This post is for both Oct. 15 and 16. Yesterday was mainly a travel day as it required many different modes of transport to land me here in Cartagena, a popular tourist destination on the northern coast of Colombia. After one last homemade breakfast from Roxana, it was time to say goodbye. I will admit, it was sad to leave a place that I had called home for nearly a week and that to which I felt a certain attachment. I guess this is more motivation to return later in life. As we parted ways, Roxana gifted me some hand-crafted keychains from her personal business that features a vase-like pendant symbolic in indigenous culture.
Instead of taking a taxi to the town bus stop, Jorge offered to take me on the moto. It felt like a scene from my dad’s childhood in India riding on this tiny bike together. I will let the picture say the rest.
From the bus stop, it was about an hour and a half ride back to Bogotá, an uber to the airpot, and a flight to Cartagena. Approaching the city via air was a cool site as I watched the towering buildings soar by with the ocean in the background. The uber driver who took me from the airport to the Airbnb was named Raad. His father was from Syria and mother from Lebanon. He spoke English, Spanish, and Arabic, which I thought was another unique combo.
Below are some images of the Airbnb I am currently staying in. The space is an apartment with 4 rooms, one belonging to the owner, Fernando. The other three rooms are all being rented to visitors including myself. There is a gate with a guard stationed outside the building, so the front door of the actual apartment stays open 24/7 and the living room does not have any windows (completely open to the outside). There is a common living room, dining room, and kitchen, which gives the whole apartment more of a hostel feel than an Airbnb. Fernando and the other guests, like all the people I have met in Colombia so far, are very warm and welcoming. And, yes, the place is also home to two cute kittens.
The featured image of this post is actually a scratch-off map that is hanging in the apartment which allows new visitors to indicate their origins. I thought this was a super cool idea for hosts, especially in a touristy city, and it was a nice insight into the diversity of Cartagena. Someone had already scratched off Colorado on the map. Wonder if I know them.
Cartagena, being a coastal city, is very warm and humid. Most of the items in my room and the apartment have a sort of damp feeling to them. There is an AC unit in my room, but I use it sparingly as the owners of the apartment hardly use theirs either to save on costs and reduce carbon footprints. I really did have to pack for all types of weather, from chilly rain in Bogotá to tropics in Cartagena. Thankfully, there was a washing machine for me to use, yet no dryer (again, saving on energy costs – air dried everything sprawled out on the bed).
Today was a planning and exploring day. I walked around the residential neighborhood of Manga where I am staying and tried some restaurants. I researched more activities to do in the area and found a screaming deal on an advanced scuba certification class that includes 6 dives over 2 days, and I booked it. Tuesday and Wednesday will be dive days and tomorrow I will explore the city center of Cartagena. During colonial times, a large stone wall was built around the city to protect it from pirate attacks. Now, the areas inside the walls are filled with hotels, restaurants, malls, and nightlife venues. However, this is the main tourist area of the city and therefore, it can get pricey. Tonight I am working on the ridiculous number of online tutorials needed for the advanced cert.
Lastly, more food:) thank you for staying tuned-in to the adventure.
On the bike, it’s only 2 of you. In India, there would have been family of 4 (or 5).. 😉
Nest adventure! Someone from Gauate has been there!
I bet the diving is going to be amazing! Hope you’ll be able to dive in other parts of SA afterwards.
Love the image of you posted of the city from the air — looks truly beautiful! And hot and humid –oye — talk about bad hair days! ha! Be safe on those scuba dives — esp the night dive! I am sure it was tough to leave Jorge and Roxanna but remember you’ve made both friends and memories for a lifetime. Love you sweetheart!