January 13, 2025 - Morning Walks

 I love Sunday nights.  Looking at my calendar to see what awaits on Monday morning.  For decades, I flew to work on Sundays and Mondays meant a very long work day with pressures that seemed important at the time but I can barely remember now.

The only thing on my calendar for today is a massage in my apartment this morning.  For $23 an hour.  Will I do this every Monday?  YES!  Am I likely to do it more than once a week?  Probably!  When will I ever have this opportunity again?

Mondays and massages aside, every morning starts with a walk.  At home, my most excellent dog Buddy loves walks more than anything, including food.  And he really loves his food.  He makes it easy for me to walk every morning because if I don't, he whines all day.

Here, it is very tempting to stay on the balcony, enjoying a second cup of decaf and the view.  But, my body isn't getting stronger by sitting.  I've only missed two days so am feeling pretty noble.  But, walking in Bocagrande is a bit more of a challenge.  Mostly because of the uneven sidewalks.  And crossing the streets.  It's hard for me to focus on not tripping while admiring the scenery.

I've walked the three blocks over to walk on the smooth, even paved path by the seawall.  Walking on that path (called a malecon here) is easy with a great view.  But it faces east and the sun is hot, even at 7 a.m.  I enjoyed walking up and down the streets because it let me see what was in the area.  But, I tripped a couple of times and really don't want to break my leg again.

Today, I walked the beach again.  It has a view, about the same number of fellow walkers/runners/gawkers as the malecon.  I only have to cross one two lane road and am less likely to trip on sand.  The good looking surfers are a bonus.  Because of the breakwaters,  I can't just walk in a straight line but the beach seems to be the best option.  

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed the walk.

All of the high rise buildings are across the street from the beach.  Then, just follow the path. 

I don't know how they determine whose territory is whose but the beach is sectioned off with men renting chairs and umbrellas.  This guy has the prices posted.  Another guy wanted more than double.

Two lounge chairs (with pads) and an umbrella is about $12.  For an hour or the day.

I've never seen a bad ocean view.  But add the Old City and it is perfect.

Left from yesterday.  I love watching kids at the beach/pool.

My building, Morros City.

Shades of Bay Watch.

The water is warm and people start swimming as soon as the sun comes up.

You've heard of shoe trees?

People like to climb/walk on the breakwater.  For me, it would be a "breakhip".

I get the drift - you don't want me crossing there.  Truly, the stones were enough of a deterrent.

Swimmers in the foreground, surfers in the back, waiting for a wave.  Waves aren't big but guys are out every morning.

Umbrellas and my building in the background.

Playa Bocagrande.  Many call it the Miami Beach of Colombia.

This guy and his buddies were feasting on some finger-sized bait fish.

My brother and I used to have annual passes to Disney World.  We frequently spent a lot of our time offering to take photos of families, with their cameras.  This mom and daughter were having fun doing a "photo shoot", so I offered to take their photo together. They seemed happy and it made me feel like Larry was here, too.  

Feliz.  Happy.  I agree with whoever wrote that.  

I appreciate the tidy way this person left his clothes before going swimming.

Ignore the penis shaped umbrella please.  I was trying to figure out what's hanging from this building.  A large cable?  A tiny little slide, gone horribly wrong?

Looking back toward my building.

There are a series of breakwaters all along Bocagrande.  You have to either climb over or walk to the street to go around.  I do not climb.  Anything.

There's very little trash on the beach, since the vendors work hard to keep it clean.  They'd collected this pile to be disposed of.  A dog and her pup ran over to check it out.  As soon as the vendor saw me walking by, he ran to chase the dogs away.  Tourism is a major part of the economy here and they want to keep it that way.

I took their photo, too.  I've only had one person (at Epcot) who became angry when I offered to use his camera to take his/family's photo.  It was a communication issue - he thought I was trying to steal his phone.  When someone explained what I was trying to do, he ran after me to apologize and hand me his phone.  Then he offered to take my photo, with my camera.  And pretended to run away with my phone. 

Have I mentioned lately that the Old City of Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?  Fun fact, I try to visit as many UNESCO sites as possible.  There are a lot in the USA.  https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/

We had rain the first few days I was here.  Since then, temperatures have been steady at 88-90 for highs and 75-76 for lows.  Very few clouds and humidity between 80-90%.  Ideal in the shade with the sea breeze.

The Bocagrande Mall.  

The Hyatt Regency is attached to the mall.  The marketing folks at Hyatt might argue it is the other way around.

Some trash on the beach but not much.  And the vendors were collecting it.

Ocean-view, outdoor seating for the food court at the mall.

Forget your swimsuit?  No problem!  Shopping next to the beach.

This set up can be yours for 12 hours for $12.  Vendors stop by with drinks and snacks.  Or, to give you a massage.  Juanita, who gave me an excellent massage in my apartment this morning, typically works on the beach.

See the quirky gold building?  Now, look to the next tall building and that's my edificio - Morros City. Which isn't to be confused with the other Morros apartment buildings in the area.  Is there a Mr. Morros?  Is he married?

The vendors work hard.  This guy is raking the beach area before he sets up his chairs.  The umbrellas are there 24/7.

This little guy was happy to let me pet him.

I think Bud would like the beach.  I'm not so sure he'd enjoy the elevator or losing his doggy-door access to the backyard.

Even when I was young I didn't do this. The risk/reward ratio never made sense to me.  

Textures drew my eye today.  

Rock?  Old coral?  Not sure but it was beautiful.

This bird found a chicken leg bone and was having the best breakfast.

I've been watching these guys surf every morning.  This was the first time I saw them out of the water.

Ok, that's my building on the left - the pool is on top of the colorful front wall. My view of the sunset is blocked by the much shorter building just to our left.  I'm guessing the Morros City people were not happy when that building went up, looking over our pool and blocking sunset views.

I'm telling you, these vendors work hard.  This guy is washing the lounge chairs before putting them out for customers.

Every single chair.  Every day.

Roland, they said they'd put a "reserved" sign for you.

It is a short walk from the beach to my condo.

Juanita doesn't have a massage table so we use the bed and a chair.  She works on my feet/legs and shoulders/neck.  She's as good as any massage therapist I've experienced.  And, the view isn't bad.

The apartment comes with pool towels.  Smart to embroider them with the apartment info.

I'm just cooking simple meals.  Lunch was eggs and cheese on an arepa with gooseberries on the side.

I've been very impressed with this building.  On Monday mornings, the pool is closed for deep cleaning.  They scrub the deck, every chair/pad and empty the hot tub to clean it.

I have a great view for people watching.  Jet skis and banana rides like this are very popular.  Perhaps I shouldn't laugh so hard when someone on the banana goes flying.