Enchanting Cartagena

Step back in time into the magnificent regal architecture of the walled city of Cartagena.  Stoll through the narrow colonial streets bursting with colors and charm, full of massive stone fortresses, historical churches, gorgeous mansions, scenic picturesque plazas.

Taste the delicious foods inspired by Spanish, African and local flavors in the many restaurants, cafes, and street vendors that crowd the plazas.

Witness one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen as you find a place on the ancient wall, sipping a glass of wine or eating a Colombian chocolate dessert.

End the evening as the city’s nightlife comes alive with the beat of Afro- Colombian sounds and seductive salsa music.

Cartagena, the Gem of Colombia

You’ve probably heard that Cartagena is a popular destination that has so much to offer, from bustling streets filled with street performers, food vendors old city architecture to the panoramic ocean views of the Caribbean ocean against the city’s skyline.  There’s gorgeous beaches, amazing cuisine, the world’s best Emeralds and funky graffiti art decorating the streets.

What you probably haven’t heard is that Cartagena was one of the largest slave trading ports in the world, and as a result, Cartagena has one of the world’s largest population of African descendants.

What most people don’t learn when they visit is that many Africans were transported through Plaza del Esclavo, now known as Plaza de los Coches, a popular spot for shopping; but was once the site of millions of Africans chained, branded and sold.

As Black Women, we’ll explore all facets of this city and understand the significant impact made by Africans that often remains hidden, denied and ignored.

Did you know that just outside of Cartagena lies the only surviving African village founded by escaped enslaved Africans during the 17th Century in the Americas? San Basilio de Palenque is considered the first free Black town in the Americas. Sadly, there are said to be less than 5,000 residents who remain to preserve and maintain their African culture, distinct creole language (Palenquero), musical and cultural traditions.

This is the Cartagena we will visit, one that fully paints an entire picture of Cartagena, the history of slavery and also celebrates the enormous impact made by African culture.

So when you see Cartagena’s legendary fruit vendors, the Black women known as Las Palenqueras selling fruit piled high in bowls they carry on their heads, with their colorful bright dresses that make tourist want to stop and photograph, you’ll know the real story behind their smiles.

Starting with the fruits; there’s so many fresh fruit options that you’ll never get bored. You can find unique fruit that you’ve maybe never tasted like pitaya (yellow dragon fruit), granadilla, guanábana (soursop), uchuvas (cape gooseberries), and lulos (naranjillas), papaya, just to name a few.

There’s also plenty of rice, beans, corn, root vegetables and herbs to keep your belly full and taste buds satisfied.

Now, to the street food! Throughout the walled city, day or night, you’ll find the best street fare that Cartagena has to offer. Starting with breakfast, I’m told that we can’t leave Cartagena without having some arepa con huevo, a beloved breakfast food, made with a whole, uncooked egg, sealed inside two rounds of cornmeal dough and deep-fried to tender, flaky perfection…mmmm’

When you’re ready for a midday snack, how about a famous Colombian arepas, made of Colombian ground maize dough, cooked and compressed into a delicious flatbread.

My life can mainly be divided into two categories–before consistent spiritual practice and after consistent spiritual practice. When I am practicing my spirituality consistently, by which I mean, consistent meditation, journaling, gratitude, visioning and positive affirmations, etc., my life works. When I don’t, it doesn’t. Simple as that. What I have been able to figure out after years of trial and error, taking short cuts, pleading and begging for someone or something to fix it is that creating the habit of being who I want to be and loving myself through it, is the best way to go.

When I figured that out, I mean really got it, everything changed.  It was like some doors were unlocked and I got answers to long seeking questions. I became more aware of my own stuff; but not like before where I would feel defensive or guilty and play the same silly game, it’s my fault, it’s their fault, it’s his fault, it’s her fault, over and over and over again. Not like that at all; more in an empowering way, like “okay, I see that, now how can I make changes.” No fuss no muss –just practice.

And then I began to feel joy like it was a fountain inside of me that I could increase whenever I wanted. That was very cool. And things started to happen to me. My relationships got better. The focus of my purpose and career changed and best of all, I found love without looking for it. After I got back on track, I decided that never again would I allow myself to drift away from what’s important to me. Around that time, I began going on retreats again, for things like yoga, meditation and detox. However, on these retreats I seldom saw any women of color.

So I decided to create retreats for myself AND my sisters, because I know many of you have experienced exactly what I went through. Now I’m creating a sort of “ecosystem for fun and learning” –off the beaten path, including enriching, luxury retreats for women of color who want to disconnect from their hectic lives and reconnect with their true selves. And my greatest joy is to see these women return home feeling as rejuvenated and transformed as I felt, with all the tools and techniques they need to live a healthier, more empowered and beautifully balanced lives. My vision for you is to realize who you are. To see yourself as unstoppable. To let yourself shine!

 Does this sound like you? Then  join me.

 Let’s nourish our souls; Travel the globe & Transform our worlds together.