20yrs ago Medellin certainly was. 381 in every 100,000 people were murdered. There were 3 big military groups fighting- just 1 was government controlled and even they were hopelessly corrupt. Want to survive? You’d probably have to join one of these groups and fight.

 Pablo Escobar (ultimate drug lord/Colombian Voldemort) ruled the roost here- the series Narcos will give you a pretty good idea of the situation. 

So why, upon finding out these facts, did we not book the first flight back to safety and run to mummy?

Well nowadays this aint no hit town. The shocking statistic above has dropped to 20 in 100,000. The place feels no more dangerous to walk around than Walthamstow market. Sure, there are ‘no go’ areas and you have to be very aware of pick pockets but all of this is completely and utterly overshadowed by the Colombian enthusiasm, friendliness and pride to have some tourists. 

Pride to have tourists. That sounds stupid doesn’t it. Tourists to me mean a clogged up Tesco queue to get my work lunch. Well here, the locals can hardly believe that a group of white westerners are walking through their town. It’s a marked change from the years that have gone before. 

They’re even proud of their metro. It’s not a great engineering feat, it’s not colourful, standout or special in any way. Frankly, it’s dull as. It is, however, Colombia’s first ever metro and again a stunning change from 20years ago. 

Colombians are accepting their past and building a better future and they’re doing it frigging fast. I think it’s amazing. 

I could go on but it’s bed time.