November Festivities

Hello Everyone..

Sorry I haven't blogged in almost a month.

We went on home leave for almost 3 weeks,  as soon as we returned to Colombia it was November Festivities.  The last week has been crazy busy. 

Every year during the month of November,  Cartagena celebrates its independence.  Locals and tourists can witness and participate in parades filled with decorated floats, traditional dances and costumes.  This is also when Cartagena hosts the Miss Colombia pageant,  which the winner participates in the Miss Universe pageant.

It's been a wonderful experience watching the people celebrate.  The locals love to throw water, flour, dye and foam as  part of the celebration.  The first night of the celebration Robert decided to kick off our evening with friends by joining in on the fun.  Our group of friends were all sitting at our local hangout, "the yellow bar", and Robert sneaked across the street to buy some foam.  There is another bar across the street and I thought he had gone to talk to someone.  Well let's just say HE GOT US!!!  I actually thought a local had foamed us because it all happened so fast!  Now what happened next was not at all what Robert expected....

Pay backs.....

Everyone thought it was funny!!!

We also had fun experiencing the Whaleboats Parade.  This is held in the harbor in Cartagena and the Miss Colombia contestants are paraded around on boats.  We got lucky and ran in to a guy from Alabama who now lives in Cartagena and runs a Parasail boat business.  We booked his boat for the day of the Whaleboat Parade and along with 5 other couples got to experience the parade from the harbor.  It was so much fun partying with all the locals.

This is how they parade the Miss Colombia contestants around the harbor.  If you look in the back ground you can see all the people lined up on shore to watch.  We actually thought this is how we would have to watch the parade, but instead we got lucky and experienced it from a boat in the harbor.

As far as you could see it was boat after boat.  It was great fun and by far the best way to watch the Whaleboat Parade.

Overall, the 5 days of festivals was exciting and so much fun.  I'm so glad we didn't leave town and instead decided to stay and join in on the celebration.

If you ever get to visit Cartagena in November there is a full week of partying to be had during the Independence Celebration.

Shopping in Cartagena

When I decided to write this blog I had two reasons.  One was to keep friends and family updated on what life was like here.  The other reason was I hoped that if another expat like myself was ever moving to Cartagena,  I could share some helpful information.

When I knew we would be moving here I began to search the internet for all the info I could find.  Having done the international thing before, I knew the things you needed to look for.  Like what was available in grocery stores(you bring things from home you can't find here), do they have department stores(like Walmart or Target), how do you communicate with people in the USA(do they have unlimited international calling plans like we do in the states) and so on and so on.  Well I couldn't find much information at all.  I had to just bring what I thought I would need and use my experience in Thailand to help me think of things.   Once I arrived I asked tons of questions but knowing before I arrived would have been more helpful.

Sometimes I may blog about things that seem boring or not interesting but it could be helpful to someone who is moving here like myself so understand this is why I share it.

Well one thing I totally didn't think I would find in Cartagena was a Dollar Store.  We certainly didn't have that in Thailand.  The Dollar Store I found is located in the Walled City and is actually called Dollar King.  It really has stuff just like in the states and I actually found many small things I needed for our condo.  When I was leaving to come to Colombia and was making lists of things I needed for the condo, I shopped at the Dollar Store in the states.  I knew that many of the items I was getting I would be leaving in Colombia so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on them.  I did manage to spend over $100 US at the Dollar Store in the states and we laughed about that, well believe it or not I managed to do the same in Colombia!  Now each time I go in the Dollar King they smile and point and say something in Spanish, I'm pretty sure they are saying "Crazy American"...Ha Ha

They also have a few fabric stores I found in the Walled City.  They are on the same street as the Dollar King.

Now the thing I really got excited about is I found a craft store, also located in the Walled City. 

My last big score that day was I found a ribbon store.  The entire store from ceiling to floor was ribbon.  I was giddy with excitement.  Also located in the Walled City.  There was also a button store but I didn't get a picture of it but it was very interesting to see a store filled with nothing but buttons.

