How I met South America at the Walls of Cartagena

For some reason my travels had not taken me to South America until recently.  Unfortunately, the limited connectivity with South America makes it sometimes very expensive to travel over there, and for this reason , when I had the chance , I had favored vacations in Europe . It was until October of 2009 ( not too long ago ) that as I took on my ,at the time, new position as Director of Export Promotion at FIDE , I was invited to attend a strategic planning workshop in Cartagena , hosted by Proexport Colombia and CBI of Holland.

So , we could say, I did not choose to go to Cartagena, I was brought to her... and I couldn't have been happier.  I love history, literature, romanticism, art, architecture, colors, design, good food, beautiful sights, happy music: I was in Paradise.  No wonder the names Cartagena de Indias is referred to by : " La Ciudad Amurallada " - The Walled City , " La Ciudad Heróica" -The Heroic City and  "La Capital Romántica de América " - The Romantic Capital of the Americas.  But,  I almost missed this trip.

Exactly one week before my trip, I lost my bag, along with several very important belongings: my passport and my car keys . Not only that , in my passport was my vaccine booklet, as Honduras requires us to get a Yellow Fever vaccine if we travel to some Southamerican countries, including Colombia . This vaccine is good for 10 years, and you cannot get a new vaccine within that period. For this reason , the nurse at the health center emphasized to me the importance of getting a photocopy of the booklet; in case I lost it, only the photocopy would allow me to get it re issued. Of course, I did not photocopy it, and I realized that day I did not have a photocopy of my Passport either, or my US visa. Thank God I did have a spare key to my car. So the week that followed was crazy with appointments , I got my Passport,  filed the paperwork to replace my visa and happily, lots of charm, smiles and good favor got me my new vaccine booklet... all in time to make it on my flight to Cartagena vía Panama. This was exciting , my first visit to South America paired with my first international meeting at my new position.

It is so important to read about your next destination... I know , I know... but I almost never get to do it, for lack of time, or as we say in Spanish, for lack of making time. So I knew Cartagena was in the Colombian Coast, but did not know if it was in the Caribbean or in the Pacific... Do you know? 

It is in the Caribbean , and very near it you can visit the Sea of the Seven Colors...It is right on the coast , so when you visit Cartagena , pack some light , summery clothes , and throw in the white you have, as this is the favorite color of the visitors to this beautiful city.

Where can I begin...
1. Let the colors of Cartagena energize you
Cartagena is vibrant and colorful, you will find beautiful colors everywhere, in the people,  your hotel, the fruits you have for breakfast, the Sea of Seven Colors in its Caribbean Coast, the balconies, the flowers. Get colored in Cartagena!

                            Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara. October 2009 Liliana Sánchez I.

 

                                                 Cartagenera con Frutas October 2009

 

La Ingenuidad  ( Ingenuity )  October 2009 Liliana Sánchez I.

 

 

2. Details : History , architecture, and design of Cartagena

 

                       Arcos en el Convento                                           Cruz y Bahía

 

 

 



 

 

     

3. Fall in Love with Cartagena by Night

It is not in vain this city is called the Romantic Capital of the Americas. Some romantic trivia about Cartagena: Love in the Times of Cholera was filmed here , and Colin Firth met his wife here , while he was touring the city. And of course, this was the place Gabriel Garcia Marquez called home for many, many years.
The city is transformed magically at night , with the lights, the music. Take a boat tour on the bay, walk through the plazas , feel the breeze, walk hand in hand with someone you love.

         

 

 



 

 

 4. Treasure the Friends Life brings along the way.... some you will meet in Cartagena !
 
 In Cartagena I met wonderful people , colleagues who are now also friends. Cheers to you my friends, and to many more projects, talks and laughs together!

 

 

5. And don't forget to chase a sunset at this incredible place...
 

 

 

 

Nite night from Tegucigalpa !

 

 

 

 

 

Music for the journey

Music is a part of my life. I wake up to music , drive to music, work to music , exercise to music. So music is also a natural part of my journeys... near and far. Music soothes me , energizes  me, transports me , to a past place, to an imaginary place I have still not visited. Recently I began to collect music as a memoir of the places  I have visited. I should have started way back, so there's an idea for you.

