January 8, 2025 - Best Morning Yet

 My landlady asked me to vacate the apartment on Wednesday mornings so the cleaning woman could do her thing.  You don't have to ask me twice to let someone else clean for me.  Because I needed to be out between 8-noon, I didn't do my normal early morning walk.  

I had no particular plan so headed to McDonalds for breakfast.  But the menu doesn't seem to include yogurt or anything remotely healthy.  Instead I found a shady seat on the outdoor McDonald's patio, which seems to be used as a waiting area for tourists taking the HOHO buses.  

I enjoyed people-watching for awhile and was approached by several vendors selling hats and inexpensive jewelry.  One criticism of Bocagrande is how aggressive the street and beach vendors are but I haven't found that.  So far a smile and "gracias pero no" sends them on their way.

It was starting to get warm on the patio, even in the shade, so I headed up the street, to look for the small store to buy water.  On the way, I spotted the Luxury Concept Peluqueria Spa.  I got there around 9 and they were just opening.  The receptionist told me if I was willing to wait 10 minutes or so I could get a pedicure.

Sure enough, 10 minutes later the nail tech arrived.  The pedicure was almost exactly what I'm used to in the US - complete with massage chair with attached bubbling foot bath.  Except it only cost about $6 for a 50 minute pedicure.

While my toes were being pampered I asked if I could get a shampoo and haircut, too.  Sure!  In addition to the shampoo I got a 20 minute head massage with some sort of conditioner.  Then, one of the best haircuts I've had in awhile followed by an excellent blow dry.  Total cost was $38 and I now have an appointment for next Wednesday for a pedicure, shampoo/head massage and blow dry.  Wednesdays may now be my favorite day of the week.

Here are some photos...

One of the cruise ships coming in to dock.  

ATMs here, as in many countries, are in a small room.  There was a man standing in the doorway when I arrived so I hung back and waited.  A couple of minutes later, the man opened the door fully for a woman to pass and waved to motion me in.  I was a bit leery since this isn't the normal procedure but when I got to where I could see inside, I understood.  This guy was repairing one of the ATMs and the other guy was his partner.  I took out more than a million.  Ok, it was a bit over $100.  

My view of one of the HOHO buses.  There's also a larger, double decker  HOHO.

This is the restaurant where I've eaten twice.  Technically, I've ordered delivery twice.  Excellent roasted chicken.

The spa was very nice.  And cool.

The setting and staff are on a par with spas in the USA but so much cheaper.

Soakin' the toes.

I tried to imagine myself sitting on one of those low, rolling chairs.  I fear a broken hip would be involved.

See the white thing in the background?  A woman is getting a shampoo in that thing.  That's where I got my shampoo.  It is a massaging lounge chair and the white plastic thing has soothing colored lights that change colors while you're getting shampooed and massaged.  When I am rich I am buying one.  And hiring the amazing woman who did the treatment.

SHHH!  Keep your voices down, please.  We're relaxing here.  I almost fell asleep while she blow dried my hair.

Gotta love the auto translation.  Please note these are your choices for chicken.  Would you prefer 1 pope or 2 arepas.  And, Choose Your Prey?   And, I don't know about you but I don't think I've ever seen a ham leg on a chicken.  I have seen a breast wing before.  I opted for no gloves, which is a common option in many countries when eating fast food chicken.

Some days, the ocean is Caribbean blue.  Some days, it looks like this.

Just chillin' and a rainbow appeared on the living room floor.

This vent is between my laundry room and the hallway where the elevators are, which means I can hear everything from the hall.  Happily, it is almost always quiet in the hall.   

Speaking of Kokoriko...my dinner of roasted chicken and potatoes.  I ordered Guacamole and got a piece of avocado. It's like the Ikea of fast food. I added grape tomatoes from the fridge.  It was delicious.  Delivery took 10 minutes.  I have plenty more chicken for tomorrow and total cost was less than $12.

January 6, 2025 - Aren't Mondays the Best?

 You know what's better than being retired?  Being retired in Cartagena!  It was 75 when I got up at six with clear skies and calm seas.  I've been sleeping really well and sleeping in a bit, which is nice.

I started my day off with a walk because later, the "feels like" temperature is predicted to be 97.  Add sun and no breeze and that makes walking around the city less fun.

I strolled for about an hour this morning.  My goal was to get some exercise and continue exploring my neighborhood in Bocagrande.  Here are some photos.

My apartment faces west so I don't get to see the sunrises.  But I found a sunrise view this morning.

The sunrise view is from the trash room, across the hall from my apartment.

This is the view when I walk out of my building, which is Edificio MorrosCity.

The main street along the beach is two-way and narrow. Some people park for short periods, making it one lane but still with two lanes of cars.  Superb driving skills are required.  It was easy to cross at 6:30 a.m., with no traffic.  

After crossing the street, there's this not-so-gorgeous path to the beach.

Look back at my building.  See that orange rectangle on the right?  My apartment is right above it.

