November 23, 2010
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Medellín miscellany
My friend Oscar and I took the bus into Medellín this afternoon to do some shopping. Downtown is not as pleasant as it used to be for walking, it seems to me; very crowded and noisy. This scene is typical of the area bordering the wholesale district, with booths lining the sidewalk. Mi amigo Oscar y yo nos fuimos en bus al centro de Medellín esta tarde para que yo hiciera algunas compras. No me parece tan agradable como antes caminar por el centro; está muy lleno de gente y de bulla. Esta escena es típica de la zona que linda con la zona de mayoreo, las aceras llenas de vendedores ambulantes.
Junín, one of Medellín's most central streets, was turned into a pedestrian walkway many years ago. Right now it's a horrible mess; they're digging it up to replace stuff underneath This guy was working there today. Junín, una de las calles más centrales de Medellín, hace muchos años es pasaje peatonal. Ahorita es un relajo tremendo; la están excavando para cambiar lo que tiene por debajo. Este señor estaba trabajando hoy.
Shoppers walk on temporary walkways on each side of the excavation. Los peatones caminan sobre aceras improvisadas en las orillas de la excavación.
The rotisserie places grill the chicken right by the sidewalk. Does this make you salivate? Donde venden pollos ponen los hornos junto a la acera. ¿Esto te provoca hambre?
We saw this lovely, lovely old man singing and accompanying himself on maraca and guacharaca. I just had to get a picture. I gave him all the coins in my pocket. Vimos a este viejito hermosísimo que cantaba y tocaba maraca y guacharaca. No pude dejar pasar la oportunidad de tomarle una foto. Le dí todas las monedas que traía en el bolsillo.
When we went by a few minutes later, he had fallen asleep. Cuando pasamos un poco después, estaba dormido.
They're putting these garish figures everywhere. Illuminated with tube lights. En todas partes están colocando estas figuras un poco grotescas, iluminadas con luces de tubo.
I love the sign at the top of this photo. It says, "Calm Traffic Zone." Me fascina el aviso que dice "Zona de tráfico calmado."
There are tons of traffic jams downtown. En el centro hay muchos trancones.
There are a fair number of street people, although I didn't see very many during the couple of hours we were downtown. This guy was taking a nap on the sidewalk. Hay muchas personas que viven en la calle, aunque vi pocas en las dos o tres horas que estuvimos en el centro. Este tipo estaba disfrutando una siesta en la acera.
In the center of Parque Bolívar, there is a statue of Simon B., as you would expect. The church behind him is the world's largest all-brick structure. En el centro del Parque Bolívar, hay una estatua de Simón, como es de esperar. La iglesia que se ve al fondo es la estructura más grande del mundo construída completamente de ladrillos.
That glimpse included some of the shabbiness of downtown. This evening I went for a walk with my host in the ritzy Poblado district. New sidewalks in Medellín have to include this track for the blind. The straight lines are to guide their sticks. Crosswise lines and dots let them know when they've reached a corner or interruption. Ese vistazo incluye parte de lo feo del centro. Esta noche salí a caminar con mi anfitrión en el Poblado, una zona lujosa. Las aceras nuevas en Medellín tienen que incluir esta pista para los ciegos. Las rayas sirven como guía para sus bastones. Cuando hay rayas atravesadas o puntos, eso indica que han llegado a una esquina o alguna interrupción.
This is in an upscale mall. Un centro comercial de lujo.
If you want, you can stop at your favorite place for a classy dessert. Si así lo desea, puede pasar por su lugar favorito para comer un postre elegante.
They have a bunch of cool fountains in the new commercial development. La nueva zona comercial incluye fuentes muy vacanas.
I tried and tried to get a good picture of the moon on my way home, but it didn't work. They have a nice full moon down here tonight. Intenté varias veces tomar una buena foto de la luna, per fue un fracaso. Esta noche hay una luna llena muy linda aquí.
Comments (27)
I'm glad you're sharing your trip through these photos. the old guy singing on the street ... wow. it's both sad and beautiful.
j.
I want to hug that little man.
The contrast of old and new is interesting to look at. The contrast of the bricks, glass, water, lights, statues...it's all so beautiful.
The traffic zone doesn't look too calm to me.
Yummy chickens!
I sure am enjoying traveling with you!
The sidewalks for the blind-an excellent idea, I have never heard of that before.
Yours is one one of the sites wherein I cannot get the rec button to work. I try and try, because your posts are quite worthy.
