Cartagena's Sticky Secrets & Slightly Broken Shoes

okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm *arepas. 3655131 and 1218254479 - don’t ask. it’s a thing. the humidity here is… intense. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 94% - seriously, my hair is permanently damp. feels like 24.7, temp min 23.81, temp max 23.81, pressure 1010, sea level 1010, grnd level 1006. it’s like stepping into a warm, wet blanket.

cartagena is… a lot. it’s the kind of place where you feel like you’re constantly dodging pigeons and trying to avoid getting splashed by a passing horse-drawn carriage. which, by the way, is a thing. a really, really loud thing. the walled city is gorgeous, obviously - all those pastel buildings and crumbling walls - but it’s also packed. like, shoulder-to-shoulder packed. i spent most of yesterday just trying to find a patch of pavement to sit on and not be aggressively bumped by a group of teenagers filming a TikTok.

my shoes are already ruined. seriously, they’re coated in a layer of something vaguely resembling seaweed and regret. i’m pretty sure i’ve developed a mild allergy to cobblestones. pro-tip: invest in waterproof boots. or just embrace the mud. i’m leaning towards the latter.

i stumbled across this little street food stall selling arepas de huevo - egg arepas - and it was, like, a religious experience. seriously, the best thing i’ve eaten in weeks. i overheard a guy telling his friend, "Dude, you have* to try the arepas here. It's the only reason I'm still alive in this city." wild.

i spent an afternoon wandering around Getsemaní, which is a totally different vibe. it’s gritty, colorful, and full of street art. it feels like a completely different city within the same one. there’s a really cool mural of a sloth wearing sunglasses - it’s become my unofficial mascot. i found this amazing little bar called ‘La Cagua’ - check it out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-cagua-cartagena. they have live music and the strongest mojitos i’ve ever tasted.

someone told me that the best way to see the sunset is from the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. i went, and it was… okay. a lot of stairs. a lot of pigeons. but the view was decent. i heard that the guards are super strict about taking photos, so be warned.

i also spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find a decent coffee. it’s a struggle, honestly. most of the cafes serve this weak, watery stuff that tastes vaguely of burnt toast. i finally found a place called ‘Café del Mar’ - it’s a bit touristy, but the coffee is actually pretty good. they have a great selection of single-origin beans. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g298463-d1238333-Reviews-Caf%C3%A9_del_Mar-Cartagena_Department_Caribbean_Colombia.html

if you get bored, Barranquilla is just a short drive away. it’s a chaotic, vibrant city with a completely different energy. i’m thinking of heading there tomorrow.

i’m also trying to track down some local artists. i’m always on the lookout for cool new talent. i saw some incredible street art in Getsemaní - it’s seriously inspiring. i’m hoping to find a few pieces to bring home as souvenirs.

a beach with a building in the background

i heard that the best way to experience Cartagena is to just get lost. seriously, ditch the map and wander around. you’ll stumble upon hidden gems and quirky little shops. just be prepared to get a little bit turned around. and maybe buy a new pair of shoes.

i’m currently camped out in a hostel called ‘Casa Relax’ - it’s pretty basic, but the staff are super friendly. https://www.booking.com/hotel/co/casa-relax.en-gb.html

i’m starting to think i need a serious nap. and maybe a stiff drink. or ten.

seriously, Cartagena is… something. it’s exhausting, it’s beautiful, it’s sticky, and it’s utterly captivating. go. just go. but bring waterproof shoes.

Cartagena's Sticky Secrets & Slightly Broken Shoes

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About the author: Gabriel Kent

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