Colombian Futbol

The Colombian National Football Team represents Colombia in international football.  The team is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation, Federacion Colombiana De Futbol.  Colombia is ranked 5th in the FIFA world rankings.

Colombia had it's strongest period in soccer during the 1990's.  In the early part of 2000, between 2002 to 2010 Colombia suffered over three World Cup cycles.  The team has failed to qualify for the World Cup since 1998.  It's been sixteen years and finally Colombia returned after qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Last night, October 11th, 2013 Colombia played Chile for a spot in the World Cup.  Colombia was down 3-0 in the first half, but in true Colombian fashion came back with their fighting spirit to score three times in 20 minutes to tie the game 3-3.  Colombia earned a point for this tie game and earned their spot in Brazil for the World Cup.

Colombians love their team and it was so exciting last night to be a part of a history making event.  They have extreme pride for the game and wear the colors to show support.  Most Colombians have a Colombian soccer jersey and the streets are a sea of GOLD PRIDE on game days.  It's a party all over the city with horns honking and people cheering when Colombia scores.  It's near impossible to find a seat at a pub or bar on game day.   The Colombian people support their team and have a STRONG passion for the sport of soccer.  It was a fun night and I actually look forward to the next game.

Robert has his jersey so I guess it's time for me to get one too!

Learning the Language

When I knew I was coming to Colombia I began to research all that I could about this country.  I knew the language spoken was Spanish and decided to download an app on my phone to translate.  The only problem is that you must have Internet access to use it.  This doesn't help me much when I am out and about since I don't have an international plan on my IPhone due to the expensive cost.  The translation app helps when I am at home and connected to wifi and I would recommend anyone traveling to Colombia to go ahead and download it, it's free, since at hotels and many restaurants they provide free wifi.  Of course if you are in a taxi or out on the street walking around this app will not help.  My suggestion is that you either buy a small translation book to keep in your purse or pocket and to at least learn some key phrases.

Here are a few of the key words you will need to know to get around in Colombia:

bathroom...........................bano

water..................................agua

ice.......................................hielo  (think yellow)

left......................................izquierda

right...................................derecho

straight..............................recto

right here...........................aqui

stop....................................parada

beer....................................cerveza

hello....................................hola

good morning...................Buenas dias  *learn the difference they are big on greetings

good afternoon................Buenas tardes *

good night........................Buenas noches *

yes.....................................si

no.......................................no

no thank you....................no gracias *you will need this for vendors selling their goods

good bye..........................adios

thank you.........................gracias

beautiful............................muy bueno

lovely................................bonito

good..................................buena

how much.........................cuanto

Learn your numbers from one to ten in Spanish.


If you are living in Colombia you should really learn the language, but if you are only a visitor for a short period you could get by with at least knowing these words.  Although you will find Colombians here and there who know a small amount of English, the majority of Colombians are Spanish speaking.

The thing to always remember when trying to communicate in Colombia is SMILE and don't get upset if they cannot understand you.  The Colombians are very friendly and kind and actually do really well with guessing what it is you are trying to say.  They seem to be able to figure out hand gestures or pointing to what you are asking about and are good about going and finding someone who knows some English to help out.  Just don't stress and try to speak slowly.....we tend to speak fast and I've noticed if I speak slowly they can sometimes figure out what I need.

The Life of a Colombian Fisherman

 

Fishing is a large source of income for many Colombians.  Last post I shared how vendors use the beach to make a living.  The beach is also used by local Colombians for fishing.

 

Each morning Robert and I get up and have coffee on the balcony before he goes to work.  We are up at  5:00am and so are the local fishermen.  They must beat the tourist crowd in order to fish.  By 9:00am the beach is full of sunbathers, pleasure boaters and jet skis, and if the fishermen want to fish they must be early. 

 

They have a system and work as a team.  The net is cast out about 100 to 150 feet from shore, the boat returns to the shore and the real work begins.  Numerous Colombians line up on the beach and begin to pull the net in, hand over hand they pull and ask the net begins to move towards the shoreline the man in front once he gets close to the water will go to the back of the line and the process continues until the net reaches the shallow water.  Man after man moves to the back of the line and they work as a team to retrieve the days catch.

