Colombia is a pretty big country, and there’s so much to explore. During this 3-month stay in Barranquilla I had intended to visit multiple other cities on the coast, but alas, I only made it to Cartagena for 10 days.

Cartagena

It was a week-long trip to this heavily-trafficked tourist city. I took a Berlinastur bus there, and a Marsol bus back, both journeys went without a hitch. Click the respective bus company names for my detailed reviews in Google Maps.

In the Walled City I sought out and reconnected with my ol’ buddy Octavio, who was still doing the tour guide beat in Centro. I was glad to find a familiar face, and we had a nice lunch, caught up on things, and took more pictures.

I also went on many dates with really attractive Colombianas, met a few random dudes – mostly tourists but also some locals – and had some fun casual talk and Language Practice. You know, I had WAY more human contact, actual dates, and FUN in Cartagena, than in Barranquilla. I guess there’s something to be said for being in a tourist trap! Every city has pros and cons.

A fun productive multi-hour date with a lovely office clerk. This just wouldn’t be possible in the dUSA!

Is it possible to meet non-sex-workers in Cartagena? Yes! I did just that! Meeting regular single women just takes some effort, pre-planning, adjustment of expectations, and lots of Spanish Language Practice. Overall I had far more success in Cartagena, than in the tourist-indifferent and fairly-dead Barranquilla.

Foundation Hit and the “real” Cartagena

As part of my search for volunteering opportunities, I met with the leader of a local non-profit organization, Foundation Hit. He took me on a tour of the more local parts of Cartagena, including Barzuto Market. We also visited his organization, which meets both at a sports field, and on top of a hill in very rural part of Cartagena.

The Hit Foundation is a non-profit organization that formulates and executes programs, projects and actions leading to the eradication of factors that generate social inequality. They are dedicated to help kids of extremely low resources acquire important values, life skills, build teamwork, preserve environment through Nutritional, Educational, Sport, cultural programs.

It was nice to meet some of the kids that day, in their element, engaging in sports activities. They seemed pleasant, enthusiastic, and excited to meet tourists and expats (especially English-speaking ones). My only regret is that we didn’t bring snacks to share.

Their main meeting area is at the top of a hill overlooking the city. It was quite the climb, and quite the view. We could even see Shakira’s school in the distance. I do like this lovely and talented Latina pop singer, and I sincerely hope she isn’t headed to Spanish prison for Tax Fraud! 😳

As you can see, “the real Cartagena” looks very different from the tourist zones. Also, it’s worth noting that Cartagena has very little “middle ground”, that is, almost no estrato 3 or 4 neighborhoods. The city is comprised of one or two estrato 5/6 areas mainly for tourists and expats, two or three “middle class” neighborhoods, then the HUGE remainder of the city being underdeveloped and impoverished (estrato 1 and 2). In this area, Barranquilla has the clear advantage!

Food Poisoning

During the tour of Bazurto outdoor Market, I behaved in a very out-of-character manner: I ignored my instincts, and ate at one of the spots 😱 It was unsanitary, there were flies in the area, and I feel like a complete idiot for risking my health and safety by trying to “fit in” 🤦🏾‍♂️😑

Anyway, less than 2 days later I was laid out with a high fever, total body aches, and multiple bouts with diarrhea. On the 3rd day I was able to drag myself downstairs to purchase some anti-parasitic medicine, Ibuprofen 800, Pedialyte, and Ensure. At least this bundle of medications cost me a fraction of what it’d have cost me in the USA. Assuming I didn’t need a prescription first. Otherwise, for legal reasons, pharmacists and medical professionals in the States are only allowed to tell us, “Go to the emergency room”. I’m quite sure if this incident had occurred in the USA, I’d have been stuck in bed and just passed away while lying in a pool of my own bile 😆 But in Colombia, I just got whatever meds I needed from the pharmacy, read the instructions, and did self-care.

THIS is what took me out 😢 At least it tasted good going down! 🤷🏾‍♀️😄

Looking on the bright side, I am pretty sure that now my gut microbiota is powerful and POPPING… I can’t wait to lick some doorknobs at every possible opportunity! 😂 Just kidding, of course. I’ve not been the same since then. In fact, up till the day made this post, I was still having a daily mild fever. Therefore, I have to make Medical Tourism my #1 priority in my next stay in Colombia.

Palenque and Santa Marta

Due to logistics and illness, I didn’t make it to either town during this 3-month stay, but I hope to do so during my next trip. I’ve heard some fun things about both towns, and I’d like to check them out con mis propios dos ojos 👀