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.
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...
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!
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!
Nite night from Tegucigalpa !
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