Post 70: Thoughts on food, and day 2 in Medellin

F.A.,

This post is a continuation of the previous few days we spent in Medellin, more on Pereira soon.

11/25/11

After meeting with Stephan mid morning, we took the west - southwest metro cable (the San Javier line) to see the views from above.  Sweeping views once again, just this time we did not get off and took it around.  We wanted an escape from the city, considering the previous week hadn't been spent anywhere but in urban areas.  It was time to take in some fresh mountain air, and escape the pungent  fumes of diesel and fried empanadas.  With that, we decided to hike in the Arvi Park Nature Reserve.

We headed to Exito, a nation wide shopping center similar to the Wal-Marts that sell groceries in the states.  On the way, Gavin and I shared deep red mora juice (tart, similar to blackberries) and the white, milky juice of the guanabana fruit, with bits of it's flesh inside.  Both were quite delicious, as most of the many unusual, tropical fruits and juices I've tried in this country have been.  At Exito, we picked up some baguette bread, cheese, peppered turkey, avocado, tomatoes and water to have along our hike. While grilled meats are abundant throughout Colombia, deli meat selection is very limited here.   You typically have a wide selection of overly processed ham to choose from.  Any other meat will cost a significant amount more.  A half pound of turkey in the states: about $4.00.  In Colombia: $7.00 +.  We had exhausted ourselves of ham, so we were glad to finally find something otherwise.

If you're not cooking and/or traveling on a budget, food choices are limited and not vegan friendly. Only twice did we come across an Indian restaurant or a restaurant sign that stated 'Especiales Vegetarianos'.  The common cuisine here are meats, starches, beans and fried foods.  There are panaderias on every corner, as well as empanadas, perros calientes (hot dogs) and hamburguesa's.  Plenty of pizza and pasta, and in some regions even Mexican.  For a salad, it's likely you're going to McDonalds or Sayanara.  In super markets, leafy greens are virtually non-existent, but green beans and peppers are abundant.  I'm not saying these foods are unavailable, but you'll certainly be paying extra for it.

We met Sebastian at a local metro rail station, and he continued with us up the far northeast metro cable line into Arvi Parque.  There we had cup of fruity lulo juice before scouting our route.  Along the trail, we encountered many butterflies, one of which crawled onto Gavin's hand and then nose.  We also saw a tropical bird known as a Barranquero, and many varieties of moss, ferns, orchids, and mushrooms among tall alpine trees.  Stephen had a Swiss Army knife which we used to make our sandwiches.  Along the road back towards the metro cable we tasted a malty white, sweet liqueur known as Amalayas sold by a local man.  All four flavors were delightful.  We picked up a few bottles to bring home and share with others.

Gavin and I said our goodbyes to Stephan and Sebastian.  The remainder of the evening we spent walking to a local park in the nice neighborhood of our guest house, where a live merengue/salsa band played all through the evening.  We ate dinner outside overlooking the park, once again enjoying grilled steak, BBQ'd ribs, chorizo and beers; all for well under $20.  While watching retired people salsa and drink together in the square on this wet Friday evening, we could see the strong sense of community that is here.

June