If you want to get into the minds of the smugglers themselves, book your tour through Tiger Paw Hostel ( http://www.tigerpawhostel.com/). The tour includes a visit to Escobar's grave, one of his homes in Medellin, the site where he was killed, and a Q&A with his brother, Roberto, ex-chief accountant of the Medellin Cartel. Watch out for Roberto, he luuuuvs the ladies.

This is a recently new and delicious restaurant. Very friendly owners one is a chef the other server. Prices range from 12 000 to 18000 peso. It's located around the zona rosa just down the street from casa kiwi. The address is cra 35 no 7-75 barrio provenza, el poblado Medellin. Phone 312-6285 or cell 312-7471-877 owner Jaime.

For all you vegatarians havin a hard time finding meat-free options in Colombia, try Verdeo at the end of cr 35 #8a-3 in the Zona Rosa. Good eats at reasonable prices. Hrs are mon-wed 12-4pm and thurs-sat 12-10:30pm. Web site http://www.ricoverdeo.com/

This tiny restaurant serves 5 or so dishes per night. They have one cook and one cute waitress. The food is basic pastas with rich meat or vegetarian sauces. It is located at the edge of the Zona Rosa district of town, on the street that runs behind the Casa Kiwi Hostel. When you go there, ask for the 'sorpresa', meaning you want the chef to surprise you with whatever he wants. I ate there a grand total of 9 times while I was there and was never disappointed.

This is one of those things I would never go to in Houston, but because we were in Colombia, a parade sounded like a good idea. The intricate and artistic floral designs created by Santa Elena farmers are carried in wooden boxes. This is the part of the parade you really need to pay attention to. Check out the 2010 Festival of Flowers calendar: http://www.feriadelasfloresmedellin.gov.co/.