A Moment In Time In Cartagena

Dear Reader,
Until recently, I had never been to Cartagena, Colombia. But when the opportunity arose for a short getaway with some old friends, I couldn’t resist.
Cartagena is a vast and vibrant city, but we focused our time in its historic district—the heart of its charm and beauty. There, we wandered cobblestone streets filled with pantomimes, women in brightly colored traditional dresses balancing baskets of fruit on their heads, and countless vendors offering souvenirs in the plaza. We explored the old fortress, visited the monastery perched high above the city, and soaked in the rich history surrounding us. Our home base was perfectly situated near Plaza de San Pedro, placing us right in the middle of the energy and magic of Cartagena.
One of the great joys of travel is meeting new people, and the locals of Cartagena welcomed us with open arms. With a few Spanish speakers in our group—and occasional help from Duolingo on our phones—we struck up conversations that made the experience even more meaningful. We indulged in Colombia’s world-famous coffee, savoring the flavors offered by Juan Valdez and Alberto’s in just about every little café we encountered.
The highlight of our trip came on our final evening at La Vitrola, a restaurant as enchanting as the city itself. The food was spectacular, the live band filled the air with music, and the atmosphere was pure joy. One of our friends, having shown up in shorts, was graciously provided with a blanket to meet the dress code—an unexpected but amusing moment. After dinner, we found ourselves outside, singing along with street musicians playing soulful Spanish songs of lost love, carried away by the music and the moment.
As I reflect on our time in Cartagena, I realize that no trip leaves you unchanged. We came home with new memories and strengthened friendships. Perhaps, in some small way, we left a piece of ourselves behind in that beautiful city. And maybe, just maybe, Cartagena carries a trace of us now too.