We left for Medellin with a stop over in Santa Rosa. We spent the afternoon relaxing in hot thermal pools that looked out across a big waterfall, a really peaceful and picteressque setting. We arrived late in Medellin so caugh a taxi to the hostal. On arrival the taxi driver tried charging 5x more than the price on the meter. Stu gave him a note expecting change, but then he wouldn`t give us change. So i went to get someone from the hostel and the matter was resolved. The guy from the hostal had taken his license plate so was able to report him to the police. This was our 1st bad experience in Colombia. Up until then we had nothing but good experiences. One lady walked us all the way across town to show us to the bus stop, another guy gave us his business card saying to get in touch if we needed advise or help, another couple befriended us telling us all about Medellin and the surrounding areas. Just lovely people, generally!
The next day we went to the centre of Medellin, which felt like any big modern city. The main difference being that there were loads of people wearing bibs or signs advertising that they charge S200 per min to use their mobile phone. These people and signs are everywhere. Also, there are people walking round with thermos flasks filled with sweet cofffee, people with ice-cooler boxes full of homemade ice-creams, people with trays selling gum, chocolate and cigarettes (sold individually or by the pack.) It seems Colombia is full full of enterprenerial types. Back on the other side of town, by our hostal, we strolled around the nightlife zone of Poblado. It was full of modern bars and clubs & would fit in perfetly in any cool European city. Seeing as we`d spent most of the past 2wks drinking we opted for the sober option of the cinema & went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D! And sure enough the cinema was located in a mall full of shops you`d find in America. Further confirmation of how much Colombia is following in Americas footsteps.