CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA - The Walled City for the Win

Dec 1

FRI NOV 28 – DAY 50 – QUITO, ECUADOR TO CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA

Well, this was safely the worst day of my trip so far. Alex picked me up 6:15am to take me to the airport. I was over 2 hours early for my international flight to Colombia.

After waiting almost 2 hours, they announced it would be delayed 2h 40m. This would mean I would miss my second flight. So they rescheduled me for a later flight.

By the time I arrived in Barranquilla, I knew the only thing I had to see there was the Malecon. Then take a bus to Cartegena. I arrived at 6pm and google told me that the bus depot closes at 7pm.

I asked a taxi, how much to drive me past the Malecon in Barranquilla then take me to the bus depot. He said ok – 30 minutes to malecon, 15 more to bus depot so we will be ok.

Except traffic!!! This man was telling me he will drive me to Cargegena. He was telling me I should spend a few days alone with him in Barranquila. OMG – this was a nerve wracking drive. He seemed to be loly-gagging as well so we would miss the 7pm closing time.

We pulled up to the bus depot at 7pm or 7:01. I ran up to the window to ask, can you get me to Cartegena tonight on a bus or shuttle van? I had been given many warnings about going alone – especially at night.

The girl said, ‘yes, the last one leaves in 15 minutes’. Just then a girl tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘excuse me, do you need help?’ I said, oh you speak English?? She said she is trying to buy a ticket to Cartegena. I said, oh get on the same van as me!

Meet my new friend, Daniella. She is a 27 year old Christian business woman, working with Americans in export and operations. We had a great conversation for 2 hours, as our bus driver was falling asleep, slapping himself in the face, singing loudly, waving his arms in the air, I am pretty sure he took some type of pill – his behaviour was very odd and he was swerving al over the road.

We ubered to my hostel, then she ubered to her friend’s house for the night. I made it safely to my bed from a 6:15am start to 11pm in my hostel safe and sound. Thank you Lord.

SAT NOV 29 – DAY 51 – CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA

I was up by 7am, walking by 7:30 to my meeting spot for my tour. The tour was from 8-4:30. Admittedly, this tour was less than what I was expecting. We were to visit 5 of the Rosario Islands. Instead, we visited 3 and drove past 2, only one side of the boat so really not great. It was not a hot sunny day.

The friend, Michelle from New York that I made on this tour – fell as she was getting out of the boat.. I saw the whole thing.. she tripped on a rope.. omg it was awful.. she split her elbow open, went to Hospital as soon as the tour was finished .. for stitches.

During out beautiful beach lunch, we felt something really wet coming from the trees, and then the people next to me got massive clumps of shit on their plates, heads, backs, etc.. it was crazy.

I also met a former pro baseball player now living in Colombia doing real estate online.

I would rate this tour 3/10, not worth the expensive fee it cost to go.

Came home, got ready and then met Daniella to walk around the walled city. She said she met a man named Tom from Florida that day and suggested he join us. What an interesting group we were. Daniella, 27 from Baranquilla Colombia. Me, 55 from Kelowna, Canada. Tom, 62 from the Florida Quays. And surprisingly, the 3 of us had the best night ever.

The restaurant had live music, the food was 10/10. The drinks were good. Conversation was on point. It was a perfect unforegettable night. Tom bought us dinner, so kind.

We walked around for a bit but it started raining, so I ducked out and went home. They went salsa dancing.

SUN NOV 30 – DAY 52 – CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA

Daniella and I met for breakfast on the beach at Boca Grande. A popular touristy area on the beach. I prefer the walled city where I am staying for my visit, my location is perfect.

We had a great heart to heart and a prayer together. A lovely new friendship.

The Uber dropped me off on her way to her bus to go back home. I was caught in the Ironman happening in the walled city. Wow, pretty cool to see all these people in the crazy heat doing an ironman!!!

RECAP CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA

Cartegena is considered a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a major Caribbean port city known for the walled city called ‘Old Town’ – this is where I stayed… right beside the lively area called Gethsamane neighbourhood.

The population of Cartegena is just over 1.1M. The walled city is electric, you drive in through a wall opening, and inside these walls – everything happens. Wow – a whole other life. And my hostel was smack in the middle of it.

I met great people in Cartegena, had the best food yet, good wine, and great conversation. The walled city is a 15 minute walk to Boca Grande with massive shoreline beaches. So really, this city offers it all. The walled city concept is fascinating. Gethsemane is built up on sand and piles, mind blowing. Very interesting city – I felt safe tho this town is still full of cartel. I love the fact that all the action in Cartegena is a 10 minute drive from the airport, gotta love when cities plan properly.

I had the roughest time getting here, 2 delayed flights, a panicked taxi and a shuttle just under the wire with a driver that was not ‘sober’. I lost my iphone in the process, and thank the Lord I got it back!! In the end, it was all worth it.

I rate Cartegena 8/10 – especially due to the people I met and the memories I made in this city.

Pics landing in Cartegena, people that started conversations with me - asked me where I am from.. many of these chats turn into great conversations!

I lost my iphone at immigration in Cartegena. It was a terrifying moment!!! I admittedly panicked - it has all my photos and I cannot travel without a phone for directions, contacts, everything. They had to call a manager over, would not allow me back into the area. this was a very long wait for me, especially since i had been trying to rush out. the manager walked up with my phone and asked me to unlock it. i almost cried. they had moved me out of the line to a separate line to pay a $100 tax to enter Colombia ( i had already entered 2 weeks prior, i had to pay each time) - so when they took me over, and my new friend was standing there waiting, it all took very long so i rushed from the station and left my phone at immigration. all is well - they had my phone thank you Lord!!!!!!!

This whole stretch of my trip was a nightmare… land in Bogota, after major delay land in Barranquilla.. cabbie takes me down Malecon to see Shakira and Sofia Vergara statues as they are both from this town..

Train ride and next 3 days with sweet Daniela. Also with Tom from Florida

My hostel was on busiest street in the walled city.. but an excellent location

across the street was Getsemani - the built on sand part of the city and the port as well ..

visited the Rosario Islands

Ironman was incredible .. running through the walled city

my walled city tour was great.. 2 entrances.. 1 for the rich folk, 1 for the slaves. crazy to see the classes all over this continent though that is no longer the case there.