In order to feel happy and comfortable in my new home, I would need to get up the courage to leave my room, explore the city and talk with local Colombians. Even though I felt exhausted and overwhelmed on my first day in Medellín, I dared myself to go out and find a vegetarian restaurant for dinner. From then on, little by little, I began to acquaint myself with the city, wandering through various neighborhoods, trying typical dishes and asking many locals for help when I felt lost or confused. Lucky for me, the people of Medellín tend to be incredibly friendly and willing to help, so I never felt truly alone as I got to know my new city.
What were some of the most difficult adjustments, you might ask? Well, for one, living in Medellín is my first time living in a big city. You might laugh coming from New York City, but I grew up in a medium-sized suburb of Portland, Oregon, a city of one million people. Medellín, on the other hand, is twice the size of Portland, and rather than living in a nearby town, I'm living and working right in the middle of the city. Everything feels busier here, with a lot of traffic on weekdays and crowds of vendors selling everything from jewelry to piles of oranges in the downtown where I work. I have always loved nature, and I miss being able to find the quiet, forested parks that I would often visit in my hometown. I've been happy to find that Medellín has some great natural areas, though, including the Jardín Botanico (Botanical Garden) and Pueblito Paisa, a hilly viewpoint overlooking Medellín with a 360-degree vista.
In some ways, it has also been difficult to adjust to Medellín's food culture. I eat mostly vegetarian, which means that I don't eat meat or fish very often.
