Cartagena, Colombia
After a small glitch, we’ve finally arrived in beautiful Cartagena in the late afternoon. Not without some small apprehensions.
See, Jack and I don’t speak much Spanish. We each took a semester of Spanish in college – so we get the general gist of how the language works and know how to craft rudimentary sentences. Only in present tense of course.
Then I’ve also been trying to teach myself Spanish, mostly by singing along to songs. Unfortunately even though I now know how to declare my undying love to women (thank you, Enrique Iglesias) and how to start a class revolution (thank you, Manu Chao) – I’m still incapable of communicating simple things such as, ‘Where can I buy feminine napkins’, and ‘Eh, I ordered fish and there’s this beef looking thing in my soup.’
Cartagena: Beautiful and Unexpected
The view from our hostel terrace
Two unexpected things about Cartagena we quickly discovered were how much prettier it is in person, how hot it gets during the day, and how little English is spoken around here. Ok, three unexpected things, I guess.
So, let’s just say that Jack and I couldn’t help but giving each other high-five at the end of our first day in Cartagena because somehow, in one day, we’ve managed to:
Bargain with our taxi driver and got ourselves to our hostel – even though I had a brain freeze and forgot the Spanish word for ‘eight’ and had to resort to counting out loud.
Order food – the unexpected beef soup (while ordering fish – we don’t eat red meat) was a true story. I then made an acute observation to the owner that, ‘No hay pescado on mi sopa’ (there is no fish in my soup). We later learned that when ordering a set lunch or ‘la comida corrientes’ it includes a bowl of soup (that might not necessarily contain your choice of meat) as an appetizer.
Found out where we could get a ‘tinto’ (a Colombian coffee). Apparently almost everywhere
AND
Made friends and carried a 10 minute conversation with a very nice Venezuelan couple. Albeit a one-sided one. They did the talking, we did the, ‘Si, si’.
Celebrating small victories
Enjoying the atmosphere of Cartagena Old Town on our hostel terrace
At the end of the day, we celebrated the fact that we survived our first day by sharing a can of Alguila while sitting on our hostel terrace and watching the night life of Cartagena Old Town.
Small victories indeed, but we’re feeling on top of the world right now 
40 comments
add commentI’m planning a trip to Cartagena and a few other coastal cities with my family in December and have been having trouble finding decent lodgings. What hostel did you stay in? The terrace picture is beautiful. Would you recommend that particular hostel?
Cartagena is an excellent destination and not so expensive, either. Most Americans think it a dangerous place, but frankly, Mexico City and many other places people go without thinking twice are much more dangerous. I found the people to be wonderfully open and kind and the city to be gorgeous. Great article!
Yeay! You guys are starting your trip with a bang! I’m so jealous!!
Jen Laceda recently posted..A Latin-Inspired Night of Food
You’ve conquered the biggest hurdle – your first bargaining experience with a taxi driver! *high fives all around*
Robyn recently posted..Drowning in Accommodations
Muy bien guys!
Rebecca recently posted..Photo of the Week- Waiting for the rain- Thailand
Hi Jack n Jill!
Not sure if my last comment went through, so here it is again:
I’m sooo glad you’re enjoying my country!! In Cartagena you’ll find little treasures outside the tourist trail… if you have the chance have lunch at Bistro (Calle de los Ayos 446 ) …excellent food at very nice prices! Also if you need any help or advice about traveling through Colombia, send me an e-mail…that’s what I live for!
Abrazos
Marcela
Marcela recently posted..The Colombia Travel Blog Gang grows!
Hi Marcela, thanks so much for your kind offer. We’ll tak you up on it, as a matter of fact, I’m going to shoot you an email right now. Cheers.
Hello Marcela…
I’m headin to Cartagena for a wedding and bringing my Girlfriend a week earlier for her birthday to the city. What is your opinion about me renting a car and driving to Tayrona. It appears to be a rather easy drive but I cant seem to get a opinion on the safety and ease of the trip.
Thanks in advance for the help.
)
David
Love the photo of you smiling on the balcony! Congratulations on finally making it! Looking forward to following along.
david recently posted..Help Me Plan My Road Trip
Aw, such great victories! Sounds like a lot of fun! Speaking of “feminine napkins,” how did that go for you? Were they easy to find? It’s these kinds of minute day-to-day necessities that I think about while I’m planning our RTW trip.
Well, here’s the thing — the small tiendas have them, but they’re often manned by… well, men. And the prude inside of me was awkward asking for them, you know. Everything is behind the counter so you can’t grab them yourself so you have to ask the guys to get them for you.
