Independence
Anyone who hears "Rio de Janeiro" sees beautiful barazillas in feathers dancing the samba in the streets during Carnival. And what do you think when you hear Cartagena de Indias?
Probably nothing :P because it's a little-known city. Cartagena, after all, is the eternal enemy of the Romans and Indias are Indians so what does it have to do with Rio? But it does...
Cartagena is the colonial jewel of the Caribbean. A city as beautiful as it is underrated by all who have not seen it. And it was the city that declared independence from the Spanish crown on November 11, 1811.Later, the Spaniards bloodily conquered it, but once Simon Bolivar created the independent Gran Colombia, Cartagena was the symbol of the struggle for independence.
200 years later, Cartagena celebrates the independence on November 11 each year. And here we come to the link with Rio. If you happen to be in Colombia during this period - be sure to try to hit the Independence Day celebrations! Because it looks like... Carnival in Rio - only more.... locally ;). That is, fewer tourists, cheaper, you do not need to buy tickets for the parade show because the parade is... everywhere (except the main one which has a fixed route and time). The whole city is dancing, Latinos and Latinas in feathers, samba, bachata, salsa, colorful costumes and smiles...
All photos in this post are mine.