 

My taste in music is so diverse... above all it must touch in some ways the strings of my soul- happiness, heart ache, hope, the beautiful morning feeling when you believe anything and everything is possible.  Bring your music with you for the journey, on your iPod, iPad, on your phone, in your heart.

 

Today , through this note , I want to say thank you to my favorite singer of all times. 

¡ Gracias Ricardo Montaner ! I highly recommend his complete discography, even if in Spanish, this is the kind of music you feel and enjoy beyond the simple understanding of the lyrics.

 

Dear Ricardo,

I met you when I was in 9th grade... when I was 15 years old.  You sang the songs to the most popular Venezuelan soap operas of that time. ( Yes, yes, I know I probably shouldn't have been watching... )  I have been forever enthralled by the beautiful lyrics to your songs, the magic in the melody and that tug at the strings of my soul, many a tear, many a smile... beautiful memories of falling in love and out of love  and back in love again with your songs. We have shared at least 26 years... I think not  a week goes by without listening to one of your songs. You are still a part of my bucketlist, in two senses: I would like to meet you in person - maybe at an airport? And also, I want to go to one of your concerts.  I have this illusion, I feel like I know you.

So many of my favorite songs are yours . Beyond your music, you also inspire me because of your friendship with God  and how you take Him with you , in your music, in your songs, in your smile, and also you inspire me because of the beautiful way you acknowledge the treasure you have in your family. I sincerely admire you. Thank you for your songs that have kept me company in many parts of the world. If I had to share today , my favorite songs of yours, I would pick  these:   

 

I. Love:

En el último lugar del mundo- a song you wrote in honor of Chile, and so, so , beautiful !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yc9w2VoAtU

 

Me sobra el sol del campo
me sobra la luna desnuda
me sobra el deseo, me sobra el manantial
y mi libro de Neruda, si no tengo tus labios
para sentirlos, me sobra todo
Me sobran motivos tristes,  me sobran canciones de melancolía
me sobra un día de cada semana y sobro yo,  si hago
que una lágrima sobre y salga de tus ojos

(coro)

En el último lugar del mundo luego de la cordillera
escondería las palabras y mis poemas si te fueras
en el último lugar del mundo en cada pedazo de tierra
esparciría yo mi llanto,  para que hallaras mi huella

Me sobra el paisaje, me sobran los viajes de ida y volver, 
me sobra el aire, me sobran los ojos y el sexto sentido
Si tengo la vida y tu no la vives

me sobra todo

(coro)
En el último lugar del mundo luego de la cordillera
escondería las palabras y mis poemas si te fueras
en el último lugar del mundo en cada pedazo de tierra
esparciría yo mi llanto,  para que hallaras mi huella 

II:  Inspiration

Voy a Vivir la Vida-  " I don't want to waste a single day...  as if this was the last minute in my life... "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_pmZlLQmk

Aunque tal vez no tiene lógica
Y alguna vez se me complica
La vida es una sola
Mi vida es mía solita
Si Dios ya me la dio,
Yo estoy dispuesto a vivirla

Voy a vivir la vida
Voy a vivir de prisa
Como si fuera el último minuto de mi vida

Voy a vivir la vida
Porque ella me prefiere
Como si el sol brillara más
porque la luna quiere.

No quiero malgastar ni un solo día
Llegar a tiempo antes que pase mi tren
Dar todos los abrazos
Decir muchos te quiero
Perdonar y reírme por perder el sueño

Voy a vivir la vida
Voy a vivir deprisa
Como si fuera el último minuto de mi vida

 Así es la vida, a veces no es perfecta
Casi te pone entre la espalda y la pared.

Voy a vivir la vida
Porque ella me prefiere
Como si el sol brillara más
porque la luna quiere.

