Medellin: A Growing City

I'm back. It's been two weeks, and I know you all missed me. Riiight?! Hmmm... 

Well, it was a good experience. I got to see a lot of people my mom grew up with and who saw me when I was three, fifteen, and twenty four years old (only other times I've been to Medellin). I connected with their kids who are my age and I met when we were kids. 

Here in Medelllin situated in a valley the sprawl of the city reaches up the mountains. The mountain views are spectacular and at night... it is like the stars have come down from heaven.

But the traffic... I hate to say it but the smog in city hovers right above it on a cloudy day. The mountains gain a haze that makes them look far away. On clear days, the mountains are crisp and sharp. The views are spectacular, but even on those days you can still see a little smog. 

The city of Medellin is trying to do something about the pollution. They've built two water management facilities in their effort to clean up the Medellin River that runs right through the  city and along the main highway (north to south) artery of the city. In addition, they have invested in public transportation with Transit cars, Metro trains and Metro Cable cars.

I think that there is so much potential to this city. The investment in infrastructure will be paying off not just in transportation, but also in their water and recycling programs. The water is drinkable from the tap. Yes. You heard that right, the water is not drinkable anywhere else in Colombia as far as I know. 

Well, I'll leave you all for now enjoying some more pictures. There are views of a metro station, and views from the metro cable as you up and down the mountain. You can see there are still poor shacks where people live, but many are decorating their roofs for those who look down from the metro cable.

Colombia - My Next Adventure

I've been trying to write several posts about wine and food, but I can't seem to get the right motivation. For the last week and a half, I've been preparing for a trip that has me full of mixed-feelings. I am flying to Colombia next week. My trip will center around two cities, Medellin and Cartagena.

I feel guilty admitting it, but this is not my first choice in destinations, Yet, it is part of my heritage since it is my parent's home country. The guilt is  a big part of those mixed-feelings. Especially if you read my blog, my traveling heart loves loves loves the UK. I am also sad because this will probably be my last trip to Colombia where I will be able to visit my dad's side of the family. My uncle and aunt are very old, in their eighties, and I have been neglectful in keeping in touch with them after my dad passed away.

Last time I was in Colombia, it was over 20 years ago. It was different then, Colombia was in a the midst of a war against drug cartels and against a terrorist group (the FARC). They were dangerous times, especially if you were a foreigner. This was the period of time when kidnapping tourists, or foreign corporation representatives, or even high profile Colombian citizens was happening quite frequently. So frequently that when I was in Cartagena-which was one of the safest cities at the time being a highly tourist destination-  and decided to go to this small little town some 50 miles inland, my uncle didn't want me to go.This little town was where my dad's family came from and I was curious to see it. I was adamant on going.  I had to travel without any type of ID and wear my most inconspicuous clothes just in case the bus I was riding in was held up; No one was to know I was American. And this was the safer part of the country.

The area of Medellin was another matter. Here the drug cartel led by Pedro Escobar was ruling the area. Violence was an everyday thing. It was a scary time. I traveled to Medellin for just three days. Even though I was there for such a little time, my mom's friends were always hyper-vigilant. I spent three days looking over my shoulder. The city was lovely, placed in a valley surrounded by mountains, but you really couldn't enjoy the outdoors. If you want to do some hiking, well so long my friend. Not recommended. At all.

Now, Medellin is heralded as one of the most enchanting cities in South America. It strives to pull itself out of that violent chapter in its history. The reincarnation of the city is amazing and you can read a great article done by the New York Times. There are parks and trails in the city and the surrounding mountains. There is an effort to expand the cultural aspect of its citizens with public art, new cultural institutions, and innovative architecture.

This is where I'm headed for my next traveling adventure. April is the rainy season so I better remember to pack my rain jacket. I am eager to see the changes time and effort has done for this country.

Wish me safe travels. Cheerio!

Hey, what happened to the 'hood?

Have you ever lived in a bad neighborhood and then gone back to visit? And voila! It has been "gentrified"? I recently went for a weekend to visit my mom in Miami. I must admit that I have been a little neglectful. Last time I saw my mom, she visited me in November of last year. So I figured it was my turn to do the visiting, plus, she did summon me down for some help. You have to go once it turns into a summons. Ya know?

Wynwood is my old neighborhood. As I was growing up, there was a lot of crime, poverty, unrest, gangs, etc. It is located to another neighborhood, Overtown, which is also known as a bad neighborhood. Both are located near Downtown Miami and close Miami Beach. Wynwood is mainly small family homes with warehouses towards the northern part. This latter part of the neighborhood has been in rehabilitation for a long time. It is called the Miami Design District. Slowly, high-end interior design and antique shops have been moving in, but now - Bam!- we have designer shops also moving. You can find, Givenchy and Dior, plus many others.

Yet throughout the neighborhood you can fine little cafes popping up, tiny boutiques, and lots and lots of art, beautiful murals. Just check out these pictures. 

The murals are spectacular and there are so many more. You can find them even in the least touristy spots of the neighborhood. And let me tell you, there are still some blocks where you have to be careful even in the daytime.

At least somethings remain the same.The local grocer where you can get the cheapest fruits and vegetables is still there and the laundromat that has not been updated since they invented the washing machine is still there. 

