Cartagena
de Indias is
a large Caribbean beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in
the Caribbean Coast Region and capital of Bolívar Department. Cartagena
is a centre of economic activity in the Caribbean, as well a popular
tourist destination.
Activity
and development of the Cartagena region is dated back to 4000 B.C. around
Cartagena Bay by varying cultures of indigenous peoples. The Spanish
colonial city was founded on June 1, 1533 and named after Cartagena,
Spain. Cartagena served a key role in the development of the region
during the Spanish eras; it was a center of political and economic
activity due to the presence of royalty and wealthy viceroys. In 1984,
Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Cartagena, Colombia - 4 Ways
To Visit Before Leaving Home by Gary Sargent
If
you're not sure what to expect when planning a trip to Colombia, you've
already got a wide selection of handy references in popular culture to
give you an impression of the place before leaving. One place that pops
up time after time is Cartegena, the colonial port town that sits on the
Carribean coast. If you'd like to get excited about a Colombia vacation,
try any of the following four options.
Love In The Time Of Cholera -
Gabriel Garcia Marquez' Novel
Colombia's most famous
literary export, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, spent most of his early years in
Cartegena. Even though the city is not explicitly mentioned (dubbed a
"Caribbean port town") it doesn't take a genius to see that
Marquez is writing about Cartegena in Love In The Time Of Cholera, one of
his most famous books that became a film adaptation in 2007. Weaving a
complex narrative that twists and turns amongst the city's "steamy
and sleepy streets", Marquez will have you ready to book your
ticket, even if the novel is set between the late-nineteenth and
early-twentieth centuries.
The Mission - The Award
Winning Robert De Niro Movie
Set in the 1750's, The Mission
chronicles the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in the jungles of South
America. Showered with awards, The Mission won the Palme d'Or and the
Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Filming took place in Cartegena
and Brazil, so for an introduction to the city via an award winning film
you should check this one out.
Smuggler's Blues - Miami Vice's Popular Episode
It's only so long before the
drug references creep into any mention of Colombia, but what better way
to introduce them than through one of Miami Vice's most popular episodes.
The classic Eighties cop show goes on the road as Crockett and Tubbs are
recruited by the DEA to track down a local law-enforcer who is murdering
drug dealers and their families in cold blood. The episode takes its name
from a song by musician Glenn Fray, who appears in the episode as a
laid-back aircraft pilot, Jimmy Cole. If you can look up from your
well-bitten nails, you'll see that most of the filming takes place in
Cartagena, Colombia.
The Red Herring - Romancing
The Stone
A popular offering from the
mid-Eighties, you've probably seen Robert Zemikis' Romancing The Stone at
one point or another. Kathleen Turner's big screen break and Michael
Douglas' re-introduction to the movie-going public, the film enjoyed box
office success. For those without a viewing, the film follows
romantic novelist Jean Wilder who is drawn down to Colombia when her
sister is held to ransom in...yup, you've guessed it...Cartegena,
Colombia.
However,
before you dig out the VCR player and that old dusty tape, you should
know that the majority of filming took place in Veracruz, Mexico. You're
about as likely to see a Colombian vista as you are an appearance by
Indiana Jones. Stacking up the reasons not to see this movie, Douglas
pronounces the name of the town Cartegeña ("Cartehenya"), as
opposed to the correct "Cartehena", a source of much annoyance
amongst locals.
You
may not be visiting 18th century Colombia or flying down with the boys
from Miami Vice, but you can certainly afford to associate yourself with
a little excitement and romance that will definitely be a part of your
Colombia vacation if you decide to visit Cartagena.
About the Author: Gary Sargent
is the Managing Director of the tour companies Escaped to Peru and
Escaped to Latin America and has lived in South America for over 10
years. Gary is passionate about Latino life, people, customs and places.
To learn more or to book your next adventure please visit
www.escapedtolatinamerica.com
