Last stop: Medellin

After Rio Claro, we settled for the next couple days in Medellin, enjoying our hot showers once again. Not only was it a bit chilly and rainy most of the time, but since it was Semana Santa (Holy Week), much of the city was closed down.  It was nice to see that money-making isn't always top priority in other parts of the world.  

Besides enjoying some fine dining, we visited Parque Arvi and Parque Explora.  I have written about Parque Arvi in the past, but just to recap, it's a large park located at the very top of Medellin's mountains.  To get there, we had to take the subway through just about the whole city and then a couple of metrocables (enclosed ski lifts).  The views are spectacular.

At the top, there are quite a few vendors selling hand-made items and food.  Of course, we shopped around a bit before and after our hike.  How else is one supposed to experience the culture?  

The hike was down and up the main road through the park.  The main draw was just getting some fresh air, but there were a couple of small waterfalls to see, too.  While heading down, we passed a procession of people doing the Stations of the Cross (it was Good Friday); there were large bouquets of flowers posted every 200 meters or so for this purpose.  

Calvin? Is that you? 

Luckily, we finished our tour of the park before the cold really started to set in, though this was after getting rained on during our hike.  

Our next stop was Parque Explora, an interactive museum geared towards learning about all different subjects: the mind, dinosaurs, scientific experiments, etc.  There was a decent-sized aquarium and reptile exhibit as well.  Since everyone had the day off, the park was packed full of families.  It was a pleasant sight to see.  

The next morning it was already time to head to the airport.  Dad and I walked to a commercial center one more time to get me a phone, but I decided to wait until Cartagena.  

The trip with Mama and Dad passed by quickly, and I had a wonderful time.  Already, I am planning their trip here next year (that's right: without their say-so in the matter).  Maybe into the Santander region north of Bogota where Colombia's only wineries exist.....