I'm just a Paisa bartender in Medellin

This week marks six months since I evacuated The United States of North America and now find myself in Colombia as a bartender for a hostel in Medellin. The pay isn't great- just a simple dorm bed in exchange for five shifts at night. I wouldn't really call it 'pay', it is more of a way to not be constantly spending money.

The one thing I have come to realize during these six months is that after paying for a room, I feel the need to make the most of the day, be that riding my bike, exploring the town or go on a hike out in the valley. Just sitting around and watching teevee is unacceptable- I shouldn't be paying to do that!

Instead I am volunteering my time at The Wandering Paisa, serving up drinks from 7pm to midnight. On my first night I only served up six beers.

During the day, I intend on checking out this great city and do some biking outside of the city, when possible.    The city is noticeably much different than anywhere else that I have been to in South America. The people are very nice and very helpful.

On my first night here, I was lost while trying to find my friend's apartment. I stopped and asked a man on the sidewalk where a particular street was and what street we were currently on. After thanking him, I was about to pedal away on my bike, when he took off his headphones and asked me what address I was trying to find. After he pointed out that I was only a few blocks away, he offered to walk me to the place. Not wanting to trouble the man, I thanked him again and moved on. After I told this story to my friend, he confirmed that is what Paisas (the people here) do- they will make sure you get to where you wanna go.

Never mind Colombia's sordid past. Never mind that this was Pablo Escobar's turf.  This is a great city and a great country.  I feel safe, even at night (though I have't pulled any late-nighters here, yet). The air quality is pretty good, considering Medellin is situated in a valley and has around 3.5 million people in the metro area. The current climate is hovering around the 80s in the day and low 70s at nite, with low humidity, but the threat of rain is daily.

a BMX training course located close to the airport and southern bus terminals

Peruvian food markets

A look back at some of the foods available in Peru

actually not from a market, but these are some varieties of Peruvian spuds

San Pedro, Cusco meat market

Wanchac, Cusco meat market

Wanchac, Cusco meat market

fruits in Wanchac market

Wanchac

Almost all markets will have a food court with cheap meals (I'm talking two-course meals that cost only a couple bucks, but you get what you pay for)

fresh spuds for sale in Wanchac

meat market in Puno

spuds in the Puno market

first venture into Colombia... food!

After a sprint from Tumbes, Peru to Bogota, Colombia, I am reunited with a couple friends from Canada.  I left on a Thursday evening and arrived into Bogota on Wednesday, only being in Ecuador for 48 hours.  Don't worry, I will be back to Ecuador.

I gotta catch the sunset on the Gulf coast right now, but here are some food photos so far...

a big shank of pork in the foreground. In the background is stewed chicken (left) and grilled steak (right)

 my first restaurant, located in Bogota on the campus of the Universidad de los Andes

 lechon- shredded roasted pork, served with crunchy rice and a crappy arepa (corn cake)

 seafood casserole with cheese on top

Colombian meatballs (top right of plate) served with some rice, spaghetti, unripe tomatoes and a plantain.  The red juice is mora (type of blackberry) 

 Bourdain ate here... and so did I.  Above is the ceviche with shrimp, calamari and octopus

 prawns, calamari, octopus and fish in a coconut curry with oyster sauce (above and below)

 tiger prawns, marinated in coconut and grilled

 diced lobster tail in coconut and oyster sauce

dedo de queso - a giant cheese finger... not really gooey, more like dough with some cheese in the middle