Expat blog with tips on life in Medellín (Colombia): hasty vignettes, abstract, random observations, vicarious pleasure, insights and the spice of life in Medellin the fabulous city of eternal Spring!
Don’t allow limitations or fear to dictate life’s terms! You can break out of one world into a parallel universe and only be a long haul flight from home. Culturally and socially coming to live in Colombia is akin to re-entry from outer space. As you break from the orbit of one existence and emerge … Continue reading Colombian Re-entry – burning through the atmosphere!
Tres Cruces Medellin - I’ve been telling myself “when.... then....” regarding making this difficult hike. I made this popular Medellín hike conditional on healing a foot injury, losing weight and being in better shape. When viewed from my balcony, the challenging Tres Cruces hike, looks like a yellow, ribbon, snaking up to the summit From … Continue reading Tres Cruces Medellin – difficult 40-50 minute hike
Medellin health sector - 22 in the world for best hospitals - from boob jobs to teeth whitening they offer it all at a fraction of the cost in the USA!
Santa Fe De Antioquia - architectural gem, step back in time and visit the colonial capital of Antioquia. 1.5 hrs from Medellín and well worth a visit.
After the rain comes stunning natural phenomenon. Streets blanketed with fluorescent petals, like a carpet for the Gods. Palm trees like poodles wet ears, dripping and forlorn.
It’s been either eat out, takeaways on the Uber App, or settle for ranchero chorizo (sausages) eggs, arepa (flat bread) and avocado.....until now that is!
Transport- get out there on Medellin’s amazingly efficient public transport system, more akin to Switzerland than South America!
Need help with your visa, business or dealing local bureaucracy? With 10 years in Spanish speaking countries and two MBA’s from Spanish Universities, I figure I can help. I look forward to assisting you with your translation and interpretation requirements here in Colombia and beyond....
You've seen Narcos and a documentary on Escobar, you may have heard of the FARC and enjoy a Colombian deep roast, maybe you vaguely know of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, you’ve shaken hips to Shakira, are aware of the biodiversity, of the architecture of Cartagena (even the Obama bodyguard scandal). But you probably know very little more than this and nothing that prepares you for the Malltastic reality of modern, metropolitan Medellin!
something beautiful happened a little boy said "mummy mummy I want to shake the policeman's hand" and without further a do, he made bee line for the nearest militiaman, armed to the teeth ....see what happened next
..I was swinging there thinking, I need to grow a pair and chill out ....musing on whether I would pass the SAS training and swiftly concluding epic fail, if this "white noise" terror was used in the capture simulation....
A poem is not needed when you have Sky buckets and metro queues, sultry chicas and graffiti blues...
If your alternative is to work 60 hour weeks for the minimum wage, with no job security, then you’d best get your hustle on....
what are the 7 best things about Medellín living?
What beers can you get in Colombia? Check out this overview so you know which cold one ‘chela bien fría’ to go for
El Metrocable - Why don't they shoot at us ...ain't it intrusive ...what do they think of us ...would you be able to do this above Rio De Janeiro, home to the Little Zeh of Cidade de Deus ...I don't think so? Unless you wanted to be a gondola piñata, pot shots for gangs at war with the cops below.
San Jeronimo - hooked on street art in Colombia. I'm hooked on the street art in Colombia. Our trip to San Jeronimo near Medellín didn't disappoint. Check out the photos: A rustic Juice bar run by a little old lady from her porch with almond milk on tap! What could have been left as grey … Continue reading San Jeronimo: 1st Blissful Weekend Outside Medellín.
The beautiful eye catching designs and vibrant colours, provoke an infectious smile, bringing to life the magical realism of Marquez, where the mundane transcends the now, to brush the outer edges of the known.
...why not bust out of Medellin, hire a finca (country retreat) for the weekend? Here’s how and where to go?
Errrrr....you have you been watching too much Netflix, it's time to debunk the stereotypes!
get your freak on and go native in the kitchen
... The Paisa are known for being entrepreneurial and hard working so it's only natural they breakfast accordingly...all for only $2.59 U$D!!!
Working all morning time for lunch.Lovely to pop out and continue my Colombian culinary education! Fruits and vegetables that I’ve never even heard of, let alone tasted, which set the taste buds alight. For £2 ($2.80 USD), a delicious Menu del Dia (daily menu) is served at one of the 5 or 6 eateries competing … Continue reading Lunchtime menu del día $2.70 (what the heck?!)
... wanted to love Bogotá but, beyond the obvious advantage of scale, employment and institutional importance. It feels like a reluctant melting pot where most are there by necessity, rather than choice...:
El Poblado makes sense when you are first checking out Medellin but once you get comfortable there are other areas that make viable alternatives and offer great value for money...
Incredible Tayrona, a jungle trail and stunning coastline, where I left behind a little piece of my heart and maybe you will too....
Are there cheap flights in Colombia you ask? Colombia is an enormous country (nearly) three times bigger than Germany, so it makes sense to use cheap internal flights. The country faces both manmade and geographical challenges, making fast modern road infrastructure difficult. It is divided by the Andes and offers travellers massive biodiversity. From mountainous … Continue reading Colombia Cheap Flights – Which budget airlines to use?
Has your Medellín bank clerk had a good day? Best way to find out is to try to open a local bank account with just a passport 😂
How easy is it to get a visa in Colombia? Getting a visa is an ExPat 101 if you want to stay longer, so how easy is it really, to get in Colombia? It’s a must know topic, as useful as it is dull. So hold onto your hats, I've tried to keep it short! … Continue reading Easy to get a visa in Colombia? …jump 101 hoops!
You drive from Medellín to Guatapé, along winding roads. 2 hours stuck behind diesel spewing trucks, that make you realise how infrastructure holds back development. At last the giant rock, el Penol de Guatapé. Then finally, rising over the brow of a hill, after passing many a narcos former hide-out, you see the giant rock, el … Continue reading Guatapé – El Peñón, 740 steps (a blooming big rock!) Colombia
A lot of expat blogs are too complicated when it comes to cost of living so I thought I’d keep it simple and to be point...
A culinary whirlwind of flavours smells and tastes from all over the world under one roof!
Like the moon better seen from afar ....but go with moderate expectations and you will love El Pueblito Paisa. The table top platform which crowns NutibarawHill, right up above the Paisa hamlet (Pueblito Paisa), affords premier views of your Medellin kingdom. Check out the video insert below: Survey the hills and downtown, traffic snaking through … Continue reading Step up to the Pueblito Paisa, Medellín
Can you rent a fully furnished apartment in a gated complex, in a good Medellín neighbourhood, (two bedrooms, pool, gym, sauna, steam room, 24/7 armed guards, ground rent and utilities included, + a cleaner), for only $500 USD? Gated with pool bills and furnished The answer is yes but you will need to be persistent, … Continue reading How much does it cost to rent a condo in Medellín? #Colombia
A great afternoon out read more then go yourself
Check out this downpour gallons of water falling in a matter of minutes #Medellin
You gotta visit the Botanical Gardens ...great place for first date too!
Roads turned to rivers and our small Chevrolet Spark turned into an amphibious landing craft!
On top of the world ...penthouse views that take your breath away in Laureles, Medellín, Colombia
First night out at an expat event 2 days after landing in Medellín. The expat bubble, not for me....
