Day 128, Cartagena and surroundings: Weekends like this, got to love it.

Beach time at Playa Blanca

I already wrote one post about my weekend that started on Friday: paddle boarding, then dinner and drinks with my new friend A. Except for the problems I have with my phone(s), it was a perfectly fun, relaxing and enjoyable day. On Saturday I went to my home beach in Marbella for a while, and once again was so happy about living so close to the beach. No planning or preparation needed, just put on your bikini, grab your towel and two minutes later you're there. In the evening I went with some friends to a house party in La Boquilla, and Sunday's program was a boat trip to Playa Blanca, swimming pool, and a walk home in the sunset. The days when I was a student and spent my weekends working at a smoothie bar, or doing homework and writing my thesis (or desperately trying to motivate myself to do homework or write my theses) seem so far away. It's funny how fast you get used to easy life. :)

The party on Saturday night was a different and very nice experience. A friend of mine said he knew a girl who was throwing a house party in La Boquilla and asked me if I wanted to go. An other friend came as well and surprisingly also my roommate with two other girls because they had heard of the same party. It was weird to be in La Boquilla on a Saturday and to run into La Vecina kids without their school uniforms. La Boquilla is a run-down and poor neighborhood where everything is far from chic or luxurious. However, this house was very cool and charming in its own way. They had a big garden where the party took place and we got to enjoy some live music as well. 

Masquerade style with roommate A

K and D posing

Afterwards we took a taxi back to the centre and had some drinks at Plaza de la Trinidad, the main plaza in Getsemani, with my friends K and D. Me and D continued the party at his place in El Laguito (superbe views from the 21st floor!), and when I came home the sun was almost up. You should be proud of me, I stayed out the whole night! Haha.

But I am still young (birthday in two weeks nooooo), on Sunday I was up at 7, walked 40 minutes to the pier (you see, I have reduced my taxi riding) and took a boat to Playa Blanca, on Isla de Baru, with S and his dad who was visiting from a town near Bogota. Before arriving to Playa Blanca we stopped at another island where those who wanted could visit an aquarium. I preferred to read my book in the sun so that's what I did, and afterwards we all hopped back on the ferry and made it to Playa Blanca. Even if we only had a couple of hours to stay there, and even if there were million other people as well, it was great. And even if the boat ride is a bit bumpy, it always feels wonderful to get out from the city and to breath the fresh sea air. The beaches on the islands are a lot prettier than on the mainland and, as the name says, Playa Blanca is a beach with perfectly white sand. That together with clear turquoise water of exactly the perfect temperature, who could ask for more?

When we got back from the beach we kept enjoying the sun and the relaxing Sunday at S's pool (as always). It was not only relaxing though, we did some yoga, fitness and aqua gym as well. Then, to end my weekend in perfection, I walked from Bocagrande back home to Marbella (again, no taxi), all the way along the seaside. The sun was just about to set and it was extremely beautiful and peaceful. My phone run out of battery (the one that now died as well so I have no phone at all at the moment) so I couldn't take pictures but as soon as I buy a new phone I will do the same walk again and show you how amazing it is. 

The rainy season is finally here! Early on Monday morning I woke up at a thunderstorm and jumped up to close all the windows. When I left for work the air was fresh but the streets were inundated (the canalisation system here does not seem great), and it took ages for the bus to get to La Boquilla. The situation there was even worse because there are no streets, everything is sand. People said that because it has not been raining in such a long time, the ground has trouble absorbing the water and that is why there is a flood. Today is has dried a bit but still in order to get from one school building to another we have to take our shoes off and wade in the water. I wanted rain, I guess that is what I got. Be careful what you wish for and so on. 

View from the bus

Arriving to Fundacion La Vecina with my new colleague K

We are supposed to wear pants at work because we work with kids. Well, the next day I wore shorts anyway.

xx Emi

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