Notes on Cartagena, Colombia

Sorry, no photos yet, will be working on that.

But Arrived in Cartagena, Colombia after 36 hours in transit so immediately slept 12 hours plus.  But it has now been a few days here so on with the observations.

1) Like Viet Nam, this country has been modernizing even when the USA spotlight is off of it.  WIFI and cell phones, modern autos and motorcycles.

2) What body of water is Cartagena on?  Yep, the Carribbean (or Atlantic if you are an ocean buff.)

3) For USA citizens, cost of living is low unless you expect tourist restaurants for every meal and upgrade to all US standards.

4) It would be quite difficult to negotiate Colombia without some Spanish.  In other South American countries residents will switch to English is you have trouble with Spanish but here very few residents know English, even among the tourism workers.  TV in our AirBNB has only Spanish channels.  In Asia usually one or two channels with English.  (Often BBC or RT (Russia Today).

5) HOT, HOT, HOT.  Takes the body at least 3 weeks to adapt to different climate.  Colorado has been unusually warm but not 90 degrees every day.

6) People are very friendly and open.  I asked a question on the bus and soon five people were discussing the best answer to give me.

 7) Trying without luck to load a photo.  But here one of the "Miami" of South America in Cartagena.  It is said an apartment here without ocean view can be had for $US30,000.

http://trajinandoporelmundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Rascacielos-Bocagrande-Cartagena.jpg

8) As everyone has smart phone...no internet cafe's here to speak of.  Next stop Santa Marta, Colombia.  WSJ has article on town near there on recent Saturday.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-rustic-chic-mountain-getaway-in-colombia-1515094401


Comments

Sarah said…
Finally, a first post! Some great observations.

I am following your travels closely, as Colombia is high on my to-visit list. I've heard it's a great place to become fluent in español.

Stay cool, friend -- yes, both literally and figuratively. ;)
January 7, 2018 at 9:49 AM
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