Dear family and friends,
I'm finally back in Bogota after spending about four days in Cartagena, the crown jewel of the Caribbean in Colombia! I stayed in the working-class district called Getesmani, and it was really close to the historic city center that is walled by a stone fortress. Imagine picturesque cobbled-stone walkways lined with colorful buildings with bougainvilleas wrapping around their beautiful balconies. It's like a maze of indefinite possibilities, filled with breath-taking churches and plazas. Traditional dancing took place every night there in the plaza that used to be the main slave-trading center of the city. Cartagena is filled with a history of sieges, pirates looting Spanish goods, castles built as fortresses, beaches, and local vendors selling all types of crafts. Yes, it was filled with a romantic, "Love in the Time of Cholera" (which was filmed here by the way) atmosphere that I fell in love with, and if not for the burning heat, I would wish to stay forever.
I spent a lot of time exploring the old city center and with local Couchsurfers and people from my hostal. I had the most incredible time there!! I've had experiences that I know will stay with me all my life, and I realize that this is what traveling is all about-- experiencing things and meeting people that you will treasure and keep in touch with for a long while, and hope to see again.
There are photos on my facebook of my wonderful time in Colombia all in a neat package, including Cartagena, and here is the link, in case you're not a part of facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2609259&id=1228717&l=44d3386e34
Good ole' States, here I come back to you again, and with changed views and new perceptions, I know I can accomplish for myself something meaningful and fulfilling in my future endeavors.
Thank you all for viewing my blog from time to time, and don't be fooled--I will be back traveling very soon!!!
Mamie
No comments:
Post a Comment