Pablo escobar island cartagena
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“Pablo! Get back in the closet!” I yell over gunfire.
Unarmed and unaware of the encroaching danger outside, Pablo Escobar retreats to the bathroom closet with a startled backward leap. I kneel low under the panorama window; chips of blue shower tiles dig at my knees.
Years ago, this oversized window must have given Escobar a tranquil view of Lake Guatapé. Hidden in his island fortress, away from the street violence of Medellín, Colombia’s most successful and ruthless cocaine kingpin thought he could let his guard down. He might have gazed out the window while he brushed his teeth or laid under a mountainous bubble bath, but now, it’s a tricky place to defend. In the chaos of the moment, I haven’t the time or the incl
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“All fear has much imagination and little talent.”
– Colombian proverb
I like to commemorate my travel anniversary: February 26th.
First year I did a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, a bucket list item. My second year I was working in China so I didn’t get much choice (we had a night out with the gang). This time it was my 3 year anniversary travelling. On this day I had officially been travelling for 36 months. So I decided to schedule my Guatapé tour for this day. Fair warning: This is going to be the messiest blog post I’ve ever posted.
Another day, another tour!
I hopped on a bus leaving from my hostel (or close enough) and sat next to Veronica, my new best friend. She was there with her sister, but they weren’t sitting together so she was mine now.
The bus rolled through Colombian scenery on its way to wherever we were eating. At this point I was so chilled out about tours that I surrendered every bit of individual thinking the second I boarded whatever transport was given. All I knew was we were going to see
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But what dropped my jaw was clambering all over Pablo Escobar's house *ahem* sorry, mansion, that was bombed by the Cali Cartel in 1993 (funded by the USA). Taking a private speedboat there made the experience a little bit more rockstar.
In no way do I intend to glorify this man who brought so much bloodshed and chaos to Colombia (and beyond)......but......holy shit did Pablo Escobar have an epic pad. Some of the extensive list of luxuries include; a private soccer field where he'd fly in pros to play for him, a waterfront pool perfect for parties, stables, steam rooms, watch towers and a garage where he'd order the cars to be kept running at all times should they need to escape.
The burnt out shell has been left untouched and is now owned by a former housekeeper, Maria who worked and lived here for 23 years (well deserved). She'll happily take you for a tour of the property where you'll also get to see the plants El Patron had brought in from all over the world; Africa, Canada and even Australia. Don't get me started on his zoo which was three hours up the road. He had an affin
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