And the Gold Medal Goes to...

...the Mayor of Medellin.

Once one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Medellin is now a modern model of civic development. No longer are Pablo's men murdering paisanos in the streets - the mayor has worked hard to clean them up. Four discrete stops on the brand new metro safely invite tourist and locals alike to experience the city's rich culture at its classic Botero-filled museums and public spaces as well as the redevelopment of communities complete with new parks, a modern library and a free metro cable (like a ski gondola) that carries you up the hillside to a once very poor barrio. Thanks to a mayoral rule that all public spaces must have some work of art, the city is beautiful. Of course my favorite part was the science center, at which we played with all of the coolest hands-on physics experiments we remembered from high school, plus a few new ones including a merri-go-round basketball court that explores the perceived Coriolis Effect. Rach even made a basket! I did not.

Through the Zona Cafetera we saw just about every shade of green that exists as a backdrop to countless coffee trees. Another day in thermal baths set behind a waterfall version of Plinko (see pics) and we found them less awkward and more relaxing. What wasn't relaxing but a great time was the horseback ride through the Valley de Cocora. Rach still has the marks to prove it. It was, however, incredible. In what was like a rainforest, we rode in and out of streams, through and around a special type of palm tree that grows to be 300 feet, while our guide walked the whole time. At the top of the mountain, the horses were sweaty, the guide was not.

I've got to admit, I had half my mind on my dad's visit to Mendoza - where we are now. Sometimes I just can't stop my brain from thinking ahead.