Parque Arvi - Medellin Living

Parque Arvi

Located outside Medellín, this Colombian park focuses on conservation and sustainability.  

 

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PACO_GODOY/WIKIPEDIA (CREATIVE COMMONS)

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Parque Arvi is a nature preserve and archaeological site found outside of Medellín in the Aburra Valley. Covering over 16,000 hectares, Parque Arvi is known for its wildflowers, nature tours and over 54 miles of hiking trails.

Within the park rests sections of prehistoric ruins including waterworks pathways, platforms, gardens, trenches, and roads. The “pre-hispanic trail”—or the Camino Cienza de Leon—is assumed to be over 1,500 years old. Offering spectacular views of Medellín and the surrounding Aburra Valley, the high terrain running through the western part of Parque Arvi is one the most preserved trails leading to the Laguna de Guarne and Seca Lake region.

Parque Arvi also boasts an outdoor regional food market and an Ecological Hotel. Guests to the park can enjoy nature tours, cycling, outdoor adventure sports, and guided hikes such as a two-hour butterfly (and flora) tour— called the “Porton de Guabayo”—that identifies native butterflies in the park. Other tours include nightly guided-hikes showcasing the regional cultural exchange through music, and campfire discussions on Medellín history and folklore.

Know Before You Go

Within Parque Arvi, the Environmental and Cultural Center is open to visitors year round, offering events, educational tours, a food court, and the Arvi store. The Arvi Market, or the Mercado Arví, is located at the entrance of the cable entry. The market highlights regional farmers and craftsmen where products include handicrafts, foods and agricultural products of the Santa Elena region. The Market has been established to revitalize the regional economy highlighting rural community tourism.

Piedras Blancas Hotel and Ecological Park near Parque Arvi has a museum and hotel space along with boat rentals, canopy, and even a butterfly garden. Located near the Piedras Blancas dam, and surrounded by native forests, a longer trip to Parque Arvi should definitely include a stay in this hotel.

Friday, March 1, 2019

For the past few weeks I’ve had lower back pain that tends to lessen a bit as the day goes on but the mornings are horrible.  If I cough or sneeze I have a shooting pain in my lower back.  I also have a cold which makes coughing and sneezing that much more likely.

Teresa called nueva eps and got me an appointment for Monday at 10:40am.

We left the apt at 11:15 and took a taxi to Nueva eps.  We took a number and 5 minutes later we got a slip of paper with my medical description on it.

Using my translator app I learned that we were there hoping someone would cancer their appointment and we would get in.

We gave up at 1:20 and walked across the street where we had lunch at Mariskos.

Back at the apt I finished watching Michael Cohen’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Youtube.

I vegged out for the remainder of the day.

Today only 3,866 steps.

Joke of the day

A magician was working on a cruise ship.

Since the audience was different each week, the magician did the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to understand how the Magician did every trick.

Once he understood, he started shouting in the middle of the show, "Look, it's not the same hat!" or, "Look, he's hiding the flowers under the table!" Or "Hey, why are all the cards the ace of spades?"

The magician was furious but couldn't do anything. It was, after all, the captain's parrot.

Then one stormy night on the Pacific, the ship unfortunately sank.

The magician luckily found himself on a piece of wood floating in the middle of the sea, as fate would have it ... with the parrot.

They stared at each other with hatred, but did not utter a word.

This went on for a day... And then 2 days. And then 3 days.  Finally on the 4th day, the parrot couldn’t hold back any longer and said...

"Okay, I give up. Where's the freaking ship?”

Thursday, February 28, 2019

We left the apt at 9am and took a taxi to Bancolombia.

We had about a 30 minute wait for our turn.  I paid my bills for the month and got 200mil in cash, for some reason in all 10s.

At 10am we were at Nueva eps where Teresa set up an appointment.

At 11:10 we were at Diagnostarte in ciudad del rio where, after an hour wait, Teresa picked up her liver test results.  She was negative for cancer so that’s good; just one more indication that we caught the breast cancer early.

