Last month, I was fortunate enough to travel to Cartagena, Colombia alongside a close friend of mine, Jonathan, whom I also had the pleasure of working with as my photographer and second set of eyes during this trip. (P.S. - You can find his stunning portfolio
here.) We were there for a wedding, but we also made sure to include a bit of R&R in between. Being that I live in New York, early spring isn't exactly the warmest, so I could not wait to get a little time away in 80-degree sunshine.
Cartagena did not disappoint at all. As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I was greeted by a humidity that I've only ever experienced in the Philippines. But it was such a warm welcome and already I knew I would love this place.
The next few days were filled with fantastic activities, some organized by the bride and groom and others just a result of free time & curiosity.
On my first night in town, there was a chiva waiting to take a group of us on a tour of the city. For those of you that don't know, in this particular context, a chiva is a party bus adorned with lights and is often accompanied by live music, bottomless liquor, and is topped off with fried Colombian treats. The bus made 3 stops: one for us to dance, one for us to eat, and one to drop us off into a drunken abyss. Needless to say, my trip was off to an excellent start.
The next day, the bride and groom organized a day trip to Islas del Rosario which is about an hour boat ride away from Cartagena. The ride itself was so soothing, a few of us ended up napping on the way. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly smiles, palm trees, and crystal clear waters. There were a slew of activities available to us, such as kayaking and snorkeling, but I was there with one goal and that was to come back with some major bronze on my skin. Without wasting any time, I immediately parked it on a beach chair to soak in some sun. To pass time as I tanned, I pulled out an old favorite of mine that I'm re-reading, Tao of Wu by the RZA. Something seemed so appropriate about pairing this setting with this book. Most definitely set me up for some much needed self-reflection and tranquility.
The days to follow allowed for Jonathan and I to take some time to roam around and explore. We ventured into Getsemani to check out some of the street art that this neighborhood is quickly becoming recognized for. It's interesting to note that this neighborhood is adjacent to and looks much like the Old City, which is where we stayed, but had far less tourists/tourist attractions. So to me, it was much more peaceful and enjoyable. For a moment, we sat in a small square and watched as a couple of locals practiced their juggling skills. It seems like such an insignificant activity, but being so accustomed to fast-paced city life, I often forget how important stillness can be.
As we continued to explore, the inevitable happened and we got hungry. As someone who enjoys trying different cuisines, I couldn't wait to eat some of the delicious goodies in Cartagena. I probably ate about 15 arepas con queso in the short amount of time I was visiting. If you're looking for something to refresh you after walking around in that brutal heat and humidity, the regional drink, limonada de coco, is especially delightful. Essentially, it's a frozen lemonade mixed with coconut milk and I promise you, it's also 100% addictive.
One of my favorite places to eat, which admittedly is a spot that caters to tourists, is La Cevicheria. We loved it so much that we ended up back there multiple times and ended up becoming pals with the staff. So thrilled by our immediate loyalty, they generously offered us complimentary treats in appreciation for our patronage. As the name of the restaurant would suggest, the ceviche here is top notch! I ordered their combo ceviche which is a mix of squid, conch, and shrimp dressed in mandarin and lime juice. Typically this combo also comes with fish, but I made sure to request it "sin pescado", due to my allergies. By default, this is paired with saltine crackers, but I chose to accompany mine with a side of patacones instead and I am completely without regret. This dish was fresh and light, but still quite substantial and I still crave it on a regular basis.
Now, I did mention that the purpose of this trip was to attend a wedding and what a wedding it was. It took place at Casa del Conde de Pestagua, a colonial mansion from the 16th century. The ceremony was short, but still brimmed with endearing notions of love and warmth. Did I cry? Yeah, maybe. But I'm a sucker for a great love story and this one definitely falls into that category. What was most touching to me was when the officiant referenced the movie What Dreams May Come, in which Robin Williams has to travel through hell in search of his wife. He likened the movie to the journey of finding one's soulmate. Sometimes you have to go through hell in order to find heaven with that special someone.
After the ceremony, we enjoyed a brief cocktail hour where there was a lovely live band playing and an extensive spread of ceviches and other small bites. Shortly after, we continued on to the reception and danced our way into the night. There were so many memorable moments throughout, but there is one that I will never forget and that is the experience of La Hora Loca. As the evening was coming to a close (at least for the proper reception), the venue grew silent, and something was looming in the shadows. Suddenly, the bride and groom emerge in wigs and other brightly colored adornments along with a troop of kooky, costumed dancers. Shots of aguardiente started making the rounds to all the guests and just when we thought things were slowing down, the party got fired up again thanks to the infamous "firewater". It was truly an unforgettable experience and one that I will surely keep with me forever.
As with some places I've visited in the past, Cartagena has ingrained a fondness in me that I will hold on to for years to come. There is still so much I was not able to explore, but I am sure this will not be my last encounter with this breathtaking town. Until the next adventure, my loves!
