Category: Nature

Magnificent Medellín Memories

Posted on by Schalonda

Hind Sight

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Today is Friday, July 2, 2021 and I am in my sacred space writing my second journal entry for the day. This entry is will not be safely tucked away between the pages of my Dream book and I will not write it by hand with colored ink. This entry will be typed out and shared with anyone who wants to read it. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to amass travel experiences, both good and challenging because there are always moments that stand out, that set themselves apart. The moments I spent in Medellín at the Botanical Garden taking pictures and drawing are gifts that keep on giving. 

 Capturing moments of nature, her creatures and their art are my joy, my happy place. Learning to tell these stories without words is an all new labor of love and I am grateful for this place to post my practice… at a puttering pace.

 

 

The first pic below looks out towards Medellín from Comuna 13, once considered among the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world. In the US, it’s been my experience at least, views this stunning are rarely associated with dangerous neighborhoods.

  Things have changed since the most dangerous days of 80’s & 90’s. Now this neighborhood has escalators that connect the hilltop residents to the metropolis below and allow tourists up to see a graffiti / street art paradise. This place gets packed and it’s a challenge to get pics without people obstructing the view, so I am grateful for all I was able to clearly capture.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more magical moments of nature, I recommend this Seattle adventure.

To glimpse how I transform my photos into mythical landscapes, check out my galleryand blog at SchooneyGraphics.com 

 

 

The Magic of Her Majesty, Medellín

Posted on by Schalonda

Hind Sight

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I spent just over three weeks in Medellin, Colombia in 2019-2020. I stayed in three different neighborhoods, went on two “touristy” guided tours and took over 450 photos, yet I still find it tough to pin point exactly what it was about her that so enchanted me. Perhaps that’s Her super power, She can leave an everlasting impression without a need for bells and whistles.    

I arrived on Christmas day 2019. From the airport, I hopped on a low cost bus that got me to the city in about an hour for less than 15,000 pesos/$4 USD. From the mall bus stop, I called an Uber and presto, I was at the first of three hostels. I dropped off my bags and was off to find food.

After my Christmas burger and beer, I boarded another bus and headed to the city center where I was greeted with the most rare of big city travel experiences, deserted streets. That’s Christmas for ya. I was not disappointed then, nor am I now as I scroll through pictures from that day.

 

After a few hours of exploring, it was time to head back to my accomodations. This is when I made my introduction to Metro de Medellin, the mode of transportation that made wandering the city so easy and fun. Once you get this key peice, the city seems to open her arms and welcome you to explore. From the Museum of Modern Art to Comuna 13, everyday was normal and yet new.

I would love to write about the loads of lessons I learned, fears I overcame and the wonderful people I met that made Medellin so magical but those were not her gifts to me. 

 

 

It’s true that I bumped into 4 people that I met in previous countries and I did a few things while feeling my fears incessant warnings but, after some serious consideration, my admiration for my time in the city boils down to, the ease of her flow.

 

Medellin is a big city with a lot to experience and it didn’t seem to take long to acclimate or go with the bustling flow. In hindsight, Mexico City comes the closest to sharing some of the ease of getting around but doesn’t quite match the flow comfort levels.

In addition to her ease and flow, I was attracted to the flora, fauna, art and architecture. My most favorite place to hang out was the Botanical Garden, which happened to be free, and Cerro El Volador Natural Park which offered amazing views of the city and my first Vermillion Flycatcher.

Lingering Lakeside

Posted on by Schalonda

Lake Atitlán, GuatemalA

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San Pedro La Laguna

One of the things I wanted to do more of during my travels was yoga. I imagined that I’d spend weeks or months immersed in yoga and meditation, like a true tree-hugging, woo woo yogi. While researching Guatemala, I learned that Lake Atitlán might be a place to start if I wanted to make that dream come true. As it turned out, a week at yoga camp was too pricey for my budget and while volunteer opportunities are available at some of the retreats, they’re not something you can find last minute.

Even though I wouldn’t be immersed in hippy training, I couldn’t pass up a lake visit, the pictures were too beautiful. Atitlán is not a singular destination, it’s a magnificent lake surrounded by a dozen different cities, towns and indigenous villages, both large and small.
I stayed in the “party” town of San Pedro for a week, traveling to the hippy village of San Marcos and the more touristy Panajachel by boat.

My first few days were spent roaming the woods of San Marcos with my new friend and fellow Sumpango kite festival attendee. Together we hiked to the Yoga Forest for an ashtanga yoga class and kirtan song ceremony. A spectacular view of the lake, volcanos and jungle with the sun setting behind them made a flawless backdrop for my yogi dream.

When my friend headed back to Philly, I spent the next few days roving the lake towns on my own. Grabbing a lancha to Panajachel for a day trip, investigating the short trails of the San Marcos nature reserve, up at 5am for an Indian Nose hike to watch the sunrise, followed by some worthy wandering of San Pedros streets to discover the charming Parque Puerta Hermosa.

Between Flores, Antigua and Lake Atitlán, I spent over five weeks in Guatemala. I felt especially comfortable in Antigua so thoughts of putting it behind me to get back on the road were joined by anxiety and fear. However, if I was to see to South America anytime soon, I would need move on. I can’t stay in Guatemala forever so I booked a shuttle for my next stop, El Tunco, El Salvador.