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In the afternoon we joined the 'real city' walking tour in Central Medellin. The charismatic guide, Pablo did an excellent job explaining to us some of Colombia's history including the 'times of violence'. 15-20 years ago Medellin was the worlds most dangerous city, fuelled by the drug trade, political differences, illegal armies and those seeking revenge for injustices. Pablo did an amazing job of showing and explaining to us how Medellin has moved on from the times of Pablo Escobar (famous drug lord). Today Medellin comes across as a very developed city with locals enjoying the public squares, socialising with friends and even Salsa & Folk dancing. Although he did also show us the diversity within one square being from a church on one side, children and families playing, police mini-station in another corner then people smoking crack/sniffing glue/intoxicated right opposite! Pablo also discretely showed us that the 'ladies of night' line up along the fence line of the second oldest church in Medellin - coupled with a line of hotels opposite which charge by the hour. A lot of investment and clever initiatives have slowly turned the city around to be the much safer, happier and welcoming place it is today. We both left the next day wishing we had more time here!
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