Days 42 - 45 July 8th. - July 11th.

Hi to all,
Once again here we are with more riveting news of our doings in Medellin (pronounced Medejeen). And we hope this finds you all in the pink as always.
On Friday we contacted a real estate agent and met for a brief discussion as to our future requirements. Then Jim acquired a Panama Hat which he'd been trying to find for years to no avail. It was the equivalent of NZD70 whereas in a shopping mall in Miami there had been some and they wanted in excess of USD300!!! Then more shopping for Chorizo and the FRESHEST fruit and veg. Feijoas not as big as the NZ varieties, wonderful Tamarillos, tropical guavas, local oranges and the ubiquitous Cape Gooseberries - Jim's favourite by far!! And lots of great veges - Jean's specialty.
Saturday we weren't sure of our plans but we eventually decided to visit the Museo de Antioquia. It proved to be a very happy choice. The museum houses various collections of local artists, some of which one could take or leave. However, just as we were preparing to leave, we heard the most beautiful haunting Spanish/Colombian music.
We were irresistibly drawn and lo and behold we were offered 2 seats by a young couple who were concerned to see an elderly couple standing! In those circumstances all one can do is accept gracefully! But it illustrates just how the young generations here have respect for the wrinklies - totally unlike what we've been hearing coming out of NZ of late. Even suggestions in the NZ Herald that over 50's should have the vote taken from them. If the young layabouts and whippersnappers actually bestired themselves to get out and vote they might find that they achieve a result that they want. Like Bexit where actually only a very small percentage of young people voted - but unless they actually vote they should keep quiet!!! By comparison so often in Medellin we have seen elderly family members being squired around by their children or grandchildren having meals out, etc. It's so refreshing.
Anyway, having got that off our chests, we were treated to an absolutely wonderful afternoon of recitals of classical Spanish/Colombian music played with such passion. First there was a group consisting of drums, secondary percussion of drums and wooden spoons, xylophone, and castanets, etc. And the leader who sang and played the flute. Mesmerising and during all this a genial chap came out of the audience and expertly squired various young ladies around the floor in what we thought might be the Rhumba. But then the piece de resistance...........
The orchestral group took a break and the aforesaid dancer took the stage. He played the guitar and sang and his partner played the piano accordian. His voice was wonderful and extremely powerful and without a word of a lie was in our opinion equal at least to Pavorotti. The whole experience was unforgettable. As part of it they also had more than one couple demonstrating the Tango - the men in suits and the women in the most revealing and spellbinding costumes. Lots of leg kicking to rival kick boxing - words cannot do it justice. Jean was in tears.
We were so lucky to have experienced it as we happened onto it quite by accident as apparently this is only done once a year! We ate the most delicious Enchiladas and had a Club Columbia beer each. The whole thing including taxis, entry to the museum, and food and watering came to less than NZD25. We'll never forget it.
On Sunday we decided to go to the Botanical Gardens but they were a disappointment. We had expected better with being in Medellin - the City of Eternal Spring. And also the fact that there is the annual flower show at the end of this month which unfortunately we will miss. Never mind, we had a very enjoyable lunch in the Garden cafeteria. Colombia is the 2nd largest cut flower exporter in the world after the Netherlands.
Later that afternoon we decided to walk to the local Supermercado (Supermarket) for a few provisions. We were a little unsure of the way but reasonably confident at the same time. However, there was a young lad about 10 on a pushbike just there so we asked him in Spanish where the supermarket was. He gave us a few directions which we managed to understand but then as we walked along he shadowed us on his bike to make sure the old codgers actually made it! Such consideration from one so young - it's typical of the caring in general that we see all the time.
Monday (11/07) we were picked up by the real estate agent we had met on Friday and he gave us a great tour of the city and we feel much more oriented as a result. We were driven through several suburban areas which gave us a good appreciation of their various characteristics. Then we were taken to an apartment in a brand new building where he and his partner run the business and we had great conversations with David and Luiz. Luiz is actually from Ecuador but he has adopted Colombia and Medellin in particular. We participated in a promotional video of their business and we were glad to do so as some means of acknowledging their kindness and help to us.
On Wednesday we are taking a bus to Guatape which is 2 hours east of the city. It is a tourist village on a huge lake which was created when a hydro dam was built back in the 1970's. If you Google it you will see that the lake has multiple arms and is very pictureaque. Might be just the place to live as it's a short distance from Medellin.
We'll let you know how it goes - you may be sure!
Lotsaluv from us.........
Jim and Jean
Medellin
Colombia.

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