My friend Jonesie recommended I visit Medellin. When I spotted a good offer, I bought my ticket. I was staying for over 3 weeks, but planned on taking a side trip as well. Jonesie was supposed to join me, so I waited for news from him before making further arrangements.
I was enjoying a sabbatical and wasn’t looking for a job. But the job came looking for me. I was made a lucrative offer, but they wanted me to start working the day before I was supposed to fly to Medellin. I decided to take the job and cancel the Medellin trip. After doing the pre-trip research I’d neglected to do before I bought my plane ticket, Medellin didn’t sound like my kinda town anyway.
When it turned out the job wasn’t as urgent as they made it out to be, the Medellin trip was suddenly back on. Or was it? My preparation was half-assed. I’d cancelled my tentative accommodation reservations. I had issues with my camera equipment on my last trip to Russia and the incompetent pricks at the courier company sent the new gear to the wrong depot.
Even on the day of departure, I still wasn’t sure whether I’d actually be going to Medellin. But I signed my new contract on the way to the airport and got on the plane... minus the new camera gear.
Reservations
I’d managed to reinstate my apartment reservation at the last minute. But I didn’t have a reservation for my 1st night in Medellin. Marcy said she had a room available at El Castillo. But there was a 2 night minimum & I couldn’t get a confirmation before I left.
I arrived in Medellin around 10 PM. My luggage arrived on the next flight from Bogotá. That gave me ample time to wander up to the departure lounge and get some cash from the ATM machine.
My phone indicated I was roaming. I even received a welcome message from TIGO... in German.
But when I tried to call the apartment rental agency & El Castillo, I couldn’t get through. “Falto de pago” Nonsense! A queue of taxis was waiting to drive me into town. But they needed a destination... and I didn’t have one. In the end, I figured my best bet was to go to the apartment for which I had a reservation... for tomorrow. I could always sleep in the lobby!
When I explained my situation to the doorman, he called the Mexican American apartment owner, who happened to be staying in his apartment. He turned out to be a great guy. Another apartment of his was available for tonight. It was only 1 block away. It had just been furnished. But it didn’t have electricity yet.
Oh well. At least, I had a place to bunk down for the night. The Vista
I wasn’t sleepy, so I sat on the balcony and enjoyed the splendid vista of the Medellin hills as I was having a few smokes. I contemplated going out hunting, but that wasn’t a realistic option under the circumstances. The sun would come up tomorrow...
Loso