Catedral Metropolitana heads up the Parque de Bolivar in Medellin, built in 1875 in the neo-Romanesque style.

There was a mass taking place, but I could not resist sneaking a stealth photo, as it was so beautiful. It was Ash Wednesday, which I suspect was the reason for all the flowers. (Note the incense cloud!)

Known as "El Liberador," Simon Bolivar led Colombia, along with Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela, to independence from the Spanish Empire, therefore considered a hero. Every city has a statue and a "Parque de Bolivar."

Street performers come out as soon as the rain stops. Parque de Bolivar, Medellin.

This is one of several "tienda esoterica" or natural botanical shops that line the park. You can smell the aromatherapy wafting down the block.

The busy pedestrian street in central Medellin, "Pasaje Junin."

The pedestrian street of Pasaje Junin is currently undergoing construction in the main plaza, but still offers dozens of restaurants, fast food shops, and bakeries.

This is the local Colombian staple, "Arepa," is an unleavened patty made from cornmeal. It is as ubiquitous in Colombia as the tortilla is in Mexico. And yes, the big tub on the left is "butter" for spreading on the Arepa.

A view from the Parque Berrio metro station.

Typical Colombian meal known as "Bandeja Paisa," which translates to "heart attack on a plate!" A fried egg on top of rice, surrounded by beans, sausage, skirt steak, avocado, plantain, and a one inch thick strip of bacon!

My next bus trip was the 13 hour "night bus" from Medellin to Cartagena. Colombian buses are very comfortable with reclining seats and leg rests, so I managed to sleep through the night, waking up to scenery of flat farmland.

The Rio Magdelana widens out to a delta as we near the Caribbean coast.