Exploring el Centro

This past Sunday, a fellow teacher, Elizabeth, and I met up to walk around el Centro.  Most of the restaurants inside the city walls are quite pricey, but we found where many of the locals hang out.  For $4.50, we got a full meal: fish soup, rice, beans, stewed beef, patacones, salad with avocado, and iced tea.  The iced tea was desperately needed because the day was a steamer, and the diner didn't have A/C.  

We walked around for several hours enjoying the life of the place.  Notice the beautiful colonial architecture.  I'm standing in front of Pedro de Heredia's statue, the founder of Cartagena de Indies.  He wasn't a very nice guy.  

Of course, one can only go so long without ice cream, so we stopped in this cute gelateria.  The best part was the ice cream was made of real fruits and had only natural ingredients in it.  I guess you could say it was a healthy snack.  At least, that was my reasoning for getting three scoops.  

Crib Crawl

     Last night a group of teachers went on a crib crawl, which is mainly a chance to see where everyone lives.  We visited eight apartments and spent some time in each one having a drink and snack.  One could definitely tell who is spending more on living quarters.  There is a building a few blocks from me where some teachers live.  Their views are spectacular as their balconies open up to the whole ocean, allowing them to see the sunset every night.  Out of the newbie teachers that participated, I am definitely glad I have my apartment.  It is well decorated, has great views and is well taken care of.  Plus, I served the better drink, wine, so that had to count for something.  
     We ended up at Matt's place in el Centro, the middle of the walled city.  This place was incredible.  When coming in off the street, there was a hallway with a bathroom and laundry room.  Once upstairs, he had a huge kitchen that opened up to a large patio and garden area.  From there, you could take a metal staircase leading up to a rooftop patio and Jacuzzi area.  Back down by the kitchen, the other side opened up to his room/sitting area.  There were two queen-sized beds and two long couches.  Finally, there was a balcony overlooking the cobble-stone street.  Unfortunately, this place has its drawbacks.  One, the utilities are way more expensive since it's in the walled city and everything is older.  Two, there are mosquitoes there since no ocean breeze filters its way in.  And, three, he pays three times more than I do for this place, more than he gets paid every month.  He enjoys it, though, and it's a great place for a get-together.  
  On a completely different note, the avocados are delicious here.  Becky made guacamole, and it was addictive.  I do believe it's time I try my hand at making some.....or, even better, have my maid do it! 

First Holiday!

Yesterday was the national holiday Battle of Boyaca, a decisive battle for the liberation of Colombia against the Spanish led by Simon Bolivar.  That's right: I've already had a day off!  Every time I walk towards the old city, there are people in a grassy area by the wall (surrounds the old city) flying kites.  Yesterday was especially busy, with several kite vendors on the outskirts of the park selling all sorts of kites: princess, superhero, animals, etc.  There are carts with food and an overall familial atmosphere.  The sea is right across the street, so the conditions for flying are superb.  

Cooking Class

Yesterday after school, a group of us rode the bus to Tania's apartment building.  We all brought something to contribute to our first ever Colombian cooking class.  When we arrived, everything was nicely laid out.  

 They started by giving us a cup of fruit with a scoop of ice cream on top.  The Colombians also add heavy cream and cheese to this treat, so of course, we had to try it that way.  It was good, but I think I prefer having it without.  

 There were several different jobs to do: peeling and cutting three different types of potatoes, washing and cutting chicken, rinsing out the rice, peeling and cutting corn on the cob, etc.  What's pretty amazing about all this is that normally, only one person would be making the whole meal.  I'm beginning to think the maids do not get paid enough.  

We made two types of juices: lulo and maracuya.  They are both sour by themselves, but after adding a pound of sugar, they are delicious and refreshing drinks.  (The Colombians really enjoy their calories.)

 While waiting for the meal to cook, we witnessed another beautiful sunset.  

 The time has arrived!  Four hours later, we all sit down to eat Ajiaco, a typical Colombian meal.  The soup on the left was quite tasty as the broth is the water from boiling the corn and chicken.  Added to all this was heavy cream (surprise, surprise) and avocado.   

I'm sure the cleanup would've been horrendous, but Tania's maid and the waiter she hired did it all.  We have talked about learning how to make empanadas next; I can't wait!

Pampered

Today was a lazy day.  The school provided a wonderful breakfast set out on nice tablecloths with flower centerpieces.  After a meeting or two, they then provided lunch.  (How I love free meals!)  

It was also the first day for my maid, Guadalupe, to clean my apartment.  I know, I know, a maid? But you're only one person!  Well, if I don't help support the locals, who will?  Upon returning home, my house was clean, some of my clothes ironed, towels and rugs washed, and my favorite, dinner made.  In these containers are beans, rice, vegetables and fruit..enough for three days or more!  Now I'll just have to figure out how to heat everything up as I do not have a microwave.  Maybe a toaster oven...?

Oh, and one more thing: my air conditioning is fixed!  Wahoo!

I can't take it anymore!

This is the painting I look at every time I stand at my kitchen sink or sit to eat.  Although it definitely has a Caribbean flare to it, I cannot help but empathize with the fish.  Though I believe the artist painted them to be dead, they seem to be staring up in horror at a giant, bearded man with an ax and an evil snicker.  The fish on the bottom has apparently given up and is dejectedly awaiting his fate.  Since depression sinks in whenever I see the poor souls, I have decided that this is where I'll be hanging some of the pictures I brought with me.  As much as I'd love to give the fish a final resting place on the bottom of the ocean, the landlady might notice (who wouldn't?), so I'll have to stick with putting them under the bed to be seen only by Bella and whatever roaches decide to crawl through.  

My Humble Abode

The Guest Bathroom

Kitchen

Still in the kitchen...washing machine

That's right: no dishwasher

Dining room table

Sitting area

My view off the balcony (yes, that's the ocean)

Obviously, the bedroom with some interesting storage areas

Sideways bathroom (can't figure out how to flip it yet)

My weirdly-shaped shower

So, this is pretty much my apartment.  It is very small but livable.  While trying to boil water for tea this morning, I realized I had no idea how to start the stove.  Turns out, I have to use this flimsy match to ignite the gas.  Lovely.  I'm getting a LONG lighter at the store today.  And actual cooking in the oven..forget about it.  

My shower is only cold water, which turns out to be quite refreshing after the constant downpour of sweat emitting from my body....ALL THE TIME.  Upon returning from the store yesterday, I was covered in gritty sand that had stuck onto all the sweat.  Showering is a definite must here.  

The one small glitch here is that the AC is broken.  Someone will come out to look at it next week, and I haven't actually needed it yet, but I don't know if the ocean breezes will always be here.  

The views from my place are quite beautiful.  To the east is the Cartagena River with the slums; to the south are skyscrapers lit up during the night; and to the north and west are crashing waves and seagulls floating through the air.  I literally have to just walk out my building, cross the street, and bam, I'm on the beach.  Does life get any better?