Paris, one of Aburra Valley's most impoverished barrios - a densely populated heap of haphazard rooftops with a violent reputation. It is where many displaced Colombians arrive to build a new, urban life.
Tatiana, a 23-year-old waitress, invited us to see her home – a cramped, windowless structure with corrugated iron roofing. “The wind never stops whistling,” she says. Tatiana shares a bed in the main room with her mother, sister and her two year old daughter, “we are often freezing at night.” Despite the apparent severity of their situation, the family are warm, open and incredibly astute. Tatiana’s mother is teaching herself English and she worries about her youngest children's loathing for school. Tatiana’s sister presents two medals won playing football, of which she is timidly proud.
Paris sits just above barrio Castilla, where violence is once again ruining lives as local gangs struggle to expand their territories. Police are present -- as in most of Medellin's violent neighborhoods -- but spend their time flirting with the local girls, reluctant to be caught up in a shoot out.
Tatiana’s mother explains the mentality that those who make trouble in the barrio, pay for it – for the most part. But innocent people inevitably suffer the carnage.
A perilous footbridge leads us across a sewage stream on the other side of which the concrete houses are replaced by vegetation and shacks built from whatever could be found. Here the “desplazados” are rebuilding their lives – families forced from their homes by Colombia’s interminable armed conflict. The city barrios are ever-expanding.
A Christmas tree sits outside one wooden hut while children play idly in the evening dust. We are greeted amiably by every person we pass.
A spectacular view stretches out over the ocean of terracotta urban sprawl, extending some 20 kilometers south. The towers of Medellin’s city center are hazy in the distance and storm clouds threaten the horizon.
Tatiana invites us to spend Christmas Eve in Paris - I eagerly agree, there is nowhere else I would rather be.
tomtom33
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... If you are going to spend Christmas Eve there, Ashley, I strongly suggest that you arrive before dark and spend the night inside. Don't leave until mid-morning. They are still stacking the bodies like cord wood in all parts of the city these days. |
azunoman
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... We would like to donate to the family for xmas, food stuff, clothing etc....Please contact me at azunoman at yahoo punto com. |
azunoman
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... Having a 'friends of Colombia Reports' Christmas drive is an excellent idea by bluebird. |
gringomedeliin
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... Ashely it is great up there I have been many times in fact have slept a few night there, just one thing it is not Medellin but the city of Bello, from the fotos it looks like the section called Las Sauce , on a hot day in the city heading up there is refreshing with the cool breeze. The police durng the day tend to hangout at the station but at night you see them riding their Moto's around the Barrio stoping people checking ID's and for weapons. I hope you enjoy Christmas Eve there, Walking around at night is not as bad as some claim , I have walked alone a few times at 9 pm for the bus back to Centro without issue, but suggest you walk with someone who is from the Barrio . Bluebird good idea, I know of some is doing a project in Barrankilla, him and is wife have snet toys and clothes for kids , from what I undertsand they shipped 2 shipments, it is sometime next moth they will be passing it all out, they connect with a group in Killa thay is helping them. |