This morning I met Daniel, a friendly young man who rents chairs and umbrellas on the beach.  For an umbrella and two lounge chairs, it is 50,000COP for all day.  That's about $12 USD. UPDATE - went for a drive with Juan Carlos.  He works at a taxi stand nearby and knows the area.  He said that he would introduce me to his friend, who also has chairs and umbrellas and will charge me about 1/2 what Daniel offered.  It seems that's the gringo price.

The morning sea.

These are part of a beach renovation project and will eventually be buried.

We got a lot of rain yesterday.

Tour busses were lined up early near the McDonalds.

Outdoor seating at a nearby breakfast spot.

View of my building from the back.

There are lots of liquor stores.  

And jewelry stores.  Emeralds are high quality and relatively low-priced.

I took photos of places so I could come back and Google.  This spot seems to be a sandwich shop similar to Subway.

And they deliver - currently, they have a special on with free delivery.

There are several clothing stores with high-end brands.

A Casino!  I love to gamble but hate to lose so don't plan to spend much time here.

I wonder how Starbucks does in Juan Valdez country?  It's like seeing a Starbucks in Boston.

Does a country exist that doesn't like Pizza?  I've never found one.

More clothes.

Bazurto is the large market in Cartagena.  Yo heart Bazurto is a restaurant, not located near the market.

I'm looking forward to trying this place - it gets great reviews online. 

There are a lot of sushi restaurants.

And Italian restaurants.

This seems to be a fusion restaurant owned by the Pandebono chain.

Now I'm hungry for pizza.

The neighborhood was quiet except for this police truck.

Acai and smoothies.

Once, in Mandalay, Myanmar, I was in a taxi when the car next to us came too close in heavy traffic and scraped the entire side of our car.  The driver just laughed and said his car was already dented so he didn't care.  I'm guessing the people shopping here would care.

Second siren of the morning.  I've actually heard surprisingly few sirens, given the dense population in Bocagrande.

The advantages of walking early in the morning are cooler temps and no crowds.  It's a pleasant place to walk but I have to keep an eye out because the sidewalks aren't all smooth and I have an annoying habit of falling.

So thoughtful that someone bagged their dog's poop.

I don't know what kind of grass this is but it is impressive looking.

Winter.

I don't know what this is.  Seems to be styrofoam with a small seat in one end.  Back in the day, we used to find things like this on the beach in Florida - rafts from people trying to travel from Cuba.

The malecon was busy with walkers and joggers.  All ages and genders.  All sweaty in the humidity.

I took this because the sight made me hum "Sitting on the dock of the bay".

The guy above was doing yoga on the dock.  This is the dock where powerboats were picking up day trippers the other day.

This view made me hum the Village People.  Those ships belong to the Colombian Navy.

Bocagrande is know as being one of the more upscale areas of Cartagena.  It is kept clean and safe to keep attracting the tourists and wealthy locals.

All the Christmas decorations are still up.  I'm planning to cruise the Old City one night soon so I don't miss seeing them.

Coquina stone!  Feels like Florida.

This is how addresses are written.  

Did a cocoa pod fall?

Is this a Cocoa tree? Because I'm telling you now, if chocolate falls from above in Cartagena I might have to move here.

I'm not big on coffee and usually only drink decaf but am going to have to try some of Juan's coffee.

More Italian food.  Highly rated for food only moderate reviews for ambiance.

The foot prints left by a bird looked like birds flying, to me,

Thank goodness.  More pizza options.

And Arabic food for when I get tired of pizza.

Spanish food, white linen table cloths and decent reviews.

Many of the business parking lots are roped off.  I'm assuming the ropes are removed in the morning when the building's security guard arrives.

Not surprisingly, it's not hard to find what technology you need.  I was able to pick up a USB wall charger plug at the drugstore.

Another bakery/brunch place.  Is it just me or does Mexico have more bakeries per capita than Colombia?

By the time I headed back, I counted six busses near the McDonalds.

If you prefer local food, you can get an arepa on the street corner.  Filled with eggs, cheese, etc.
Or, step inside and have a McGriddle.

This is on my list for brunch.

I like that they have a guard cat.

I actually brought a hat but may need another one.

Dogs on the beach.

I'm not sure if the butterflies in front of my building are permanent or Christmas decorations.

When you return from the store, you can use a cart to haul your stuff to your apartment.

No rain or clouds today!

I believe this is the best view from a bathroom I've ever had.  Except maybe from the boat I spent a few days on in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Juan Carlos picked me up to head to the Old City to tour a bit and pick up some ceviche from his favorite place.  El Sombreon Ostreria is an outdoor stand.  There were about 12 people waiting when we joined the line.  They have 10 different sizes.  I got ceviche mixto (combo with squid, shrimp, fish) since they were out of pulpo (octopus).  I ordered the 45,000 COP, which is about $10 USD.  I was hungry and couldn't eat it all.  It was a bit heavy on onions for my taste but delicious.  I'll definitely go back.

I know this is disappointing news but I left my phone in the apartment when we went to the Old Cities.  Never fear, there will be more photos than you ever wanted to see coming soon.
Meanwhile - this is how they carefully prepared my ceviche for the trip home.

It came with saltines and mints.  There were at least a dozen shrimp in that cup along with all the other tasty seafood.

Monday afternoon, reading with a view.  Life is very good.