I had been cautioned that Communa 13 is one of Medellín’s most dangerous precincts, and was quite surprised as the presence of a heavily armed police force increased as my companions and I went made our way up pedestrian paths and stairways. At the top I was greeted by a scrum of paparazzi and local newscasters, and was soon in good company with a (semi) rakish entourage at whose center was none other than François Girbaud (of 1980s tag-on-the-fly jeans fame)! How could I have not known it was fashion week in Medellín!I was wondering why I was having trouble booking a hotel room for my brief trip to Medellín, Colombia, last week. But I found out soon enough, as I ventured to the upper reaches of Communa 13 on the southern fringes of the city to tour the new open-air escalators there.
It was quite a surreal moment (and irksome as the mob kept getting in the frame of my pictures), but not surprising, really, as Medellín, once synonymous with drug crime, has now become widely known for its impressive collection of public architecture and infrastructure projects.
You have 0 complimentary articles remaining.
Unlimited access + premium benefits for as low as $1.99/month.