La Piedra and Guatape
Before the Tour
Hola- Its John to start today’s blog. I just wanted to stress the importance of context when speaking. At breakfast as we munched on our croissants Kimberly looked up from her phone and announced: “I only have a year left”. I replied: “Are you telling me over croissants that you are going to die within the year?” No, no she says, I was talking about my phone needing to be replaced. Back to my context-less spouse….
Today we are going to a picturesque town called Guatape which is located outside Medellin. We are early to our tour departure point (which is in a park, just in front of the police station) so we people watch.
The bells are ringing at the church across the street. A man walks by with his hand down his pants but other than that everyone else seems pretty normal. Unfortunately it is overcast but not raining.
On the Road
Driving through the city, we see parts that are more prosperous and other sketchy areas with people down on their luck or totally strung out on drugs who are living in tents made from salvaged garbage.
We are told to keep our masks on in the bus because if the police spot anyone without a mask on in the bus they will stop it.
We drive through an 8 km tunnel to get out of Medellin and then pass through an agricultural area with lots of farms.
El Penol
We drive through the new town of El Peñol and pass a statue dedicated to the women of the town.
The old town of El Peñol is now under water at the bottom of a reservoir. The electric company needed the land for a dam and reservoir. At a meeting with the electric company attended only by the town’s men, the men agreed to the price offered for their homes without first consulting their wives. Apparently (according to our guide) the only thing scarier than an angry Latino woman is a whole town of angry Latino women. The women refused the offer agreed upon by their men and took over the negotiations with the electric to get a better deal. Rather than just getting money for their land they had the company build a new town so everyone from the old town could relocate together preserving all the family and neighborhood friendships. Once the dam was completed the old town was razed and then covered by the water of the reservoir. A large cross marking the former location of the town church sticks out of the water in remembrance of the old town.
La Piedra
The sun has come out as we arrive at our first stop, La Piedra, which is Spanish for The Rock.
La Piedra is a very large rock that you can climb (over 740 steps).
Many years ago an enterprising family bought the rock. None of the local farmers wanted the land as it was useless for farming. The family built stairs to the top and the place has become a lucrative tourist attraction. Admission is 20,000 pesos per person, around $6 CAD.
We climb the 740 steps up the rock. It is not fun. It is actually hell.
The view from the top is pure magic. Spread our below is the reservoir dotted with green hilly islands. Gorgeous.
I forgot to bring Bob the rubber chicken on this trip and what to my wondrous eyes does appear but a souvenir stand at the top of the rock selling rubber chickens. I conquer temptation and leave without a chicken.
My legs are shaking after we descend the rock so we stop for a break. John has a coke and I have a beer at a restaurant over-looking the reservoir.
Guatape
Back on the bus, we head to the town of Guatape. After the area was flooded, deep lakes were created around the town. Tourists were already coming to the area for the rock so to make their town more attractive for tourists, the residents of Guatape painted all the buildings in bright colours with colorful motif pictures called Zocalos, under the lower outside windows.
We have a very large lunch (unfortunately mine was fried) and then head out for a boat tour on the resevoir. Next is a walking tour of the colourful town, and then free time to explore.
The town is gorgeous with all its bright colours and gorgeous artworks. There are beautiful streets, cute shops, all kinds of restaurants. There is also a lovely church. A wonderful town to wander around in.
Lunch Bag Let Down for Dinner
At 4pm we head back to Medellin arriving about 6:15pm.
John wants to go to a different restaurant but I’m afraid of walking around the area at night. I check at the front desk of our hostel and am told it’s safe.
We check out a different restaurant but nothing on the menu looks appealing to me. I decide to go back to Cafe Zorba but there is a huge line up at Cafe Zorba so we head back to our room. My tummy is a bit upset by the fried lunch so I’m not hungry anymore. I’m wiped.