III Faith:

La Gloria de Dios -  " with strings of love  he put in my soul , he brings me to Him "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54qklgGLImA

 

La gloria de Dios
Maneja mi vida
Con hilos de amor
Que puso en mi alma
Me lleva hasta El

//la gloria de Dios
Gigante y sagrada
Me carga en sus brazos
Alienta mis pasos
Me llena de paz y bien
Sale a jugar
Cuando me viene a ver
Y me deja ganar

De la Gloria de Dios tendré
El descanso para mis pies
Con su manto mi frío
Desaparecerá y descansaré
De la Gloria de Dios vendrá
Bendición y abundante pan
Para ti y para mí
Y a quien quiera venir
A la Gloria de Dios//  
Tonight I found a tribute to Ricardo Montaner in an Argentinian show. More than two hours but really beautiful and heartfelt. I loved it . If you know Spanish ( or want to practice ) watch it while you cook or fold laundry or just sit down and enjoy it. I really loved it .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJqFUEd-Tkc

Nite night from Tegucigalpa.

Milestones

A milestone  can be a stone set up along the road to mark a distance in miles to a particular place. It can also be a significant stage or event in the development of something... let's say , one's own life. 

Both definitions are important , both are worth celebrating.

 

Life as a journey is full of ups and downs, good weather , bad weather, paved roads , bumpy roads, scenic routes , and not so scenic ones.

I have realized the most important thing to keep in mind as you travel through life, is that you have the choice to make this journey on your own or not. No matter what, you have the possibility of never being  alone. God can be your travel buddy , your companion, your map, your compass along the way .  The  other important lesson I have learned is to keep moving. Of course, there will be times when you have to take a break, when you will have to catch your breath , or your sleep , or get out and stretch... but how important it is to put your eyes on the road ahead, on your destination , on your goal, and to keep moving. And what a happy moment it is to celebrate those milestones you conquer along the way and to look back and see the length of the road travelled , the many blessings that God has sent your way throughout the journey.

 

Yesterday at church we studied Psalms 77, one of those Psalms that was not written by David, but rather by Asaf.  Verses 1- 9 depict the very sad place where many of us have been at some point in our life.  Something similar to that very dark " Valley of Shadow of Death " that David talks about in the more well known Psalm 23.  Crying out for help, being in distress,  being too troubled to speak,  feeling like a promise has failed, as if we will never see His favor again.

 

Teardrops  Liliana Sánchez Vancouver, CA April 2014

 

 

Yet Asaf realizes he is getting sick from distress and sadness and finds in counting his blessings, or in celebrating the milestones he has reached hand in hand with God, the way out of this dark place. He literally says : vs. 10-12 " To this I will appeal , the years of the right hand of God. I will remember the deeds of the Lord , yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. "

 

 

I love sunsets and sunrises. To me, they are places of hope.  No matter the sadness , the trouble, how stuck I might be along the road, they remind me I am not alone, they remind me something better is ahead, they remind me I am moving and growing . They speak to me of Him. These are some of my favorite everyday milestones.

 

Sunrise in Tegus Liliana Sánchez  May 7, 2014

Sun & Moon Have Breakfast  Lilliana Sánchez  San Salvador June 17, 2014

Shining   Tegucigalpa, Honduras Liliana Sánchez July 10, 2014

Sundown at the Arno Florence, Italy  Liliana Sánchez  June 5, 2014



 Shining while hiding Tegucigalpa, Honduras Liliana Sánchez July 11, 2014

 

 

 

 

A modern day version of what Asaf did , is for example to have a " Joy Jar " . Write down your joys, your victories , write them in bright colored paper and put them in a beautiful jar , and go over them when you are feeling gloomy or sad.

 

Today I have reached another milestone along my journey. For this I am extremely grateful. Gracias, gracias , gracias Dios.  There is no sad place that lasts forever, and there surely is a beautiful, warm sun coming out every morning- even when it is rainy and cloudy , while we are here traveling through life together.

 

Happy Monday and Happy Week ! 

 

 

 

 

Arriving late to my annual date with Tanabata

This post was intended for July 7- I am late - but the story I want to share is so dear to me, I think it's worth telling , even if it is indeed a bit late. The other option would have been to wait for July 7 of next year.... too long. 

