Hi Willamette! My name is Catalina Vélez and I happen to be one of the two Spanish language assistants for this year. You should know this is my first time living abroad, and it is challenging but also exciting.

So, do you know where Medellín is? It is in Colombia and it is actually the second largest city with about 3 million people. The city was once upon a time the most violent place there, but now it is transformed and full of colors, culture, opportunities, and life.

Medellín is known as the city of eternal spring because of its mild weather (an average annual temperature of 75°, imagine that), and as the teacup city because it is supposed to be super clean (no comments on this… Just kidding. It is normal, but definitively not super).

Regarding the impressions I am sure most of you who have heard of Colombia keep at the back of your mind, I know some may not be always good, and I’ll do my best change that. But if you haven’t heard a thing, just wait. There is just so much to tell that I promise you will not get bored.

I just want to finish by saying thanks in advance to those who will transform my life; you all will if you just take the time to read, reply or come to talk. I am already grateful for having the opportunity to be here, so I hope I can do something good for you as well.

Here are some pictures from Medellín. The first is actually a friend’s photo. He just took it from his balcony during one of those great sunsets we usually have. He lives in the Southeast, which is the wealthiest area.

And in the second photo, which I took from the Internet, there is a view from the Northeast. It is a lot more popular. Notice there are no high buildings here, except downtown, and the houses are all made in bricks.

If you want to know more about the place I come from and why it is one of the happiest places on earth (believe it or not!), just click here!