The fountains are really cool.
That chicken does look really, really good!
The ubiquity of MacDonald's I find depressing. The owner of the Mac franchises in Panama gave a talk to our philosophy class in 1972, when I was a student at Canal Zone Jr. College. He was a Hindu and vegetarian.
I have trouble with moonshots too. If the moon looks good in the shot, everything else is dark.
Thanks for this glimpse into the life of a city most of us will never see. Great photographs
Wow. It looks like the moon I tried to get the other day. I can't tell what time the clock says. Maybe 9:30? Time difference? Mine was about going on 7. But yes, if you were using a cell phone cam like I was, it is difficult. Still, there's a bit of mystery about an out of focus shot.
btw, the old man on maraca is a keeper.
The ritzy part of town probably had all calm traffic zones...
What wonderful pictures, Tim. I have a strong aversion to crowds, but boy, would I love to be there ((laughing)) as a pedestrian, of course. Calm traffic, indeed! Looking forward to your next post, already...
OH that was a bit stressful~ the busy (non-calm) walk through the city. I'm such a country girl.
The textured paths for the blind, do we have that in our cities~ that is so brilliant.
What was that covered wagon in the upscale mall?
Thanks for sharing your trip. I also think the sidewalks for the blind are interesting. The contrasts of the city are amazing. Glad you're enjoying your trip!
So glad you're there, Tim. It remains a city of such great contrasts.
Love all of the glitter and light on the streets where you were shopping. Beautiful fountains and looks warm enough to sleep on the street without a sleeping bag.
How awesome!!! Are you enjoying yourself?? Are you connecting with all your friends??? I haven't been around and I forgot you were going . . . so I'm psyched to see this update. Have a ball and keep taking photos!!!
Love the pic of the old man with the maracas and the fountains in this post. I was pleased I could recognize you in the translation-out-drinking photo!! You look so much more like your profile pic than I look like mine. Well, I guess not anymore, actually. i'm enjoying your pictures and a vicarious trip to Bogota. Excellent!
@ordinarybutloud -
I'm glad you enjoy the pictures. I don't feel like I've been very creative in my writing; I don't take as much time on blogging as I do at home. I'll make up for it later.
@jacksoncroons -
I've had a lot of fun so far, but haven't had as much time with friends as I would like. I hope tomorrow is better. Today was wonderful sightseeing, but a friend that was supposed to go along had something come up so it was just me and my hosts.
@Roadkill_Spatula -
When I went out of town this summer I took a three-month blogging hiatus. So you're doing a lot better than I did.
@ofunlo -
That's how I thought about the old guy.
@adamswomanlost -
I have a few more modes of transportation that I hope I can capture with my camera. Medellín is a living mixture of the best and latest technology with the old and primitive. It's fascinating.
@grannyinboxers -
It is quite warm. A century ago people wore ponchos a lot, but now only when it rains.
@adamswomanlost -
I'll probably get more analytical and reflective once I get back to Dallas. Right now I'm just enjoying and capturing all I can with the camera. I'm glad you're enjoying it so much.
@MelFamy -
Point-and-shoots aren't that great at moon shots. Occasionally I get lucky. I'm glad you're enjoying the trip. I hope to get back here more often hereafter; this place is in my blood. Burger King came into Colombia quite a while before McDonald's. A friend of ours tried to bring McD but ran into too many legal hassles, so he went to Argentina instead. Someone else was eventually successful. Down here, though, it's a more serious job than it tends to be in the US for the employees. We stopped at a McD's coffee bar on our way home from this walk and had wonderful cappuccino drinks, served in style by a very nice barista.
@WildWomanOfTheWest -
I didn't pay attention to the covered wagon. I don't know what it is; might be part of a Christmas decoration? I don't get that stressed downtown, it's just tiring. I grew up here, after all. But there are parts of the city I like much better than the wholesale district.
@HereLiesNelsontheGreat -
They call them Chill Zones.
@POETIC_ISIS -
I think it was 9:30. The moon looked great, but my camera refused to focus. It kept trying to find something closer. The little old man is wonderful. I know God has him in his hands.
@Harpos_Mark -
I'm glad you're enjoying the vicarious travel. It's been pretty good first-hand, too. Today was spectacular. I'll show you guys later.
@DistantShipSmoke -
It surprises me (when I think about it) how ancient primitive technology is still in use alongside the latest and greatest here. It's a lovely place, full of contrasts.
Loved this post! Really enjoy seeing your trip through your pictures.