Today I was harAssed several times in various ways, but the place is so beautiful that it's ok.
First harAssment. While doing my am Yoga- pigeon pose- a naked 3 yrs old boy jumps on me, then throw bottles at me and finally steals my yoga towel. Second harrAssment. Back to my yoga, after a down dog, I discover that I'm surrounded by 3 local women staring at me: one wants to sell me fruit juice, one wants to give me a massage, and the last one wants to braid my hair! Third harrAssment. I go for a long walk along the beach away from people until I reach the area belonging to a 'luxury' resort. The security guards, accessorized with guns, one at a time try to follow me and pick me up with the excuse of escorting me - please!- and one even invites me to smoke a joint! ...but the beach is beautiful, and the people are beautiful: a lot of Brazilian bikinis... so much that we renamed Playa Blanca Ass Paradise or Ass...e Paradise depending on the moment, considering the mixed feelings we have for this place. Back to my cabana i discover that Veronica is giving a Prana Yoga class at 5.30pm on the beach next door: nice class with other 8 people in a circle by the sea. I was fully sanded after it I enjoy the last swim of the day, then bucket shower and dinner at Donde Chocolate: good value.
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Alarm clock at 6.30am: today we go to Playa Blanca and we don't know how yet. After 2hrs we take the Alcatraz, a boat that tours to the natural park of Islas Rosario and will drop us off at Playa Blanca. 25k pesos r/t + 12k pesos taxes (?). Boat is not bad, I enjoy the deck & the sun but the ride is quite long: 2.5 hrs to get to Rosario, 1hr to snorkel around or visit the aquarium, 1hr to Playa Blanca. The beach there is completely full of day trippers and boats of various types and dimensions, including jet skies, which doen't impress me despite the beauty. We walk away from the crowd asap and we find a nice cabana at Refugio de Carol, 30k pesos w bath outside and bucket shower. Fresh natural juice for 4k pesos, about $2. This spot is relatively quiet and we can enjoy the white sand and turquoise water without neighbors walking on our towels. The good thing is the most of the crowd returns to Cartagena at around 3.30pm, leaving the beach to the few adventurous staying for the night. This eve I'm lucky to use the last bucket of fresh water of the day for my shower: the truck didn't come today...sorry... Our host - with speech problems- suggests: why don't you wash in the sea?? Thank you. Robbert ends up buying his shower next door: a gallon of fresh water for $1.5. Dinner at Mama Ruth where we have nice conversations w Argentinians: $8 each for fresh fish, rice and veggies. Good value. Nice starry sky, little light pollution. All the guesthouses use empty gallons of water as candle holders: very pretty.
After trying unsuccessfully again to exchange my travelers checks, today I really fell for the charm of the chic stores in the narrow streets of colonial Cartagena: cute dresses, bags, jewelry, bikinies!... after almost two months of minimalist backpacking I really felt like some girl shopping! Unfortunately the prices would be expensive also in NYC...and Robbert saved me from my insanity at the right time!
On Sunday morning in Getsemani, Cartagena it's almost impossible finding a coffee but on the other end the hair salons are packed with ladies..?? After breakfast I go exploring the historical colonial center of town, which is really pretty, with flowers, cute balconies, and very expensive chic stores and restaurants. There are also a lot of people in the streets who want to sell you all sort of goods, from emeralds to wooden cutlery. Quite pushy, also harassing...
It's very hot and humid here and after lunch I need a siesta. Aperetivo at Cafe del Mar on the ancient walls & Dinner with some of our San Blas friends, which we randomly met around during the day. Fun chats. |
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