Lets move on to the ... Nightlife. 
There is a nightlife. I mean there has always been a nightlife, but it use to be the kind you did NOT want to be caught in. If you know what I mean. 

Now, there are bars, clubs, art galleries, restaurants, and food truck rallies being held until 3 or even 4 in the morning. There is lots of traffic as people cruise up and down NW 2nd Ave in their flashy cars, and people walk up and down the street hopping from one place to the next.

I have mixed feelings on how the neighborhood is changing. I love the fact that it feels a little safer. I love that there is so much art and culture coming out of my old neighborhood. There are places to go and things to do in walking distance from my mom's house. 

Although, there is a sense of nostalgia for what it was and the people you know have moved out. There is a little bit of worrying about losing the Latin flavor and culture. 

At least I was worried, but as I was turning down one of the less trafficked streets, I passed by some jimmying the door to a car with a buddy on the look out. 

Ah... I think, "Now this is the "hood I know."

Two Brief Book Reviews and Stuff

The idea of writing is better than the reality. To be a prolific, fluent, good writer is an aspiration that I always dreamed of, but knew that it would never be easy to achieve. Not because I lack the talent, it is more of lacking the drive to write. I don't breathe writing; I don't have to constantly write. Yet, I do like the idea of it. Therefore, I have asked myself to give it another try. Not to become famous, just to train myself to have the patience in writing down my thoughts, and hopefully, the exercise of writing will become easier and enjoyable.

Back to Book reviews. I have written about food, wine, travel, and coffee. Those are things I enjoy immensely and fortunately been able to experience. Reading is another of those pleasures that I hold dear. I just finished two books that I liked in two different ways. One was as light reading; the other was more hefty read. Both had great similarities even though they are from two different genres.

Funeral Music by Morag Joss is one of those mystery novels that feels like a quick cozy-read then wallops you with its writing and moral complexity. I picked it up thinking it would be quick and easy, mainly though I chose it because it takes place in Bath, England which is my current obsession. I was pleasantly surprised when the heroine is a classical music artist, a cellist, and begins to snoop around when the concert manager for the charity concert she would be performing gets murder. There were so many storylines taking place in this books and the author weaves and ties them all together making it a complex mystery with a surprising ending. The language and writing lends itself to add more intricacy through rich description not only of the place, but the music and the actions.

The Baron Next Door by Erin Knightley was a fun quick read. It is one of those books that you need to be uncomplicated. What you see is what you get. What was surprising for me is many of the historical -especially Regency- romances take place mainly in London with just part of the story somewhere else in the United Kingdom. This particular trilogy -this title being the first- takes place in Bath.
I'm not going to rave about this book. As I mentioned before, it is what it is, but it does introduce not just the city of Bath in good detail, but also classical music features prominently, even a Chinese zither.

So if you want a romance or a mystery you may consider one of these or both or none, but definitely think about where the books you read take place and see if a change of scenery is right for you.
Cheerio!

Finally, a post about coffee

Coffee. It's about time I talked a little about this 'Elixir of the Gods'. My blog name does contain the word so there should be some posts about coffee.

I wanted to revisit some of the lovely coffee shops in Oxford that I got to try. You can read about my visit there in this post.

Being in Oxford for just one day, or to be more exact, it was more like 8 hours, but lets no quibble. What I was trying to say was that I only got the opportunity to visit three cafes. Some might say that three was enough - or maybe too much, but not you my friends and fellow coffee aficionados. 

Lets begin the reminiscing. We came blame this stroll down memory lane on The Thrifty Anglomaniac's door, again.

So will I was meandering through the streets of Oxford, from the train station towards the university, I came up on this little gem. While I was there, I found out they are part of a charitable organisation called Crisis that provides education, training, and jobs for the homeless. 

The Starlight Cafe is one of the ways that they provide training and jobs while we, as patrons, enjoy a lovely cup of freshly ground and brewed coffee with snacks prepared fresh and locally sourced. I enjoyed a lovely Americano, two shots of espresso with hot water to fill up the cup. It tends to be strong and more of an intense coffee than just the regular brewed type. 

I did mention earlier that I went to three places in Oxford. My second place of coffee nirvana happened along Broad st, a little place called Cafe Creme. A lovely little sandwich shop offering freshly and locally sourced sandwiches, the Moroccan chicken couscous wrap was so good. I ate it as I walked back towards the university to meet up with my group. I am still kicking myself for not taking a picture but by the time I thought about it, it was completely gone, devoured. With this lovely spicy tumeric and cumin basted wrap, I had a lovely espresso shot served with a little strip of lemon zest. Delish!


Last but not least, as we were leaving the university to head back to the train station, I stopped by the Caffe Nero. Caffe Nero is a popular coffee chain  in the United Kingdom. This location is found within Blackwell Bookshop. I got to browse lovely books right across the street from Oxford University, plus indulge in some ... tea. Yes, my friends, I had some lovely, refreshing iced English breakfast blend tea. Oy vey was it hot, at least 98 degrees so I wanted something cool on the walk back to the train. Refreshing and crisp, a lovely amber color, the tea was served with a wedge of lemon and unsweetened. Just how I like it.


Alas, this coffee reminiscing has left me hunkering for a fresh pot of ... well, I think you know.
Cheerio!