She didn’t want to go to mercado del rio for lunch so we took a taxi to La Bahia in Envigado where we got the menu of the day for 11mil.

She went to visit her mother and I returned to the apt for a nap.

From what I’ve read the best part of Michael Cohen’s testimony came after I left yesterday to meet with Erwin and friends.

Teresa called me at 4pm and I met her and MT at Crepes & Waffles for ice cream.

Afterward, we went up to Café Arangos where I had café con leche and a slice of carrot cake.  I suggested we go later for pizza but I got voted down.  Teresa asked me about the movie The Mule and I checked and informed her that it’s no longer playing at any Cine Colombia location.  I googled and found it’s playing at El Tesoro’s Cinemark theater at 9:30.  Teresa called and confirmed that it’s in English with Spanish subtitles.

I left them for a few minutes and went to Home Center where I found a Pyrex nockoff measuring cup and ¼ - 1 cup spoons. 

I reported back to them what I had found and showed them photos I had taken and Teresa called Wilson and asked him about them.  We went to Home Center and bought them for him.

We then did an about face and went to Wilson’s bar for dinner.  We all had shish kebab and sat around for awhile.  About 9pm it got cool enough that with my cold I decided it would be better if I left.  We walked MT to her building then we walked back to the apt.

Teresa showed me a “lump” on the back of her calf.  The doctor says it’s a lipoma “A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. A lipoma, which feels doughy and usually isn't tender, moves readily with slight finger pressure. Lipomas are usually detected in middle age. Some people have more than one lipoma.

A lipoma isn't cancer and usually is harmless. Treatment generally isn't necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, you may want to have it removed.”

Then I showed her one I’ve had on my thigh for 20 years or so.

Today I did 8,132 steps.

Joke of the day

Four guys have been going to the same Golfing trip to St Andrews for many years. Two days before the group is to leave, Jack's wife puts her foot down and tells him he isn't going. Jack's mates are very upset that he can't go, but what can they do. Two days later, the three get to St Andrews only to find Jack sitting at the bar with four drinks set up!

"Wow, Jack, how long have you been here, and how did you talk your missus into letting you go?"

"Well, I've been here since last night.  Yesterday evening, I was sitting in my living room chair and my wife came up behind me and put her hands over my eyes and asked, 'Guess who?" I pulled her hands off, and there she was, wearing a nightie. She took my hand and pulled me into our bedroom. The room had candles and rose petals all over. Well she's been reading 50 Shades of Grey......On the bed she had handcuffs, and ropes! She told me to tie her up and cuff her to the bed, so I did.

And then she said, "Do whatever you want."

So... here I am!

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Starting at 10am I watched the Michael Cohen testimony before the House Oversight Committee until we left the apt at 3:25.

We were at the bakery in 5 minutes and they were all having bagels and coffee.  There was Erwin the German, his Colombian wife Dora, his friend Randy who I had already met and Tony, an Italian, who is from Canada.

I had a delicious, fresh sesame bagel with a couple of café con leches.  Teresa just had a glass of water.  Later Erwin and Dora changed places so Teresa and Dora could talk to each other in Spanish.  I learned: Tony loves buffalo cheese so I told him I would get him the address of the store in Medellin.  Tony is returning to Canada soon so Randy’s apt will be available so I will let Alex know.  Erwin and Dora are returning to the States soon.  I bought a package of English muffins.

After we left Teresa told me that Dora is 38 years old (Erwin is about 78), has no children, and doesn’t want to have children.

We walked to the mall and stopped at Crepes and Waffles because Teresa said she was hungry.  She had a salad and I a strawberry shake.

After, Teresa asked me if there is a movie we can see.  I checked my Cine Colombia app and Jennifer Lopez’ Second Act was starting in 20 minutes.  In the express line for Platinum card holders I bought 2 preferred seating tickets for 6mil each and added 40mil to the balance on my card.  I bought a small popcorn and medium soda for me and a bottle of water for Teresa.