I lived in Kyoto, Japan from April 2002 to March 2005. Three very special years in a truly magical place. Kyoto is one of those amazing places that should be in everyone's travel bucketlist.  I attended Kyoto University for my Master's  Degree in Economics and while there, I made friends from literally all corners of the Earth, many of which I still keep in contact with.
My years in Japan were in a sense, like being on break from  the "real life " of work and responsibility. I am a bit of a nerd at heart, so studying and school are fun to me , and paired up with travel and life in Japan,  I felt truly blessed.

My first summer in Japan, my friends and I decided to visit Amanohashidate, one of the three most scenic sites in Japan, and which is , to put it in Japanese exact terms, located exactly 106 minutes by train from Kyoto.

Kyoto Station  July 2002 - with Patrick ( Malaysia) and Giancarlo ( Panamá)

Amanohashidate means "Bridge in Heaven" , a truly beautiful place where earth meets heaven in a 3  kilometer white sandbar covered by pine trees.
 

Photo: Japan-guide.com

My friends and I stayed at a cabin up a hill from Amanohashidate, and we had a really nice weekend, swimming - in rather cold waters- from the standpoint of a Caribbean girl, hiking, cooking and sharing stories. It was like a mini UN reunion, with representatives of Korea, Panamá , Austria, Philippines , Thailand, Malaysia and of course,  Honduras.

With Christian ( Austria ) and Giancarlo ( Panamá)

Kimmie ( Korea ) Gianca (Panama) Kun (Thailand) & Christian ( Austria)

I saw some stunning views -Japan is a very beautiful country- but what truly grabbed my heart at Amanohashidate is the story of what happens every year  there, on the night of July 7, also known as Tanabata

 

Tanabata 七夕- is also known as  the Star Festival. Tanabata is a Japanese tradition where people write their wishes on tanzaku papers (colorful, small strips of papers) and hang them on bamboo branches. People also decorate bamboo branches with various kinds of paper decorations and place them outside their houses, all over Japan.

 

It is  said that tanabata's origin dates back to more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale: Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in heaven.  When they fell in love, all they wanted to do was play with each other all the time, talk & talk ,and forgot about their jobs. The king was angry at them and separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River ( what we know as the Milky Way). The king allowed them to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar.  It's believed that Orihime and Hikoboshi can't see each other if the day is rainy, so people pray for good weather to allow for the lovers to meet on a night they  wish would be eternal.

 

 

So each July 7, I remember these two lovers, and how the beauty of a love  story warms a heart, no matter where, and I think about the optimism of dreaming and writing your own wishes , hoping and praying with all of your heart that they will become true.

 

If you are in Kyoto over a long stay, I highly recommend the beautiful Amanohashidate!

 

The Roads that led me to Rome

Ever since I can remember , I dreamt of visiting Italy. Over the years my dreams of Italy  grew...  Looking back I can remember my first encounters with Italia: Pizza Napolitana with my dad at the still famous  Pizzería Tito in Tegucigalpa, with its walls lined with posters of Florence, Venice and Rome ; the 1986 Italian team at the World Cup with Paolo Maldini ; the hyper romantic lyrics to the songs of Eros Ramazotti and Laura Pausini ; work as a Brand Manager for Benetton perfumes in Honduras...

Funny to say it , but Paris took me to Italy. While working as a Brand Manager for a perfume and cosmetics company , I was invited to a training in Paris, the week before Easter - which in my side of the world usually means a week of vacation-, and although the thought of visiting and discovering Paris made me extremely happy , I could only think of taking a short flight over the border to visit Italy once my training was over,  and that I did. One of these days I will look for my pics - pre Smartphone camera era - of that first encounter face to face with Italy.

 Needless to say it was love at first sight. This happened in 2000. I later returned in 2004 and in 2011 , but today I want to share a bit of my beautiful experience in Rome a couple of weeks ago. I was blessed with the opportunity to be part of a wonderful group linked to coffee in Honduras who participated at a trade show in Italy. This also gave me the opportunity to take a few vacations days and visit some amazing sites . This was a healing trip in many aspects, a point of crossroads in my life  where I chose to cross and look ahead.  It was was amazing to discover , live and fully enjoy the roads that took me to  the eternal Rome in 3 wonderful days .

