The leader of the Medellin Cartel was responsible for over 5000 deaths between 1989-1993 including many government officials, police officers and innocent bystanders. This includes the bombing of Avianca Flight 203 which Escobar orchestrated to kill one politician who ended up not being on board that plane.

Colombians prefer not to think about the past and instead focus on the present and future. Medellin has changed a lot in recent years going from being named the world’s most dangerous city in 1993 to the world’s most innovative city in 2013. One of the things that has increased in popularity is the ‘Pablo Escobar Tours.’ Personally, I have no interest in going on these tours and would prefer to do tours in other parts of the city.

Maybe they exist due to the popularity of the ‘Narcos’ TV show on Netflix. There have been many documentaries about one of Colombia’s notorious men although the one that stood out for me was ESPN 30 for 30’s “The Two Escobars” who Pablo Escobar, the Colombian drug lord, and Andres Escobar, the Colombian futbol player.

While I was in Medellin, I decided to do a ‘free walking tour’ in an area called ‘Comuna 13.’ It used to be the most dangerous are of Medellin in the 90s but now the crime has significantly changed for the better in recent years. Our guide grew up in this neighborhood, experienced the gang violence first-hand and knew of many people who died as a result of it. It was a really eye-opening tour and interesting to hear how much the community has changed in recent years.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences about Colombia in the comments section. Have you ever traveled to Colombia? Have you watched any tv shows or documentaries about Colombia and Pablo Escobar? Would you consider going on a Pablo Escobar tour? I’m also included some interesting articles about Colombia in today’s flakes so definitely check those out. Anyways onto Flakes...

Frosted Flakes

Nebrasketball: South Dakota State Preseason Preview | Basketball | Corn Nation

South Dakota had a strong season last year, winning their conference with a record of 14-2 including a one point loss in Omaha to UNO to split the series with the Mavericks. A tough break in the Summit League Tournament saw them fall to Western Illinois by three points.

Nebraska Football Fan Day Information | Football | Huskers.com

Nebraska fans are reminded that this Thursday evening will be the 2019 Nebraska Football Fan Day presented by U.S. Cellular, with the event held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Fan Day is annually the best opportunity for fans to meet and greet the Nebraska football players, coaches and staff before kickoff.

Mailbag: What’s the Huskers Most Important Storyline in Fall Camp? | Sports | Hail Varsity

Hail Varsity staff members Mike Babcock, Jacob Padilla, Greg Smith, Erin Sorensen and Brandon Vogel tackle your questions about the latest news in Husker Nation.

Husker Camp Primer: Position battles, players to watch and storylines on the eve of first practice | Football | Lincoln Journal Star

On Thursday, Frost and several players will meet with reporters to preview camp and look forward toward the beginning of the 2019 season, which begins Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium against South Alabama.

JUCO DT Green sticking with commitment to Huskers | Football | Lincoln Journal Star

Green, a junior college standout at Highland (Kansas) Community College, verbally committed to Nebraska in April but took a June official visit to Texas Tech while finishing up summer classes, will indeed attend NU.

Mack to miss Huskers Italy trip after hospital stay | Basketball | Lincoln Journal Star

The juco transfer point guard announced on Twitter Tuesday evening he wouldn’t be traveling with the team to Italy as he recovers from an undisclosed condition that landed him in the hospital for a couple of days.

Colombia

The House Where Pablo Escobar Was Killed: Narco-Tourism or an Important Symbol? | Travel | Medellin Living

Perhaps the most intriguing factor with Escobar tourism is the question why Escobar is still permitted a presence in Medellín after his death, when the reputation of other, equally powerful and tyrannous men before him, have been sealed to history only.

The House Where Pablo Escobar Tour: Is a Controversial Tour Worth Going On? | Travel | Medellin Guru

When you understand that nearly every person living in Medellín was affected in some way during the painful period of the 80s and 90s, you get a better understanding for the current level of friendliness and happiness and celebration of life that the people of this beautiful city exhibit.

Colombia Wants Your Tourism Dollars | Travel | Outside Online

Colombia boasts huge mountain ranges, large portions of the Amazon and endless coastline and surf breaks. But can a country come back from a civil war to become a mecca for adventure?

Colombia’s Buzzing Comeback City | Travel | BBC

Crime is still a problem in Cali, but has fallen steadily due to data-driven solutions – like banning the carrying of firearms on paydays and tightening late-night liquor laws – that treat violence as a public health problem. Between 1993 and 2018, the city’s homicide rate tumbled 82%.

Egan Bernal’s improbable pathway to the 2019 Tour de France win | Cycling | Velo News

Egan Bernal’s long journey to the 2019 Tour de France victory included a few moments when the young Colombian seized the opportunities that were in front of him.

Travel and More

25 Free Apps Every Traveler Should Know About | Travel | Travel and Leisure

Whether you’re looking for an app that will give you discounts to popular local events, get you a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport, these are the 25 free apps you’ll want to download before your next trip. *I only have six of these apps downloaded on my phone.*

13 Places Where You Can See the Bluest Water in the World | Travel | Travel and Leisure

These lakes, seas, beaches, and bays have vistas that range from brilliant navy blues to the lightest, clearest turquoises imaginable. Needless to say, they are the perfect places to re-connect with nature, family, and yourself.

7 New Museums Worth Planning Your Trip Around | Travel | Conde Nast Traveler

The buildings themselves are often architectural marvels and stuffed with rare and unusual objects. Here are seven major openings that already have us queuing.

Where To Go On Holiday In August | Travel | Conde Nast Traveler

Europe’s jam-packed, of course, but one can still take refuge in a handful of heavenly secret spots, even in the South of France. Intrepid adventurers might head for the Arctic, however. Meanwhile, festivals are drawing eager crowds everywhere from Wiltshire to Papua New Guinea. Here are 20 ideas for rounding off the summer in style.

Gen Z Is Starting to Travel — Instagram and YouTube Tell Them Where They Go | Travel | Conde Nast Traveler

Experts differ on the exact confines of America’s newest generation, Gen Z, but for the purposes of this article, let’s say that it includes anyone born after the year 1995. That means that Gen Z’s oldest members are now in their late teens and early twenties—the time of life when, if you’re lucky, you get to start traveling on your own.

The Best Ballpark Food Around The USA | Travel | Lonely Planet

These days, baseball stadiums from coast to coast ramp up their food offerings, providing fans with concessions that reflect the local city. Here is the best ballpark food from eight stadiums that are a veritable home run.

Could You Pass This Astronaut Aptitude Test | Space | Mental Floss

The Astronaut Test is comprised of 15 questions that examine six criteria: physicality, spatial visualization, knowledge, education, abstract reasoning/IQ, and personality.

Murder in the Moroccan Mountains | Crime | Outside Online

Last winter, Moroccan officials found two hikers dead on the trail to the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains. The international investigation that followed revealed the fragility of the adventure travel economy, as well as what happens when a small tourist hub is suddenly made strange by violence.

No One Is Safe: How Saudi Arabia Makes Dissidents Disappear | News | Vanity Fair

The assassination of Jamal Khashoggi was no aberration. A Vanity Fair investigation reveals how Saudi Arabia attempts to abduct, repatriate—and sometimes murder—citizens it regards as enemies of the state.

A Dark History of the World’s Smallest Island Nation | History | The MIT Press Reader

A combination of greed, colonial mismanagement, and gross incompetence has brought Nauru, once dubbed ‘Pleasant Island,’ to the brink of collapse.