The movie was “mas or menos” with a typical plot.

At the entrance we found it was raining.  We went into Exito for a few minutes and Teresa checked out the sales.

Back outside the rain had lessened to no more than a mist and we walked back to the apt under my small umbrella.

Today I did 12,026 steps.

Joke of the day

A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerland asked the Priest beside her, "Father, may I ask a favor?" "Of course. What may I do for you?"

"Well, I bought an expensive woman's electronic hair dryer for my mother's birthday. The dryer is unopened and well over the Customs limits; and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?"

"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie."

"With your honest face, Father, no one will question you."

When they reached the Customs area, she let the priest go ahead of her.

The official asked: "Father, do you have anything to declare?"

"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare."

The official thought this answer strange, so asked, "And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?"

"I have a marvelous instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused."

Roaring with laughter, the official said, "Go ahead, Father."

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

I slept pretty well despite getting up twice during the night.  I finally woke/got up at 7:45.

For breakfast I had granola with a sliced banana.

I left the apt at 9am and after walking a block I stopped and asked myself…am I supposed to bring the chess pieces or is Jose?  I tried calling him but all I got was his voicemail.  I went back to the apt and got my chess pieces.  Now I’m 10 minutes late.  A block away from the complex I only had to wait 5 minutes for a Metro bus.  It dropped me off at the foot of the Ayura station and I took the busy metro car to San Antonio where I transferred to the west line.  I got off at the stadium station and walked the 10 minutes to the chess league.  I noticed the practice field that was all torn up last time I was here is now beautifully resurfaced with artificial turf.  Not only is it striped for soccer but also for American football.  Only one problem: the 40 yard line to the 50 yard line on both sides is only 5 yards instead of 10.  Lol.  I was 5 minutes early and Jose was waiting for me and I drew the white pieces.  I gave him quite a struggle and thought I had the advantage most of the way but I lost in the end.

We walked to Tropical restaurant in Obispo mall where we had the menu of the day for 11mil.

Back at the stadium I played the black pieces and he finished me off pretty quickly.

I retraced my steps back to Ayura station and took the bus with destination of Pedazco in the window back to a block from my apt.

Teresa informed me that Esmeralda was stopping by until pico y placa ends tonight.  I think that’s about 7pm.  Teresa said she would make us pancakes.

All afternoon it threatened rain but we got very little.

Then in the evening we got a steady rain and it got cool enough that we closed all the windows.

Esmerlada left at 9:30.

Today my stepcount was 8,757.

Joke of the day

A balding, white haired man from Chebacco Lake in Florida walked into a jewelry store this past Friday evening with a beautiful much younger gal at his side. 

He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler looked through his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring.

The man said, "No, I'd like to see something more special."

At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. "Here's a stunning ring at only $40,000," the jeweler said. The lady's eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled with excitement. The old man seeing this said, "We'll take it."

The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the man stated, "By check. I know you need to make sure my check is good, so I'll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds and I'll pick the ring up Monday afternoon."

On Monday morning, the jeweler angrily phoned the old man and said, "There's no money in that account."

"I know," said the old man. "But let me tell you about my GREAT WEEKEND!!"

Monday, February 25, 2019

I got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 8am.

At the gym I completed all my exercises in about an hour and 20 minutes.  As I was getting my things out of my locker the power went out.  Outside I walked down the escalator to the 3^rd level and by the time I got to the “recycling machine” the power was back on.  I put my water bottle into the machine and it gave me a coupon good for a 6mil discount to Sarku’s.

Back at the apt I took my shower and after lunch we took a 30-minute nap.

We left the apt at 3:30 and took a taxi to Mayorista where we bought mainly vegetables and meat.  I did buy a can of Van Kamps Pork & Beans that I bought because at Pricesmart you have to buy such a large number.

Today my step count was 8,580.  My goal is to do between 7,000 and 10,000 each day.

