My Experience and Culture Shock Visiting Cartagena, Colombia For The First Time.
- Knowledge of the local tongue is very important.
I took steps to learn Spanish everyday for about 3 months. Before the trip, I went from 2percent language knowledge to 18percent but knowing how to say “si”, “nada”, “cual es tu numero de telephono” is not enough.
From the moment I got to the Colombian Airport Security, I started noticing the language barrier. The lady spoke English but her strong accent made her words sound to me like she was still speaking Spanish.
Then right after leaving security, you reach the money exchange section where $140 got me COP364,532. A few feet from foreign exchange is the Welcome Section and the optimistic taxi drivers offering their services. Everyone speaking Spanish. I had anticipated everyone speaking Spanish, but the reality of it was nerve racking for a non Spanish, English speaking traveler.
I got by, and you can too — I was surprised by how so little (nobody in my close proximity at the airport) spoke English, truth be told, I expected the local language to be primary but I also expected someone to speak English. One person, anybody? Oh my. To my surprise and possibly the first time in my life, I was in a crowd of people and had no way to verbally communicate. I had never experienced that level of fright before. Culture shock: I was missing “The comfort of commonality”. I was experiencing the “Limitations of my education” in real time. It wasn’t as nerve racking the second time I went to Cartagena but the first time was quite an experience. On your trip, be ready. Write down your address on paper, have local currency, arrive during the day, have someone pick you up if possible, write some words on paper in Spanish like “Could you please take me to X”, “Could you please dial this number for me”, “Could you please write down how much you’d charge to take me to this address”. When words fail you, use the gift of sight. Show them the paper. They definitely can read Spanish.
- The People
A thing or two should be said about the willingness to help from the people in Cartagena. Which was a delight, however, nothing is for free.
A taxi driver gave me his phone to call my ride, I gave him COP2,000 as a thank you.
Friendly, yes. Willing to help, yes. That’s the trade. Cash is the barter.
My airBnB host picked me up from the airport, I paid COP23,000 — which is more than the cost of taxi, if I had taken one myself. For some reason, I expected the airport pick up to be complimentary or not cost as much. Different expectations.
- The Weather
IT IS HOT. Not like cute hot, more like “sweaty, is this fan even working? is the AC on?” kind of hot. I can see how the AC could stay on the whole day, living here. But rarely do the homes have AC — people just crack the window open.
No one had to tell me to take my hoodie off — I almost took my shirt off too — at the airport! Reminds me of Phoenix, Summer time.
I don’t think anyone should have to wear more than a tank top living here, I went bare chested a few times. Bogota was cold but Cartagena was quite hot.
There’s a local beach by the mall but the beach of choice would be going to Santa Marta — which is a short drive away.
Cartagena has Palm trees, reminded me of Florida.
- Safety
Before flight day, I remember reading comments online advising not to bring out your phone. I still think this is wise advise. I did see locals in the car with their phone, I also saw tourists taking group photos. I’ll point out when you get in a taxi, roll your windows up (to prevent someone reaching in and snatching your belonging), then use your phone.
You will see a handful homeless people sleeping in the street and some sketchy characters (around downtown) but if have your wit with you at all times, as you should, you’ll be fine.
There are stray dogs roaming the street, there are also mentally unstable folks here and there, who kind of survive on left overs. Locals leave left overs by the walk pavement for them to come pick up.
- The Culture
As expected, everyone speaks the local language. Only few people speak conversational English. So this limits interaction between (non Spanish speaking and only Spanish speaking) people as no one can understand the other. Oh, they play loud music here. During the day!
Most people air dry their clothes. Prepare to shower with warm/cold water, no “water heater” on my trip. You shower mid day because the sun would have warmed the water a bit. Quite an experience.
Little things we get so used to living in a first world. Travel helps you realize just how blessed you really are, how so little your worries are, things you take for granted and expose the many benefits you’ve somehow learned to take for granted. Driving a new car the same year it was produced, using a new phone, wearing “original” clothes (clothes made by the name brand not knock off claiming the name brand), the animal shelter, the psychiatric homes. Even a dish washer, a washer and dryer. From AC house to AC car to AC office. Such privilege. The very simple little things.
- Livability
Yes, I’d live here. It’d have to be the nicer part of town — I stayed a few minutes walk from the mall, but my host showed me a “nicer” (ofcourse more expensive) part of town where most foreigners lived. I can live here 3months, soaking in the culture.
Overall, the trip to Colombia was a success. I regard a trip as a success when I exit my element, learn something new, enjoy the stay and want to return, double points if I experience something (internal {a new sense of self} or external) for the first time — all of which happened on this trip. I’m looking forward to my next trip.
Cartagena could easily be a reset destination, short flight time, complete culture shock, spend four days to a week (I tend to not stay in one location too long, I venture around the country instead) then return home or move on to a new country.
Travel Long. Travel Far. Travel Close. Travel Near. In all you do. Travel Safe. So You Can Travel Again.
With Love,
Famous Steve.
