for its drug cartel past, the cable cars that are part of Medellin's public transport system are now safe for a traveler to go and see and amazing views of the city. Also Medellin has parks and cerros that give travelers a unique perspective of the city. I was able to get a private tour of the city from my Paisa friend Ana Maria to see the beautiful urban Medellin landscape along with my friend Sina.