Ep. 49 - Medellín, Colombia
Narco history and natural beauty - Episode 49 takes us on a 5 minute adventure to Medellín, Colombia. The "City of the Eternal Spring" is one that has transformed itself from one of the most dangerous cities in the world to one of Time Magazine's "World's Greatest Places" in 2023. Listen now to learn more of the history of this great city and to get yet another destination on your travel bucket list.
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Transcription:
*Intro music*
Hello! Happy Friday! Welcome to episode 49 of your favorite podcast - The Friday Take Five! Thanks so much for tuning in - I appreciate you sharing your time with me. I’m the host of this show, Mark Moran, and each week, I scratch an itch for travel bugs and history lovers alike by discovering a new place, and a new story. I try my best to inspire listeners of the show to travel and experience the world. By the end of the episode, if you’re itching to hop on a boat, plane, or train, then I’ve done my job. With that, let’s get exploring!
*Transition music*
From one of the most dangerous cities in the world to one of Time Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” of 2023, our 49th destination has had quite the journey over the last 45 years or so. Nicknamed the “City of the Eternal Spring” for its year round temperate climate, the beautiful Medellín, Colombia, has also had a spring-like rebirth, transforming from the epicenter of drug cartel operations in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, to a city that is now arguably safer than many American cities.
In the 16th and early 17th centuries, several small groups of settlers began to pop up in the Aburrá Valley in what is now the Antioquia department of Colombia. Prior to the formal founding of what is now Medellín, families were spread all throughout the valley, before eventually coalescing around the church that had been constructed at the intersection of the Santa Elena and Medellín rivers.
By 1810, Colombia declared its independence from Spain, and its growth continued, with the population exploding exponentially over the next 150 years. By 1950, the city of Medellín had reached a population of nearly 350,000, up from just a few measly families.
I, like many around the world, was first introduced to Medellín, through the next chunk of its story: The Escobar years.
In the mid 1970s, after years in smaller game organized crime, Pablo Escobar began making a name for himself in the budding cocaine trade. By the late 1970s, as the head of the organized crime ring known as the Medellín cartel, he was pushing thousands and thousands of kilos of cocaine into the United States. At its peak, the Medellín Cartel was shipping 70 to 80 tons of cocaine on a monthly basis into the U.S.
With his rise, Escobar came to be on the receiving end of what would amount to billions of dollars. His net worth is often estimated as having surpassed $100 billion in today’s USD. That is, before ultimately dying in a shootout with government authorities.
During Escobar’s rule as a drug kingpin, Medellín was often characterized by news outlets as a warzone. He used a strategy that became known as “silver or lead”, highlighting how he would often bribe or kill to get his way in the city around him. Skirmishes with police, politicians, or rival cartels were common and the blood and money flowed freely.
Since Escobar’s death however, the story in Medellín has changed. Crime has plummeted and its growth as an industrial city has turned it into an economic hub for Colombia. The poorest regions of the city including Comuna 13, where Escobar based his operations, were brought into the fold and connected to the rest of the city by improved public transit. In 2012, Medellín was even nominated as one of the most innovative in the world for its continued efforts to build a world class city.
Medellín has such an action packed and wild history. When you make it out there, I hope you, like me, will be taking a tour through Comuna 13 to experience great graffiti, street food, and Narco history, but I hope you also take some time to explore the great natural beauty of the surrounding area. Surrounding Medellín are great coffee farms nearby is the world famous Guatape rock. I already have both slotted for a day trip when I make it on out to Medellín.
That’s all for this week folks. I hope you enjoyed another 5 minute trip to an incredible destination. We’ll see you next week, in episode number 50.
*Transition music*
Hey there! Thanks for going on another adventure with me in episode 49. If you haven’t already, be sure to give the show a 5 star rating on podcasting platforms, and share this episode with a friend. Have your own stories about Medellín, feedback on the show or suggestions for new episodes? I’d love to hear it so follow me and DM me on socials @FridayTakeFive or email me at thefridaytakefive@gmail.com. Stay curious, stay adventuring, and have a great weekend!
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