The Final Chapter

July 27, 2012

Like real tourists, we took a double decker bus around Cartagena. I think we picked the hottest day! 

The city is a Spanish colonial port with a spectacular walled old town, medieval palaces, monasteries, plazas and overhanging balconies. We toured most of the downtown area. 

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress in Cartagena. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location. It was built by the Spanish during the colonial era. Construction began in the year 1536, and it was originally known as the Castillo de San Lázaro, It was expanded in 1657.

Evening flight- Cartagena to Bogota! 

Fifty Shades of Blue

July 26, 2012 

This morning we took a boat ride to "Isla Grande" in the Rosario Islands. Rosario is made up of 23 islands and islets, and “Isla Grande” is the biggest one. Mangroves, coastal saltwater lagoons, and dry tropical forests characterize its natural environment. Visiting the Caribbean really showed us all another amazing face of Colombia. 

From the boat we saw the 18th-century Spanish fortress of San Rafael and San Fernando.

Some of the bluest water & whitest sand my eyes have ever seen. Lets just call it, "Fifty Shades of Blue." 

Private islands scattered around the area. 

The beach was lined with coral. Many of us went snorkeling in this water seeing schools or fish, star fish, and possibly even a sting ray.

Since our Bridget Jones Diet (the more you eat the better) was getting a little out of hand, we did some water aerobics thanks to our  "coach" Jennifer Turner. 

A few of us expressed our urge for fresh coconut water to a local man selling jewelry on the beach. He led us to another part of the island on a beautiful resort, Gente De Mar,  featuring several parrots, peacocks, and Botero statues. This upscale resort, usually only occupied few months a year, was paradise! 

http://www.gentedemarresort.com/

Botero statues on the beach 

The man at the resort climb a tree to pick four coconuts. After we sipped on the coconut juice he cracked the coconuts open for us to enjoy! Now that's what I call fresh fruit! 

After a very rocky boat ride back, that I LOVED, but mostly everyone else HATED, I enjoyed some brick oven pizza on the terrace of the hotel and watched the Cartagena sunset. 

We wanted to get the most out of our day and night, soaking in the last hours in Cartagena. Lonley plant (the travel guide) suggested El Santisimo for dinner and Cafe del Mar for cocktails- we weren't disappointed!

 http://www.elsantisimo.com/

Our heartfelt, very informal speeches & goodbyes! 

 

http://cafedelmarcartagena.com/cdm/

Beyond the Headlines

July 25, 2012 

This morning we woke up in our beachfront hotel. Honestly, I would have loved to relax on the beach all day, but I'm not on vacation.  

 

Our agenda for today was packed! Our first stop was at the University of Cartagena. We toured the campus and spoke with several bilingual students who wanted to speak with us in order to practice their English speaking skills. 

Two members of the Fulbright group, Dan & Sarah, even got the opportunity to be interviewed for a local television station to discuss the Fulbright Program.

The president of the university was kind enough to greet us too! 

We also listened to a lecture by German Ruiz, a professor at the university, about the reinsertion of children and adolescents to the education system and society.  He explained the work he does trying to help former paramilitary associates back into society. He introduced us to a man, who at the age eleven became involved in a paramilitary group. Unfortunately, he was forced to join the group or would have been killed. He worked for three paramilitary groups who were involved in assassinations and drug trafficking. At the age of twelve he was the "right hand man" to one of the leaders of a very powerful group and began using drugs.  At 25 he left the group and now, in his thirties, he's trying to reenter society. He works as a security guard, but if often scared of his own security. Being involved in the paramilitary group for so long, knowing so much inside information, he is at risk in society. This man had a great deal of courage to share his story with us, but sadly he still continues to struggle in society. He explained he often misses his old lifestyle because for so many years it’s all he knew. He made a lot of money and was accepted by his peers, now he is frowned upon by people in his community.

Some students from the university performed a folk dance.

Several of the Fulbrighters joined the fun! 

The charming streets of Cartagena.

Sarah & her guitar

Our final Fulbright lunch 

Emily, Sarah, and Dan performed the song they'd been working very hard on,"Fulbright Hays 2012 Beyond the Headlines." The song spoke volumes and had us all reminiscing and laughing. Job well done guys! 

Click to see the performance! 

Shrimp in a white wine cognac sauce! Yummy!

The theatre 

Stone fortresses and towering walls up to 20 meters thick characterizing Colombia's coastal city of Cartagena are reminders of the Caribbean's shady pirate past dating all the way back to the 1500's.