Hotel Estelar Poblado Alejandria Medellin

... whole way I was not sure what I was doing or why I was doing it. :-/ <br><br><br>When I arrived in Bogota, I hustled to the bus station and climbed aboard the last 10 hour bus to Medellin. The bus ride made me really think about what I am doing back. 10 hours on a cold bus is just not good for anyone. LOL As soon as I stepped off the bus, I headed for the metro. I was stopped by the police again to be searched and about a minute into it the cop from 2 ...

... in particular. I think because he'd gone on about so much and was finally doing it it was all a bit surreal for him. He loved it though, a big smile on his face when he landed. <br><br>We said goodbye to the Israelis the following day. They were bored and needed to go climb some volcanoes or something and we had arranged to meet with Dave. It had been almost three weeks of travelling together but I think we were all ready to part ways. Dave ...

... had an entourage of Paisas (what people from Medellin are called in Spanish) wherever I went. Jamie was able to get some free tickets to a salsa concert last Friday which featured Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and WILLIE COLON! The concert was by far one of the best I have been to despite the excessive security to get in (this is Colombia after all). On Sunday la familia Usma and I went paracuting off the mountains that surround the city. I don't know the techincal term of ...

... life. We hung out and partied a bit (aguardiente, anyone?) and they helped me out with Paisa slang and introduced me to their friends. Colombian people are super friendly. Really good people. And in Medellin, the women are even hotter than in Bogota. It's rumored that there are a few towns where the girls put las paisas to shame. I'll investigate and get back to you. I've been here for ten days or so, just roaming the streets, people watching, talking to ...

... toilet trained. My second concern was that I just won´t like them since school age kids annoy me after about 15 minutes and this was a 4 hour adventure. Well, as it turned out, the kids were great. They are really mature for their age, extremely respectful, and really look out for one another, probably because all they know and depend on is each other. The kids are learning English but ...

... stay. And CNN! English, to boot. The staff is pleasant, and the owner is really a good chap! I walked the streets in el centro, found good food off the vendors, and the little sidewalk cafes. Everything is good! Yes, the city is at altitude, 1500 meters, which is OK for me and gives it its delightful climate. I was there twice, and ...

... resort type area with a maze of lakes and bays. After hanging out on top and running into our Israli friends from the mud I caught a cab back and was able to negotiate the same rate back as the bumby bus ride there. That night we splurged on one of the fancy restaurants in the Zona Rosa and then headed to a Germanesque pub with Tanya, a couple from Portland, and an Australian guy. The couple from Portland, who we met in Tayrona, is ...

... maker with whom I have become friends with here. I have also become really fond of the barrio, where we always visit the same family - Javier, his nephews and his parents - actually we stayed over at their house a couple of nights ago when we had to film the sunrise at 5am. As for my plans before I get back to England (which currently is on 4th August 2008) - I will probably spend the next few wks in Medellin, finishing off filming the documentary and spending time ...

... on that front . However , there were no meal stops until 13 hours into the trip at 8am for breakfast , by which time I was really hungry (18 hours with no proper food only a couple of bags of crisps) and secondly for some incomprehensible reason the bus had it's air conditioning blasting out icy cold air for half the night despite all the passengers shivering. Those in the know who'd travelled before on South American night buses had sleeping bags or warm coats , I ...

... the locals get to their homes...this is the very poor part of Medellin....once at the top Liza, Darren and I walked to the look out and took a few more snaps and then headed back to the metro via cable car to get home intime for the BBQ. Actually a very tiring day...we meant to fit paragliding in but ran out of time...lots of public transport and walking. Gliding may be squeezed into the agenda tomorrow before I have to catch my flight.....but if ...