Medellin, Colombia the new Paris
You know we here in the U S of A have a particular view of Colombia. Not a very good view. Having married a Colombian, I see the ribbing she takes pretty much from every new person she meets. Every new person she meets and, you know, me all the time. And while some of the stereotypes may have been true a few decades ago, they very much are not true now. I spent a little time in Bogota and a few days in Medellin last year and have to say they are both beautiful cities where I felt no less safe than I would in any other big city.
So I was glad to get forwarded (thanks Nathalia) this article from the NYTimes extolling the virtues of Medellin. It really is a beautiful city, I saw a lot of modern public spaces - anchored by a new building with cool, contemporary styling and, generally speaking, a water feature that kids play in and open areas to hang out in. This was all over the place.
Medellin is also blessed with 75 degree (that’s fahrenheit, if you couldn’t guess) weather year round. Which is why if you meet someone from Medellin as soon as the weather veers even the slightest bit from 75 they’re either freezing or boiling. It’s a city, but a quick drive out to the countryside. All the modern conveniences you could ask for.
Their economy has been going gangbusters so just like NYC you see new construction shooting up everywhere. Luxury condo’s as far as the eye can see. There’s a social consciousness at work as well, trying to connect what has (as I understand it) been a very isolated and poor part of town to the rest of the city, bringing in a flow of money. I didn’t see it but they’ve apparently built a really swank park up there to kick things off.
So next time you see a Hollywood movie where they’re portraying Bogota (which is higher, colder and more cosmopolitan than Medellin) as some tropical backwater, be a little outraged at how stupid Hollywood is. And if you’re heading down south, maybe think of Colombia as a destination.
August 18th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Hey, thanks for the nice words but… ‘the new Paris’?
A think you’re stretching it a little. :)
August 18th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Me? Stretch?? Couldn’t be… :)
August 31st, 2007 at 5:39 am
Maybe not the new Paris but definitely a great destination to visit if you plan on travelling to South America. I’ve been to Medellin twice and have yet another trip booked for later this year. I was pleasantly surprised by what I discovered upon my first trip to Medellin, Colombia.
Check out http://www.medellintraveler.com for more info on Medellin and http://www.discovercolombia-news for news and information on Colombia today.
Vive Colombia!
September 1st, 2007 at 9:23 am
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