 

If you look close in the pictures you will see the birds gathering near the net as they pull it in hoping to grab a fish or two.  Once the net gets close to the shore in the shallow water one of the fishermen will have the job of trying to scare the birds away so the others can get the catch of the day in the boat.

 

It's really a fascinating process to watch.  They work hard and they work together. 

 

Beach Life In Cartagena

Today I realized that I have been living in Cartagena for a month now and I really haven't shared much about the beach.  Many of the Colombians of Cartagena are dependent on the Caribbean for their income.  It can be in the way of fishing, renting out their jet ski or pulling tourists on tubes.  Then you have the vendors, which are many.  I do believe you can buy ANYTHING on the beach.  You could go broke and must quickly learn how to say NO.  They aren't rude about it, just trying to make a living.  You also have the people who each day set out umbrellas and chairs to rent.

Today my friend called and wanted me to join her for coffee on the beach.  I decided to bring my camera and thought it was time to show you the beauty that is only 20 feet from my front door.  The only thing between me and this beautiful ocean is a street.

This is a picture of my building.  I simply walk out that door and the Caribbean and it's beauty awaits me.

Although this small bar is right here,  you forget.  It's nestled in the trees and doesn't come to life until around 8 or 9 each morning.  The night comes fast in Cartagena and is dark by 6:00pm, this place will close down by dusk and will not awaken until the next day.  That's my building with the blue in the background.

I was sitting at one of these tables, just enjoying a drink and people watching. 

The people that run this place are so sweet and friendly.  This lady was busy selling drinks and food and when she noticed me watching her... I asked if I could take a picture, she said 'Si. 

I can walk to this place faster than I could go to the mailbox at my house in the states, I feel so blessed to have this beauty to look at everyday.

 I'm trying to enjoy the simple things about Colombia, the way the people work hard, but always have a smile on their face.  The manner in which they smile and nod when you say no to their request to buy their goods for the 100th time.  They just move on and aren't angry or upset.  The beauty in an old run down little shop that is the source of income for a family.  I see the beauty in it....sure it's not all perfect and the tables and chairs are cheap and shabby, but I see the beauty.  It really takes my breath away. 

Everyday I watch from my balcony as they put out these chairs and umbrellas hoping for tourists.  They are never disappointed, the tourists come and most days the beach chairs and umbrellas are full.

These are a few of the vendors you can find on the beach.  Crabs fresh from the Caribbean and delivered to your table.

Dresses, t-shirts....

And even when I said 'no gracias....he just smiled and walked away. 

Ice Cream....

Drinks....

  The beauty is every single place you look!

I'm not sure why I am so blessed to have this opportunity, I thank God each day, but since you can't be here I want to share it with you.  Show you all what a third world country can show us about simple life and living.  Taking what God has given us and making the most of our life.  This isn't a 5 star beach with everything all polished and perfect.  Most of their clothes are old, torn and worn...many have no shoes.  They don't appear to feel sorry for themselves, they aren't asking for a handout.  They have a service or product and they peddle it all day and come back and do it again and again.

Long after I leave this beautiful country and go back to my comfortable life in the US, these people will still be doing the same thing...day after day.  They are happy...loving life and who wouldn't if you got to see this beautiful place every single day.

Sorry for all the pictures today but I felt I had to show you all of them  for you to truly see what I get to see each day. 

Cartagena is like the best kept secret of South America and I'm happy to see that big chains haven't come in and spoiled this diamond in the rough.  Hope you enjoyed the tour of beach life in Cartagena.

Old Shoes

One of the sites we have visited is a monument called the Old Shoes.

It is located at the rear section of the San Felipe Fort and was built to honor Don Luis Carlos Lopez, a local poet.  Mr. Lopez became famous for his sonnet called "A Mi Ciudad Nativa" which is  "To My Native City".

The Colombian sculptor Hector Lombana built the Old Shoes.