Having enjoyed the walking tour in Bogotá we signed up for the walking tour in Medellin, which we had heard good things about.
Our guide Juan gave us some good background on the city's violent drug related history as well as explaining the politics was involved, and also on the initiatives put in place to revive the city - things like the metro, libraries, and the use of art in previously "negative" spaces. It was very interesting but at times depressing, since the city is still struggling with the problems and the stigma that is attached. Two of Juan's uncles had been kidnapped back in the '80s, and the extended family almost lost everything they had to provide the ransom to obtain their release. Juan was also sent to the US when he was younger to escape the violence.
The peace treaty that was signed last week with the guerilla group FARC is not popular with everyone but there does seem to be a general consensus that the old way with the the army just killing and fighting the rebels has not been successful. Something new has to be tried and they are using the strategy used in some of the African countries that have had similar issues.
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| The one on the left was damaged in a bomb blast |
We were led through areas that Juan called "papaya level 4" - carry your pack on your front, don't show phones or money, be aware at all times. We never felt unsafe though, in fact people came up to the group at various points welcoming us to Colombia, there seems to be a feeling of gratefulness that tourists are overlooking the city's history and and coming to visit. Tourism has grown 260% since 2002 and Medellin has been voted the world's most innovative city because of it's ability to transform itself.
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