Around Medellin

On Thursday the 23rd of December we got up early to make the most of the day as Manuel, one of the uncles, was taking us around Medellin to see some of the important sites of the city. We started at Medellin's largest cathedral.   It is primarily constructed from brick and from the exterior it was aesthetically modest. The interior was much more impressive with amazing brick columns, intricate brick domes and soaring ceilings. It also housed the largest organ in south America. We then moved onto a beautiful old government building we had only been able to admire from the metro. Its exterior has an amazing checkered stonework pattern and the building now houses a museum. We then checked out the famous fat statues in Botero Square before having a look at the oldest church in Medellin. Next we explored the Antioquian Museum which contains lots of local, national and international exhibits. After a cool smoothie we made our way to the botanical gardens via an amazing church we had only been able to admire from the metro. Unfortunately it was closed for restoration so we were unable to enter so we continued onto the gardens. The gardens were really beautiful and there was a very interesting honeycomb roof structure where lots of birds hung out. We then moved onto the lagoon where we found a bunch of turtles chilling out on the rocks. On the way to the butterfly nursery we came across a friendly squirrel who was climbing on people, we both had no idea there were squirrels here. After we had explored the gardens Manuel took us to some fancy restaurant before we went to another beautiful church with the most amazing skeleton spire. On the way back into town we were coming through an intersection in the taxi. As cliche as it sounds everything slowed right down as we could both see what was about to happen. The taxi driver slammed on the breaks as a motorbike ploughed into the passengers door of the taxi where Manuel was sitting. Fortunately the cyclist was fine apart for a few grazes but is bike was pretty messed up. We sat in the taxi in the middle of the intersection causing havoc as other cars had to fight to get past. The two drivers had to sort out insurance details so we hopped in another taxi. After checking out Manuel's new apartment we continued on to have a look at two more amazing historic churches. He then took us to a square which contained four more of the iconic fat statues. From a distance we noticed one of the had been ripped apart or something. Manuel explained that 15years ago guerrillas placed a bomb in the statue killing 20odd people. The destroyed statue now sits on a plaque with all the names of the victims, and next to it is an intact version of the original. It was a bit of a reminder of what has happened, and happens in this country. But after spending two weeks in this city we can see how much the government has taken control of the situation to maintain a very well run city.