Monday, February 13, 2012

Colombia: Cartagena - Getsemani

A colorful and quiet neighborhood in Cartagena we called home.

Everyday is an occasion for celebration
God loves you - cold coconuts 
Sunday baseball
Neighbors next to the hotel
Building art across from the neighborhood square
some of the kindest people you'll ever meet - the folks at hotel patio


9 comments:

A Cuban In London said...

Loved this post. They play baseball like Cubans, anywhere! Thank you.

Greetings from London.

White Shell Girl said...

Hahaha! Gracias :)

Ines said...

Hy! I just saw a documentary on Colombia on TV and I fell in love with Cartagena. Searching informations on this city I found your blog. If you have time of course, what can you tell me about this city, what did you like and didn't like? In addition to the historical places and architecture, are there great beaches? I really hope not to disturb you. P.S: sorry if my english is not really good (I live in France) thank you! Ines.

White Shell Girl said...

Salut Ines! Ton anglais est formidable :) Good questions. There is a lot that I enjoyed and things I didn't. I'll post something soon with more of my thoughts on Cartagena. I've been meaning to write something about the city. I'm not your typical traveler...I didn't set foot in a museum during my 2 week stay. We were spending most of the time waiting for our car that was being shipped from Panama :) I spent my hours with the pace of the sun. It's very hot and I caught heat stroke one day. So I would write in the mornings, enjoy the neighborhood restaurants for the mid day meal or "almuerzo"...wait for it to cool then more walks in the evenings. I couldn't really force much more. I did lots of people watching, listening, feeling. I just drank in the city. Enjoyed the kids playing in the square during the evenings, the buildings. The wall is very impressive and beautiful like the people. I didn't visit any beaches. I believe there are resort areas in Cartgena that have beaches perhaps. We were in Getsemani - no beaches there. The water along the wall does not have a coast line that I could see. We have friends that traveled further north to Santa Marta for the beaches and volcano. I hope this answers some questions - even though I know it all sounds illusive. I can only say that the place will reveal itself when you come and it will offer you things that only you can experience through your eyes. Just be prepared and remember that it is Latin America were it's better to be formal and mindful. Also, here is my husband's travel blog with more photos: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cedric.brehaut/1/1328616057/tpod.html. Feel free to drop me a line at mai at brehaut dot us. I would love to hear about your travel or any questions you may have.

Ines said...

Merci beaucoup! I saw your husband's blogs (it's a good writer), you and him make me dream with all those trips. For the moment I'm not sure I will go to Cartagena someday, I just want to travel in Latin America because I feel close of its inhabitants, I love its music and I like learn more about its history through my spanish civilization class. Sorry I did'nt understand what you mean by: "remember that it is Latin America were it's better to be formal and mindful" ? At first I wanted to go to Puerto Rico but I thought maybe it will look like the United States too much, what do you think? and you what country / town do you prefer? Perhaps when I will have chosen my destination I will try to save money (I'm a student) because these last months I really fell wanting to travel somewhere, any place far from where I am...

White Shell Girl said...

Hola Ines. Apologies, I missed your post! What I meant was it's always better to be polite and dress how the locals dress to blend in (e.g. you don't want to be the tourist sticking out with shorts and a swimsuit and a gold watch...that sort of thing). Latin America is still very religious and in places quite machismo unfortunately and people will judge you based on how you're dressed. (Of course, there are many examples I can give you where the women wear skin tight clothing too and they dominate the menfolk). I remember in Guatemala in Lake Atitlan, we found out that the locals (tzutujil ) looked down on backpackers - their encounters associated with lack of hygiene, drugs and being cheated. In any case, my experience is its always better to blend in, watch what the locals do and to be respectful - it gives you an insider's perspective on the places and the people you are meeting. I also posted an update with a list of places we've been to and highlights (places I liked): http://www.whiteshellgirl.com/2012/03/trip-update-34-cities-4400-miles-9000.html. I haven't been to puerto rico, but I've heard it's nice. I would agree with you that it's more developed although I'm not sure that it looks like the US - I'm sure it has it's own local flavor :) In my opinion, Mexico (St Miguel, Yucatan, Isla de Holbox) and Guatemala (Lake Atitlan) are my top picks - for it's cultural beauty, friendliness and cultural richness . Costa Rica is very friendly and the beaches and wild life are amazing - but not much on the culture. It's also a hot travel destination so this affects price and there is a larger tourist community (retirees). We're also having a wonderful time in Quito, Ecuador. Guatemala and Ecuador have been the cheapest on our travels. Friendliest and safest have been Mexico and Costa Rica. I hope this helps and good luck on your travels. Let me know if you have any more questions. M

Ines said...

Muchas gracias por sus consejos!

Ines said...

¡Hola! Espero que usted está bien desde un año ¿Querría saber si hay cualquier modo de contactarle en privado? Querría pedirle algo bastante importante ya que es la única persona que "conozco" para acercarme a América latina.

Ines said...

Actually I have to find an internship abroad for may and I am searching one with difficulty I was wondering if you could give me some contacts in Latin America I could send applications to?

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