Moving on to Medellin 8/22

Another travel lesson learned- when you can, book a flight!  I avoided the 14 hour bus trek and got a cheaper flight, about $34 USD to Medellin.  I flew out with a girl who I met in my hostal and was happy to have some company arriving in a new city.  We found two Swiss girls backpacking and split a cab to the hostal, which was actually quite far from the airport.  The airplane ride, albeit short, was nejoyable.  An episode of Modern Family, complimentary coffee and juice box, reclining seats (US airlines need to take a lesson in how to service their customers and show a little hospitalirty...).  Even though it was domestic flight, I was able to check a bag AND take a carry-on for no extra charge.  I even brought water through security and kept my shoes on through the whole process.  TSA agents eat your heart out!

I´m welcoming Medellin´s cooler climate and happy to escape to humid cover that I experienced in Cartagena.  There is an excellent view of the city from where I´m staying.  Day one_ Metro system, wide cars, on time, clear maps, no unplesant odors, well lit...  This city has bike lanes, a free botanical garden, (with free yoga classes which we enjoyed!), and a barefoot park where they encourage you to enjoy the sand.  I guess that´s the temporary escape for city folk who need a brief respite from the concrete jungle.  What is not to love?  I think I´ll stay longer.  Saw the mariposario (butterfly garden) - twas pretty amazing to watch these creatures suck the sugar out of a fermenting watermelon. Considering the Pablo Escobar tour, although I hear that you can ask his brother questions at the end of it, but the guys remains pretty vague, so perhaps not worth it...  Enjoyed my papaya picnic in the park and making food for myself in the ample hostal kitchens.  In other news, met a couple from Dallas who sold their apartment and were taking their 7 year old around South America.  The husband can work from his computer, so they are taking 6 months to travel as a family.  How cool is that?  Plus, they knew where the Valley was.  Ahh, that made me feel at home.