February 23 & 24, 2025 - Lunch in La Boquilla

 I chilled yesterday.  Today, visited La Serrazuela mall, bought some candy to take home and enjoyed a long lunch on the beach.  Tomorrow is the spa, followed by a massage in my apartment, so today was my last time with Juan Carlos, other than Wednesday, when he drops me at the airport.

It's only been two months.  But it feels like I have a new life and routine here that I'm really going to miss.  Will I be back?  Absolutely!  This trip has been all I hoped for, and more.    

Now, a few photos.

I love Google Translate.  Then I discovered that people actually eat pork and glazed donut sandwiches. I can't explain alien toast or sandwich tombs.

Excellent bowl of chilled leftovers - baked chicken, beets, potato, blue cheese and avocado.

The sea turns brown when it's windy.  This was my view for much of Sunday.

The skies were gray and overcast at 5:30 a.m.

But it got clearer.

There's an online form to complete before leaving the country. I have no middle name.  But apparently my name is now Nancy Magsig Magsig Magsig.

Most of the form was in English, but not all. 

I love the Spanglish.

La Serrezuela is worth a visit.  It started as a bullfighting ring.  That is still there, but modernized and is used as a concert venue.  The mall is circular and built around the ring, on 4 levels.  Filled with mostly designer and high-end stores.

That modified VW bus sells ice cream.

The railings are glass.  Given my fear of heights, it creeped me out a bit.

That's part of the bullring/concert venue on the left.

It is a unique structure that reflects the old and the modern that represents Cartagena.

I love the Old City.  The architecture, colors and views are remarkable.  But the crowds and traffic are a lot.  Drivers here drive slowly and are patient.  As I waited for JC to come and get me, I watched the silver car try to go left, but changed his mind, backed up and made a right turn.  Which required the yellow taxi (who was illegally parked) to back up.  This all took a couple of minutes.  There was no honking, no yelling.  Just drivers figuring out how to make it work.

As we approached the beach, I thought this was a kite surfer then realized it had an engine.

Sundays are busy at the beach.  But by lunch time on Monday, trash was bagged and ready to be picked up.

That's Marbella in the distance.  It's just before the Old City.

The beach was almost empty.

JC and I had the second floor to ourselves for about an hour before two other customers arrived.

This place is great.  If you want good prices, great food and a local experience, this is a great choice.

I'm betting that within ten years this entire beach will be covered in high rises.

Me, JC and the restaurant's owner.  

Patacones, French fries, coconut rice, crabs, shrimp, langoustines, shrimp, fish and a tiny bit of salad. Along with two water and seafood soup was $50.

We put a good dent in it.

So peaceful.  A 15 minute drive from the Old City.

Roland - I thought of you while I was waiting for the Cajero in Olimpica.

Sunset 

30 minutes later.