Medellin

Update:  After a couple days here, the only thing I can report is what the inside of my Hostel room looks like.  Whatever we got really laid us out.  So we didn't get to see much of the place, which is too bad, as Medellin is an amazing city.  Tomorrow, we will be strapping ourselves to the bikes no matter what, and making our way to Cali.  So hopefully, we'll feel well enough, but either way we're moving on.


We've arrived in Medellin, most famous in the last few decades for being the most violent city in the world, and the home to one of the most notorious drug gangs in history - the Medellin Cartel.

However, after the death of it's leader Pablo Escobar in 1993, Medellin has seen a decrease in crime rates and now produces 11% of the economy of Colombia, and is an important region for universities, commerce, industry, science, health services, festivals and nightlife.

The climate of Medelline is also interesting, as it's relatively high altitude (5000 ft), its climate is more moderate than other cities located near the equator.  Average annual temperature is 22° C and because of the proximity to the equator, it is constant year round, with minimal temperature variations.  It is known as La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera' or 'City of the Eternal Spring'

We arrived late last night, after a full day of riding (up at 7:30 am).  The road to Medellin comes through the mountains, and we spent the better part of the day dodging trucks and busses, while being stuck behind cattle trucks hauling cows.  The end result was that by the time we reached the city, my eyes were almost swollen shut, and my hay fever was in full gear.   The ride was colder than we have been used to passing through a couple mountain passes that topped 9000 ft.

I have also caught whatever Troy had over the last few days, so right now, I'm holed up in the room with a sore throat, headache, runny nose and watery eyes.  Troy is feeling about the same, and is stuck in his hotel room as well.

All of us have had more than the standard issues with sickness on this trip, and I think it is a combination of not being used to the water (which makes us sick) and being exposed to the common flu's and colds down here that our bodies are also not used to.  The end result is it seems like we have been sick more than usual in the last few months.

We booked into a Hostel, but it only had two beds, so Neal and Zane have gone to another one down the street.  Our bikes are parked on the street too, but we have a local guy watching them all night.

One bright spot this morning when I went to have a shower, is that for the first time in about 3 weeks, there was HOT WATER!.  You may have no idea what a luxury this was.  I spent about 20 minutes just standing there, basking in the glory of warm water.  It was heaven.  :)

Packed and ready to leave Cartagena

On the road to Medellin

On top of one the passes.  This one was over 9000 ft

One of the many towns along the way

Neal Dawes