 

1. The Sky Road : Enjoy the ride ! Note to self.... no worries about turbulence

I am not much into flying... believe it or not...I always try to get a seat near  a window and above the wings, as this is the most stable area of the plane... ( as in... it won´t shake as much as further back in the tail ) ... Most economy class planes have the 2 4  2  seating arrangements... Talk or at least smile to your neighbor ... I have met some extremely interesting persons on my last flights.  Enjoy the amazing view... clouds, blues skies , sunsets, sunrise, mountains, islands, other planes crossing the sky.  And finally, don´t forget to manage your frequent flyer miles !

2. The Unplanned Road : Be open and take the road ahead- unplanned , unknown, unmapped - you will find surprises along the way - like...  Being able to attend Pope Francis' General Audience . I did not plan this , and I was totally blessed by it !

 

When you travel to Europe you usually arrive around noon. I went to my B&B and headed out  as soon as I could, and with no planned itinerary I decided to go to the Vatican, on a Tuesday ... Just to find St. Peter´s Square in full preparation mode for next day´s "Audiencia General".  So from no plan-  I now had a plan .... Pope Francis on Wednesday in Rome.... Happiness ! I am very conscious of my spiritual journey as I travel through life , and this last year has been of profound spiritual awareness. I knew this was going to become a special and treasured memory for me. And that there was a message coming my way.

I caught a glimpse of Pope Francis as he passed by . So , so , so  sweet. The message was on Piety, one of the gifts of the Spirit, and its significance as a sense of friendship with God, that which allows us to come to Him with the trust and the familiarity of a child approaching his Father, because that is what we are: his children. Piety also allows us to be able to reach out in love to  those around us: to laugh with those that are happy , to comfort a heavy heart, to be company to a solitary soul.  I understood that my own road of seeking to be comforted was coming to an end, and that I needed to be more aware of that which I can give to others ahead. I believe God comforts us and sends us helping hands along the way so that in turn we do the same unto others . It's my turn to reach out now.  I am ready and honored .

 And on a funny  & light note, be aware that  St. Peter's Square is a great place for spotting Italy's famous Carabinieri, so keep your eyes wide open !

 

 



3. The Road to a Castle.  I have discovered you can never see all the sites in a city as beautiful as Rome, but that is absolutely OK. Always leave a site to visit on your next trip.  So it was until this third visit that I finally got a close glimpse of the imponent Castel St. Angelo at the Parco Adriano in Rome, with its beautiful St. Michael Archangel crowning it .  San Miguel Arcángel , by the way , is Tegucigalpa's Saint. 

I actually just walked around the park and soaked in the afternoon sun and a beautiful feeling of peace, light and realization .... I was in Rome ! I was making new memories, I was moving on ....

I took one of my favorite self photographs here ... and the caption I used when I posted it was : " With the sun in my face and the wind beneath my wings " .As you travel, especially if you travel by yourself, reach inside and let it be a healing and growing experience. I  hope I can always carry with me , the feeling of wellness , completeness , and optimism that I felt that day at Castel St. Angelo. 

4. The Ancient Road : 

Appia teritur regina longarum viarum

"the Appian way is the queen of the long roads"

The Via Appia Antica is a must if you go to Rome... One of those sites I was not able to catch on my first visits , but that will now be a permanent part of my plans on future trips to Rome.  Beautiful, historical, peaceful, still there. I  absolutely loved it .

 

 

This is the mother of all roads that lead to Rome. Don't miss it !
5. The Road to many happy returns to Rome. When you visit a city as beautiful as Rome, you must believe  with all your heart that you will return . The Fontana di Trevi is not only the most beautiful fountain my eyes have seen, but tradition says that those who throw a coin,  b e l i e v i n g , will surely return to Rome.  Paired up with a spectacular gelato and the blessing of friends to share the moment, this  makes for the best memories and  for the amazing  feeling of a  love affair with Rome that will be continued.

 

 

 

 I will be happy to share tips and suggestions for your next trip to Rome.