Luckily, we found a supermercado nearby and they always have them there. Phew.
wow, it’s gorgeous!! how exciting for you guys, enjoy!! i’ll be watching for updates, totally living vicariously…
cynthia recently posted..Nooooooo El Buli
I’ve had plenty of those one sided conversations as well. I’m always amazed at how long they can continue sometimes! I’m thinking any minute this person is going to realize I have no idea what they’re saying. But it doesn’t happen! You have a new best friend and all you had to say was “si”.
Matt | ExpertVagabond recently posted..Hitchhiking to Visit a Hermit
Yup. I love it. They were such a nice couple. Although sometimes I wonder if they were telling me something important like, I don’t know, the restaurant next door is giving free food or something like that
Congratulations guys and well done for finally making it on your RTW – here’s to many more great adventures!
Kieron recently posted..6 Months On- State of the Blog
Congratulations on the start of your journey! Looking forward to reading more stories from your trip.
megan recently posted..Afternoon at the Mongolian Museum
@megan @Kieron: Thanks guys, appreciate the well wishes!
Congratulations on finally making it to South America!
Don’t worry, you’ll start picking up a lot of Spanish in no time.
Now… let the adventure begin!
Rob W. recently posted..6 things I have learnt being married to a Chilean
Congrats! Here’s to many more victories over the course of your trip. I’m glad you finally made it
Emily recently posted..World Cup 2014- Catalyst for development and how you can help!
Oh the joys of traveling to a foreign country and don’t speak the language! Sounds like you are off to a great start.
I loved the multi colored buildings!
Debbie – European Travelista recently posted..Fabulous Friday – Gengenbach Calling!
Woohoo congrats on your 1st day. Looks like you did do alot & oh I love the pic of the houses across from your hostel. I love love love love love bright colors.
Jaime recently posted..The “Traca Traca” in Granada!!!
Congratulations! Your adventure begins!
Anne McKinnell recently posted..Boxes- lovely boxes!!
Bienvenido a Colombia. Excited to see you guys starting the journey!
Dave recently posted..Video- Why Design Now
Great to hear you are having some small victories!! And agreed with Ayngelina that the Spanish does get easier when you go South, until of course Argentina, lol. Take care and safe travels.
Pete – Hecktic Travels recently posted..Housesitting 201
We’re heading away from the coast soon so we’ll let you guys know how it goes. It’s amazing we’ve managed to get by so far. I guess body language really helps.
Excited for you guys and looking forward to following you as you tour the world!
I love the onesided convo usually thats how a lot of mines end up going. Was your soup supposed to have fish.
Well see, we thought the soup was ‘it’. And since we ordered fish, we were expecting to see fish as part of the meal, ya? We thought maybe they heard us wrong. We later learned that the soup was only an appetizer and the main dish was still coming.
Hi,
Good luck in South America. If you come to Argentina I’m more than willing to give you some advice.
Just in case…eight = ocho!
Regards,
Pablo
Thank you, Pablo. We’ll take you up on your offer
Spanish in the North is really tough because it’s with a Caribbean accent, don’t worry it gets much easier as you head South.
AynHgelina recently posted..Rubbed- scrubbed and covered in mud
Congrats on the start of your journey. Never be ashamed of the little victories. The small moments make life worthwhile too.
Alouise recently posted..Road Trip Memories Week 5 – Everybody Must Get Stoned
You’re absolutely right. We celebrate our little victories every day, however insignificant they seem (we just like to find any excuse to sit on the terrace with beers in hand, lol)
I want to be on that terrace in a sundress right now! We landed from Hawaii today to find the Bay Area cold and windy and just 52 degrees. So, in other words, just any ol’ day of the year here =/
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..A Paddle in Pauoa Bay
Ah, the grass is always green on the other side. We’re not much of a hot weather person and wish it were cooler here. It’s been close to 90′s for the past 3 days.
Ah, the high-five over small language victories (that are actually huge). We know that well! It will get easier and more words will start coming back to you, I’m sure. Glad to hear you made it there safely =)
Andrea and John recently posted..Visiting a Dinosaur Excavation in Neuquén
Welcome to Colombia!
Glad you guys made it.
Ryan recently posted..Lessons Learned After My First 100 Days Abroad
Lol! You guys are too cute! Congrats on arriving, enjoying, and practicing your spanish (even if it does involve 10 si’s)
Can’t wait to explore the north in July! Looking forward to reading about your additional adventures as you head south!
Alisha – Small World Pursuits recently posted..Adelante- The Beginning of A Year Long Journey
Thanks, Alisha. We’ve been enjoying our Spanish mis communications as well. Next challenge is navigating the Colombian bus system we head south. It should be interesting.
What a great start to your adventure! So excited for you and looking forward to hearing more.
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