Medellín: Humidity, Hustle, and a Whole Lot of Arepas
okay, so medellín. it’s…a lot. i landed with absolutely zero expectations, honestly, just needing a change of scenery after a particularly brutal tour schedule. the numbers 3671116 and 1170186734 keep popping into my head, which is weird, probably just jet lag. i’m a touring session drummer, which means i live out of a backpack and thrive on controlled chaos, but even i was unprepared for the energy here.
first off, the *air. it’s…present. i just checked and it’s 26.15 degrees celsius, feels like 26.15, with humidity at 94%. basically, you’re walking around in a warm, damp hug all day. not complaining, exactly, but my hair has a mind of its own now. the pressure is 1008, sea level is 1008, and ground level is 1004 - i don’t even know what that means, but it sounds important.
spent yesterday wandering around el poblado, which is…well, it’s the tourist zone. lots of cafes with overpriced coffee (i’m a drummer, not a millionaire), and people trying to sell you things. i did find a killer little record store though, called Discos Dan. seriously, if you’re into vinyl, go. it’s worth the peso.
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“apparently, the best arepas are from a street vendor near parque berrío. but you gotta get there early.”
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that’s what a guy with a seriously impressive mustache told me while i was trying to figure out the metro. the metro is amazing, by the way. super clean, super efficient. way better than the subway back home. i’ve been relying on it heavily to get around.
food-wise, it’s all about the arepas. i’ve had, like, five today. they’re everywhere. and they’re glorious. someone told me that the ones with chicharrón are the best, but i’m still experimenting. i also tried bandeja paisa - it’s a whole thing. like, a platter piled high with beans, rice, meat, avocado, a fried egg…you name it. i needed a nap afterwards. you can find some reviews on TripAdvisor but honestly, just wander and eat whatever looks good.
my neighbors seem to be mostly families, and a surprising number of digital nomads. if you get bored, guatapé and the piedra del peñol are just a short bus ride away. i haven’t made it there yet, but it’s on the list. i overheard someone complaining about the crowds at guatapé, saying it’s become “instagram central,” which…fair enough.
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“don’t take a taxi from the airport without negotiating the price first*. they’ll try to rip you off, guaranteed.”
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that was a very stern warning from a woman at the hostel. she seemed very serious about the taxi situation. i took the metro instead, so i can’t confirm or deny, but i’m filing it away under “important things to know.”
overall, medellín is…intense. it’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s humid, and it’s absolutely captivating. i’m already planning my next trip back. check out Medellín Living for more info. and if you see a drummer wandering around looking lost, buy him an arepa. he’ll appreciate it. you can also find some local events on Meetup.
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