Colombia Expat Forum

jooks
Joined 2019
Posts: 293

4 years ago

Installment 9

4 years ago

May 26, 2019

Adjusting to living in Medellin has been quite an exercise and, I’m sure, will continue to be a challenge. Between classes and studying, learning Spanish occupies much of my time. I need to maintain a balance between enjoying the city and learning the language. Things are becoming more routine and enjoyable, well, most things. Don’t get me started on banking!

Excursions to different parts of Medellin with the school are fun and at times, challenging. This past Thursday we took the metro, a bus and hiked to Manrique, high up in the hills (see photos). The UVA (Unit of Articulated Life) is situated there and is a space for culture, sports, recreation and civic education. For those counting (me!), it was a 7-mile hike. I found the tour a bit lacking in education though. The main purpose of the tour was to show us the Medellin water system, but it left more questions than answers. We visited the original water plant (pictured) that was built in 1920. Fascinating stuff. I’m in the group photo but all you can basically see are my legs. Big Tim in the yellow shirt and gray hair blocked me, probably a good thing since I was probably napping.

After years and years of refusing to drink the local water, I finally succumbed. The many polluted canals are quite a turn off. However, the drinking water supply comes from springs high up in the mountains and is totally safe.

Speaking of Tim, we dined together at a fantastic restaurant/grocery store, Salud Pan. Healthy stuff, sometimes not easy to find in Medellin. Restaurant and my meal are pictured. Tim is a fascinating guy and has lived all over the world doing consulting for governments.

Other excursions, on my own or on a tour were to El Centro, easily the most vibrant part of the city. One especially interesting part of the center is the area surrounding Iglesia de la Veracruz (built in 1712) in the heart of El Centro. It is known for prostitutes and they hang out in front or around the church. The fascinating part is that they are just part of the street scene along with police, tourists, workers and everyone else. See if you can pick out the prostitutes in the photos. Prostitution is legal in Colombia.

Life here is more vibrant than the one I’m accustomed to. The food is sometimes bland but almost always good. Non-Colombian restaurants proliferate, but I rarely go to them. I went from being a foodie from when I worked in restaurants to enjoying the simpler Colombian food. The street food is to die for and is available at almost every turn. Bunuelos, empanadas, churros, exotic fruits, jugos and much more proliferate.

The bandeja paisa is probably the most well-known meal in Colombia and Medellin is muy famoso for it. It includes red beans, rice, ground beef, chorizo with lime, plantain, arepa, avocado, fried egg on top and of course a big slice of chicharron or fried pork belly. I have yet to come even close to finishing one of these dishes.

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Living in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

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