Joke of the day

Airman Jones was assigned to the induction center where he was to advise new recruits about their government benefits, especially their GI insurance.

It wasn't long before Captain Smith noticed that Airman Jones had almost a 100% record for insurance sales, which had never happened before.

Rather than ask about this, the Captain stood in the back of the room and listened to Jones's sales pitch.

Jones explained the basics of the GI Insurance to the new recruits, and then said: "If you have GI Insurance and go into battle and are killed, the government has to pay $200,000 to your beneficiaries. If you don't have GI insurance, and you go into battle and get killed, the government has to pay only a maximum of $6000."

"Now," he concluded, "which group do you think they are going to send into battle first?"

Sunday, February 24, 2019

I had a bowl of oatmealf or breakfast then left the apt at 9:35 for Ciclovia. Across the street from Otra Parte I saw 3 red squirrels in the trees; they are rare here at least in Medellin.

I arrived at the main Starbucks at 10:35.  I had a cold café mocca blanco without the whipped cream which was delicious.  The girl wrote “que chevere eres” on my cup so I’ve got it in writing.  Lol.

On my way back to Envigado I saw a chiropractor giving free adjustments on what looked like a massage table.  I also saw someone walking a pot belly pig.  In Buena Mesa I saw 4 workers standing outside the new restaurant.  I asked when is it going to open and in English a girl said “March 1^st”.  I stopped at the local bakery but it was closed along with the parking lot I usually cut through.

Teresa wasn’t home but she called me and told me I’m on my own for lunch because she stopped for lunch in Buena Mesa.  I left the apt at 1:45 and walked to the mall.   After walking around their busy restaurant area I finally settled on Sarku.  I then went to Home Center where I found a small fan for under my desk.  I heard a loud crack of thunder and before I got to the entrance I could hear the hard rain and feel the cold coming in.  Then the lights went out and I noticed stores closing and locking their doors.  Because it is an “open” mall the floors soon got slippery and I noticed a few leaks. 

The light came on a few minutes later.  I was looking for a dry place where I could sit and I finally settled down at Cine Colombia.  Several times the lights went on and off.  I feel sorry for the poor people waiting to see a movie.

At 4:30 the rain seemed to have lessened and I made a run for it.  I used the “gym” elevator which got me a little closer to the apt.  Streets were a little flooded in some areas but with my small umbrella I made it back to the apt without getting too wet.

The rain lessened again about 6:30 and we walked down to the corner where we caught a taxi to MTs apartment.  I noticed a fire truck about 2 blocks away.

I showed Wilson and MT how to make the oatmeal cookies.  We forgot to bring the parchment paper so we didn’t have that.  Wilson wanted to add raisins and I was okay with that but he actually cut up what I think were dates and we added them to the usual mix.  By 7:15 we had put the batter for the first batch on the baking sheet and were preheating the oven…when the lights went out.

At 7:53 the electricity came back on and we continued with our first batch.  Unfortunately we burned it and we figured out that the temperature was too high.  Apparently 375F which is 190C is too high so we moved it down a bit.  I saw a pair of scissors on the kitchen table that I thought I recognized and sure enough they were Chicago Cutlery.  I had the same set of a block with knives and scissors in my place in Chicago.  Batches 2-3 were much better although the last batch suffered a little as you try to use up the last bit of batter and they end up too big and run into each other.  I understand Wilson is going to try to sell them in his restaurant for 3mil each.  I recommended he wrap them individually in plastic wrap to keep them fresher.

Back at the apt I finished reading Robin Cook’s Blindspot.

Today I walked 18,758 steps which I kept count with my Accusplit AE120XLv3-xBX step counter.

Joke of the day

A bank robber wanted to keep his identity a secret, but he forgot to bring his mask. He told everyone in the bank not to look at him or he would shoot them.

One foolhardy customer sneaked a look, and the bank robber did what he said he would... he shot him. The robber asked the crowd if anyone else had seen his face...

One customer, gazing intently at the ground, said "I think my wife got a glimpse."