As much as I love the Southwest United States, sometimes I just have to go much further away. This time, I decided to go to Colombia, which sits on the border of my native Panama. I have been there briefly before while working, but have never had the time to see it on a broader scale.
We decided to check out Medellin, and the best part is that I got to do it with my family! Along with my husband, my parents and brother also joined us. It was a great chance for us all to spend time together while also getting to visit this beautiful city I had heard so much about.
The first thing you notice about Medellin is how beautiful it is! The city is spread out all over the mountains and it just makes for breathtaking views. Also, for its size, it is incredibly clean. I was expecting it to be a little more dirty, but even the poorer sections were well organized and free of debris that many other cities have. It’s amazing at just how beautiful and modern it was there.
The next thing you notice after being there just a short while is how inexpensive things are. This is, of course, great for those of us travelling on a budget! We stayed in a very nice area called Poblano Square, and even there, the nicest restaurants seldom cost over $15 per person. And if you want to do cheaper, it’s not hard at all.
Finally, the people there are wonderful. In the past, Colombia had a reputation for being a very dangerous place. But in recent years, especially now with the likes of Pablo Escobar being dead, things have begun to change. The people are very proud of their country and this city, and they love to show it off. Everyone was so nice to us and love to share their knowledge with us and all the other visitors.
We were only there for 5 days, but it was a memory I will never forget. The things we saw, and the chance to spend time with family was absolutely priceless.
I would definitely love to go back to Colombia again, and maybe next time see some of the other cities. Of all the places I have been to, it is near the top. So if you are on the lookout for an inexpensive vacation, put Medellin at the top of your list.
(Colombia’s second city Medellin has beaten Tel Aviv and New York, and was named the most innovated city in the world, in a competition sponsored by the Wall Street Journal and Citigroup a few years ago.).
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