Charming Cartagena ... I Will Miss You, Colombia.

My last post from this country. Colombia, thank you for the perspective and kindness! Alright so...

Javier, my taxi driver from Minca, was already at our meeting spot by the time Spencer, Grace and myself made the journey from Oscar's to town. I was relieved there was no waiting time as Vivian went to question the police folks the day before about the robbery at Jesus' home (refer to previous blog post) and I had the dramatic thought that they'd recognize me this morning and I'd go missing in Minca. 

It took me a couple of days to adjust from Minca to Cartagena. Minca was relaxing with cooler temps and Cartagena was blazing hot and initially felt like a Venice on land to me. Narrow roads, lots of people and definitely catered to tourists. I was not a big fan of Venice. My second day in Cartagena, it was empty, it was a Sunday, still blazing hot but without the crowds. Sandrine and I were able to connect via email; she left Minca two days prior to me leaving. She said she had the same initially reaction I did to Cartagena and had regretted leaving Minca so early. Sandrine went to visit the El Tuomo volcano the next day while the thought of being on a bus for two hours of my day did not appeal, so I opted out. I spent the quiet Sunday really exploring the old town, walking every street, sometimes twice. I fell in like with Cartagena. It was no longer Venice. I found my favorite street food cart...I am convinced that I will not find plantains for 30 cents anywhere else. 

I've spent four days here in this lovely fort town. My second to last night here, Sandrine and I went to Cafe del Mar; a bar that sits above the town walls of the old town. It overlooks the Caribbean waters and the lights of Bocagrande; Cartagena's South Beach. On a breezy night, this was the perfect social spot. After our cerviche dinner, we wandered the streets before bidding farewell. This would be the last town that we connect during our individual trips to Colombia. We had met on our journey to Cabo de la Vela, crossed paths in Minca and managed to connect again in Cartagena. This was her first time traveling solo at 27. I was 26 when I made my first solo trip abroad (to Prague and Italy). It brought back memories.. the feeling of it. 

I spent most of my last day at SoSpa at the Santa Clara Hotel here in Cartagena. I needed a little vacation from my vacation. It's a stunning architectural building. It was the perfect way to wind down my vacation and the best spa experience to date...yes even better than Solage Calistoga. It took two weeks to get asked if I was Colombian! Apparently, I've got a bit of color from the radiating Colombian sun!

Of all my travels, this one, by far was the most challenging in terms of communication because of my lacking Spanish skills and not many people here speak English. However, this has also become one of my favorite trips. The people here in this country and fellow travelers I've met have been so kind to me. If it wasn't for the military helicopters roaming the Sierra Nevadas during my last full day in Minca and the fact that every place (other than Oscar's) that I've stayed (most lodging in general) at requires a buzz from hotel security to get in, you wouldn't think that Colombia had a violent past. Vivian reminds me that I am traveling in a (still) dangerous country but I've only prayed for my life once...while we were moto- taxi'ing, excuse me, dirt moto- taxi'ing (all motor taxis there are in the form of dirt bikes due to "road" conditions) to the Pozo Azul waterfalls in Minca.

I hope Colombia and I will cross paths again.. maybe the next time I visit this country.. drivers would honk less (if there was a medal award for honking, this country would win gold), Oscar would have installed his zip line, I would have learned enough Spanish to polish my street vendor negotiating skills and sadly, I will see a few Starbucks as they've just announced their first store opening in this country set for 2014.

To wrap up the towns I visited: Medellin was vibrant, Guatape was cute, Cabo de la Vela was stimulating, I absolutely adored Minca and fell in like with charming Cartagena. 

Thanks to my friends Ray and Megan who helped put Colombia on my radar and Ricardo and his family for being a very helpful and available resource! Fun fact: I leave Colombia having made more new friends than any of my previous travels!

Oh, and in case any of you ever make it to Minca, call Oscar's for a  bed or hammock to sleep on: tel:+57 (313) 534 4500 then message me for directions.