There is a phenomena of “tiny little bags” here in Medellin.  For the uninitiated, these bags carry a sinister implication.  However, the truth is (sometimes) much more mundane.

While these bags are often used for nefarious purposes (just check out the “Park of the Journalists” (parque de la periodista), these bags are also utilized in much more innocuous ways.

these tiny little bags actually contain some innoculous spices; salt, oregano, red pepper and black pepper

For instance, the tiny little bags from the picture here are actually from a pizza delivery last night. The bags contain a selection of spices including oregano, garlic powder, salt, red and black pepper.

Just an example of the little differences here that sometimes lead visitors to jump to the wrong conclusions due to Medellin’s reputation.  So the next time you see a tiny little bag littering the street – maybe it’s the remnant of a drug transaction – or maybe it was just lunch.