Cartagena Province, Bolivar, Colombia
Elenka and I dined last evening with a quiet, not so friendly Peruvian couple and their two daughters. Posada Chikiluky has a sound system in their dining area, whereby guests can select their own music, using their own personal hand-held devices — our dining partners were seriously preoccupied with musical selection. After 20 minutes of listening to monotonous, electronica, using my best Peruvian accent, I asked if they liked Los Enanitos Verdes, an Argentine soft rock band. Possibly because my accent might not have been so hot, they acted as though they had no idea of what I was talking about. But I’d gotten it wrong, just moments later, the Los Enanitos Verdes vibe came grooving from the music machine. After just a couple of olden-golden goodies, I suggested the Ecuadorian bands, TercerMundo, followed by Cruks en Karnak, as well as Maná, of Mexico. For the rest of the evening, we six all sang along and smiled with one another to the beat. Music can truly do wonders.
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The mostly pleasant rock sounds of Los Enanitos Verdes, TercerMundo, Cruks en Karnak and Maná, can all be found on youtube — in the form of songs or full live concerts.
Elenka and I are big-time fans of Maná. We’ve travelled to New York City on two separate occasions just to see them play at Madison Square Garden.
Back in Toronto, a week and a half before this journey began, I woke up one morning with a sore foot. Two days later, it was still sore, so I went to the doctor, where it was diagnosed as Plantar fasciitis. My doctor read me the do’s and don’t’s, then provided me with a series of exercises, before saying it would eventually go away on its own. I felt relieved. Now, almost a month later, I’m maybe even more sore. So this morning I called upon Google, in an attempt to find what the go away on its own, time frame was. Several months to a year, was the answer I got.
On the positive side of this, Elenka has been attending to my crankiness like Mother Teresa.
We’re now in the walled Old Town of Cartagena. Founded in the 16th century, with its quaint squares, colourful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, it’s a remarkable, back-in-time spot. From our boutique hotel it takes less than a minute for me to hobble along the cobble to where the restaurants are.
Magnus
2025-02-28
Great photos bring back memories of that intriguing city. Good luck with the foot Jack.
Loreto
2025-02-28
Amazing pictures. You have really captured the essence of Cartagena. Sorry about your foot. Do the exercises, they work 😄
Margo
2025-02-28
That is a wonderful story and so true. Glad that you broke the language barrier. Pain in the butt, I mean foot. Hope the pain eases up and soon. Rick’s favourite hat was bought in Cartagena. I forgot how colourful the city is. Do you feel safe venturing out in the evening? Loving the pics.
Peter
2025-02-28
Mandy has a nasty foot at the moment too. Refusing DIY surgery from me???
Valerie
2025-02-28
Such colorful photos and people . Sorry about the foot . I have had a bout of it but exercises have eased the pan .
Valerie
2025-02-28
Pain
Randy
2025-03-01
Sorry to hear about your foot.....love the pics....
Renate
2025-03-02
Also from me the best for you Jack. It’s good, that Ellen is be with you I saw a hat on your foto, which I bought the same style in Germany. Economic handle all over the world. 🤗
Allison
2025-03-07
As someone who’s been dealing with plantar fasciitis for 25 years, I can tell you it does not always just “go away”. Do the exercises and it eases up for short periods, but if you walking, it’s a hurting unfortunately. Despite that, enjoy the rest of your travels!
Cate
2025-04-05
Such a beautiful place........Ellen your pictures are amazing.......I hope your foot subsides enough to get through the days and rest at night....young Cathy is suffering with her feet now as well..........