Medellin, Colombia.Part 2

 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide

Quick-Fire FAQ: Drying Out Wet Clothing. How do you do that on the road?

How do you dry your wet belongings while traveling, especially when you're solo? Especially in a humid area, it’s hard to get things dry. When you solo travel, you have more control over your time constraints, so plan to let things dry.

When it’s damp, the best way to dry your clothes is by maximizing water removal before drying. 

Try the towel roll trick. First, lay the clothes flat on a towel, roll them up, and twist to ring out the moisture. Use strong airflow and ventilation, such as fans or dehumidifiers, and space clothes out for even evaporative drying indoors.

If safe, place clothes near a heater or radiator, but not directly on it, for fire safety.

Use a dryer if possible.

Store thoroughly dried clothes in airtight containers or use moisture absorbers if needed. Sometimes, you will have to pack a wet garment, but you have some control over it if you are solo.

60-second confidence challenge: Travel Navigation apps 2025

Travel apps to use regularly before you leave:

Make your own list of about 5 of them.

My favorites are Google Maps and Rome to Rio. 

Apple has a map, and several others are decent.

Select a destination and research the transportation options and associated costs.

 

If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, an entire Chapter on Maps of my A book dives deeper  into how to build confidence using maps—link in description.” 

 

See Book A for addressing this challenge of using travel apps for directions.

Find it on the website​​ at 5StepsToSoloTravel.com or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series.

 

Destination Deep‑Dive

Today’s special destination is Medellin, Colombia. Part 2

 

This is part 2 of my visit to Medellin, Colombia.

Colombia was the first country on my trip, and I really enjoyed Medellin, even though it was raining a lot of the time I was there. For the most part, I felt safe. Part 1 discussed the changes since the 1990s and a few of the attractions I suggested. There have also been some problems.

Drug Trafficking Today

• Colombia remains the world’s leading cocaine producer, and armed groups and organized crime still participate in the trade, according to InSight Crime.

• While the infamous Medellín Cartel no longer operates, its historical legacy persists.

• In neighborhoods with tourist traffic, drugs may still be present—but such activity tends to occur behind the scenes.

https://colombiareports.com/manufacturing-colombian-fascism-story-gomez-family/

Where should you stay? Try the Poblano neighborhood. I swam in the rooftop pool at the Los Patios Suites hostel, which provided a relaxing soak, and it offered views of the surrounding neighborhoods. It rained a lot in this city in May, which was during the fall season. One of the drawbacks of the rain and humidity was the presence of mosquitoes. My shoes got wet and never really dried.

 

Final Thoughts on Medellin

• Safety: Medellín is significantly safer than it was in the past, but it's still advisable to avoid risky situations, such as unplanned nightlife excursions or meetups through dating apps.

• Drug Trafficking: Still present at broader levels, but doesn't dominate everyday tourist life—unless one seeks it out.

• Itinerary Picks: For women over 50, I'd highlight coffee tours, Comuna 13 storytelling, parks like Arví, cultural sites like Nutibara and Palacio de la Cultura, and the bike-share system—each offering memorable, relaxed experiences with minimal risk.

Smart Move and Slip-up pairing:

I got hit by the caffeine in Colombia. Too much. I had a hard time falling asleep. So don’t order a full cup, or only drink half. I had trouble sleeping due to the coffee I had at noon. Hyped up all day! Cut out caffeine if you’re not accustomed to the buzz and want to sleep well.

Take away mantra and goodbye.

 

In Medellin, I got lost and turned around to go back, frustrated and weary. It was raining. I was soaked. Dejected and upset, I was mad at myself and felt bad. But then something changed. The next thing I saw was a Christian church that was just about to start its service, so I stayed for two hours. God was with me on that journey. A woman in the church had her Uber driver drop me off near the metro, so I could then continue on my journey. The day turned out better than expected. I’m leaving you today with the hope that your next trip will have a positive impact on you and others as well.