Medellin #9 (Plaza Botero)

One of the most famous tourist attractions and finer examples of "made in Colombia" you will find in Medellin is Plaza Botero. A collection of homegrown sculptures by Fernando Botero set in a beautiful plaza in the heart of Medellin.

 The touristy factor and the hustle and bustle of "El Centro" has kept me away till now. 

I have passed this site many times on the metro train but finally got off at Estación Parque Berrío (Linea A) to begin my adventure in this prized area of the city. The plaza is picturesque with many areas to sit and people watch with lots of vendors about to tend to your needs. It is comprised of 23 sculptures if I read correctly and is bordered by Museo de Antioquia which contains more information about the life of Senor Botero. 

An older municipal building is also part of the plaza and to me looks more like a church but worth a picture or two.

The area is generally safe during the day but sketchy at night so be sure and finish your visit before sunset. Lots of eateries and shops nearby if you care to venture further afield.

Now the sculptures are kinda strange at first but like many works of famous artists grow on you after some time. All are of people and animals and can be described as overly-shaped. The female representations reminded me of what Texans would call a "healthy woman".

Medellin #8 (Mondongo)

“Mondongo”, I had no idea what this word meant the first time I heard it in Colombia. Maybe a dance, a strange beast, a beverage of some type or slang you would only use for those moments of road rage.  But I was wrong on all accounts; it’s a traditional Antioquian tripe soup. So of course, I just had to try it and what better place than a restaurant bearing the same name.






The restaurant, Mondongo’s (website), has 3 locations with two in Medellin and one in Miami. I visited the main location on Calle Setenta (70th street) near the futbol stadium.




The place was large and very busy but I was seated and served almost right away.












The soup I envisioned something akin to Mexico’s tripe soup, menudo but it is not similar in any way except for the main ingredients of chopped stomach lining of vacas (cow). It is a hardy meal accompanied by a variety of sides you add to the soup, including avocados, bananas, rice, cilantro, hot sauce and of course arepas. I was plenty hungry but left without finishing the large order of the delicious soup. If you’re here and want to try something local, you can’t go wrong with a bowl of “mondongo”. I just love that word, lol.

Medellin #7 (Holiday Season 2013)

This entry is a little late in coming but I finally got it down on paper.

I returned to Medellin to experience New Years 2014.

I arrived a few days before the 2013 year ended and settled in for a long night of festivities in the city. I should have done more homework as street celebrations for the coming New Year was almost non-existent. The culture considers this holiday a family one, spent among close friends and family and at home. Most places were closed and finding a cab proved difficult. I will not come again during this time of year unless I am lucky enough to be invited by new friends to their homes to share in the festivities, Medellin style.

The city was all abuzz with "Alumbrado Navideño de Medellín", a holiday light show along the Medellin River that runs through early January (festival website). City wide decorations where evident almost everywhere I went. Many of the most popular parks had night time lighting displays with various holiday themes scattered throughout the city. It was very beautiful and I recommend a visit during this time of year for the lights alone.

The largest displays were along the Medellin River that cuts through the middle of the valley and city. It’s really a large outdoor festival with various vendors along the entire length of the light displays. Beer, food, entertainment, various items for sale and a lot of people watching is very enjoyable as the weather is spring like during our cold winter months. Of course, the lights are world class and they change themes from year to year I am told. One entertainer was selling Andean flute type music while wearing a full feathered plains indian headdress.

Food seemed to focus on all things pork. Found one vendor with a whole pig ready for consumption by the masses. I have included many pictures of various street foods I found during my journeys in Medellin. This trip has so many pictures I will break down this visit over 3 entries as to keep things a quick read as I know most of you are to busy to read for to long (lol).