Medellin – once the most dangerous city in the world

Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia, was early 90's as the most dangerous city in the world and had the highest murder rate in the world. The drug trade certain the image of the city and the biggest drug lord in South America, Pablo Escobar, earned with the cocaine exported to the United States billions of dollars. Since 1993 Escobar was shot dead by police, , the number of murders everyday, although extremely reduced, but in the slums is crime unfortunately still on the agenda.
We wanted to know more about the history of Medellin and have therefore with David Palenque Tours made a slightly different city guide, namely on "Criminal History Medellin". We started our tour at one of the former homes of Escobar, in which we could also go. A huge multi-storey building with roof terrace and countless rooms. Top Pablo lived with his family, down in the basement some prison cells were even housed. After the entrance of the house in 1988, a car bomb went off and his mother was seriously injured, they sought other Stay. The house today looks very run down and many walls are destroyed, probably because someone wanted it for hidden money. A safe in the size of a room is also seen.
By taxi, we drove only then to Escobar's grave and then to the slums of the city, which go up a steep hill. In Comuna 13 neighborhood there is even an escalator. It was built a few years ago to facilitate the ascent of the mountain residents. The streets are pretty steep and if you have to run everything on foot, it is quite exhausting. David gave us the go a lot of interesting info. But we would not necessarily want to run through the quarter here, especially not as "White" and then maybe with a camera in hand ... Pablo Escobar supported the poor neighborhood with lots of money, er Baute z.B. Train, Football fields and enabled the poor power supply. In return, he found by his followers, who helped him in his business. He paid his people well to opponents out of the way.
With the Metro Cable, a cable car, then we drove up to the slum Santo Domingo. Below us on the slope, we saw the many huts and houses, the lined up close together side by side. That is a very impressive and at the same time depressing picture, so many poor people. The city of Medellin decided a few years ago, to open up the slums better and therefore built this ropeway.
David also told us, that the slums are today still organized by various gangs, within this for "security” take care, but at the same time it collect protection money and also control the drug trade. The government is trying to counteract this though, but it is difficult to understand, how the system state and police work here.
David, we not only learned a lot about the history and life in Medellin but also a lot about the country Colombia. Medellin has changed, 2013 was chosen as the most innovative city in the world. It is considered the city of fashion and cosmetic surgery. The textile industry and flower production are two important sectors. But nevertheless Colombia is still one of the largest cocaine exporters.

We spent two days in Medellin and stayed at Hostal Casa Provence before flying back to the airport. Area of ​​Medellin is very nice, The city lies in a valley, surrounded by mountains and everything is always green. Medellin is known for its mild climate as City of Eternal Spring. With the arrival at the airport our stay Colombia came to an end and we went by plane on the way to the next country, nach Ecuador.